NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON
1 Boone Rd, Bremerton WA 98312

Virginia native brings Navy Medicine leadership back home

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Captain Catherine A. Wilson, Nurse Corps, USN, has served a distinguished career for over 29-years caring for America’s servicemembers and their families. From Kuwait to Kitsap County, Wash., the Virginian-native has commanded top-notch military hospitals in all aspects of health care and medical services. Her dedication to her chosen medical calling to the men and women in uniform runs deep. She is not about to let retirement from active duty get in the way of continuing her devotion to her colleagues in arms. Upon transfer into the civilian sector, Wilson will fill the position as Executive Director of the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program.

“I am honored to be selected for this position and to have the privilege to continue to  serve our military veterans and their families,” said Wilson.  

The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program was authorized and funded by the Governor of Virginia and the 2008 General Assembly.  The program will fall under the Commonwealth’s Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and will coordinate support services for veterans with stress-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from service in a combat area. The program will ensure that these veterans and their families receive timely assessment, treatment, and support. The numbers speak for themselves for the need.  According the latest official estimate of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, 807,326 veterans reside in Virginia as of September 30, 2007, which is 78,571 more than previously estimated. Numbers of Virginia veterans are anticipated to reach 823,348 in 2011. Nationwide, the VA places the number of veterans at 23.8 million, with Virginia ranked eighth for the number of veterans living in-state.

“My desire is to help achieve the vision of making Virginia a model state for the Wounded Warrior Program concept,” explained Wilson. “We will strive to make it well known to all agencies and supportive services that Virginia has a safety net for our veterans and their families so we can ensure they have access services they need.”

Wilson sees her role as a combination ambassador, facilitator and communicator for state veterans and their families. “We will bring state and national resources together in an efficient and effective manner,” she said. “The American public is very supportive of our servicemembers and is very generous in providing us with resources. I will attempt to ensure that we don’t waste any of those precious resources or have duplicative efforts associated with the care needed.”

The Program will support Virginia veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents of the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service. The program also supports the family members of these veterans, Guard and Reserve members, a service that often is not readily-available via the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Wounded Warrior Program will provide mental health, substance abuse and traumatic brain injury services, including case management, outpatient, family support, and rehabilitative services.

Wilson attests that the path for accessing health care services can sometimes be difficult to navigate. “Access challenges coupled with the perceived stigma of veterans returning with medical issues such as PTSD and TBI, it can be daunting for the servicemember and his or her family. Our role is to shine a beacon of hope and show them there is access to the services they need and help to reduce any confusion on how to receive that help.”

Compiled Facts and Figures concerning PTSD prove that this type of injury is a medical dilemma of the highest order. Between 1999 and 2004, the number of veterans seeking benefits for PTSD increased 79 percent. It is estimated that in Iraq, roughly one in six combatants has experienced PTSD, and 35 percent of Iraq veterans sought psychological counseling within a year of coming home, according to the Department of Defense. One study notes that upwards of 20 percent of combat veterans are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD. DVS estimates that Virginia’s share of such serious health concerns as PTSD and TBI could very well climb to 50,000 veterans over the next several decades. That number increases to 200,000 over the same period when factoring in the impact on family members.  PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after an individual experiences a traumatic event. The disorder is characterized by flashbacks of the event, nightmares, anxiety, avoidance, and social withdrawal. PTSD may take months or years to manifest.

Wilson’s legacy will follow her as she is prepared to provide quality support, operational savvy and ready leadership to her new position. Her Navy and Joint service experience along with sound leadership are a testament to those she has served with during her career.  “I have been able to achieve my professional goals and am where I am today because of those who came before me,” Wilson noted. “I really do value our rich heritage and thoroughly believe that we stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before us.”

Referencing her Navy career, Wilson said, “I would do it all over again. The Navy has been very good to me and I also believe that I’ve been good for the Navy. I consider

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Captain Catherine A. Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, shares a hug with her husband, Don Wilson, Capt., Medical Service Corps, USN (Ret.), after being completely surprised by her command with a surprise award ceremony in her honor. Capt. Wilson was taken unawares at Morning Colors on July 11, as her command turned out in force to present her with numerous retirement mementoes and tokens of their esteemed honor of having served with her. Capt. Wilson is retiring after serving more than 29 years. She will turn over leadership of NHB to Captain Mark E. Brouker during a change of command ceremony on July 18.

myself doubly blessed to have been a commanding officer twice in my career, and to have had the opportunity to lead, work for, and work with, some of the best and brightest individuals in our nation.”

Wilson has spent the last two years as Naval Hospital Bremerton’s commanding officer, with the command known as the best Family

Medicine teaching hospital in the Navy, as well as a fully-accredited, community based acute care and obstetrical facility, offering expert primary and emergency care, and a broad range of medical and surgical specialties. Prior to reporting to NHB, Captain Wilson returned from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she completed a successful tour as the commanding officer of Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait, which included the U.S. Military Hospital and nine Troop Medical Clinics located throughout the country.

“As I retire, I am surrounded by those that I care very deeply about. One of the highlights of my career was being made an Honorary Master Chief here. That honor certainly resonated with me and my entire family. I have a very happy and contented heart as I depart from NHB, which is truly a great command because of the team that works here and the beneficiaries we serve,” said Wilson. “I look forward to the next chapter of my life and to continue to serve my home state and our veterans as a civilian. It just doesn’t get any better than this.”

Before serving as commanding officer at NHB and EMF Kuwait, Wilson served as the executive officer, Naval Hospital Camp

Pendleton where she also commanded the Fleet Hospital.  Other past assignments include the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth where she was the director of Fleet and Family Medicine.

Wilson served as the Deputy Director of the TRICARE Mid-Atlantic Region Lead Agent Office where she had direct impact on all military and civilian health care for over a million beneficiaries in Virginia and North Carolina.  Her responsibilities included the administration of a $3.1 billion dollar Managed Care Support Contract.

Selected as the Congressional Detail to Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii in 1999, she served as the advisor to the Senator on all health related issues. Wilson was a staff assistant for the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee for Defense, as

well as, the Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education Committee. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, she served as the Director of Regional Operations for TRICARE Mid-Atlantic.

Wilson also worked at the Pentagon on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). During this tour, she was the Deputy Director for Force Management, Senior Policy Analyst for TRICARE Operations Policy, and ultimately served as the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) for Health Services Operations and Readiness. At that time, the MHS was a $15.5 billion dollar system, the Nation's second largest, and included the integrated delivery of health care to more than 8.2 million DOD beneficiaries worldwide.  Other executive management positions include a four-year tour at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery as the Deputy of Enlisted Force Management and the Navy Surgeon General's representative for HIV and AIDS prevention education. Past duty assignments include the Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Naval Hospital Philadelphia; and the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Wilson's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Master of Science degree in Trauma/Critical Care Nursing with a minor in Education, and a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources Management and Health Policy. She is a recipient of the distinguished Hewlett Packard Award. She is also certified in managed care by the Academy of Healthcare Management and earned a Certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown University.

Wilson is married to Don Wilson, Capt., Medical Service Corps, USN, (Retired) and has two children and two grandchildren. Their home is located in Williamsburg, Virginia.

NHB Security rescues two capsized canoists

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Master at Arms Seaman Paul Wilson of Naval Hospital Bremerton celebrated his 19th birthday on Sunday by giving the gift of life to others in dire need. The quick thinking and quicker acting Wilson swam to the rescue of two elderly people who had capsized their canoe in the cold waters of Puget Sound.

“If Wilson had not gone ahead and immediately helped out, the situation could have definitely turned out to be much worse,” said MA2 (SW/AW) Roberto Colon, NHB Security Watch Captain, who along with Wilson, was on duty on Sunday when the need for water-borne rescue unfolded.

Colon and Wilson had stepped outside the hospital around 3 p.m. to begin their external rounds of the facility grounds. They noticed several boats off the Erlands Point area of Dyes Inlet, including a canoe with a couple...that suddenly flipped over. The wife had a life jacket on and immediately started to float away, but the husband did not have a life jacket on, and was striving to cling onto the canoe, as he reigned her back in.

“In any situation like this, there’s no time to think about what to do, you just react,” Colon said.  React is just what Wilson did after Colon asked if he was capable of swimming out to render assistance to the couple. Wilson, took off his blouse, boots, handed his gunbelt to Colon, and jumped into the choppy water and commenced swimming to the floundering couple.

“The water was cold, but I really didn’t pay much attention to that fact,” said Wilson, a New York native who has been in the Navy for ten months and at NHB for one month. “I reached the wife first and she was more worried about her husband who she said had a heart problem. She had on a life jacket so her head was above water, but her husband was struggling and was getting tired and losing strength trying to hold on.”

“When I got to the husband, I tried to keep him calm and not panic,” continued Wilson. “I reassured him that we were going to get him to shore. He had swallowed a lot of water by then. I first flipped the canoe over but it was waterlogged, so I flipped it back over to create an air pocket to keep it afloat. I then swam under to get the other life jacket to put on the gentleman. It was all tangled up and he had no strength left, so it took a minute to get it on him, all straps in place and adjusted and his head above water. He was very weak. I asked him to then hold onto the canoe and commenced to drag it to shore.”

In the meantime, MA2 Colon, after radioing the NHB dispatcher to contact Bremerton Police Department and Fire Department and notify the command, took to the water also to bring the wife in. “I steered her in and then picked her up for she was freezing cold, very weaken by the ordeal and shaken up,” said Colon, a Greenwich, Conn. Native who recently reported to NHB from Yokosuka, Japan.

