NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON
1 Boone Rd, Bremerton WA 98312

Health fair provides interactive health assessments, wellness demonstrations

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

More than 100 NHB staff members and health beneficiaries took advantage of a women’s health fair set up on the hospital’s quarterdeck last Thursday, receiving information, demonstrations, and assessments on a variety of health topics.

This is the first of three events held by the hospital’s health promotions clinic in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“While targeting breast cancer awareness, the goal was really over-all wellness for women,” said Aimee Aldendorf, the hospital’s health educator and coordinator of the fair.

The concept of “over-all wellness” was demonstrated by the informational booths available at the fair.  Not only were patrons able to interact with mammography experts, exercise leaders and dieticians, but on-site spas taught the importance of relaxation in wellness and the Kitsap Regional Library showcased its resources for health research and self-improvement.  This broad coverage of health issues meant that any attendee was likely to find something that applied to them.

“When people were just passing through, especially the husband and wife teams, they both had something to find,” said Kendra Scroggs, NHB’s marketing manager.

More than just a place to pick up flyers and pamphlets, the individual booths allowed the educators to interact more intimately with the attendees than they would in a group presentation.  Aldendorf said the booths provide more 1-on-1 communication.

One of the more popular presentations was the osteoporosis risk assessment, with nearly half of the fair attendees taking the time to get their bone density measured and receive counseling on how to prevent bone thinning.  Other interactive presentations included cooking demonstrations, foot assessments for walking and running, and even an introductory kick-boxing lesson.

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Julie Worley of Naval Hospital Bremerton Family Practice is administered an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment test by NHB Health Promotions Division staff as part of the Breast Cancer Awareness event on October 4. The test helps determine possible concern about the onset of osteoporosis, a bone-disease that can lead to increased risk of fracture and decrease in bone mass, which is often referred to as thinning of bone. Approximately 40 Participants were also quizzed on their daily intake of calcium-related foods to help combat osteoporosis. This test and other such health screenings, healthcare briefings, fashion show, cooking demonstration, mini-spa, shoe fittings, exercise demonstrations, and community resource information will be held at NBK-Bangor Fitness Center on Oct 10 and at NBK-Bremerton Fitness Center on Oct. 17.

“A lot of people don’t realize the resources we have here at the hospital,” said Aldendorf.

These resources will be presented to the larger Navy outside the Naval Hospital at a similar show at Bangor Wednesday, October 10 and the Bremerton Fitness Center October 17.  Wednesday’s fair added a fashion show of fitness clothing and the upcoming fair on the 17th will feature a chair massage.

 The final, upcoming health fair will be held at the Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton Fitness Center, beginning at 9 a.m. and having presentations scheduled through 6 p.m.

Miles of smiles provided by NHB staff in Peleliu Pacific Partnership

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton formally welcomed back three staff members from a mission that covered thousands of miles and produced an equal number of smiles. Lt. Cmdr Violeta Cruz, LT Elizabeth Solze, and HM2 (SW/AW) Laura Blanco deployed over four months ago on amphibious assault ship, USS Peleliu (LHA 5), for the second year of the Navy’s ‘Pacific Partnership’ humanitarian assistance mission. Peleliu visited the Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Marshall Islands.

“It was such a worthwhile experience,” said Cruz. “One of the things that stood out was how people in the countries we visited learned that USS Peleliu was also a source of humanitarian and medical assistance. People knew about the hospital ship USNS Mercy (that carried out the initial ‘Pacific Partnership’ mission last year) that’s painted white with the big red cross, and we came to them in a gray Navy warship that was capable of providing the same care and services.”

Cruz, Solze and Blanco were among approximately 1,400 military and civilian medical personnel, health care providers, and accompanying support staff that offered medical and dental treatment, preventative medical service, health-care support, and medicine educational tutoring and on-the-job training. Peleliu crew also engaged in numerous community relations projects such as facility and school repairs, construction and engineering projects. The numbers help to tell the story of their impact: Over 31,000 patients were treated for a variety of ailments; 290 surgeries were performed, and 10,000 pairs of glasses were fitted and issued.

When Peleliu pulled into an area, they not only handled medical and dental needs onboard, but also sent teams ashore. LT Solze was involved in several multiple-week ashore stints, such as one onto the Bicol region of the Philippines. Seven medical Civil Assistance Programs (CAPs) handled 10,000 patients and 142 surgeries, along with four engineering CAPs and eight community relations programs totaling 1,115 man-days of effort in the Bicol area. 

“The day after we left Bicol,” related Solze, “local insurgents were active. But in the time we spent there, we felt very safe working along with our counterparts from the Philippines. Host-nation support was always great. So many of the local residents were very grateful for our help. One of the biggest impacts the mission had on me personally was really how much we have to be thankful for. A lot of the people we saw didn’t have a lot.”

In addition, there were eight medical CAPs that treated 4,200 patients in the southern Philippines.  “I remember a boy about nine years old who had a cleft palate,” related Cruz. “He hadn’t told anyone. He was hoping we could fix it, so then he could go back and show all his classmates. When he awoke

Photo by HM2 Marika Steenblock

Naval Hospital Bremerton commanding officer, Capt. Catherine Wilson extends congratulatory heart-felt salutations to three staff members just returned from serving on the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) 'Pacific Partnership' humanitarian assistance mission. From L to R: Lt. Cmdr. Violeta Cruz, Lt. Elizabeth Solze, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Laura Blanco.

after the routine was finished, he gave us the ‘thumbs-up’ signal’. He was just so happy. To be able to be part of a life-changing event like that was tremendous.”

Besides Navy assets and several U.S. groups onboard during the deployment, there were also medical and health-care specialists from Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and South Korea. Even several doctors joined from Vietnam during the time spent there, which included 12 medical CAPs with 2,700 patients, eight engineering CAPs, and eight community relations projects.

In Papua-New Guinea, six medical CAPs were conducted for 4,700 patients, along with 76 surgeries performed. There were also nine engineering CAPs and six community relations projects totaling 800 man-days of effort.

The Pacific island nations that were visited by Peleliu, itself a namesake from the island-hoping campaign during World War Two, are all historically linked to the U.S. due to their respective importance before, during, and after the war years. In the Solomon Islands chain, forever part of U.S. military lore by the action on and around the main island and province of Guadalcanal, seven medical CAPs were performed for 2,300 patients, with 18 associated surgeries. There were also seven engineering CAPs and six community relations projects, for a total of 250 man-days of effort. In Micronesia, there was six medical CAPs with 1,500 patients conducted, and in the Marshall Islands, there were 12 medical CAPs with 5,100 patients and 65 surgeries, and 11 engineering CAPs and six community relations projects totaling 600 man-days of effort.

“We all learned first-hand that despite the cultural, historical and linguistic differences, everyone involved in providing the care to those who needed it were basically the same,” commented Solze. “Everyone is the same all over.” 

Especially if it includes thousands of miles and as many smiles.

Naval Hospital Bremerton anchors new chiefs

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton welcomed new members to its Chiefs Mess in a time-honored and traditional pinning ceremony that saw eight staff members put on the anchor insignia and khaki uniform as Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy.

Staff and family members crowded the hospital’s quarterdeck on September 21, to congratulate Chief Storekeeper Nemencio Alba, Chief Information Systems Technician Alexis Barnhart, Chief Postal Clerk Daniel Browne, Chief Hospital Corpsman Tim Coffey, Chief Hospital Corpsman Brian Dike, Chief Hospital Corpsman George Graham, Chief Hospital Corpsman Robert Ripps and Chief Hospital Corpsman Nathan Sims on their achievement.

The pinning ceremony capped off a seven weeks induction period that turned these top-of-their-game blue shirts into valued members of the command’s Chiefs Mess.

“These eight sailors are absolutely ready to assume the mantel of increased responsibility,” said Capt. Catherine Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, “and they’ll prove that not just by their talk but by their walk.”

In addition to incorporating the soon-to-be chiefs into the command’s Chiefs Mess via various mentoring, tutoring and chief-selectee training, the induction process included a strong focus on the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy’s ideals for his chief petty officers.

Photo by HM2 Marika Steenblock

HMC John DeCampos (left) places the khaki combination cap on newly-pinned SKC Namencio Alba during the hospital's chief pinning ceremony on the quarterdeck.

“The most influential aspect was all the hands on guidance,” said Ripps.  “The implementation of the MCPON’s chief petty officer school gives you more insight rather than just ‘here I am, I’m in khakis.’”

“One of the things I was most impressed by this group,” added Command Master Chief Sean Crane, “is how seriously they live the Navy’s core values and the MCPON’s mission, vision, and guiding principles.  I trust them to lead any Sailor anywhere.”

With the training and pining now behind them, these eight are now chiefs all the way and Crane said she has no doubts that the command will benefit from the new blood.

“What I look forward to is their new ideas, their new energy, their motivation and their new leadership,” she said.

Tactical medical training at NHB helps deploying corpsmen make combat care decisions

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton graduated its first class of corpsmen from the new Bureau of Medicine-sponsored Tactical Casualty Care Course last Wednesday, preparing them for the unique impact that a combat environment has on the way corpsmen practice medicine.

