Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

The basketball court at Naval Medical Center San Diego’s (NMCSD) gym was converted to a test center as more than 130 first class petty officers were administered the FY 2024 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Advancement Exam, 18 Jan.

Off to the side as you entered the court is a table packed with cell phones while their rightful owners are taking the exam. You could hear the phones’ murmurs placed to their lowest setting permitted for some, while others depleted their battery as they vibrated.

Perhaps it was fellow Shipmates, spouses, parents, and others trying to get an update from their examinees.

One of those phones belongs to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Genaro Falaminiano, NMCDS Directorate for Clinical Support Services leading petty officer and a native of Olongapo, Philippines. Falaminiano is also NMCSD’s 2023 Sailor of the Year.

It is a long way for Falaminiano who vividly remembers what once was Naval Base Subic Bay and the impression that the Navy’s presence made upon him.

“I had a unique opportunity to visit [Naval Base ] Subic Bay as a young boy and I knew I wanted nothing more than to someday join the U.S. Navy,” said Falaminiano. “However, when Subic Bay closed, largely due in part to the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, my dream of joining the Navy seemed to dissipate little by little.”

The Falaminiano’s eventually immigrated to the San Diego, Calif., where they faced new challenges.

“You’re talking to someone who was an Uber-like driver in the Philippines when I was college, except my vehicle was a motorized tricycle — similar to a Tuk Tuk,” explains Falaminiano. “As my parents, brother, and I arrived in the U.S. in 2008, we arrived during the recession of that era. The economy was not in our favor.”

Notwithstanding, Falaminiano knows a thing or two about adversity.

December 2023 marks 14 years of active duty service in the Navy for Falaminiano — with five of those years finding himself eligible to take the CPO Advancement Exam — and, being board eligible at every try. However, the Navy has not been ready for Falaminiano.

“The contrast of the life I was living prior to joining the Navy to now being a first class petty officer is worlds apart for me,” describes Falaminiano. “There is nothing more that I want than to become a Chief Petty Officer; however, if it’s not time for me again, that’s fine. Life has prepared me for whatever may be in my future, and it’s a future that I will eagerly embrace whether I’m selected [for CPO] or not.”

Falaminiano’s optimism in no wonder, considering his exposure to vast range of life experiences and his propensity to persevere.

“For us getting to serve our nation is already the prize that we should all be grateful for. I will never lose sight of what the United States and its Navy has done for me and my family,” expresses Falaminiano. “It would be an honor to get to continue serving as a Chief.”

The next time the personal effects of some of today’s examinees will commingle on a table will be when their freshly minted CPO covers are laid out in preparation of their CPO pinning by their loved ones.

NMCSD continuously seeks professional civilian talent, not just limited to health care providers and administrative support. For anyone seeking a federal job, visit USAJobs at usajobs.gov – the Federal Government’s official employment site.

The mission of NMCSD is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality health care services, and shape the future of military medicine through education, training, and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active-duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

As Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, one Corpsman has long been honoring Dr. King and abiding by his vision of strengthening the values of the communities we serve for the betterment of all people.

“With a family legacy of military service dating to the time of my grandparents, it was instilled in me from an early age the importance of service to our community,” said Hospital Corpsman First Class Jameka Jackson, NMCSD Critical Care Nursing leading petty officer and NMCSD Diversity Committee chairman. “Carrying this legacy as a military member has been a natural progression for me, and one that is fundamentally an honor to fulfill as it bestows upon you with nothing but personal and professional satisfaction.”

Jackson, a Bossier City, La. native, recalls her earliest community involvement with Barksdale Air Force Base as part of her high school’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program.

“As I grew up I always wanted to serve in the military and my high school — Parkway High School [Bossier City] — offered an opportunity I couldn’t resist through their AFROTC program. My involvement in ROTC reinforced my calling to service for our communities, military, and nation,” expressed Jackson.

Communities and our Nation aside, the military has presented an entirely unique dynamic where Jackson’s ability to remain committed to the spirit of service has been perpetually challenged.