According to Wilson, the rescue evolution seemed like hours, but was probably

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Master at Arms Second Class Robert Colon and MASN Paul Wilson (left) answered the call to help on a Sunday afternoon by rescuing two elderly people who had capsized their canoe in the cold waters of Puget Sound.

approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Colon had the utmost confidence in his young master-at-arms. “I would have been completely exhausted, but when I asked him if he could swim out there he exhibited total confidence to do the job. Which he did.”

“I think it took me a few minutes to initially swim out there, then probably five more to get back and of course the time in between making sure we were going to make it,” related Wilson. “I had to keep going back and help him with his grip because he was very weak by this time and was having a hard time holding on and was slipping and sliding off. I know I was getting a little tired, but I couldn’t quit until we got to shore. Then I finally got my footing and pushed and pulled us ashore.”

Although there is no formal training for NHB Security on water-borne rescue and Wilson does not consider himself to be an expert swimmer, he is not nautical challenged. His

father used to be a life guard and he learned to swim at an early age. He also knows his CPR training. “It’s very important to stop any panic attack and constantly reassure the person you’re helping,” Wilson explained. “I was very confident in myself and in using my training.”

Colon attests that even after Wilson did all that cold-water swimming, canoe-hauling and life-saving, he was a composed, modest and model Sailor who was just doing his job. “And when he stepped out of the water, he wasn’t even huffing and puffing. He even joked that he almost lost his watch.”

And the canoeists? “They were very grateful,” said Colon.  “If we hadn’t been there, there is no doubt that the husband would have gone under. He might not have come back up.”

Duty on a Sunday. A dip in the waters of Puget Sound. Saving two people from possible drowning. Quite the birthday for Master-at-Arms Seaman Paul Wilson.

NHB honors 2008 Resident Graduation class of Puget Sound Family Medicine Residency Program

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Puget Sound Medicine Residency held the Family Medicine Resident Graduation Ceremony on June 27, as six Family Medicine Third Year Residents ship out to other various duty stations and five Family Medicine First Year Residents continue on their training at NHB.

“They are all very gifted and outstanding officers,” said Cmdr David R. Congdon, Medical Corps (MC), USN, and NHB Program Director, Puget Sound Family Medicine Residency. “They have demonstrated the maturity and drive and a willingness to grow personally and professionally. I am confident in their ability and their careers. I am very proud. Navy Medicine is in good hands.”

NHB is billed as the Navy’s ‘Best Family Medicine Teaching Hospital’ and Captain Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer, continually takes pride in sharing that fact, especially in such a notable setting. “We have been the top choice for several years because of those before us and because of those who continue to foster our program,” noted Wilson.

Providing a Graduate-level medical education for Family Physicians is the primary command objective for the Puget Sound Medicine Residency program, along with caring and improving the health of all eligible beneficiaries served through patient-centered care, as well as continuing to execute the demands of Mission Readiness.

“I’ve worked with every single resident since 1992,” said guest speaker Captain Ronald F. Dommermuth, MC, who recently relinquished his role of as the Residency Program Director. “These are spectacular young physicians. They will continue on to do the heavy lifting of Navy Medicine on operational assignments or on overseas tours. They are all bright, articulated and intelligent and will go on to be our future leaders in family medicine.”

Family Medicine Third Year Residents are LT Gregory J. Anderson, MC, USN, who will transfer to USS Ronald Reagan, homeported at Naval Air Station North Island and currently forward deployed engaged in disaster relief in the Republic of Philippines. LT Kenneth M. Fechner, II, MC, USN has taken order to U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan; Lt Cmdr Todd A. Gardner, MC, USN, will report to USS Emory S. Land, AS-39, currently undergoing transition to Military Sealift Command in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard; LT Lachlan I. Munro, MC, USN, next duty-station still pending; and LT Daniel J. Sengenberger, MC, USN, will join ship’s company of USS Abraham Lincoln, homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash., and currently on deployment in the Arabian Gulf.

Family Medicine First Year Residents continuing their residency programs are LT Paul J. Alberico, MC, USN, LT Jessica R. Bralwey, MC, USN, LT Matthew F. Hoefler,

Photo by HM1(SW) Julie Jorgensen

Members of Naval Hospital Bremerton Puget Sound Medicine Residency program pose for a group image before their Family Medicine Resident Graduation Ceremony on June 27, as six Family Medicine Third Year Residents ship out to other various duty stations and five Family Medicine First Year Residents continue on their training at NHB. PAO provided print and photo support.

MC, USN, LT Sara M. Pope, MC, USN, and LT Merrilyn E. Nelson, who will become Flight Surgeon at Pensacola, Fla.

The Residency graduation has also included several related events over a week-long period, highlighted by the recently-held annual Staff versus Residents softball game, with the Staff coming out on top, 29-13, and wrapping up with the Hail and Farewell ceremonial dinner the evening after their graduation.

Puget Sound Family Medicine Residency (PSFMR) has a total of 18 residents, averaging six per year group. The nine Family Medicine staff at NHB nine and two assigned to the Naval Branch Health Clinic Bangor Clinic have an combined total of 34 years of experience in medical education. In addition, most faculty have received additional training in Faculty Development, with two having completed the two-year (U.S. Army) Madigan Fellowship. PSFMR staff and residents have been recognized by the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians for their research efforts, and they have been published in such noted medical journals as American Family Physician, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine,The Journal of Family Medicine and Military Medicine.

The Family Medicine Residency program has long been unique in that the residents train to become family physicians in a community hospital setting such as NHB. In such an environment, family medicine residents become primary physicians for their patients on all inpatient and outpatient services. Residents also receive additional experience in the Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal ICU at Madigan Army Medical Center and on the Pediatric Wards and Emergency Room at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, both in Tacoma, Wash. PSFMR is also a partner in the University of Washington Family Medicine Network which has been consistently rated the #1 training program in the country. In addition, PSFMR was rated as the top rotation site by UW medical students.

From Bremerton to Baghdad

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Most Trauma Centers have a tendency, as the name suggests, to be chaotic, hectic and frenetic. Saving lives, treating the injured and mitigating pain in multiple and on-going emergency situations is the reality in any trauma setting. Even more so when assigned to a Trauma Center in Iraq, as Lt. Cmdr. Constance Hymas, Naval Hospital Bremerton department head for Staff Education and Training was during her recently-completed deployment.

Hymas utilized her Navy Nurse Corps skills in serving as Trauma Nurse Coordinator on an 11-person Joint Theater Trauma System (JTTS) team, working at Ibn Sina Hospital, located inside the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq. Surrounding urban warfare in the city continues to bring a steady stream of bomb, bullet and blast victims. She also amazingly handled the daily increased need to compile precise documentation to understand current and future casualty trends and necessary pending medical support.

“Our primary goal there was to ensure the right patient had the right care at the right place at the right time,” said Hymas, from Brigham City, Utah, where her mother, Hope Elaine Watkins, still resides.

Ibn Sina is nicknamed “Baghdad ER.” It is one of Iraq’s busiest trauma centers. The hospital was the focus for a HBO documentary film which showed the Army medical staff there during the spring and summer of 2005 handling, administering and treating wounded troops. Ibn Sina’s Trauma Center is staffed with Joint Force personnel under Army command who are equipped to handle traumatic injuries with comprehensive emergency medical services around the clock.

Hymas’ work days routinely started shortly after dawn and continued for a minimum of 12 -14 hours and many times longer. The most common injuries daily dealt with were the result of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). IEDs and other similar booby-traps have a tendency to be indiscriminate. Besides injured Joint Forces servicemembers, Iraqi Army and Police personnel were treated, as well as locals in need of immediate care. “More than once we’d be working on a local child who became a casualty by just playing in the wrong place or picking up the wrong item,” Hymas remembered.

According to Hymas, her work on the JTTS team continued to provide improved trauma care to trauma patients, especially in such a battlefield environment. “Along with doing complete daily chart reviews of all patients, ensuring our care was the highest quality, and that our procedures were consistent with our guidelines, we also constantly compiled data for the Joint Theater Trauma Registry (JTTR),” said Hymas.

 The JTTR is a data collection-center for all Department of Defense trauma cases. Hymas helped collect this date that was then used to provide relevant and timely information on all aspects of trauma patient care and injury outcomes, to be analyzed and evaluated to support the reduction of morbidity and morality in military as well as civilian trauma patients.  To date, JTTR data has proved instrumental in adding more protective plates on the Individual Body Armor (IBA), instituting modifications in applying tourniquents and even instituting changes in blood transfusion procedures.

Despite being in the relative safety of the Green Zone, the steady casualty-rate was a

courtesy photo

Lt. Cmdr Constance Hymas poses for a photo opportunity at Al Faw Palace, which has been converted into one of the largest U.S./Coalition Force base in Iraq. The former resort suffered minor damage during the initial stages of the war and has since been utilized as headquarters for the Multinational Force Iraq (MNFI), along with the Joint Operations Center (JOC), which serves as 'Mission Control' for the Multinational Corps Iraq (MNC-I) and all operational aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Saddam Hussein originally commissioned its construction to commemorate the Iraqi forces' re-taking of the Al Faw Peninsula during the Iran-Iraq conflict.

constant reminder of the war. The hospital was also a target of opportunity on occasion. During her seven months in-country that began in mid-October, there was just one motor round that landed nearby on Thanksgiving Day. But on Easter, the incoming rounds accelerated. “We had a barrage all day on Easter,” said Hymas. “It was very heavy and the attacks continued. It did impact our lives. We obviously wore our IBA much more frequently, and of course more shelling meant more casualties.”

