The Tactical Debrief with Dr. Massimino
The Tactical Debrief podcast
(Formerly The Staff Assistant Podcast) is designed to assist and educate public safety personnel about mental health issues and managing work-related stress. Dr. Massimino is a licensed clinical psychologist who works within a large law enforcement agency and treats first responders in her private practice.
Each episode is designed to mimic an intake session - giving you an inside look into what meeting with a therapist would look like - through the eyes of other first responders. The goal of The Tactical Debrief podcast is to normalize therapy for law enforcement and first responders, and to reduce the suicide rate for this population.
The Tactical Debrief with Dr. Massimino
Episode 47: CDCR Lt. Salvador Bermudez
In this episode, we interview CDCR Lt. Salvador Bermudez who works at California State Prison Los Angeles County. “Sal” as his friends know him, discusses his history of high blood pressure/hypertension that he left untreated for a prolonged period of time. We discuss the relationship between work stress and high blood pressure, and the unique challenges he has faced working at his institution.
Sal’s untreated hypertension has led to kidney failure and he is currently receiving dialysis three days a week. He has exhausted his leave credits and continues to work while he waits for a donor to provide him with a kidney transplant. Sal is married with two children, one of which has special needs. He is the sole provider for his family.
Sal needs a kidney donor who is either O+ or O- blood type, who has no chronic medical conditions and someone who is not overweight. But even if you aren’t a match, your donation (in his name) could move his name to the top of the donor list. To apply to begin the process to see if you could donate, please go to the website:
https://usc.donorscreen.org/register/now
If you know Sal, or have worked with him before, he could use your support. Please reach out to him. Once he receives a kidney donation, he plans to set up a catastrophic time bank so that he can have the donation surgery and recover at home afterward.
If you don’t have his contact information, feel free to reach out to me.