“It’s a matter of perspective and for me being Black I have always perceived it as a strength that I offer the Navy,” explains Jackson. “In the military you quickly learn that the vast majority of your fellow service members have had their fair share of challenges, which transcends all races and ethnicities. But collectively we are here for a reason — and that reason is to bring out the very best which makes us who we are and to impart our values, grit, and dedication in service to our Navy.”

This year’s MLK Day theme is: “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off!”

“Elevating awareness — and acceptance — of this important day for all of us is priceless, but your call-to-action is one that I genuinely hope ushers in an appreciation for the conviction that all people are created equal, regardless of color, gender, or creed,” says Jackson. “Sometimes taking a moment to acknowledge to yourself that you are not alone, that your struggles are no less trivial than what many of us face, is empowering to get you through another day.”

For Jackson, her sights are set on a future that entails greater responsibilities and advancement in her career.

“There’s nothing I desire more than to commission as an MSC (Medical Service Corps) healthcare administrator. To have such opportunity available to me is one that I owe to leaders such as Dr. King, who worked so hard to cultivate and foster a culture of inclusivity that our military has so admirably adopted,” says Jackson. “When that day comes, I look forward to even greater service that I want to offer in such capacity, not only as a Black woman, Black officer within the MSC Corps, but as an American who cherishes our nation and its way of life.”

The observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. was established by Public Law 98-144. This national day of service is celebrated on the third Monday in January.

NMCSD continuously seeks professional civilian talent, not just limited to health care providers and administrative support. For anyone seeking a federal job, visit USAJobs at usajobs.gov – the Federal Government’s official employment site.

The mission of NMCSD is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality health care services, and shape the future of military medicine through education, training, and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active-duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) welcomed representatives from J&J Worldwide Services, a facilities services government contractor, for an OR (operating room) construction project groundbreaking ceremony, Jan. 18.

J&J coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama office under the direction of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) on a Repair/Renewal Surgical & Pediatric Intensive Care Modernization or OR construction project at a cost of $210 million, according to Michael Waro, NMCP Base Operations Medical Installations (BOMI) department head and Director of Engineering.

“The project was awarded as a design build,” said Waro. “They took the final plans that we developed years ago and modified them, met with the staff here, and put a lot of energy in with their design team to create something that will be very useful for medical center down the road.”

Before anyone used a sledgehammer on one of the walls to be removed in the renovation area, Travis Hawver, J&J senior project manager, spoke to the group.

“Welcome to the wall-breaking ceremony to signify the beginning of active construction of this project that has been in the works for years, and we appreciate you coming to be a part of this,” said Hawver to the various NMCP department representatives who will directly benefit from the new construction.

Hawver added that the project will renovate approximately 110 thousand square feet, creating an entirely new surgical department including 19 operating rooms, with administration, preoperative, and postoperative spaces being built out first. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2029.

Additionally, the work package repairs and renovates the Anesthesiology Department, Perioperative Surgical Services, and provides a new Central Procedures Unit (CPU), while also relocating and modernizing the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), collocating it with the adult ICUs.

First up with a sledgehammer to officially start the renovation was Capt. Brian L. Feldman, NMCP director/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth (NMRTC) commander, and he was followed by the various NMCP staff members in attendance.

Ultimately, this project represents DHA’s commitment to a modernized, integrated, and resilient health delivery system that provides exceptional care to the nation’s most deserving beneficiaries. The renovations are replacing building systems that were commissioned in 1999 and have exceeded their useful economic lifecycle, modernizing layouts to accommodate the latest advancements in surgical equipment, and introducing technology that enhances the care environment and enables more efficient systems.

NMCP is a nationally acclaimed, state-of-the-art military treatment facility, and its Branch and TRICARE Prime Health Clinics in the Tidewater area provide medical care for warfighters, veterans, and their families. Additionally, the medical center is a premier readiness and training platform that provides superior medical training for military medical service members at the United States’ oldest, continuously operating military hospital. NMCP supports pioneering research and teaching programs to prepare new doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and hospital corpsmen for combat operations and public health crises.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) is targeting the unique stressors faced by military healthcare workers during Pacific Partnership 2024-1 (PP24-1)

The Resiliency Room aboard Mercy gives Sailors access to a massage chair, yoga mat, calming music, scent sticks, and coloring books as ways to decompress and relax while aboard the ship. Sailors sign up for 30-minute blocks at a time.