Hymas attests that one of the most amazing experiences during her deployment, along with being able to make a positive difference, is the friendships formed with members of the other services and also with local nationals she worked with.

“I am very thankful I had the opportunity to help over there. It was a great experience,” said Hymas.  “I also have such a much greater appreciation of life and liberty than I ever did. Life and liberty are really broken down to very basics. One day I put out some extra bottles of shampoo in a common-home. Several young Iraqi girls that worked with us came by to say thanks. They could not go out on their own and do such a common chore as shop for themselves because it was too dangerous. Their photos were even posted in a local mosque announcing they worked with Americans. There were also Iraqi men at the hospital who would not tell their family where they worked out of fear that a family member might targeted for kidnapping.”

Hymas attended Box Elder HS, graduating in 1984, then went to Weber State for her associate degree, Idaho State for her bachelor degree, then on to University of Washington for her Master’s Degree in Nursing, to which she added a Master’s in Science and Health Services from Touro University International. As a Navy Nurse, Hymas’ career has taken her to the cold of Iceland for a tour of duty, and now the heat of Iraq for an Individual Augmentee deployment. From one extreme to the other, she has steadfastly continued to make sure that the right patient had the right care at the right place at the right time.

Corpsmen go for gold at Corpsmen Olympics

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

More than two dozen Naval Hospital Bremerton hospital corpsmen put their medical skills on display at the command’s Second Annual Corpsmen Olympics last Friday.

Organized into six teams of four corpsmen each, the competitors raced the clock and each other to complete a series of physical and mental challenges which mirrored the skills corpsmen must call on in the field.

First place went to “Manny’s Kids”, the team from the Education and Training Department who completed the course in three minutes and 19.4 seconds.  Coming in just behind them was the team from Health Promotions at three minutes and 19.7 seconds.   Third place went to the Chief Petty Officer team, “The Anchors”, with three minutes, 30 seconds.

Each challenge was based on actual field corpsmen training, ranging from “trivia” questions taken from the Hospital Corpsman rate training manual to speed suturing to the stretcher bearer race.  Competitors also got to enjoy “bobbing for teeth” in bowls of Jell-O, a pistol qualification using Nerf guns and a bedpan toss.  Even getting from station to station was part of the game as contestants had to belly crawl, leap frog, and even spin around a baseball bat between each set.  But while the contests reflected the corpsman job set, they were designed to be relatively easy.

“They were very simple skills,” said Hospitalman Ashley Beaman, the coordinator for this year’s event.  “We made it easy so anybody could participate.”

Beaman added that she’d even hoped to see some non-corpsmen teams competing, but

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Two competing teams leap-frog from their recently completed (Nerf gun) pistol quals on to the upcoming triage station while under a barrage of water balloons tossed by event volunteers.

didn’t get any takers this time around.

The games were constructed and staffed by volunteers who made up this year’s Corpsman Ball Committee.  In addition to organizing the formal celebration of the Hospital Corps’ birthday at the Ball, the crew held the Olympics to continue the festivities.

 “It’s a fun way to get people involved in celebrating the Hospital Corps birthday,” Beaman said.

Although she won’t be stationed at NHB for next year’s Corpsman Olympics, Beaman said there are already plans to make the 2009 version even bigger and better than this year’s.  And what could possibly top a bedpan toss or bobbing for teeth?

“We’ll come up with something,” Beaman promised.

NHB corpsman bound for Laos

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

The rugged mountainous terrain, isolated narrow valleys, and unforgiving jungle canopy of Laos have long remained hidden from much of the outside world. Hospital Corpsman Chief Robert Ripps of Naval Hospital Bremerton will soon be traveling there to help search for those long lost, but never forgotten.  Ripps will join Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command as part of Recovery Operation Laos. It’s a daunting task and one he is steadfast to undertake.

“There is no more noble cause that to be involved in such an operation like this,” said Ripps. The Austin, Texas, native and current resident of Port Orchard, Wash., will handle primary duties as team medic for an Investigative Team that can consist of up to 12-14 members each with a specialized skill, including a forensic anthropologist, explosive ordnance technician, life support technician, and linguist. “To actually recover remains of any lost service member is a duty and responsibility that we all recognize as an act of healing, especially to those still wondering. I am honored to be able to do my part.”

According to statistics compiled by JPAC, at any given time there are more than 1,000 active case files concerning unaccounted-for American POW/MIAs. JPAC’s mission is to investigate leads, recover, and identify Americans who were killed in action and never brought home. On average, approximately six MIAs are detected each month. Over 1,300 individuals having been identified. 

Ripps heads first to JPAC headquarters at Oahu, Hawai’i for training before traveling to Vientiane, Laos and from there to a remote location or base camp. “We’ll go over such training as mountaineering, rappelling, explosive ordnance disposal, bone identification, and even recovery site procedures on how to excavate properly,” explained Ripps.

Ripps career has taken him mainly to arid climes of the Middle East and in subsurface environments on board submarines. The tropical forest destination offers up a whole host of corpsman concerns, especially if he finds himself along an isolated stretch of the Mekong River or negotiating somewhere along the Ho Chi Ming trail. “The main issue will be just facilitating care in that environment,” Ripps noted. “It could be logistically difficult if we’re in the middle of nowhere and need to medically evacuate someone by helicopter.”

According to the Epidemiology Department of Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit 6, who did a Health Threat Assessment on Laos, Ripps will indeed be faced with the formidable responsibility of ensuring effective force health protection for his team. Laos is considered a high-risk country for disease. Food-borne and water-borne illness are endemic. Poor sanitation is considered wide-spread. Insect/arthropod-borne illness are a threat with Dengue Fever, malaria, and Japanese Encephalitis of greatest concern. Contamination of food and water supplies in Laos is prevalent and diarrheal illnesses pose a very high threat to military personnel.

Ripps will also need to handle prevailing environmental factors in the habitual hot and humid weather that could result in heat injuries such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  He will also be there in the midst of the monsoon season. Since the roadways in Laos are basically little more than extended dirt tracks, travel could become literally bogged down in mud. “Keeping our medical supplies dry will be a priority,” he noted. “The environment will definitely come into play,

Photo by HM1(SW) Julie Jorgensen

Hospital Corpsman Chief Robert Ripps (right) shares a good-natured laugh with HMC Jonathon Kelly during the recently-held Farewell Ceremony for Ripps and other Naval Hospital Bremerton personnel who are currently pending for deployment to various locales. Ripps will join the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command recovery team in Laos to participate in investigating leads, recovering and identifying Americans who were killed in action but were never brought home.

with maybe even a cobra or two to keep a look out for...”

There are indeed venomous snakes such as cobras and vipers which can be aggressive. There are also spiders (black and brown widow), tigers, leopards, and large leeches. Rabid animals, especially dogs and the occasional monkey are also potential hazards.  There are even indigenous plants to avoid with stinging nettles, small thorny trees, and abrasive foliage to cause unneeded skin reactions. Even ingesting berries, flowers, leaves or plant parts on some “edible-appearing” plants could cause systemic poisoning.

Despite the litany of inherent dangers, Ripps takes it all in stride, confident in his ability as a Navy Independent Duty Corpsman. “I look at this entire operation as yet another way to broaden my Hospital Corpsman toolbox with more experience and knowledge, which I then can bring back and pass on,” said Ripps. “On a personal note, even before I enlisted I was aware of our POW/MIA history. As soon as the notice came out that an IDC was needed, I jumped at the change to help.”

“I’ve been to a lot of places in my 15 years, but this assignment is the most unique,” continued Ripps. “My parents and family are very proud, as I am, to be able to use my medical skill to provide service and healing. Even if we just provide closure to one family, it would be amazing.”

There are still 78,000 World War Two servicemembers still missing (with 35,000 deemed recoverable, with the others lost at sea or entombed in sunken vessels); 8,100 from the Korean War; 1,800 from the Vietnam War, 120 from the Cold War and one from the Gulf War. JPAC is striving to leave no stone unturned to locate missing remains. Teams have engaged in recovery operations off the Tunisian coast of North Africa, on hillsides in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. A World War One American soldier was even recently recovered in a construction site in Soissons, about 60 miles north of Paris, France. In addition, U.S. and India governmental officials met several months ago to discuss undertaking recovery efforts at several confirmed crash sites of American World War II aircraft in northeastern India. It is estimated there are approximately 430 Americans still missing from the China-Burma-India Theatre, where many were lost when flying over the ‘hump’, the slang term used for the dangerous flight path over portions of the Himalayas mountains to ferry supplies from 13 bases in India to six bases in China for the fight against the Imperial Japan Army.

NHB skipper pinned with anchors

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Captain Catherine A. Wilson, NC, and Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, was the official recipient of an award bestowed upon few Naval officers. In front of active duty, retired and Navy Reserve chief, senior chief, and master chief petty officers assembled in her command’s Chief Mess, she was presented with a Certificate of Appointment from The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Joe R. Campa Jr., as an Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer.