Based on the lessons learned from Special Forces and combat medics in the field, TCCC is designed to help the corpsmen recognize the unique situations involved in care under fire and how that differs from traditional “hospital” medicine.

“Textbook medicine does not work in a combat environment,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Carlos Aguon, the NHB command TCCC manager.  “Good medicine may sometimes be bad tactics.”

The primary goal of the course is to demonstrate to the corpsmen how to weigh the amount of care given to a fallen comrade against the immediate threat to the patient and the corpsman himself.  The care given while under direct enemy fire should be vastly different from what can be given when behind cover, Aguon said.  The course uses a combination of real-life scenarios and practical exercises to ingrain in the students how to make those decisions in a tactical situation.

“I think the most important part to me was the reality of the scenarios they set up,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Terrell Stephens, one of the students at last week’s course.  “It helped you apply what you’d learned to something that had actually happened.”

The lessons drew not only on historical situations encountered in combat in Afghanistan and Mogadishu, Somalia, but benefited from the combat experiences of the instructors themselves.  Aguon said the five current certified instructors at NHB were all hand picked from combat-experienced

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

HM3 Hoang Thai (right) instructs HM2 Cyrus Afuso on a tracheotomy technique the student might be called on to perform during a future deployment.  Practical applications like this were part of the hospital’s Tactical Casualty Care Course to prepare corpsmen for combat medicine.

corpsmen who could bring that level of personal experience to the class.

“For everything that we’d covered, the instructors had some story to back it up,” said Stephens.  “[They] had seen these things, had experienced these things.  It added such a realism to the situation.”

The nine students at last week’s course were chosen because they were all scheduled to deploy or transfer to operational units.  While TCCC is mandatory for all corpsmen, with refresher training every two years after that, the initial push is for those corpsmen who will be hitting the field the soonest.

And the ‘lessons learned’ root of the course is two-way, as the course directors have set up ways for corpsmen to continue to submit their experiences in the field and pass on what worked and what didn’t as they made their life-saving decisions.  Through TCCC, all corpsmen will be able to benefit from the experiences of those that went before them as well as those that come after.

NHB x-ray tech named National Instructor of the Year by radiological committee

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

A Naval Hospital Bremerton staffer was named the first ever National Instructor of the Year at an award ceremony last Wednesday at the PIMA Medical Institute in Seattle.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Dennis Roseta was recognized by the Joint Review Committee in Education in Radiological Technology for his work with radiography student interns assigned to his tutelage at the NHB radiology clinic.

Roseta said the effectiveness of his teaching comes from the hands-on training he allows the interns, letting them use the equipment and shoot the x-rays with their own hands.

“When they first get here, they’re scared to shoot and I give them the confidence,” he said.

Welcoming students from area schools falls into NHB’s mission as a teaching hospital.  The radiography program these students are involved in features an eight-month internship and Roseta lead nine interns over the course of 2006, the year he received his award for.  The students have a strong input in selecting which hospital they do their internship at, and that so many chose to intern at Naval Hospital Bremerton speaks highly of both the facility and Roseta.

“All the people who’ve done rotation here say learning here has made them a better   tech,” said Mary Cogswell, one of Roseta’s current intern charges.  “I’ve only been here

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Dennis Roseta (left) helps intern Krella Griswold to align an x-ray machine at Naval Hospital Bremerton.  Roseta’s instruction with interns like Griswold earned him recognition as the National Instructor of the Year in the field of radiology.

a month but I’m hoping it’s the same for me.”

The judging process for choosing the JRCERT Instructor of the Year involves feedback from the interns themselves and the appreciation Roseta’s interns had for him and his teaching style showed in his receiving the award.

“I’d worked with some other students at a different clinic and they’d all been here and really loved Dennis,” said Cogswell. “I’m in awe of him.  He’s very good with the patients and really knows what he’s doing.”

Roseta said his eyes are set on becoming an instructor at the Navy’s Advanced X-Ray School in a few years when it’s time for him to transfer from NHB.

NHB commemorates the Law of the Land on Constitution Day

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton took time on the morning of September 17 to recognize that date as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.  It was on that date, 220 years ago, in 1787, that the United States Constitution was adopted as the supreme law of the country.

September 17 has been officially designated as a federally mandated training and education day on the Constitution. In recognition of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, all Department of Navy Commands and Activities were highly encouraged to plan activities in honor of this celebration. 

NHB's activities regarding Constitution Day included a special ceremonial morning colors; overhead announcement on the PA system by Captain Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance; an all hands electronic-mail message to staff with an electronic link to a U.S. Constitution-related training course; notifying message placed on electronic board in front of hospital; Plan Of the Day note; and literature placed on the Quarterdeck.

According to Captain Randall Kelley, NHB Executive Officer, since that initial signing, the Constitution has held a central place in American law and political culture. “The preamble of this document captures the essence of our Nation’s firm belief in and commitment to liberty, freedom and justice.”

The Preamble states: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Hand Salute...Naval Hospital Bremerton renders honors at Morning Colors on September 17, the designated date to commemorate the observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. NHB staff took time out to recognize the importance of the fabled U.S. Constitution, which has served as the supreme law of the country for 220 years, and counting.

defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Kelley pointed out that “It is important that the Constitution starts with us, the people. It is our responsibility to take hold of the values stated in the Constitution to ensure that we can enjoy freedom.”

NHB takes active swat at late summer mosquitoes

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Skeeter soup is being served up.

The top maître d' on the Kitsap Peninsula to offer the heady mixture is Preventive Medicine Department of Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Health and Education Center.

The pungent broth, a fermented concoction of grass clippings, rabbit food pellets, Brewers yeast and water, attracts mosquitoes and is used to trap them, survey and test for signs of West Nile Virus. The virus, primarily a bird disease, is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Most infected people never get sick, but up to about 20 percent develop mostly mild flu-like symptoms. Severe symptoms, which can include fatal brain inflammation, are rare.

 “Kitsap County knows we test and are very thorough, so they rely on us, said Blaine Brock, Civilian Environmental Health Officer, Preventive Medicine DepartmentNaval Hospital Bremerton Health & Education Center. “Jefferson County also does testing. We have one of the more aggressive programs on the peninsula.”

NHB Prevent Med Technicians test at varied locales such as Manchester Fuel Depot, Naval Magazine Indian Island; Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, NBK-Keyport, several site on NBK-Bangor; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Jackson Park, Naval Station Everett, Camp Wesley Harris, Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, and NHB.

“It’s important to do the surveillance to catch viral strains early,” explained Brock. “We’ll start to set out our traps and get samples around the time of the first warm spell, which is usually in March or April. We usually hear of cases in Eastern Washington in early summer simply because the weather on this side of the Cascades is more sporadic and doesn’t give the virus a chance to set up and replicate. Plus, the cooler climate isn’t conducive to mosquito larvae development. But global warming might change all that and we could very well be at future risk.”

Just this past September the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed two residents contracted West Nile Virus in Washington. The case involved a husband and wife from Pierce County (Gig Harbor), who both recovered from mild symptoms that included a rash and a fever.

“As the weather changes and it traditionally gets warmer, then the mosquito population and virus both have a chance to set up and get established,” Brock noted. “It’s late summer when we’ll see most human cases, if we have any at all.”

So far the human tally is zero for in-state acquired cases of West Nile Virus in Washington. There have also been zero bird and zero mosquito pools cases. There have been two horse-related cases reported, which according to Brock, were from southwest of Yakima. Elsewhere in Command Navy Region Northwest territory, there have been 13 human disease cases reported in Idaho and six in Montana. But in the CNRSW area, there have been two human cases in Nevada and Utah, 16 in Arizona and 86 in California.

Brock and the team of Hospital Corpsman Second Class (Fleet Marine Force) Anapaula DeSouza,, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and HM3 Morgan Jensen, of San Diego, are actively engaged in keeping the area with a zero on the score board.
“We’re out at dusk, dawn and night, to take advantage of the peak flight times of mosquitoes,” said Jensen. “We’ll put our traps

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Morgan Jensen, of Naval Hospital Bremerton Preventive Medicine Department, sets up one of their CO2 traps to attract, collect, and sample area mosquitoes for possible West Nile Virus.

out, then collect and separate. We then drive the specimens to Fort Lewis where they will check for the virus.”

Skeeter soup is but one method utilized for getting a sample of mosquitoes in the area. A converted tackle box is arranged above the container holding the potion with a suction opening that pulls in both male and female,

but as it is the female of the species that bites, they are the ones sought after for testing. Other environmentally-friendly measures used are CO2-rigged traps, which seep out minor doses of carbon dioxide, which contrary to some popular beliefs, is what attracts mosquitoes to humans in the first place, due to the carbon dioxide traveling in the blood from the body's tissues to the lungs where it is exhaled.  There’s also the Mosquito Control Truck.
“We have the Smart Flow System, an ultra-low volume sprayer that is computerized, digitalized, even equipped with a Global Positioning System,” said Brock. “This system is way ahead of what others way. With it mounted in a pickup, we can lay down a precise fog of droplets, and effectively track our dispersal release.”