“The resiliency room is an evidence based space, where crew members of the Mercy can go to get away and use evidence based items to de-stress, relax, and renew themselves from having a stressful day,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Erik Sanchez, a clinical nurse specialist aboard Mercy.

Medical care is one of Pacific Partnership’s four lines of effort. The military doctors, nurses and hospital corpsman aboard Mercy provide care to thousands of patients during mission stops in host nations throughout the unifying mission.

“When we care for patients, we need to be at peak performance mentally,” said Sanchez. “If we’re really stressed, we won’t be so focused on the patient and that’s where errors can occur. Patient safety can become an issue.”

Research shows that the use of wellness rooms, like the resiliency room aboard Mercy, mitigate worker stress in acute care settings.

“This room is designed to help reduce workplace stress which hopefully will improve staff members’ morale and can also improve patient safety if the staff member is more relaxed and de-stressed,” said Sanchez. “New environments can add to the difficulties faced by healthcare team members.”

“Caring for the sick and injured in a military treatment facility has its stressors. Those same stressors are here aboard the Mercy, but they’re amplified because everyone here is away from friends and family,” said Sanchez. “They’re missing holidays. They are in new environments, experiencing language barriers, and the potential stress level for Sailors aboard this ship providing healthcare is exponential compared to back home, so myself and the team felt that it was important that we did something to help look after these caregivers.”

During its two months of availability, more than 130 crew members have utilized the room and its features. Staff who utilize the room have the option of filling out an anonymous survey, and Sanchez reports that the reviews are positive. “People who have used the room are reporting about a 50% reduction in their self-reported stress level and about 78-80% of people leaving the room are reporting feeling more focused and ready to go back to work, so we’re getting very positive results,” he said.

“I appreciate the team coming together to make sure that this happened even if it’s only on Mercy,” said U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christina Kaesberg. “It’s been a great experience even as a trial run. It really has helped a lot of people on this ship.”

“It’s exciting,” Sanchez continued. “This is the first ever resiliency room in an operational setting to our knowledge, so it’s exciting to open the first ever space of this kind in a shipboard environment. This should definitely improve patient safety and patient experience by caring for the caregiver,” Sanchez concluded.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Abenicio Chavez, a member of the blood depot section of Sigonella’s Naval Training Readiness Medical Center, visited Camp Lemonnier to test the mission readiness of medical personnel stationed in the Horn of Africa.

The training focused around the process of frozen blood deglycerolization and how it helps maintain blood operations around the joint force and bolster Camp Lemonnier’s walking-blood bank.

“This training is actually the first one we’ve done this fiscal year,” said Chavez. “We like to travel to these units to make sure we’re always refining the process and doing things the right way.”

During the blood freezing process medical personnel must add glycerin, a syrupy compound used to preserve blood, inserted into blood samples to keep the blood fresh and usable. The process of blood deglycerolization involves removing the glycerin during the thawing process so that the blood can be utilized safely and effectively, providing blood to potential patients across various outstations and the Horn of Africa.

“The reason we have different processes for distributing blood to patients is essentially in line with perfecting the tools in your tool belt,” said Chavez. “Through keeping up with shipments, running the walking blood bank, and refining our frozen blood retrieval processes we’re ensuring that we’re able to get blood to the people who need it as soon as they need it.”

“It was nice having someone who has a ton of practical experience doing this be able to run us through his process which helps us perfect the process and improve conditions here in AFRICOM,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Zoe Horton, CJTF-HOA medical lab specialist.

Horton was joined by other members of the joint force as well as a civilian lab technician from the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti. U.S. Army Maj. Karin Pivaral, CJTF-HOA medical logistics officer in charge, discovered the desire for her shop to undergo more intensive training on deglycerolization equipment and sought out the Sigonella Blood Depot for further assistance.

“For a medical logistics component it is not usual to have laboratory techs or a Blood Distribution Center, but because we are in one of the most geographically challenging theaters for sustainment, we are able to serve as the hub for distributing blood forward to our customers,” said Pivaral.

Pivaral emphasized how this training also helped bring the different medical components located on Camp Lemonnier together to strengthen their working relationships and partnerships with Djiboutian representatives while creating a bridge to the Blood Depot in Sigonella.