“This is, without a doubt, the most cherished moment of my 30-year career,” said a visibly touched Capt. Wilson. “I am humbled, honored, and proud to be accepted into the best and most select fraternity in our armed forces.”

CMDCM (SW/AW) K. Sean Crane, Naval Hospital Bremerton Command Master Chief, was the prime architect behind the ceremonial award presentation. She began the process months earlier, compiling endorsements and ratifying the endorsement. As an additional personal touch, Crane also asked the Mess to contribute individual input as to why each thought their commanding officer should become an ‘Honorary Chief.’

“The responses I received were overwhelming and really a validation of all Capt. Wilson has done,” explained Crane. The compiled input was then read out loud before the pinning portion of the ceremony and only made the heartfelt event more memorable.

“I have never worked with a harder working Chief than Capt. Wilson, who always gives mores than what she asks for,” commented recently retired Hospital Corpsman Chief Dora Herman.

“Capt. Wilson has an uncommun understanding of what it means to be a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy,” said HMC (SW/FMF) Casey Pruett. “Her understanding and faith in the Mess has raised the bar of expectation, not only by her but by us as individuals. The concern she shows for Sailors is that of a seasoned CPO.”

Captain Wilson’s actual indoctrination as to what makes a Navy CPO is actually a family tradition, as her father served as Chief Boatswain’s Mate on USS Bear, arguably one of the most famous polar exploration ship of

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Captain Catherine A. Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, is pinned as an Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer by CMDCM (SW/AW) K. Sean Crane, Naval Hospital Bremerton Command Master Chief, and and retired NHB CMC, Stan Graham, Hospital Corpsman Master Chief.

all time, and last of the Navy’s masted vessels.

According to Crane, Wilson’s tenure as NHB CO has been one of continuous support of the CPO Mess. “Her respect for the Chiefs and our history are genuinely sincere,” noted Crane. “One example was with our newest Chiefs. She attended the final portion of the

last Chief’s induction season. That morning she said to me, “CMC, stop protecting me, let’s go see our new Chiefs!” Her muddy jacket from that event hangs in her office now, presented to her by our new Chiefs. It and a picture of her Chief’s Mess are the first thing you see when you walk into her office.”

One particular phrase that Capt. Wilson is fond of reminding an audience during a speech is that as a Navy, “We stand on the shoulders on those who pass before us.” That statement is in direct reference to the honor, courage and commitment that has been handed down to her from her father.  As such, Naval Hospital Bremerton Chief’s Mess knew there could be no more fitting and just appreciation to remember her father’s legacy, as well as duly commemorate her obligation to her last and best command than to welcome her into the NHB Goat’s Locker.

Which all assembled active duty, retired and Navy Reserve chief, senior chief, and master chief petty officers proudly did.

Capt Wilson will hold her Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony, on July 18, 2008 at Naval Hospital Bremerton.

Naval Hospital Bremerton staff share Asian Pacific culture with fellow command members

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Staff members and visitors of Naval Hospital Bremerton got to enjoy a little Asian Pacific culture last Friday as the hospital celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on the command quarterdeck.

Attendees were treated to music, dance, fashions and food originating in a variety of Pacific cultures at the hour-long presentation.

The theme of the celebration was “leadership, diversity, harmony – gateway to success,” and the performers took the opportunity to showcase just some of the cultures that make up the U.S. Navy.

“Today, over 23,000 Asian Pacific Americans serve proudly in the United States Navy,” said master of ceremonies Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rodel Carlos.  “Today is our day to say ‘thank you.’”

The celebration began with a fashion show of sorts, as various staff members presented themselves in the traditional costumes of their culture and greeted the attendees in their ancestors’ language.  The presenters ranged from Guam to the Middle East to China and gave a living demonstration of the variety of cultures that build the Navy.

“No matter what your cultural background, it’s important to know where you came from,” said Capt. Catherine Wilson, NHB’s commanding officer.  “It’s respecting our different heritages that make us such a strong nation.”

No part of the show demonstrated this strength than the group’s performance of the Carinosa and Tinikling dances.  Although traditional dances of the Philippine Islands,

Photo by HM1(SW) Julie Jorgensen

Hospitalman Apprentice English Artap and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Melinda Canales take their turn performing the Tinikling Dance at Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration Friday.  The national dance of the Philippine Islands, the dancers demonstrate their grace and speed by dancing across and between the moving bamboo poles.

the dancers themselves came from all backgrounds and even incorporated volunteers from the audience.

And ultimately, after additional performances ranging from Hawaiian dance and Guamanian music, the audience was treated to foods from around the Pacific Ocean such as Filipino-style pancit, Micronesian Kelaguen and Japanese chicken teriyaki.

By the end of the celebration, the audience’s eyes, ears and taste buds had all been exposed to the wide variety of Asian Pacific culture available at Naval Hospital Bremerton.  The event demonstrated not only the breadth of culture available at the command, but was representative of the world-wide heritage which serves across the Navy.

A week's worth of celebration for NHB's Navy Nurse Corps

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

One day was just not enough to render a proper celebratory remembrance to their renowned legacy of caring.

Naval Hospital Bremerton Nurse Corps used the entire week to commemorate their Nurse Corps 100 year anniversary, beginning with a Kickoff Breakfast on Monday morning and culminating with a Nurses Ball on Saturday evening after the Bremerton Armed Forces Day festivities. Every day in between featured an event. On Tuesday, Nurse Corps members joined CAPT Catherine A. Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer and fellow Nurse Corps officer in Morning Colors and followed up with a late-morning traditional cake-cutting ceremony. There were gift basket giveaways on Wednesday, Poster Presentations on the Quarterdeck on Thursday which highlighted unique jobs and duty postings of  Nurse Corps staff members and another showing on Friday with as many as duty allowed for Morning Colors and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

“Besides May 13 being our official birthday, National Nurses Week is during this time throughout the country,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Lisa Saar. “We felt using the entire week and having a function every day was the best way to recognize our nurses in uniform and out.”

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually May 6 to May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the founder of modern nursing.  The Navy’s Active and Reserve Nurse Corps components total more than 4,000 members and continue to play pivotal roles in providing quality health care. “Navy Nurses have always made great contributions to our patients care,” said Wilson. “I am very proud of all our nurses and I am very proud to be one.”

On May 13, 1908, then-President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Naval Appropriations Bill that authorized the establishment of the Nurse Corps as a unique staff corps of the Navy. “Most of us don’t feel a day over 99,” Wilson quipped. “There are however, some days that feel like it.”

Many of those days are on deployment, and wisdom comes from the gained experience of such assignments.  Before taking command as NHB skipper, CAPT Wilson served as the commanding officer of Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait, which included the U.S. Military Hospital and nine Troop Medical Clinics located throughout the country. Navy Nurse Corps continues to provide needed support for such readiness missions there. Compiled statistics detail Navy Nurses at EMF Kuwait cared for 3,564 casualties in just the past six months of 2007.

NHB currently has Nurse Corps staff members embarked on USNS Mercy participating in Pacific Partnership 2008 humanitarian assistance mission, as well as supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in various locales in Iraq, on the Arabian Peninsula and in Central Asia.

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Naval Hospital Bremerton Navy Nurse Corps culminated a week’s long recognition of their 100 year anniversary with the Nurse Corps Ball that gave participants ample opportunity to shake a leg, cut a rug and kick up their heels.

Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, was in town for the Bremerton 60th Annual Armed Forces Day Festival to serve as the Grand Marshall for the Parade, and to acknowledge the Great White Fleet’s visit in the Puget Sound area approximately 100 years ago. “I reminded him that the Navy Nurse Corps has also been around since Teddy Roosevelt,” said Wilson. “He was very amenable to that.”

Highlights of the Nurse Corps Ball included keynote guest speakers sharing their past personnel history. CAPT (ret) Madeline Ancelard, currently the president of the northwest chapter of Navy Nurse Corps, decided during the Korean War she was going to be a Navy Nurse after hearing a broadcast on the radio. “No one in my family believed me,” she said. “They all knew I hated to go to the hospital, and I still do. However, I love to work in one.” She talked about how her career spanned the globe, as well as how far the Nurse Corps as come as a group. Some of her past training in the early 1960s included such topical courses as mandatory ‘charm school,’ where Navy Nurses were taught how to smoke, have a girdle, and how to properly put on makeup. “Then we had Cuban Missile Crisis and everything started to change,” related Ancelard. “I was proud to be part.”

Current NHB Red Cross volunteer coordinator and Navy Nurse from 1955-1975, Cmdr. Julia Pickering related on her career that took her almost around the world. One unique highlight was when she was serving her first sea duty on a military transport ship that made nine-day runs from New York to Bremerhaven, Germany. One of the passengers heading to Europe for Cold War duty was a young Army Private by the name of Elvis Presley. “I noticed a lot more people seemed really interested when we were leaving, but had no idea,” recalled Pickering. “And then he was sent to me to help with administrative medical duties. I remember looking at him and just pondering...”

“It’s been such an extraordinary journey for Navy Nurses,” exclaimed CAPT Wilson. “We’re very blessed. It is truly an honor to wear this uniform and have such a fine group to work with. Our future is indeed very bright.”

As was the case 100 years ago, Navy Nurses continue to rescue, treat, care, cry, laugh, and at times, grieve for those in harm’s way.

Bike-to-Work Day pedals its way to Naval Hospital Bremerton

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton staff members pumped pedals last Friday in honor of National Bike-to-Work Day, riding their bicycles the six-and-a-half mile route from Silverdale to the hospital.