“We’re known to some as the bug-chasers, but we don’t mind,” said DeSouza, recently returned from updating her recertification in the Department of Defense Pest Applicator Category 8 (Public Health). “We’re basically out-of-sight and out-of-mind, to many, but we do an important job. By staying on top of WNV or other pest-related threat in our area, we’re helping with quality of life for everyone.”

According to DCD, in 2006, there were over 4,200 cases of human West Nile illness nation-wide, resulting in 177 deaths had been reported to the CDC.  Idaho was the state hardest-hit by West Nile virus, logging approximately 700 human cases, including 10 deaths associated with the virus, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. 

WNV was first isolated in Uganda in the 1930s, with reports of it reaching North America in 1999. There has since been over 24,000 human cases, and approximately 1,000 fatalities.

For additional concerns or questions, please call the Preventive Medicine Department at (360) 315-4471

DEFY camp helps steer kids into a drug-free future

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

The pressure on children to try drugs or alcohol can be overwhelming to someone not prepared to resist those challenges.  Sometimes, having the right mindset can be the difference between giving in and steering clear.

A recent week-long camp hosted by Naval Hospital Bremerton staff members was five days of fun and education for DoD kids to help them achieve that mindset and find the tools they needed to stay drug and alcohol free.

Held as part of the Department of the Navy’s Drug Education For Youth program, the camp organizers invited 18 Navy kids, ages 9-12, to Jim Creek from August 13 to the 17th for a residential sleepover camp.  Camp activities were designed to help the kids set goals, overcome obstacles and find the confidence to resist the pressure of taking drugs.

“We follow a curriculum that’s planned by DEFY to enhance self esteem and drug awareness,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tara Daglio, the event director. “It’s to motivate children to find other avenues than drugs and alcohol.”

Daglio was joined at the camp by seven volunteer mentors to help deliver the lessons and lead the activities.  All volunteer mentors are screened by the DEFY program coordinators at the Department of the Navy, but Daglio said she hedged her bets by seeking out staff members she knew had had experience with children.

Once at the camp, these mentors handled every aspect of caring for and educating the kids.  Their roles included everything from cooking breakfast to running confidence courses. 

“The mentors were the ones that delivered the curriculum,” said Daglio.  “I put the curriculum together, but they delivered it and worked hand-in-hand with the kids.  They

Photo by HM3 Sabrina Allen

Kids at this year's NHB-sponsored DEFY camp engage in some of the fun the camp mentors planned to give the camp-goers an alternative to drugs and alcohol.

played a bigger role than I did.”

“The lessons were fun,” added Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christina Saldana, one of the mentors at this year’s camp.  “They weren’t just sitting there preaching to the kids.”

Instead of sitting in classrooms listening to lectures, mentors like Saldana had the children out doing activities like a rope-climb challenge.  Saldana said the confidence gained from overcoming challenges like that will stay with these kids for a while.

The camp, though, was just the first phase of the two-phase DEFY program.  The mentors and kids will continue to work together throughout the year to help them stay on the right path.  A continuing outreach program of monthly group get-togethers will keep the kids united and showcase fun alternatives to giving in to drugs.

It had been a couple years since the hospital had run a DEFY camp, but the success of this year’s leads Daglio to believe it’s here to stay. 

“We had some really appreciative parents,” she said.  “I think they’ll make us keep this going.”

Now hear this! Hearing preservation aided by NHB's MOHCAV

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Huh? You heard right.

Audiologists of the Hearing Conversation Department, Naval Branch Health Clinic, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, of Naval Hospital Bremerton, are available at beck and call with the state-of-the-art Mobile Hearing Conservation Audiometric Vehicle (MOHCAV).

Hear, hear!

According to Cmdr. Glen Roving, Naval Branch Health Clinic Hearing Conservation Department, there are approximately 15 percent Navy-wide, of noise exposed personnel who experience a significant threshold shift in hearing annually.  “While a Sailor does not have the same risk for noise induced hearing loss as a Soldier or Marine who is exposed to weapons fire that can cause permanent damage, occupational noise induced hearing loss is easily the number one occupational health risk for civilian industrial and military members,” said Roving.

In 2006, the Veterans Administration noted 9,621 Navy and 5,489 Marine vets had service-connected hearing impairment, and an additional 11,223 Navy and 9,432 Marines for troubling tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ears).

“That is a fairly staggering measure of reduced quality of life, and should be of major concern to personnel at all levels of leadership,” stated Roving.

Roving, self-labeled as the ‘oldest surviving audiologist’ still on active duty, and Andy Anderson, MOHCAV senior audio technician, are actively aurally engaged to lessen those numbers.

“We can do hundreds of tests a month. We are contingent on the needs of the fleet,” explained. Anderson. “We conduct hearing tests for fleet and ashore units without intrinsic hearing test capabilities throughout the Pacific Northwest. We have a relatively quick test to ensure a person has the ability to hear sound properly and communicate clearly. The entire process is very user friendly, and can even help a person by guiding them through the test if needed.”

The MOHCAV will be positioned to begin supporting USS Michigan (SSGN 727) at PSNS. With a six-station double walled booth on board, six subjects can be evaluated in approximately15 to 20 minutes, including input of baseline data and explanation of results. 

“Andy is an excellent audio technician,” stated Roving. “He has over 22 years experience as a hearing conservation technician here. He is an acknowledged expert in the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (DOEHRS), and frequently consulted by audiologists and other technicians world-wide.”

From shipyard to ship board, from housing to hospital, from barracks to base, there is constant surround sound. Whether industrial or innocuous, personnel are constantly impacted by outside noise levels, many which are beyond the ability to monitor, adjust and/or control.

“Any area where you must raise the level of your voice significantly to carry on a conversation at a distance of 3-feet is probably noise hazardous,” explained Roving. 

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Andy Anderson, a MOHCAV senior audio technician, prepares to administer a hearing evaluation test to PSNS employee Richard Spindler as part of their overall hearing conservation program throughout the Puget Sound area.

“This equates to 85dB or greater.  As an example, a vacuum cleaner or blender typically puts out approximately that level of sound.  You can tolerate it for a short time unprotected, but place yourself at risk as your exposure extends beyond half an hour or the intensity increases.  The basic guidance is that if sound is loud enough for long enough, then temporary and eventually permanent hearing impairment will result.”

The flight deck is a worst case example, acknowledged Roving. “Less recognized is that we are finding equal amounts of hearing loss among people who work in much more modest noise environments.  While everybody on the flight deck must wear at

least single hearing protection in the form of their cranial with earmuff incorporated, below-deck sailors face lower noise levels, but may not wear hearing protectors as faithfully.”

Hearing loss has a tendency to sneak up on a person. Early symptoms of over exposure to noise include tinnitus, a blocked/stuffy sensation, and problems understanding speech, particularly in background noise.  Noise induced hearing loss begins with a temporary threshold shift that can become permanent with continuing exposure.  Because a noise induced hearing loss occurs so gradually and without pain, it can go undetected by the subject.

“Once hearing is lost from noise exposure, you can never get it back,” said Roving. “We talk of the 4-Ps: noise induced hearing loss is Painless, Progressive, Permanent, and Preventable.  Loss of hearing due to aging is inevitable.  If you have the hearing of a 60 year old person in your teenage years, what will it be like when you are in your 60s?  Hearing aids can help but unlike glasses, they cannot fully correct for the condition.” 

Adults with no recognized hearing impairment would benefit from a screening audiogram every five years in conjunction with wellness programs. Personnel who are in the Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) are checked annually, per OPNAV instruction.

“I very rarely see someone back in my office with a second significant change in hearing once I have had the chance to refit their hearing protectors and counsel them about the affect on their Quality of Life,” said Roving.  “They just need to get the message the first time.  I believe they are “believers” at that point, and are effective advocates for those they supervise.”

Which is music to anyone’s ears.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

The unexpected dropped in on Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Marshall R. Smith during his 8-hour duty shift..

Literally so in the early hours of Friday morning and figuratively so at 7 pounds, six ounces.

Smith had just finished updating Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Admission’s ‘Gains and Loses’ log at approximately 1:45 a.m., when he heard Army Sergeant Ysabel Meek screaming down and around the hall from his first floor Admissions office at NHB. Meek was on a short walk from the labor and delivery ward, Northwest Beginnings, to help induce labor. The walk did the trick.

“When I came around the corner, Sgt Meek was leaning against the wall, in obvious labored breathing, and my training just automatically kicked in to help her,” said Smith. “She said that the baby was coming right now, and had started to drop. I was lowering her to a safe position on the floor as the head and shoulder came out. I was just glad I was there to help”

Smith’s on-time assistance was immediately

followed by staff of Northwest Beginnings, who then handled the rest, yet it was Smith’s timely intervention that drew congratulatory praise for his quick-thinking and action. As soon as Captain Catherine A. Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer, was made aware of his exploits, she headed down to give her personal thanks and present Smith with her personal command coin.
“An amazing thing about his helping out is that Petty Officer Smith had his working whites uniform on, and didn’t get a spot on it during the entire process!” noted Capt. Wilson.