“Two of our lines of efforts are responding to crises and supporting allies and partners. The training that Sigonella provided increased knowledge for my team, the EMF, and the U.S. Embassy Lab Techs here in Djibouti,” said Pivaral. “Training events like these help improve our capabilities across East Africa which is a big win for all service members if the need ever arises.”

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

They came from Urgent Care Clinic, Family Medicine Department, the Main Operating Room and elsewhere.

Including the command suite.

All were welcomed participants at Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Nurse Corps Skills Sustainment Fair – billed as a nursing fair for nurses by nurses – held over a two-day period in mid-January 2024.

According to Lt. Barbara Kent, NHB Pediatrics Clinic department head and lead coordinator of the multi-disciplinary and collaborative event, the event was tailored on competency refresher training for several high risk, low volume duties which any Nurse Corps officer might be called upon to render timely support in handling.

“For many nurses within an ambulatory care setting, certain inpatient skills are not as easily obtained or mastered through the work done within clinics. Clinics vary in the variety of skills that the nurses are able to provide to our beneficiaries. It is pertinent that we not only pass our online exams but can apply the knowledge learned,” explained Kent.

“We wanted to bring this back and effectively bridge any gap for staff in skill sustainment and clinical competency,” Kent added. “Without these hands on skills sessions and the ability to simulate skills, the majority of our competencies were only validated online via general training vice hands-on applicable care.”

The competencies covered both clinic skills and inpatient skills pertaining to the variety of nursing specialties at NHB.

“This skills fair was a culmination of a year’s work with the help of subject matter experts from each specialty represented. We chose two training sessions that would appeal to both types of training schedules and ended up with a wonderful turnout. We compiled a list of a number of practical skills which we considered to focus on first. Based on input from many, we then consolidated that list down to the six proficiencies presented,” Kent explained.

Kent attested that the challenge in putting the event together was ensuring that a wide variety of necessary skills were covered, which included everything from the most basic medication administration to airway management, within a specified timeframe that would be beneficial for nurses without pulling them heavily from patient care.

Each of the six stations set up offered static displays, informational presentations and practical hands-on training opportunities.

“This is really well done. It’s a great reintroduction to some skills I haven’t used in a while like Foley catheters and tubes. I can see a lot of happy staff getting their skills enhanced and competencies signed off,” remarked Cmdr. Marc Silfies, NHB Surgical Services director.

There was an Airway Station to review competencies on proper airway management techniques and demonstrate proper use and handling of airway equipment and supplies.

Intravenous Fluid Administration/Medication Pumps and Patient-Controlled Analgesia pumps were on display to revisit on proper usage and knowledge of the settings, along with demonstrating handling and understanding, from priming to responding to any potential adverse reactions.

The Manual Cardiac Monitors/Defibrillators and Electrocardiograms station was designed to refamiliarize and demonstrate to participants with proper use and then practice how to appropriately apply when needed.

Reviewing competencies for the Foleys and Gastrointestinal Tube Management centered on demonstrating proper use and handling to familiarize participants with proper urinary catheter insertion and gastrointestinal tubes.

The Access Line and Management Care station went over proper techniques and use of central, intravenous and arterial [catheter] lines such as explaining differences and therapeutic indications to demonstrating dressing changes and specimen collection.

Training on Intraosseous Devices – used in placing a specific needle through bone tissue to administer such needs as fluid restoration and drug delivery – and the associated intramuscular and subcutaneous Medication Administration, included such crucial steps of the process as hand hygiene before patient contact to stressing the six rights of medication safety; right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right patient and right documentation, as well as disposal and finishing norms to follow.

Kent noted that the most gratifying part of this event was the comradery felt by having junior and senior nurses training together as one.

“A feeling that most of us desire both home and operationally,” said Kent.

The initial success has bolstered the goal to hold the skills fair on a quarterly basis and open up to others beyond assigned Nurse Corps officers.

“We intend to branch out to our civilian nursing staff and hospital corps staff with more exciting skills sessions and simulations gaining traction each quarter. We appreciate the opportunity to be able to train one another for a more prepared medical force overall,” stated Kent.