The five cyclists who completed the commute were among those tallied for the Bike-to-Work day event which helps state government officials better estimate the number of bicyclists on Washington State roads and help maintain their safety.

This Bike-to-Work event was coordinated by Carol Mus, the hospitals clinical medication renewal pharmacist and a triathlon competitor who bikes to work as part of her training.

“I bike to work one day a week from May to September,” she said.  “That’s my way of sneaking in some training during my work life.”

Mus said she began looking into setting up a "ride-in" for Bike-to-Work Day late last year and worked through the hospital's Health Promotions division to find cyclists who'd like to join in. 

While only five cyclists arrived together at the gate, a sixth rider managed to participate even as a flat tire kept her from joining the group.

"Instead of letting that ruin my day, I parked my car a couple of miles from the hospital and ran it," said Janet Mano, the stranded cyclist and avid runner.

Despite the relatively small size of Mus' group, it contained bikers from all levels of cycling experience.  Participants ranged from year-round cyclists who bike to work three to five days a week to new cyclists who tagged along to discover the health and social benefits of a group ride.

"It's a great cardiovascular workout and you can go four times as far in the same time as jogging," said Mus, listing off the benefits of bicycling to work.  "With the price of gas, you

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

With Cmdr. Victoria Crescenzi leading the way, a pack of cyclists pass through the main gate to Naval Hospital Bremerton.  The group of five cyclists gathered together for their morning commute in honor of National Bike-to-Work Day.

can save a lot of money and it's a nice way to start the day."

"And it's very social," added Mano. "We all talked. Other exercises aren't as social because sharing comments can get difficult during running and swimming."

As a regular cyclist to the hospital, Mus said she's very impressed with how supportive the command is to those who bike to work.  She mentioned special bike lockers the hospital has installed to keep gear safe and pointed out how helpful the gate guards are in helping direct traffic to ease the riders' transit onto the base.

"In all my years in the civilian sector, I've never seen a place where you can park your bike, take a shower and secure your gear," she said.

As an added bonus, the cyclists were treated to a special pancake breakfast by NHB’s Health Promotion as a reward for their efforts.

"It wasn't just healthy stuff, it was good stuff," said Mus.  "It's a spirit raiser to have that."

NHB Laboratory Department staff goes back to school

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Several members of Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Laboratory Department recently explained and discussed their chosen professions in the Navy to students at the Bremerton School District West Sound Technical Skill Center.

“Our jobs in Navy Medicine center on us having the necessary and essential knowledge,” said Lt. Fouad Elzaatari, addressing a group of 11th and 12th graders from local area high schools enrolled in Professional Medical Career and Cosmetology courses. “Knowledge is essential to make the proper diagnosis. We encourage everyone, like all of you here, to advance their own education. Having a solid foundation in school is a great start, and if a person chooses a career like ours, they can also find there is tremendous potential for future educational opportunities.”

Lt. Cmdr Jennifer Do, NHB Pathologist, explained that “if a girl from a small town in South Carolina like me can achieve her goals in the Navy, then anyone can.” Do fielded numerous questions from the primarily female audience about being a woman in uniform. “Being in the Navy and wearing the uniform might take away a certain amount of surface individuality, but does not take away from who you really are,” she said. “One of the greatest attributes we have in our nation’s military is the wide range of diversity. We are such a multi-talented group that it is really an honor to work with and be part of.”

There are also elements of the popular television show “CSI Miami” and “CSI Crime Scene Investigation” in what Do does as a

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Lt. Fouad Elzaatari, along with Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Do and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jesse Milner explain their duties and responsibilities to students at the Bremerton School District West Sound Technical Skill Center.

Navy pathologist. “In clinical pathology, there is always the chance and opportunity if needed, for forensic science,” she said.

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Jesse Milner told the class how he came from a small town in Montana to his current duties as a medical laboratory technician. “I had a 4.0 grade point average coming out of high school,” he said. “But college was too expensive for me, and the Navy seemed like my best option. I have learned a lot about self-reliance and so far it has been very gratifying.”

Milner described how he has had “three years of schooling crammed into 16 months to learn to become a Lab Tech.” Milner’s job entails such fields as clinical chemistry, microbiology, blood banking and immunology.

Deployers' voices heard by NHB command leadership

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Four staff members of Naval Hospital Bremerton with current deployment experiences shared their medical trials and military tribulations as part of the recently held NHB Command Leadership Offsite session.

“It’s good to hear what our staff does when deployed,” said CAPT Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer. “Make no mistake, in Navy Medicine today, it’s not if we go on deployment, it’s when, and when again, we deploy. Deployments are here to stay and come summer, our numbers will be higher than ever to support our mission readiness.

“In this room are some of the leaders of Navy Medicine,” continued Wilson, who prior to reporting to NHB completed a successful tour as the commanding officer of Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait, which included the U.S. Military Hospital and nine Troop Medical Clinics located throughout the country. “Regardless of where you go (on deployment) others will look to you for energy and attitude. You all will be tasked. Your attitude will be everything and use it to project strength, wisdom and guidance.”

“The biggest change for me heading overseas was that it was years since I was last deployed as part of the 1st Gulf War,” said Cmdr. Bob Rahal, who served dual-hatted as Medical Regulating Officer and Chief Staff Officer at Medical Training Facility Kuwait. “I did remember the heat though, and it remembered me. The big question I had was could I adjust to the 100 degree-plus temperatures? And we all know what that old saying...if you can’t stand the heat...find some air conditioning.”

Rahal’s responsibility took him to Baghdad and back, handling issues concerning health services support, force health protection, medical planning and coordination, logistics, preventative medicine, veterinary services, ground ambulances, and combat operations stress teams.  “Some of the lessons I learned were to develop a plan early on, get to know key individuals and pass on the acquired knowledge to your relief,” shared Rahal.

Lt. Cmdr. Devin Shoquist did his third deployment into Iraq, engaged in what he called “surf and turf psychiatry.”
“I was with the Combat Stress Control Unit at Camp Taji, which is a five to ten minute help ride outside of Baghdad, but really felt in the middle of nowhere,” related Shoquist, to the base approximately 12 miles of the Iraqi capital. “Despite the surroundings, Taji was an oasis or sorts, even though it was muddy when it rained and dusty all other times.”

Shoquist attests his biggest struggle in regards to mental health is the same as ever one else in the field and ‘boots on the ground’ in the field; “Making our people feel better is challenging when some are going through multiple deployments of 12 to 15 months,” he said. “It definitely takes a toll on some.”

Being a Navy officer assigned to a U.S. Army command also presented a learning curve for Shoquist. “There are administrative and cultural differences between the Army and Navy,” he said. “We did the best we could and certainly learned a lot. I was glad that during preparation back in the states that I learned how to shoot and had weapon familiarization training. We had to carry a weapon with us at all  times and knowing how to use it was vital.”

On amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), which embarked last summer for Peleliu Pacific Partnership 2007, Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Solze found herself part of several medical teams that provided humanitarian assistance in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. “Everywhere we went, from the Republic of Philippines to Vietnam to Papua New Guinea to Solomon Island to Micronesia, everyone was receptive,” said Solze. “There were always smiling faces and at times literally thousands lined up waiting to be seen by us.”

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

“Voice of our Deployers” was the theme for a portion of the recently held Naval Hospital Bremerton Command Leadership Offsite session. Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Solze (pictured) and three other staff members each shared their experiences while being forward deployed to such locales as Iraq and Kuwait. Solze was part of the humanitarian assistance mission Peleliu Pacific Partnership 2007.

Solze found herself in almost every kind of transportation imaginable getting from ship to shore to carry out Medical Civil Assistance Programs in such locales as outlying islands in the Philippine archipelago. “I was on a Zodiac (inflatable boat) there,” Solze shared. “We’d be traveling by 0300 and then working all day. We also found out that the day after we left that fighting broke out between government troops and rebels. Helicopters were used in many areas and we even flew onto Kwajalein Island to the Army base there in a 747.”

According to Solze, the biggest concern for her and others operating close to the equator was dealing with the constant heat and humanity, getting sun-burnt and trying to thwart mosquitoes. “We’d see 100 to 120 patients a day,” she related. “We’d provide treatment to such ailments as skin infections, rashes, gout and thyroid diseases. We treated a number of burns, usually caused by a motorcycle or moped or spilled cooking or motor oil, which were very common in several countries. We also did minor procedures in the field.”

We’d get adopted by the kids wherever we went, and it was both overwhelming and  touching,” said Solze, citing the example of time spent on the Philippines’ southern most islands of Jolo and Tawi Tawi in the Sulu Sea. “We stayed in tents on the tennis courts at a local school, one of the few if not only places not built on stilts over water. We called our area ‘easy bake ovens’ because it got so warm and any time we’d walk out, there would be the local children waiting with smiling faces. It was those people why we were there.”

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Troy Bojorquiz deployed to EMF Kuwait and ended up at Camp Buehring, formally Camp Udairi, the northern most staging post for U.S. troops near the Iraqi border heading into (and out) of Iraq. “I though the 90 degree temperatures in California would prepare me for Kuwait but once I got there, those temps were cool compared to where I was,” Bojorquiz said. “It would reach up to 138 during the day and drop to the 85 to 95 degree range at night. We had 10 heat exhaustion cases the first day.”