Smith said he was ready to use his uniform top to wrap the baby in but it wasn’t needed and during the actually delivery, he said he felt like he was in the traditional quarterback position taking the hike from center before dropping back to pass. He not only helped with the delivery, but also assisted with admitting new mom and baby, both of whom are doing quite well.

 “I feel like a super-corpsman now!” Smith exclaimed.

“I think it’s an incredible display of acumen,” stated Cmdr. Ed Bates, Acute Care Nursing Department head. “HM3 Smith is a superstar and demonstrated great skill and clear thinking.”

NHB Corpsmen take shots instead of giving them

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

When two Naval Hospital Bremerton sailors joined the shooting team at this year’s All Navy (West) Rifle and Pistol Championship, they weren’t just representing the Pacific Northwest Naval region, they were also representing hospital corpsmen the world over.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class George Conroy and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andres Naranjo were both new shooters at this year’s event and were surprised to find themselves a noticeable minority.

“We were the only active duty corpsmen at the match,” said Conroy. 

The two men were part of a 20-man team of shooters from the region who traveled to Camp Pendleton in California last April to compete in the two-week event.  Their participation gave the two corpsmen a chance to showcase a side of their profession that most people may not think about.

 “Hospital corpsmen not only save lives but have to defend themselves while saving lives,” said Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Thomas Countryman, NHB’s command master chief and strong supporter of their participation in the competition.  “When you say ‘corpsman up,’ that corpsman could be running under fire.”

Both corpsmen brought with them their weapons training and experience from their previous duty station with the Marines in Okinawa.  While there were no opportunities to compete while with the Marines, they were both quick to find the local team when they transferred to Naval Hospital Bremerton.  Within months of arriving, they found the local team and joined up.

“They were mainstays during the practice and you could tell they were serious about learning,” said Master Chief Master at Arms Timothy Moes, the coach of the PACNORWEST shooting team.

While the shooting team is open to anyone interested in joining, Moes described the training as being very time intensive.  He said Conroy and Naranjo’s willingness to give up

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andres Naranjo (left) and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class George Conroy.  These two Naval Hospital Bremerton corpsmen moonlight as marksmen with Pacific Northwest Rifle and Pistol Shooting Team.  Their marksmanship skills demonstrate an aspect of the war-zone corpsman not often seen by the public.

so many nights a week, and even weekends, to practice was a sign of their dedication.

Having never participated in a team match, both Conroy and Naranjo competed as “new shooters,” a significant role for the team events during the second half of the competition.  Each team is required to have

at least one new shooter competing and it’s often that new shooter who can decide the trophy.

“The experienced shooters usually shoot their averages,” said Moes.  “At the end of the day, the new shooter decides the results of the match.”

And in Naranjo’s case, he was a deciding factor.  Based on his scores in the previous week’s individual matches, Narjanjo was picked to participate in the team events and helped the PACNORWEST team bring home the first place trophy in pistols.

There are now several months of down-time before practice starts for next year’s event, but Conroy and Naranjo are keeping involved by watching out for smaller, local events and promoting the team to other staff members at the hospital.  Hopefully next year’s competition will see a lot more corpsmen showing what they can do.

Top three civilian employees recognized at NHB

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton has announced the awardees of the three civilian employees of the quarter.  Teri Ryan was named the Civilian of the Quarter, Diane Polizzi is the hospital’s Senior Civilian of the Quarter, and Sonia Wagner is the new Contractor of the Quarter. 

Teri Ryan – Civilian of the Quarter

Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Civilian of the Quarter is Teri Ryan, a licensed practical nurse in the hospital’s obstetrics/gynecology clinic.

Ryan is one of the first people new mothers-to-be see when they come to the hospital as she performs the OB “intake”, receiving the pregnant beneficiaries, informing them on the hospital’s procedures and collecting their medical histories.  The information Ryan gathers at this point follows the pending-mother throughout her entire pregnancy at NHB.

“Before they come in for their first consult, all these things are buttoned down,” she said.  “During the whole of their pregnancy, doctors refer back to this history.”

In addition to her nurse’s duties, Ryan also handles the budget for OB/GYN and manages the equipment.  She said the job used to be held by active duty service members in the clinic, but the frequent rotation of the corpsmen as they rotated to new duty stations hampered the system.  Ryan said she, a civilian, was given the job to provide a more consistent purchase and equipment management history.  In this role, Ryan manages more than $170,000 dollars each year for the clinic.

“It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had,” she said, “but I love it more than any job I’ve ever had.”

The San Diego native came to NHB nearly six years ago, although her initial role here was as a contracted employee in labor and delivery.  As chance would have it, though, her employer lost the contract less than three months after she came aboard.  Fortunately she’d made a good enough impression in those three months that she got a reprieve.

“My boss really liked me and wanted to keep me on,” she said.

That led to her getting her current position in OB/GYN.

Diane Polizzi – Senior Civilian of the Quarter

Diane Polizzi, the head of the hospital’s referral management center, is NHB’s Senior Civilian of the Quarter.  She and her 4-man team handle all the patient referrals to the out-of-hospital medical network. 

Through Polizzi and her staff, nearly 1100 consultations per month are arranged for NHB beneficiaries who need specialist care outside the Naval Hospital.  This includes not only finding caregivers for the patients, but also keeping communications open to make sure the medical reports make it back to the hospital. 

“It really is our philosophy that we’ll be good stewards of the command’s money and resources and we want to make sure everyone goes away knowing we’ve done the best we could for them,” she said.

Putting the focus on helping patients gives Polizzi and her crew a good sense of personal and job satisfaction, she said.

“It’s one of the few jobs where you really feel like you’ve made a difference,” she added.

Polizzi came to Naval Hospital Bremerton in 2001 in what can best be described as a homecoming.  Not only was she born and raised in Seattle, but Naval Hospital Bremerton was her last duty station before she retired from the Navy in 1998.

Polizzi’s started her Naval career as an enlisted corpsman before being commissioned into the Medical Service Corps, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Commander.  Of her 23 years on active duty, Polizzi spent 16 of those overseas and remembers those times fondly. 

“If I had a chance to go overseas as a civilian, I’d take it,” she said, “but until that happens, I’m happy here.”

After doing so much traveling in the Navy, Polizzi has wound up less than 20 miles from where she grew up.  The Seattleite now lives in Poulsbo with her husband, John, and two children, Theresa (16) and Nick (15).

Sonia Wagner – Contractor of the Quarter

It’s a rare position at NHB that touches every aspect of medical care in the hospital.  As the local trainer and technical support for the Navy’s new electronic medical record system,

Teri Ryan - Civilian of the Quarter

Diane Polizzi - Senior Civilian of the Quarter

Sonia Wagner - Contractor of the Quarter

Photos by HM2 Marikia Steenblock

called simply ‘AHLTA’, Sonia Wagner holds one of those positions.

Wagner is a software engineer who had worked with AHLTA in its earliest days at Naval Hospital Portsmouth in Virginia.  She came to NHB in 2005 to help this site adapt to the new system that she said will be replacing the paper medical record and train the caregivers on its use.

“AHLTA requires more than just training,” she said.  “Because it’s a new system, it requires more support than an established system.”

Because it’s such a new system, Wagner finds herself problem solving just as much as

training, but she said it’s the trouble-shooting that she enjoys the most in her job.  It’s not just the challenge of problem solving, but also the variety of problems she encounters that makes it interesting.

“It may be a technical issue or it could be a clinic trying to figure out how to fit their work load into AHLTA,” she said.

Wagner engineering career began as a UH-60 helicopter mechanic for the Army National Christopher (5).

Guard, a role she filled for eight years.  Becoming a software engineer, however, was something she said came completely by accident.  Hired as a coder at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Wagner found herself the Information Technology manager two months later.

“It was completely unintentional,” she said. “But then I found I liked it and decided that’s where I’d stay: healthcare IT.”

Wagner decided to bring her AHLTA experience to Naval Hospital Bremerton after an encounter with NHB’s own deputy chief information officer during a visit to Portsmouth.  The idea of moving to Washington appealed to the Virginia native, and she soon made the cross-country move.

“Part of what brought me over here was because I wanted to be in the Pacific Northwest,” she said.  “It’s a beautiful area.”

Wagner currently lives in Port Orchard with her husband, Steve, and their son Christopher (5).

Ragnar relay race team runs 189 miles

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

The total distance was as initially daunting to some as it was adventurous to others. The names along the route sounded exotic to many as they were greeted to those more familiar. Yet the common denominator to all was that running three alternating legs as part of a 12-member team along 189 miles of back roads of Puget Sound held a siren song to all those who participated.

Naval Hospital Bremerton and friends fielded “Uncle Sam’s Service Sneakers, Inc.” run team in the Pacific Northwest inaugural Ragnar Relay, held on July 27-28. The event started at Blaine, south through Bellingham and surrounding Skagit Valley, over Deception Pass at day break to end in south Whidbey Island at the small town of Langley. Past bald eagles, deer, enthusiast volunteers and curious onlookers, approximately 70 teams took the challenge of completing the scenic course.

“It was a great experience, filled with a lot of camaraderie,” said Hospital Corpsman Chief John DeCampos, a last-minute fill-in. “We had such an inspirational mix of people on our team, and they pushed me to do better because I didn’t want to let them or myself down.”

NHB’s team of eight males and four females placed 19th overall, and claimed third in the division for Military/Law Enforcement. “Quite an accomplishmentfor a relay that is the first for most of the team,” said Garry Porter, team member and one of the resident three relay running experts.

In data compiled by Porter, “Uncle Sam’s Service Sneakers, Inc.” completed the course in a time of 26 hours, 4 minutes and 52 seconds, with an overall pace of 8:22 minutes per mile.The team was divided into two vans, each with six runners. Van 1 had ran a total of 90.8 miles,had a total time

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Jen Stratton takes off after receiving the hand-off from Henry Hearley in the 189-mile Ragnar relay run, held July 27-28.

of12:52:42 for an average pace of 8:30. Pace times per leg for Van 1 was: Leg 1= 8:09, Leg 2= 9:06 and Leg 3= 8:30. Van 2 ran a total of 96.2 miles and had a total time of 13:12:11 for an average pace of 8:14.

Team members from NHB were John DeCampos, Jennifer Ford, Henry O Hearley, Michael McDowell, Carol Mus, David Perez,

Jennifer Stratton, and Douglas Stutz; with friends Bill Mackem, Garry Porter, April Porter and Ft Lewis-based Vuong Do.

The race name is in homage to a ninth century Norse King, who was reputed to be quite the wild man. There are eight divisions for teams according to age or categories, such as students or military. The relays also benefit Operation Kids, a national organization that supports a various children’s charities.

NHB experiences Change of Charge

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton held a Change of Charge ceremony July 24, a time-honored tradition that marks the change of duties to a newly-arriving command master chief.

Command Master Chief Kendal Crane took charge of the hospital from Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Thomas Countryman at the outdoor ceremony in front of the hospital’s quarterdeck.

“I’ll never forget the day I asked Master Chief (Countryman) to be the CMC,” said NHB commanding officer Capt. Catherine Wilson. “He stepped up to the plate and earned the confidence and trust of the command.”

Wilson called Countryman her confidant and credited him with revitalizing the hospital’s Chief’s Mess, two roles she promised Crane she’d be taking on as well.

“I will rely on her just as I did with Master Chief Countryman,” she said.

Crane reported to NHB from THIRD Fleet in San Diego and is herself a former hospital corpsman and advanced hospital corpsman instructor. She said it was a rare opportunity for two CMCs to get to spend as much time turning over as they had before the Change of Charge and was impressed with the command and her predecessor.

“It’s really hard to follow up Master Chief Countryman,” said Crane, “but I’ve never received such warm support.”

Photo by HM2 Marika Steenblock

Command Master Chief Kendal Crane (left) and Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Thomas Countryman (center) arrive at the Change of Charge ceremony at Naval Hospital Bremerton that will see Crane taking over the duties as CMC of the Hospital from Countryman.

At the ceremony, Countryman promised Crane that she’d have all the tools she needed to carry on the role of command master chief and told her she could rely on the hospitals enlisted leaders.

“The chiefs have what it takes to lead,” he said, “leadership, friendship, and a willingness to help their sailors. I can’t think of a better team to be associated with as a CMC.”

Countryman stepped up to fill a sudden vacancy in the office of CMC. To follow on his successes at NHB, Countryman will moving on to become the command master chief at  Naval Hospital Oak Harbor in Oak Harbor, Wash.

Pharmacy available to come directly to you

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

There’s a drive-in, there’s the drive-through, and now there’s your drive-way.

In a continuous process to improve the medical and health care to eligible beneficiaries, Naval Hospital Bremerton, in conjunction with Department of the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), is getting the word out about the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy Program (TMOP). TMOP is available to all eligible uniformed services health system beneficiaries. A person does not have to travel to any internal pharmacy such as the one at Naval Hospital Bremerton or any external one such as the drive-through pharmacy located in Jackson Park. They simply need to walk as far as their own mail box to receive the service.

A beneficiary can get up to a 90-day supply of medication delivered to their mailbox, for approximately the same price as a 30-day supply filled at a local retail pharmacy. The program can also have time-management dividends. Just think about ordering your next refill online in your slippers and picking it up at your mailbox. Rather than getting the family in the car, driving in traffic and waiting in line you can be at home. What a time saver!!

“For the $3 it costs for one trip across the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a person can now get a 90-day supply of generic medication sent to them via mail,” explained Lt Cmdr Ed Vonberg, NHB Pharmacy. “For brand name medicine, it costs a person approximately $9. Just think, it $3 a gallon to fill your tank, or to barbecue on the grill at home. That’s TMOP.”

According to information supplied by VonBerg, generic drugs are basically equivalent to the brand-name version, yet marketed and sold by more than one source. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensure that the generic brands meet their stringent standards for quality, purity and potency; have the same active ingredients as the brand-name product; and have the same medical impact as the brand-name type.

Enrollees in another program are going to

pay $10 at a participating pharmacy for a 30-day medicine supply, compared to our $3. With a participating mail order service, for a 90-day supply, they are going to pay $20 to our $3. And that’s with generic drugs. For brand-name drugs at a participating pharmacy and participating mail order service, people can expect to pay 30 percent of the total cost, whereas our cost is only $9, and for drugs not normally listed on their company’s formulary (a listing of pharmaceuticals and their applications), patients will be expected to pay 50 percent, which could be in the hundreds of dollars. We charge $22.”  

“Our system is much more cost efficient than any other,” stated VonBerg. “For example

The process to use TMOP is relatively simple to get a new prescription by mail. A person needs to ask their doctor to hand write the prescription for the maximum days allowed, which is up to a 90-day supply for most medications. Then, the person fills out the Home Delivery Registration Form, which only needs to be done once, and sends it in to commence the process. Registration can also be done online here.

Getting the initial prescription to TMOP can be handled either by regular mail (the address is on the Home Delivery (Mail Order) Registration Form and no postage is necessary) or by a person asking their doctor to fax the request for new prescription to Express Scripts. TMOP has the largest inventory of available medications in DoD, so if you want to find out if your medication is available and exactly how much the co-pay is before you send the prescription away, follow this link to try the formulary search tool.

For more information, please call 1-866-363-8667.

Navy veteran chooses education, willpower over surgery to shed 70 pounds

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Randy Duck had much to gain by losing. And that was exactly what he set his mind, and well as body, to do.

With his wife, Master-At-Arms Second Class Jestine Mae Duck, currently forward deployed to the Middle East, the 10-year Navy veteran had reached a point where he was no longer comfortable with himself. His weight had crept perilously close to 400 pounds. He was tired of the way he looked, and how he felt. Enough was more than enough. It was time to make a change. “I got tired of people looking at me and seeing my physical size first,” said Duck. “It’s disheartening when people refer by size and not by name. I got tired of the diets and weight yo-yo.”

Instead of an anticipated high-risk surgical route, he found himself armed with new-found educational tools he diligently followed. He has done so well that he has not only exceeded his own expectations, but those of others. Duck has dropped 70 pounds on his own since January, it is his avowed goal to not only lose weight but to keep it off.

“Randy is an inspiration,” said Lt. Cmd.r Kim Zuzelski, Naval Hospital Bremerton Operational Health Assistant Director. “I called him up and asked if things were on track for surgery, and he said, ‘What Surgery?”

From his current position as a laboratory technician, Duck started to research his original idea about having Gastric bypass surgery, a procedure where a portion of the stomach is cut out, or sewn off, leaving a small pouch. It is a major surgical event, with the end result to restrict the amount of food a person can consume. The surgery itself is not the end-all and cure-all, but the beginning of an entire life-style change.

“There are plenty of stories of success and failure,” noted Duck. “I was confident that I could go through the procedure and be fine.”

Such a procedure is covered by TRICARE, and as in any pending surgery, involves a screening process. One of the qualifications needed is that a person has to have a body mass index greater than 40, which is an equation that generally means a person is markedly obese, and could very well have a host of other health issues associated, such as hyper-tension, diabetes and cardiovascular concerns. Any type of surgery is an invasive act.

“First and foremost, a person needs to be doing this for medical reasons, not emotional or mental,” commented Zuzelski. “Some tend to have unrealistic expectations. We found there are those just not physically or mentally prepared for the aftermath. This is a total life-style change. Some think if they just lost weight, then they would be happy. If they’re unhappy before, odds are they’d be unhappy when thin.”

Zuzelski attests that the overall goal is not to try and talk people out of the surgery, but to have them have a clear understanding on what they are getting into. “The surgery is a tool and they need to understand what it can do and what it can’t do,” she explained. “A person has to make a total and complete commitment. After the surgery, they need to be more aware than ever before what they are eating.”