Bojorquiz stressed the importance of ensuring all administrative duties get handled before heading overseas. “Preparation is the key to success to going over there,” he said. “Our team here is doing a great job making sure we are ready. Once over there, we did training and then more training, from helicopters to fire fighting to sick call screening to rifle qualifications.”

The Medical Clinic at Camp Buehring runs around the clock which gave Bojorquiz and other corpsmen ample opportunity to cross-train. “There wasn’t much sleep at times, but we made up for that by learning a lot and integrating with other aid stations,” he said.

As with the others, Bojorquiz stated his deployment enabled him to gain valuable experience and hone his corpsman skills.  And like the others, more NHB staff will follow suit.  Not if, but when.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was recently quoted as reiterating that “Those who have sacrificed for our nation deserve the best care they can get. There is no higher priority for the Department of Defense, after the war itself, than caring for our wounded warriors.” Gate’s sentiment has been consistently echoed by Naval Hospital Bremerton, along with the dual mission of providing uninterrupted medical service to all eligible beneficiaries such as active duty personnel, reservists, family members, and retirees.

Yet when people don’t show for appointments, there is a domino effect that can impact those in need of health care and continued care. Dealing with “no-shows” remains a constant area of importance, even with Naval Hospital Bremerton and the associated Branch Health Clinics continuing to work on reducing them.

“Our appointment “no-shows” are improving in some areas,” said Captain Randall G. Kelley, Naval Hospital Bremerton Executive Officer. “But we still have patients who fail to cancel or show up for their scheduled appointments. When that happens, it clogs the system and deprives others from utilizing our resources of time, services and staff.”

“NHB prides itself on providing timely care and service to all eligible beneficiaries,” continued Kelley. “We understand that there are going to be unplanned events that occur. When that happens, patients are encouraged to call and cancel appointments at the earliest opportunity so that time-slot can then be offered to some one else.”

By a person simply canceling or rescheduling their appointment, it allows the hospital or clinic to open those appointments for other beneficiaries. To cancel or reschedule an appointment, call the TRICARE Regional Appointment Center at 800-404-4506.

With the summer months approaching, NHB will undergo several transitions, including the change of command for Captain Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer, the deployment of active duty staff members, and the graduation of Family Medicine residents, in addition to many staff members moving on to other commands. The overall mission of NHB will remain the same with three specific, yet overlapping, primary components of medical importance: Toimprove the health of all people served; provide Graduate Medical Education for Family Physicians, and execute the readiness mission, which equates to supporting the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

There are currently multiple GWOT Individual Augmentee assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan for NHB doctors, nurses, hospital corpsmen and support staff, as well as customary support of the U.S. Military Hospital in Kuwait. There are also personnel deployed for extended periods to Joint Task Force Horn of Africa and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Additionally, NHB staff members have augmented humanitarian mission needs on USNS Mercy for Pacific Partnership 2008, which is slated over the next four months to visit Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, the Federated States of Micronesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. Over 15 percent of NHB active duty staff are anticipated to be deployed this summer.

Naval Hospital Bremerton, along with satellite Naval Branch Health Clinics at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Kitsap Naval Base Bangor (360-315-4391) and Naval Station Everett (425-304-4060), and as partners in the TRICARE West region and working jointly with TriWest Healthcare Alliance, will continue to provide timely quality care to over 83,000 eligible beneficiaries that reside in the greater Puget Sound area, with approximately 60,000 on Kitsap Peninsula alone. “And if somebody can’t make it, please take a moment and let us know,” reminds Kelley.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Lieutenant Kelly Koren, Naval Hospital Bremerton second year Family Medicine resident, won the resident research competition at the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physician’s Annual Scientific Assembly that was held in Portland recently.  For Koren, the recognition was a surprise validation of her time and effort. It also bolstered her confidence in compiling and presenting her research.

“It was a great sense of personal accomplishment,” said Koren, who used her involvement in an actual medical situation to write up her case report. “Research is such an important part of medicine. Now I know I have the assurance to do my job.”

Koren’s resident research presentation was titled ‘Itching to be Inked,’ in reference to a skin reaction from getting a tattoo. “It’s in direct reference to a condition called the Koebner effect,” explained Koren. “My ‘Itching to be Inked’ presentation basically explained that when a person already has some underlying skin condition such as psoriasis, then getting a tattoo can make it worse.”

“The Koebner effect is definitely something that any service member needs to take into consideration when they get a tattoo,” continued the Colorado native. “Not many know about it, but it can alter a person’s career. I got the presentation idea when I was working in our Dermatology Clinic. We received a Sailor who had to be Medivac’d off his sub due to getting such an adverse skin reaction from a recent tattoo. His injury operationally impacted his command and

medically impacted his career. His disease is manageable, but he can only go on a surface ship.”

According to Koren, being able to prepare, practice and then present her research in a competitive manner at such a venue as the

Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physician’s Annual Scientific Assembly was very educational and informative. “The experience gave me a great example that all of us can learn so much by doing research projects,” she said. “The help I received in putting my project together also is strong evidence of the great program and great group of people we have here at Naval Hospital Bremerton.”

Koren found herself part of a lineup that also featured a number of other well-researched and well-presented cases. “It was really a tough field, but my colleagues and supervisors were a tremendous help. I wasn’t afraid, just nervous.”

It wasn’t until the nearly the end of the Awards Luncheon that Koren found out she placed first. “I was not expecting to hear my name at all,” she related. “It was a very pleasant surprise. There were lots of high-fives all around.”

And for those personnel contemplating a tattoo that already might have some skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, Koren attests that her main message is for everyone to be safe and think before they act. “The condition I described in “Itching to be Inked” does happen more often than many people think. People need to realize that they could have a very adverse reaction.”

Holocaust survivor presents his story to NHB staff and family members

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Staff members at Naval Hospital Bremerton were given a glimpse into the trials of the Holocaust through the eyes of guest speaker Bob Herschkowitz during the hospital's Holocaust Remembrance presentation last Thursday at the Jackson Park Chapel.

As a child of a Jewish family in Belgium in the late 1930s, Herschkowitz experienced the Holocaust first hand as his family fled to France where they were ultimately captured and imprisoned in Rivesaltes, a French concentration camp.

Fortunately, Herschowitz and his family were able to escape the camp and flee to Switzerland, allowing him to keep alive the experiences of a child's life during those times, an experience that he didn't think was unique.

"You have to remember this, in Belgium, everyone's a Survivor," he said.  "Until I came to the United States, I didn't realize I was special."

Herschkowitz was only eight years old by the time the war ended and he and his family returned to Belgium.  Because of his own age during the events, part of his presentation focused on the fate of Jewish children in general during the Holocaust, a group Herschkowitz called "the first victims."  His presentation included a lot of recovered photographs which helped put a face to the tragedy for many of the attendees.

"To sit there and look at kids lying in the ground for no other purpose than their ethnic background was tragic," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Paul McFadden, the hospital's assistant command managed equal opportunity manager.

Herschkowitz then went on to relate the details of his family's life during the time they fled their home, their eventual capture, and ultimate escape.  He took the audience with him as he took on a fake identity in France,

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Holocaust Survivor Bob Herschkowitz presents the story of his family’s survival and escape from a French concentration camp during WWII to staff members and their families at the Jackson Park Chapel.  Herschkowitz’ presentation was held in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

witnessed the birth of his little brother in Rivesaltes, and crossed the Alps on foot.

"The way he went about it, presenting the family, made it feel more like a personal event," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Benjamin Sambor, a supply corpsman at Branch Health Clinic Bangor.

Herschkowitz began telling his story to audiences about 10 years ago when he was asked to present some of his photos and memorabilia at the Pacific Science Center.

"I was amazed at how much nobody knew," he said.

Soon after that, he said, he sat down with his father and wrote down all the details they could remember of their experiences so the truth wouldn't be lost.

"There are some parents who never talk about the past," he said.  "There are people who still don't know about their past."

The presentation at the Jackson Park Chapel fell on Yom Hoshoa, the official Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Job fair presents career options to general duty corpsmen looking to specialize

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton held a job fair on its quarterdeck last Friday to give interested corpsmen the chance to find out what opportunities were available to them for medical specialization and advanced training.

The step from general duty corpsmen to a specialty field is a big career decision to make, and the fair was designed to give “quad-zeroes” (named for the 0000 Navy Enlistment Classification code for General Duty Corpsmen) a chance to learn about some specialty fields from the people who do those jobs every day.

“I’m a quad-zero myself and it’s sometimes hard to know what other people do,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Paula Wisniewski, the hospital’s general surgery leading petty officer and coordinator of the job fair.  “We may have an idea, but it doesn’t always come from experience.”

Represented at the fair were displays and representatives from such fields as radiology, preventive medicine, urology and orthopedics.  The fair even boasted a display by the hospital’s master-at-arms as an opportunity for undesignated Sailors to learn about another career field available at the hospital.  Staff members were on hand from the hospital’s career counselor’s office to answer questions about advanced training schools. 

Based on Wisniewski’s guidance, the presenters focused their displays on job descriptions and duty stations – telling the attendees not only what the day-to-day job is like but where in the world it could take you.  Other than that guidance, though, presenters were left to their own creativity as to how to display it.

The work-related props they incorporated in there displays helped draw in people who might only have heard of the career field by word of mouth.

“We had one person come up and say ‘that’s a nice cast,” and we started talking,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Roberto Garcia, the Orthopedic Clinic’s leading petty officer who presented his specialty with models, splints and casts.