“I received very good education on eating, nutritional value and portion control,” stated Duck. “LCDR Zuzelski gave me an 1800

Photos contributed by Randy Duck

Randy Duck shows the 70 pound difference with his 'Before' on November 2006 and his 'After' on June 2007.

calorie-a-day plan. I wasn’t necessarily eating ‘bad’ foods, but I was overeating. I also drank a lot of juice that has high sugar content. I replaced that with water and skim milk.” though being plateaued at 45 pounds (lost),” said Duck. “I had to keep reminding myself that I got this far, so keep going.”

Duck’s screening started his behavioral modification process. “We ensure that adequate education is passed along so a person can try to lose on their own,” Zuzelski said. “Say a person has been on diets before. They then think they’ve tried ‘them’ all and know ‘it’ all. But most don’t know as much as they think. People think that it’s a complicated process, but in reality, it’s a steady and on-going course of action we prescribe. Randy was very open and receptive to the plan we came up with. The goal arrived at was to lose 60 pounds in six month and he surpassed that going from 398 in January to 348 in April. He is very proud. He followed the plan to the letter.”

Duck admits that at times it has been difficult to stay focused on gains made. “For example, it took me two weeks to break

All things in moderation is one aspect that Duck has incorporated. “Moderation is a mind-set,” Duck said. “There are going to be those ‘cheat’ days, but its five cookies and not 15. I (also) drink two quarts of water a day, have 3-4 fruits, 1.5-2 cups of veggies and all my meats are baked or broiled, although I think my kids are tired of baked chicken.”

The changes he has adopted are also being followed by his children, as he is truly leading by example. Marcus, age 19, is a field combat medic stationed at 29 Palms, Chas and Courtney are 11 and Jasmine is age 9.

“My kids are eating healthier and learning better habits,” Duck said. “I have more energy. I also have gout, and since the weight loss, I haven’t had an attack for three months. That alone is a blessing.”

The process, in theory, seems simple enough. To lose weight, eat less and exercise more. But there’s always a catch. “The first two weeks are the hardest,” Duck described. “Developing healthy habits is tough. Making small changes daily or weekly is easier than big ones all at once. I was a comfort eater. I would eat to relieve stress or frustration. Now, I exercise every day. Some days I might not do my full routine of crunches, pushups and weight lifting, but I do something, like walk 2-3 miles a day.”

Duck’s last report to his wife was that he was down 35 pounds. He reached his initial goal of 60 pounds lost with 20 days to spare. His next goal is another 70 pounds by Christmas. “She is very supportive, which is very helpful and motivating,” said Duck. “The rest of the pounds lost will be a surprise.”

When Randy and Jestine reunite after her deployment ends, it’ll truly be a reunion of gains made by much lost.

NHB Color Guard showcased at new Tacoma Narrows Bridge opening

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton's Color Guard paraded the colors as they marched off the Kitsap Peninsula on July 15, 2007.  Their processional route carried them across the Tacoma Narrows Straits of Puget Sound as partof the opening ceremony for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The foursome’s continuous and orderly course was one of the highlights of the historical day and showcased the Navy’s involvement as part of the greater Kitsap Peninsula community.

"They were awesome," said Victoria Tobin, Washington State Department of Transportation and WSDOT Communications New Narrows Bridge Opening Event organizer. "The crowd absolutely loved them. They were so professional. Their military bearing and pride was evident to all. We were very happy to have them commit to the ceremony."

“I volunteered for this even because it is a historical event and I watched the construction from start to finish,” said Hospital Corpsman Daniel Watson, LPO, Intensive Care Unit and Color Guard member. “They don’t build bridges everyday and I wanted to see everything up-close.  I am more than happy I participated! Feeling the cheer from the crowd felt amazing.  With the war going on, it reinforced my Honor to wear the cloth of the Nation when we heard the community cheering for us.”

The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, over five years in making, covers 5,400 feet in length,with spansof 2,800 feet. The completion of the 2007 span makes the Tacoma Narrow bridge the longest twin suspension bridge in the world.

The opening ceremony had the estimated 60,000 runners, walkers and sight-seeing strollers all in suspended visual animation as they mingled and meandered, gawked and gazed. They did temporary pauselong enoughin their collectivepedestrian experience to notice the stately procession of the Color Guard as they paraded the Colors from Kitsap Peninsula across the Tacoma Narrows strait onto the Tacoma side of Puget Sound.

The Sailors became a magnet for attention, as the crowd was not only attracted by the showing of the flags, but also the uniforms. There wereshouts of approval, thumbs up, spontaneous clapping and wide-spread good cheer that enveloped the foursome made up of HM2 Marika Steenblock, HM3 Justin Bellows, PC3 David Perez and HM3 Watson. They also became an ideal photo opportunity to help commemorate the event for many

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Color Guard, comprised of HM2 Marika Steenblock, PC3 David Perez, HM3 Dan Watson and HM3 Justin Bellows, paraded the Colors the length of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge as part of opening ceremony events. The Color Guard involvement marked the 31st occurance they have been requested for their services in the greater Kitsap Peninsula area. The new suspension bridge is over a mile long, has a main span of 2,800 feet, and the completion of the 2007 span makes the Tacoma Narrow bridge the longest twin suspension bridge in the world.

who decided to spend their Sunday there.

"This was a once in a life time experience that I couldn’t pass up," commented Perez. "I

always feel proud wearing the uniform, but it was an exceptional experience to see what a positive reaction the uniform had on the people of Washington at such an event. But I am glad that our presence had such a good impact."

This event marked the 31st time so far this year the Color Guard has been requested to participate in such an event. Bellows has volunteered for 10; Perez has been in seven;

Steenblock has been in nine; and Watson has been in13.

"I volunteered for this event as soon as I head about it," said Steenblock. "Being on our Color Guard gives us the opportunity to experience and be part of something historic as this. It made me feel very proud to be part of the Navy. I was carrying the state of WA flag. It was neat to represent the state I’m stationed in and the Navy at the same time by wearing the uniform. I’m very glad I participated!”

Judging from the crowd’s response, they were just as glad.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton, in conjunction with Department of the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, has the HPV vaccine, GardasilTM, now readily available to all eligible female beneficiaries’ ages 9-26 years. 

“If I had a daughter, I would certainly bring her in for this vaccine,” said Lt Cmdr Belinda Rand, Family Medicine Department Clinical Care division officer. “Our focus is on being proactive and starting preventative measures as soon as we can. It’s the same principle as ensuring our children will be immune to chicken pox. This vaccine helps us help young females. The key is before being exposed, and as with any other immunization, there are important benefits.”

According to the Navy’s Office of Women’s Health Bureau of Medicine and Surgery,

HPV vaccine is very successful in preventing persistent HPV infection, cervical cancer precursor lesions, vaginal and vulvar cancer precursor lesions, and genital warts. The bottom line is that for the long term, the HPV vaccine is expected to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. 

“Getting the vaccine can also mean a decrease in the number of invasive procedures, repeat pap smears, and treatments for our female beneficiaries,” said Rand. “We’re also looking at our Post-Partum

moms. If they have not had the vaccine yet, we will offer the series as part of their overall continuous care.”

The main target population is females aged

11-12, and can be administered as young as age 9.  Catch up vaccination can be provided up to age 26; however, vaccine effectiveness will be decreased with exposure to HPV.   

It is recommended that appropriate counseling is scheduled to go over the potential benefits, limitations and risks.

“We are always available to discuss and counsel on this and other medical questions,” stated Rand. “Our beneficiaries can call, stop by, or set up an appointment at their convenience to discuss the benefits. The patient or parent’s decision for administration of the HPV vaccination should be made only after receiving counseling given from a knowledgeable health care provider. We strongly support doing all we can to help our patients, and we feel this vaccine is very effective in preventing a number of strains that have been identified as causing cervical cancer.”

NHB Family Practice message phone is (360) 475-4379.

The 24 Hour Nurse Advise Line is (800) 750-6946.

The TRAC Appointment Center can be reached at (800) 404-4506

"No shows" leave hundreds of appointments per week unfilled at NHB

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

At Naval Hospital Bremerton, sometimes the most difficult cases are the ones that aren’t even here.

In an average week, 500 scheduled visits go un-fulfilled as patients don’t make it to their appointments and don’t call to let the hospital know.  At 15 minutes per appointment, that’s up to 125 hours every week of lost patient care time.

“The biggest injustice is that you have a doctor in a room with no patient in it,” said Lt. Brian Carion, the nurse manager at NHB’s Bangor Branch Clinic.

The regret over these “no shows” doesn’t come from patients who simply can’t make their appointments.  The hospital staff understands that things can come up that keep people from making it.  The trouble comes from the number of those patients who don’t let the hospital know they’re not coming ahead of time.

“Busy schedules and unplanned events occur, so patients are encouraged to call and cancel appointments at the earliest opportunity,” said Kendra Scroggs, the hospital’s marketing manager who has taken on the task of informing the hospital’s beneficiaries about the benefits of this simple courtesy.

Calling the TRICARE appointment center to cancel an appointment can open that slot up for another patient who needs to see his provider.  A patient who needs to be seen that day can have a greater chance of being seen by his provider and ease the burden on the emergency room where such non-emergency cases may wind up otherwise.

“The goal is to reduce the number of unused appointments at the hospital and clinics and offer greater access to our beneficiaries,” said Scroggs.

Unlike civilian hospitals where patients may be charged for an appointment even if they don’t attend, beneficiaries of NHB aren’t penalized for missing an appointment and will still be seen at the next earliest availability. 

Because there are no penalties, caregivers

Promotinoal poster by Kendra Scroggs

Posters like this one placed in NHB’s healthcare clinics are one of the ways the hospital is educating its beneficiaries on the impact of not showing up for a scheduled appointment without calling ahead of time to cancel.  Such “no shows” can lead to more than 120 hours of potential patient care time lost.

like Carion are banking on the Navy family’s sense of teamwork to help each other out by not letting appointment times go unused.

“You’re basically affecting the person sitting to your left or sitting to your right,” Carion said.  “You may not need the appointment, but somebody does.”

That’s why their efforts are going to educating the patients, educating them on the side-effects of letting appointments be lost and what they can do to help.  Everything from follow-up phone calls to informational fliers being handed out to patients at the clinics. 

“We’re really trying to develop a positive approach to getting the information into everyone’s hands,” said Carion. 

Cancelling or rescheduling an appointment is as simple as calling the same TRICARE appointment line the patient called to initially schedule it.  In this region, the number to call is 1(800)404-4506.

NHB helps service members put back pain behind them

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

At any given time, millions of Americans are suffering from chronic back pain and the nation’s active duty Sailors aren’t immune. Fortunately, Naval Hospital Bremerton has a secret weapon against back pain: Dr. Spring Stickney, a full-time chiropractor on staff exclusively to tend to local service members suffering from back pains.

Stickney doesn’t want to remain a “secret” weapon, though. Despite the 2,400 patient visits she sees each year, she said many service members don’t even know she exists.

“I have a lot of patients who will come in and not know that there had been chiro care here since ’95,” she said.

Part of what makes Stickney so obscure, though, is what makes her office such a rare opportunity. Stickney said there are only about 50 chiropractors in the military system and, aside from her counterpart at Madigan Army Medical Center; she’s the only one servicing Washington state.

With a near monopoly on chiropractic care for the area’s military, Stickney’s office is the place to go for back pains or issues stemming from the spine or back muscles.  Her practice is a non-invasive form of care that relies on stretches, alignments, hot or cold therapies or other so-called “modalities”.  For long term, chronic back pain, Stickney will even work with the patient to find the contributing factors that cause the pain.

Where Stickney differs from civilian chiropractors, though, is in the way she approaches her role. While most civilian chiropractors promote long-term treatment, Stickney prefers quicker treatments to get her military patients back to their missions as soon as possible with an education in how to care for their backs down the line. 

“My approach is in-line with what the command wants,” she said.  “The goal is to get you better or find the avenue that gets you better.”

Sometimes that avenue is to refer her patient to other specialties if hers isn’t the right one.  As she focuses primarily on back issues, she often refers patients to Physical

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Dr. Spring Stickney, NHB staff chiropractor, palpates a patient’s neck to get a feel of how the muscles are moving and the level of tension.  Hands-on examinations like this lead into soft tissue adjustments that can ease pains in the back, neck or head.

Therapy for problems stemming from the arms or legs.  However, because a poorly-aligned back or neck can lead to pains in the extremities or tension headaches, she doesn’t rule out any complaint without an appraisal.

Getting an appointment with NHB’s chiropractor is as simple as getting a referral from the patient’s primary care physician.  Ken Vining is a physician’s assistant at NHB’s Bangor Branch Clinic who said he refers a lot of his back pain sufferers to Stickney as an alternative to pumping medicines into them. 

“Most of the people are more than happy to try it because they’ve been in back pain for quite a while,” he said.

Vining said an increasing number of his referrals are coming at the request of the patients themselves who have heard praise of Stickney’s work from other patients. This word of mouth is a good sign to him that Stickney’s techniques work.

“When someone has a positive experience, they share it with others,” he said.

As this word of mouth spreads, it’s Stickney’s hope that she’ll lose some of her “secret weapon” status and become that rare opportunity that more service members take advantage of.

NHB graduates Family Residency Class

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Six plus six adds up to a lot more than just a dozen. Especially concerning the 2007 graduating class of Puget Sound Family Medicine Residency program at Naval Hospital Bremerton. Half-a-dozen Family Medicine first year residents and an equal number of Family Medicine third year residents were duly recognized at Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Family Medicine Resident Graduation Ceremony, on June 29, 2007.
“This is an important milestone, for one of our primary missions at NHB is providing graduate medical education for family physicians,” said Captain Ronald F. Dommermuth, MC, USN, and Program Director, Puget Sound Family Medicine Residency. “After three rigorous years,  we have six of the world’s finest deployable family physicians. They have advanced their own skill level, plus those around them. We also have five going on to their next year here and they are a very talented group.”

“Congratulations on now being independent practioners,” commented Captain Robert F. Wilson, MC, USN, guest speaker, addressing the graduating class. “Up to this point, the challenges have all been singular in surviving the residency. Now, there will be multiple challenges. There will be briars and brambles in the path. You will be called upon to support the Global War on Terror. You are unmatched in your dedication of calling and are all remarkable.”

Family Medicine Third Year Residents graduating are:  LCDR Eric M. Buenviaje, MC, USN, with new duty station to be determined; LT David A. Duncan, MC, USN, with new duty station at Branch Medical Clinic, Iwakuni, Japan; LT Erica S. Grogan, MC, USN, with new duty station at Branch Medical Clinic, Iwakuni, Japan; LT Barbara G. Hoover, MC, USN, with new duty station at

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Rendering honors due…Puget Sound Family Medicine Resident Graduation ceremony recognized six Family Medicine Third Year Residents and an equal number of Family Medicine First Year Residents before Naval Hospital Bremerton staff, family, teachers and Captain Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer. All six of the third year graduates are off to new duty stations, while five of the first year residents return to continue their residency.

Branch Medical Clinic, Bangor WA; LT Michael L. McCord, MC, USN, with new duty station at U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan; and LT Leslie A. Waldman, MC, USN, with new duty station at U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam. Waldman also received the Residency Teacher Award for 2007, as the top teacher in her class.

Family Medicine First Year Residents are: LT Justin S. Clark, MC, USN, with new station at 3rd Mar Div Fleet Marine Force Pac Okinawa, Japan; LT Kelly G. Koren, MC, USN, with new duty station continuing residency at NHB; LT Marcy G. Lake, MC, USN, with new duty station continuing residency at NHB; LT Dawn M. Long, MC, USN, with new duty station continuing residency at NHB; LT Malcolm C. Masteller, MC, USN, with new duty station continuing residency at NHB; and LT John S. Robertson, MC, USN, with new duty station continuing residency at NHB.

FRA Branch 29 shows their fond regards to NHB

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

A commanding officer’s office has a tendency to be more than just where a vast amount of decision making, personnel assessment and mounds of messages are handled.

Fleet Reserve Association Branch 29, of Bremerton, is well aware that the office belonging to Captain Catherine A. Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton CO, is a repository in homage to Navy history. There’s memorabilia from past Navy and joint commands, family heirlooms with a decidedly nautical tone, and Navy Medicine mementoes. FRA Branch 29 members, led by President Bob Hulet, Jerry Irvine, and Bob Crann, recently paid a visit to CAPT Wilson, to show their regards to her and her command for supporting them in their endeavors. They presented CAPT Wilson with a handmade intricately-inlaid knot-tied mounted image of Naval Hospital Bremerton. “This is just our way to say thank you for supporting us, and especially to show our appreciation with your involvement in the Memorial Day Services at Forest Lawn Cemetery on May 28,” said Hulet.

“What a meaningful gift, it’s such a beautiful piece of work and I’ll always treasure it.” commented CAPT Wilson. “This art truly exemplifies the traditions of the old Navy. You don’t see this type of quality much anymore and BMC Irvine is a master.  I thank him for all he does to pass on his skill and the FRA that helps keep our Navy traditions alive.”

FRA Branch 29’s motto is, “Doctors have the AMA, Lawyers have the ABA, Sea Services have the FRA.”  They have provided loyalty, protection and service in adhering to their motto for almost 77 years. FRA 29 was formed on July 18, 1930 and moved to its current location on Veterans Day, November

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Captain Catherine Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, accepts artwork from Fleet Reserve Association Branch 29 of Bremerton for her support on behalf of her command. Representing FRA 29 are (L to R) Bob Hulet, president of the branch; Jerry Irvine, and Bob Crann. Command Master Chief Tom Countryman (far L) also is a stalwart supporter of numerous civic and veteran organizations and has personally worked with various members of FRA 29 in volunteer projects to benefit active duty and military family member during his tenure as CMC at NHB.