Other props included the master-at-arms representative’s police equipment and working police dog, while the Preventive Medicine reps presented a slide show drawn

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

HM2 Ana Paula DeSouza, a Preventive Medicine Technician at Naval Hospital Bremerton, (left) shares information about her medical specialty with HN Ashley Beaman, a general duty corpsman looking for career information at last week’s Career Fair at NHB.  Preventive Medicine was just one of the specialty fields on hand to share information, joining presenters from Urology, Radiology, Orthopedics and Masters-at-Arms.

from PrevMed Techs all over the world to give a view of the variety of work and locations that field involves.

“I think it’s important to show them what they can do,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd

Class Ana Paula DeSouza, a preventive medicine technician who was on-scene at the fair to present her field to interested corpsmen. 

Hospital Corpsmen 3rd Class Melissa Legette was one of those interested corpsmen, taking a tour of the presentations before zeroing in on Preventive Medicine.

“I looked at X-Ray tech and Pharmacy, but PrevMed seemed like something that was totally different,” she said.  Legette added that the fact that PrevMed techs are stationed all over the world was a big draw to her to investigate that field.  Before the fair, her information about the field was limited.

“I didn’t know exactly what they did,” she said, “but now it’s something I’m interested in and I’m still looking into it.”

Although this is the first such career fair that Wisniewski has organized at the hospital, she said her initial idea was to hold one every six months or so, ensuring that new quad-zeroes would have a chance to learn about potential career fields directly rather than waiting for word of mouth.

NHB's own honored for her community service

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Darlene Jenkins, Executive Secretary at Naval Hospital Bremerton, was recently honored for her dedicated community service at the YWCA of Kitsap County 19th Anniversary Women of Achievement Recognition Luncheon.

In front of a packed house at the Kitsap Convention Center of many community and civic leaders, along with numerous family, friends and peers, Jenkins was recognized along with 17 other nominees. When the time came to accept her award, it proved to be an overwhelming touching moment. “This is kind of like my ‘Oscar’s Award’ moment, so I don’t want to mess it up,” said Jenkins, during the beginning of her emotional acceptance speech.

“I thank God because this moment could not have happened without him. This is truly a memorable occasion,” Jenkins stated, who was escorted to the luncheon by her son, Herman, and accompanied by Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer, Captain Catherine Wilson, and Captain Carol Morones, NHB Director of Nursing Services.

“When I think of community service, there can be long hours and sometimes not eating and not sleeping,” explained Jenkins. “But it’s also so much more than that. It’s really all about hard work, dedication and caring, which is what it takes to make a difference in our community.”

Darlene has worked as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense for over 17 years. Her involvement with the military community includes Newspaper Coordinator for the Oakleaf Officer’s Club, the Officer’s Wives Club and with activities that promote community service and diversity. As a member of the NAACP Bremerton Branch, Darlene has served as Secretary, Communications Chair and Publicity Coordinator. She has also served in the capacity of Secretary for the Bremerton

Photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Darlene Jenkins, executive secretary at Naval Hospital Bremerton, takes a moment to compose her speech after being recognized at the 19th Anniversary YWCA of Kitsap County Women of Achievement Luncheon for her dedicated work in community service.

African American Ministerial Alliance and Sinclair Missionary Baptist Church. Projects have included the Learn and Earn Your Own Computer Program and the REACH for Success mentoring program.

There were even those who couldn’t make it in person on Darlene’s day, but made their presence felt by sending her congratulatory notes in the official event program. Her mother and the Commandment Church Family of Houston, Texas, wished her congratulations, as did Ray C. Rogers, Lockheed Martin Mission Services, Program Manager, MK48 Torpedo Maintenance Activity, Ewa Beach, Hawai’i. Her co-workers and neighbors at work also stopped by the next day after hearing the news to offer their well-wishes.

Some of the categories of those nominated for Kitsap's Women of Achievement Award were community activits/volunteer; business/professional; education; arts; human services; government/political; and high school student (16 years or older).

Ensemble brings classical and Irish folk music to Naval Hospital Bremerton's staff, beneficiaries

By MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson
NHB Public Affairs

Staff members and beneficiaries were treated to the classical instrumental and traditional Irish music of the Tim Janis Ensemble during a lunch-time performance on the hospital’s quarterdeck last Monday.

The world-renowned composer and star of the recent PBS special “Enchanted Evening” presented his quartet of musicians as part of a USO and TriWest sponsored tour of the Pacific Northwest.

It was Janis’ ties to local PBS station KCTS, and his popularity with the station’s viewers, that motivated him to schedule this tour, he said.

“We’re big supporters of anything we can do for our military,” Janis added.

Performing at the hospital gave the group a chance to not only brighten the day of the military members stationed there, but the number of hospital beneficiaries in the audience allowed them to give the same treatment to the family members of local area service members and show some support there.

 “We found that the families were a big part of the support,” said Paul Cassidy, the ensemble’s manager.

While the high-traffic of the hospital’s quarterdeck allowed a number of staff members and patience to listen for a bit as they moved about the building, the acoustics of the space carried the music across multiple floors of the hospital, drawing in listeners from clinics across the building. 

“To be honest, I was really busy, but when I passed by and heard them, I was paralyzed,” said Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Omar Jimenez of the hospital’s Religious Ministries Department.  “The mix of

Photo by MC1(SW) Fletcher Gibson

Jonathan Graber (violin), Jack Chen (penny whistle) and Tim Janis (keyboard) entertain the staff and beneficiaries of Naval Hospital Bremerton during a lunch-time performance on the building’s quarterdeck last Monday.  The ensemble, along with harpist and vocalist Fionnuala Gill (not pictured) presented two hours worth of classical instrumental music and traditional Irish folk songs as part of their USO and TriWest sponsored tour of the Pacific Northwest.  Janis is a world-renowned composer most famous locally for his recent PBS special.

classical and Celtic music, the way they blended together, was so beautiful.”

Most of the music played was original compositions by Janis, but the addition of Fionnuala Gill, recently the lead vocalist for the dance group Riverdance, added a folksy-Irish turn to the music through her vocals and performance on the Irish harp.

Janis said the size of the ensemble depends on the venue, but the intimacy of these USO performances called for a smaller group.  Even then, Janis was able to draw on talents from all across the United States and Europe.  In addition to Gill and Janis, who himself played keyboard for the performance, the ensemble presented Jack Chen of Chicago on flute and piccolo, and local Bremerton musician Jonathan Graber on violin.

NHB shines for visiting Commander, Navy Medicine West

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, Commander, Navy Medicine West, visited Naval Hospital Bremerton last Tuesday and Wednesday, enjoying a tour of the hospital’s upgrades since her last visit a year ago and taking the time to hold an Admiral’s Call for the staff.

The newly-constructed emergency room and physical therapy clinic demonstrated their advanced designs, standing out in what the admiral called “leading from the middle.”

“You’re not the biggest, not the smallest.  Not the most remote, not the closest to a major city,” she said.  “But every time I come here for a visit, I leave with something I can use across the region.”

In addition to admiring the clinics, Hunter recognized the hospital’s emergency management program as something she’d like to see emulated in other hospitals.  NHB’s medical readiness program, which has reached top numbers in keeping staff members ready to deploy, also earned the admiral’s admiration. 

Proof of the hospital's ability to deploy is in the number of NHB staffers joining the USNS Mercy on its upcoming humanitarian deployment across the Pacific Rim.  This deployment, said Hunter, is an example of Navy Medicine's role in the Navy's current mission: the building of partnerships.

“Our Navy used to be ‘power projections, bombs on target,’” she said.  “Now we're about partnerships, we're about making the world a better place for our children and others to raise their children.”

Photo by HM1(SW) Julie Jorgensen

Captain Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer (center), takes Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, Commander Navy Medicine West and CAPT Patrick Kelly, NMW Chief of Staff, on a tour down memory lane as part of their visit and tour of NHB. Rear Adm. Hunter is a former CO of NHB and CAPT Kelly is a former executive officer.

As her visit wrapped up, Hunter did voice her appreciation of time spent at NHB. Not only is Hunter a former commanding officer of Naval Hospital Bremerton, but her chief of staff, Capt. Patrick Kelly, also served at NHB as her executive officer.

 “It’s always a pleasure to visit Naval Hospital Bremerton,” she said.  “The only problem is when Capt. Kelly and I come here, we never want to leave.”

Hunter’s visit to the area also included visits to other local medical centers such as Harrison Hospital and Madigan Army Medical Center.

NHB yoga not just as stretch

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

It might seem far-out and even far-fetched, but there is the possibility of far-reaching impact. Several times a week, yoga classes are offered at Naval Hospital Bremerton for staff members, with additional classes also available for eligible beneficiaries.

LT Fouad Elzaatari is one of the teachers at NHB, and is a walking embodiment of yoga enthusiasm. Elzaatari’s classes are not bulging at the seams. Yet.  But the word is spreading. “I call it bringing yoga to the masses,” he said. “We must remember that yoga is new to our Western culture. The key is that the more we learn about the practice we can then replace any negativity that comes from a lack of understanding.”

The benefits of yoga have recently drawn attention from the Army as a possible therapeutic form of treatment for wounded troops returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even the Marine Corps has instituted yoga classes in their Warrior Couple Readjustment Retreat as a viable option for married couples to reconnect, share and ease any strain from extended deployments.

There are several variations of the ancient practice, and one such currently followed at NHB is hatha-yoga, which is based on physical postures, breathing exercise and muscle control that is becoming increasingly popular in Western culture.

“Yoga originated in India centuries ago as a system of psychological and physical practices which created greater sense of health, mental awareness and balancein practitioners of yoga,” explains Elzaatari.

Elzaatari found himself drawn to yoga when he was growing up in Beirut, Lebanon, partly because of an affinity for eastern philosophy and also because it was another sport-related event to try, even if it wasn’t wide-spread. Upon arriving at NHB in 2005, he immediately noticed yoga was offered and has been involved ever since. While deployed and assigned to Political Military Affairs, U.S. Embassy Annex, Former Republican Palace, Baghdad, Iraq, from 2006 to 2007, his yoga involvement became well-known to many of his colleagues. “We had a number of military, government service, state department and coalition employees who would take our yoga classes,” remembered Elzaatari. “The goal there was the same as our classes here, to give every practitioner a chance to take a brief respite from work and look after themselves.”

When Elzaatari returned from deployment, he knew he wanted to become more engaged in yoga than just attending classes, so he took it upon himself to get his yoga teaching certification. “Teaching is a worthy goal in itself,” said Elzaatari. “There are also various levels, each a building block for getting skills to a higher level.”

The mental, physical, and even spiritual benefits are there for the taking, attests Elzaatari. “People say that they sense a difference after a few classes,” said Elzaatari. “They find themselves feeling better. They get refreshed, recharge their

photo by Douglas H. Stutz

“Bringing yoga to the masses” is LT Fouad Elzaatari, Naval Hospital Bremerton, who several times a week steps away from his normal duties from his laboratory/clinical pathology setting to teach the ancient practice, which is based on physical postures, breathing exercise and muscle control that is becoming increasingly popular in Western culture.

internal battery, are more aware of their self, and have a lot more flexibility once our class is over. They are challenging their body and they are finding out they can ease into the practice and not force themselves. In the short time we’ve been doing this, the regulars are becoming more aware of the possibilities in improving their posture, flexibility, stretching, and even toning and firming.  Yoga is also being recognized more and more as a form of therapy. Many providers are prescribing yoga to women during pregnancy, and here in at Naval Hospital Bremerton, we have a class specifically to pregnant women.”

According to Elzaatari, once past the mystique of the practice, there are common-sense physical fitness advantages that even weekend warriors would appreciate. The emphasis that yoga places of flexibility and stretching is tailor-made to enhance athletic performance in most team sports as well as individual track-and-field events. “Yoga concentrates on all muscles, not just a select group,” stated Elzaatari. “The therapeutic value is incalculable.”

Elzaatari teaches at NHB on Tuesday and Thursday, at 11:00 a.m.  Other available classes for eligible beneficiaries include “Yoga for Fitness and Health,” “Gentle Beginner and Prenatal Yoga” to be held Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; “Fitness Yoga” on Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and “Lunchtime Yoga” on Fridays from 11:45 p.m. 12:30 p.m. For more information, please call 360-475-4541.

NHB staffers find the Right Spirit at demonstration fair

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton held the command’s 1st Annual Right Spirit Fair on April 10 as part of the Navy’s Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Deglamorization Campaign.

“We wanted to increase awareness for our entire staff here,” said Information Systems Technician Chief Alexis Barnhart, event organizer. Since recently becoming the command’s Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, Barnhart has actively pursued bringing and organizing such events as the Right Spirit Fair to the facility. “Our ultimate goal is to have no alcohol related incidents of any kind. By providing information and awareness and also focusing on what other activities and resources are available we hope that our staff will make the right choices.”

Organizations invited to participate in the event included Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Kitsap County Traffic Safety Task Force, Bremerton Police Department, NHB’s award-winning Health Promotion, Navy Region Northwest’s Liberty Programs and Tours, as well as Fleet and Family Support Center, and Navy Region Motorcycle Safety.

“Our lives are full of moments and the decisions we make in those moments,” said Captain Catherine Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton Commanding Officer. “Making the right choices with our decisions is so important because it impacts not only ourselves but others. There’s a display of a wrecked vehicle out front that shows us all what can happen when someone makes the wrong decision. Two people in that car died due to another person’s irresponsible behavior in making the wrong decision. This Right Spirit Fair, and our on-going 0-for-72 campaign, are means to help us make the necessary and right decisions.”

Events featured interactive involvement with such displays as non-alcoholic mocktail beverages, field sobriety tests, drunk goggles, and  various informational displays and awareness resources.

photo by Douglas H. Stutz

Cmdr. Kurt Houser, Naval Hospital Bremerton Director of Administration, wearing a pair of drunk goggles, tests his overall coordination skills under the watchful gaze of CAPT Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer, during the Right Spirit Fair. The goggles, supplied by Navy Region Motorcycle Safety, simulate a BAC Level of approximately .07 up to .1.7 and 2.0.

“Those goggles make everything blurry and very, very disoriented and dizzy,” said Hospital Corpsman First Class Ken Hendricks, NHB Laboratory/Clinical Pathology technician. The goggles, supplied by Navy Region Motorcycle Safety, simulate a BAC Level of approximately .07 up to .1.7 and 2.0. “Beside this being good insight for us on active duty, I also have two teens that are around that age that they need to be more conscious of making responsible decisions.”

Also included was a Right Spirit Essay Contest, asking for a 500-word or less submission article on “what responsible drinking means to me.” The top winner anonymously turned in a self-portrayal  of alcohol awareness. Others chosen for their selection received their choice of special liberty chits or gift certificate to local eateries.

 “If we can convince one person here today that they have the ‘Right Spirit’ and that helps keep them from an alcohol-related incident, then we have done our job with our fair,” Barnhart stated.

Ninth Gold Star Health Promotion and Wellness Award presented

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Captain Catherine Wilson, Naval Hospital Bremerton commanding officer, has traditionally been a presenter of awards in helping recognize staff members. But this time around, she had the honor of being on the receiving end.

On behalf of her entire command and Health Promotion in particular, NHB was awarded the Gold Star Health Promotion and Wellness Award for command excellence in Health Promotion, issued by Captain W.R. Stover, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center commanding officer. The award marks the ninth consecutive time NHB Health Promotion has been recognized with the Gold Star.

“This is just another marvelous accomplishment and demonstration of how we all take care of our staff, our patients and every one of our eligible beneficiaries,” said CAPT Wilson upon being presented the award from Janet Mano of Health Promotion. “Congratulations on a job well done.”

According to the official award citation from CAPT Stover, this outstanding achievement is a testament to top leadership involvement, optimal command participation and tremendous support for individual health behavior change.

“A big part of what we do is directly related to the support we get from our commanding officer and entire chain of command,” echoed Mano. “All our directorates and departments come together to help with health promotion and prevention. We do a lot of wonderful work here.”

The overall mission of Health Promotion is to

photo by HM1(SW) Julie Jorgensen

Members of Naval Hospital Bremerton extended Health Promotion network of caring health care professionals gather around Captain Catherine Wilson, NHB Commanding Officer, for a group photo after CAPT Wilson received the Gold Star Health Promotion and Wellness Award for command excellence in Health Promotion on behalf of her command.

provide quality products and services to every eligible beneficiary. One of the many ways that goal is accomplished is through the new April-to-June schedule of numerous “Spring into Health” classes. One such class is “Setting the Foundation,” which is a recommended prerequisite offering, and helps participants to set goals for personal health and builds on small steps to overcome barriers. Other available classes are “Baby Basics Support for Expectant Parents;” “Aim for a Healthy Weight;” “Yoga for Fitness and Health;” “Diabetes Self Management Education and Support;” “Your Medical Appointments;” “Healthy at Heart;” “Healthier Alternatives;” “Diabetes Prevention;” and Supermarket Savvy.

For more information and to register for classes call TRICARE at 800-404-4506 or Health Promotion 360-475-4541.

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Bremerton provided medical assistance to several Peruvian Navy personnel off the Peruvian navy ship BAP Mollendo. The Peruvian navy ship is in the midst of training operations in the Pacific and is currently visiting the Port of Seattle as part of a centennial celebration of the Consulate of Peru in Seattle.

“We have a possible compound fracture of the thumb and a fracture of the clavicle, as well as requests to medically check a few others,” said Command Master Chief Donald E. Eddleman, of host ship USS Ford (FFG 54), and escorting officer for the hospital visit.

Besides taking care of the two fractures,

another Peruvian Sailor was seen by NHB’s Internal Medicine Department’s Cardiology Division and another was screened by Urology Department. According to Cmdr. Mark Dick, Internal Medicine Department head, none of the Peruvian Sailors had medical issues of a serious nature.

“There are no emergency situations with the crew members,” said Dick. “What we did is in the nature of a sea-going service to render aid to sailors who are a long ways from home. It’s all part of being a medical officer and what we do in Navy Medicine by providing coordinated care and medical assistance.”

The BAP (Buque Armada Peruana - Peruvian Navy Ship) Mollendo is a Peruvian Navy Auxiliary cargo ship (ATC-131).

NHB corpsman awarded Bronze Star for Valor by Vice President Cheney

By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs

Hospital Corpsman First Class Christopher R. Phillips found out first hand just how hot a typical summer can be in the arid region of Farah, Afghanistan. The average high temperature routinely tops 100 degrees and can seem even m