11, 1968.  Nationally, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) has served as the voice of Sea Services enlisted personnel on Capitol Hill since 1924. FRA was the first enlisted military association to testify before a U.S. Congressional Committee. Today, FRA is recognized by the Secretary of the Navy to speak before the U.S. Congress on their behalf. In addition, the 1997 Defense Authorization Act granted a Federal Charter to the FRA. FRA represents the interests of Enlisted and Former Enlisted Active Duty, Reserve, Retired and Veterans Honorably Discharged from the US Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and their families.

Commander, Naval Medicine West welcomed back to former command

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Rear Adm. Christine Hunter toured Naval Hospital Bremerton Wednesday as part of a review of all medical facilities that fall under her new title as Commander, Navy Medicine West.

The visit had a special significance to the admiral who herself had served as commanding officer of NHB from 2000-2003.

“It is great to be back here, see old friends and get caught up,” she said. “I have one good memory after another.”

The highlight of her time at the hospital was an admiral’s call with the staff of not only the main hospital and its local clinics, but with the Everett Branch Clinic by way of video teleconference. During the admiral’s call, Hunter was able to discuss the Navy Surgeon General’s goals for 2007.

“Our entire Navy is getting smaller and as such, Navy Medicine is also getting smaller but our mission and the needs of our beneficiaries are not getting smaller,” she said. “We must have the necessary leadership qualities to perform in this environment.”

She also described the Navy’s approach to “medical diplomacy” and how humanitarian missions, such as the recent deployment of USS Peleliu on a four-month humanitarian mission to Southeast Asia and Oceania, will continue alongside the medical mission of supporting combat troops in the Global War on Terror.

Hunter took the time during the call to congratulate the command for its success during the recent Joint Commission accreditation survey. She said NHB had the best showing so far in the Naval Medicine West region.

“The key to the JC visit is not only being

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, right, the current Commander, Naval Medicine West and a former commanding officer of Naval Hospital Bremerton, talks about recent upgrades to the hospital with current CO Capt. Catherine Wilson, left.  The birthing room where they are speaking here is part of the Hospital’s Northwest Beginnings  labor and delivery ward that saw a large upgrade in the time since Hunter was skipper here.

proud of the results,” she said, “but folks here are already sharing unexpected nuggets of knowledge and information with others. We’re behaving like a health network.”

After the admiral’s call, Hunter took a tour of the facility she had commanded just four years ago. Not only did she get a chance to see some of the recent and on-going upgrades to the command, but she was able to connect with staff members who had worked for her before.

“This place has such a stability of infrastructure,” she said. “People want to stay here, people want to live here.”

Naval Hospital Bremerton was Hunter’s last stop on her review of the medical region before returning to her offices in San Diego.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Juliet Hough isn’t a boxer, but she’s actively engaged in a fight that any pugilist would envy. As melodramatic as it may sound, Juliet Hough is in a fight to the finish.

Cancer is what she's up against and Juliet Hough is a survivor. She is aware that there is always safety in numbers in dealing with a bully, especially when dealing with this one. Her dailysparing in taking on the disease has made her aware that she can increase her odds of success, and that of others, by sharingas much as she canwiththose going through the same struggle.

As such, she has helped to organize Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Cancer Support Group, an open forum get-together for anyone who has been determined to have any form of cancer, is caring for someone with the disease, or knows somehow who has it. The group is currently meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m., in NHB’s Wellness Center Classroom, on the first floor, next to the pharmacy.

“The meetings are open to all patients, caregivers, family members, staff and friends whose lives have been touched by cancer,” said Dr. Jennifer Stratton, NHB Laboratory Department assistant department head and pathologist, the overseer of the support group.

Stratton and Hough have formed a bond that they are more than willing to others.

“I am first and foremost a patient here,” explained Hough, who was diagnosed with cancer seven months ago. “Dealing with the disease is one thing, but there is also the need here to provide for the person more than just clinical treatment. Our support group helps build morale and give us the opportunity to share our thoughts and our experiences.

"I felt I needed to talk and share,” continued Hough. “And if I felt like that, odds were there had to be others. If I was the only person from our area that had ever been told they had cancer, then that might be a cause for celebration. But I’m not. Having this support group class show that our Navy cares."

As cancer chews people up, it spits out numbers. There are hard-fact, tabulated statistics associated with the disease. For example, breast cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancer in women, is projected to strike more than 200,000 times this year, and cause approximately 40,000 women to lose their lives. It is also estimated by the American Cancer Society that nearly 180,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostatecancer, which will lead to nearly 32,000 dying from the disease. Those are the kind of numerical equations no one wants

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Juliet Hough explains to members of NHB's Cancer Support Group how taking on the disease has enabled her to use her three B's in the Fight - being Bald, Beautiful and Brave. The Cancer Support Group meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m. in the Naval Hospital Bremerton Wellness Center.

to be associated with. "I’m not just a number," Hough flatly stated."Neither is anyone else who is dealing with being diagnosed with cancer.”

According to Stratton, the group is still in the formation stages. They hoping to continue to grow, attract more people, and even have the occasional speaker join in to share experiences, emotions, and empathy. "We’ve touched upon nutrition, different

cancer types, even dealing with hair loss, which is very traumatic to any woman," said Hough."The message we share is that others like me can come and learn some positive ways to fight and live with cancer. I’m going to make it through this, and I want others to do the same. We are not alone in this.”

One fighting technique that Juliet uses is her humor. “Laughter is a very strong medicine. Making someone laugh can make them comfortable and help them feel positive in their situation,” said Hough. “I do have a few fighting phrases. For example, we’ve all heard of the three R’s growing up, right? Well, now I got the three B’s I’m using against cancer; Bald, Beautiful and Brave!”

“I’m not going to let it get to me,” stated Hough. “Cancer is a family disease. It impacts everyone, and if it doesn’t, it will. Family members are encouraged to come and find out how to deal with the disease. I’m getting on with my life, and I wish everyone else like me to do the same.”

Both Stratton and Hough agree that when dealing with any type of cancer, encouraging words from such a gathering as the Cancer Support Group are very helpful. For more information about NHB Cancer Support Group, please contact Lt Cmdr Stratton at (360) 475-4813.

NHB ARC brings home the medals in SOWA 2007 Summer Games

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton, American Red Cross volunteers Katie Burton and Robert Kondracki were full of smiles, shouts and splashes over the weekend. Burton and Kondracki, along with their North Kitsap Viking swimming team, had a strong showing in the Special Olympics Washington 2007 Summer Games Aquatic events, held June 1-2 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

Burton took the gold medal in 100 meter breaststroke, silver in the 25-yard butterfly, placed fourth in the 100 meter back, and topped her weekend by helping her team claim the silver in the 4X50 Freestyle Relay.

“I was amazed I won the breaststroke,” explained a beaming Burton. “I pulled ahead by just a smidge at the turn-around and that was just enough to hold off my friend, Kim Simmons, of Eastside Indians. We had a very good and tight race, but I felt I was in the zone and I might just pull it off.”

Burton and her teammates put in on average four days a week in practice, and all that training paid dividends in their collective strong showing. “Katie’s work ethic is beyond belief,” said Coach Darla Sargent of the North Kitsap Vikings. “She is an inspiration to us all. To see her get the gold medal, and compete so well in the others events is just a thrill.”

“We’re all so proud of her,” said HM3 Frank Soucie, NHB Patient Admin. “She exceeded our expectations. And probably her own also. In the Regional meet she got a silver, and here in the state games, she got a gold, against much tougher competition. That just shows how much her training and commitment paid off. It just doesn’t get any

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Katie Burton shoves off in her leg of the 4x50 Free Style Relay as part of the Special Olympics 2007 Summer Games held June 1-2 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. Burton and her teammates placed second in the relay for the Silver Medal.

better than that. It’s awesome!” Burton has trained with her local swim group, the Poulsbo Piranhas, since 1997, and along with good friend Robert Kondracki, have brought a dose of energy to the Vikings team. It was Kondracki who kicked off their 4X50 Free Style Relay team with a strong start before giving way to Burton, who was responsible for the second slot in their foursome.

“What’s really cool about being able to compete as we do as a team is that every one of us is always pulling for the other,” said Burton. “I heard Robert yelling encouragement for me during the 100 meter breaststroke, and because of that, he helped me win.”

Kondracki also placed first for the gold in the 25M Butterfly and fourth in the 25M Back stroke.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

All hands were piped to muster at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Memorial Day. Many were present, but were not able to answer. Yet those who attended made sure their hallowed legacy was voiced during the annual Memorial Day ceremony, put on by Fleet Reserve Association Branch 29 and Lady Auxiliary FRA Unit 29, of Bremerton, Wa.

In Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place;

Captain Catherine A. Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, was the guest speaker at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Memorial Day, and paid her respects as she spoke beforethe patriotic crowd of veterans,active duty andmembers of the community. “Today everyone’s heart is full as we reflect in our own way on the giants that came before us, on the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” she said. “We’re standing upon the memorial for many of those who helped the freedom of this great county – their sacrifice is responsible for every single day of freedom that we all get to enjoy.

“Before coming here I was deployed in Kuwait and I saw the men and women who are serving our country with honor and with pride. To all our veterans, we stand upon your shoulders. We’re able to carry forward the freedoms of this great nation because of your sacrif