Category: US Navy

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

When you ask someone what they know about Naval Aviation chances are they will reference a couple of movies in popular culture and will drop a couple of famous quotes like “talk to me Goose” or “I feel the need, the need for speed” and the image of youthful pilots riding powerful machines into the sunset is what most likely comes to mind. As with most things glamorized for the silver screen there is much, much more to the story. For every warrior sent into the realm of eagles there are hundreds of hard-working service members that work to get (and keep) them flying there. Tuesday, Oct 29th Navy Medicine’s role in that story was recognized today for it’s many contributions to the field of Naval Aviation and was awarded a place in the form of a permanent exhibit now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
The exhibit being opened is intended to highlight the contributions of the many physicians, psychologists, physiologists, nurses, and corpsman who keep our pilots healthy, in the air, and trained to survive in the water. Among the more recognizable parts of the exhibit were the contributions of the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI) and Naval Survival Training Institute (NSTI) detachments of the Navy Medicine Operational Training Command (NMOTC). Mockups, interactive panels, and artifacts on display highlight many achievements and milestones that Navy Medicine has been present for in the world of Naval Aviation and even to space.

that go into becoming a pilot and the effects the environment has on the human body and the various training tools associated with preparing pilots to meet the challenges.
“We are humbled and eternally grateful to those who have made this possible and are grateful in our ability to continue this mission to support our warfighter,” said Capt. Nichole Olson, commanding officer Navy Medicine Operational Training Command (NMOTC).
NAMI and NSTI, are recognized by nearly all in the realm of Naval and Marine Aviation are key waypoints in the path of flight and continuously serve those flying throughout their career. Preparing aviators to operate in the extreme environment of the higher atmospheres of our planet and to essentially rebel against the force of gravity is a complex and lengthy process. The process requires candidates hoping to become pilots to be in top physical form and also have meet rigorous mental and psychological standards which have been learned through many years of trial and error in aviation.
The new exhibits were put together entirely in-house at the museum and required input from both retired volunteers and active-duty service members. While the concept has been many years in the making more than a year went into creating all parts and displays for the new exhibit. Artifacts and displays for figures such as Capt. David Brown were showcased to help show the intrepid footprint Navy Medicine has shared in the history of aviation and space exploration. Even an actual command module for the space station SkyLab II, once used by Capt. Joseph Kerwin, a US Navy Physician and aviator is included in the display and stresses the enormous importance Navy Medicine has played in exploration of new frontiers of our world. The ceremony included in a pre-recorded speech and special thank you to the staff from the now 92-year-old Kerwin who was unable to attend but wanted to share his experiences to the audience.
“It was the greatest experience and I’m so thankful to have been a part of it,” said Kerwin. “Boy I never expected I’d get to see the things I have, and it was an honor and a privilege.”
The museum staff worked with a network of active duty service members and volunteers, to distill down the complex working information and develop the displays that would be the most engaging and most informative to all those who come into the museum not possessing an in depth knowledge medicine as well as the often not well understood role that Navy Medicine has had in aviation over the years. One of the most important of these contributions being that of Capt. Robert E. Mitchell, a Navy Physician at NAMI contributions his research program, named in his honor, has made to not only the world of Naval Aviation but in the community of former Prisoners of War.
The Robert E. Mitchell program of Repatriated Prisoners of War research studies is the longest running and only research program for the nations RPOWs and is key to the understanding of the effects of isolation on persons to this day. Research from the program has helped to shape other DoD and Navy programs such as Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) for all branches of the military and have helped to secure various care Veterans benefits for those persons who were once POWs as well as working assisting with the Joint Personnel and Recovery Agency through research and shared insights.
“It was good to see Doc Mitchell recognized for the work he started here,” said Dr. John Albano, current Director for REMC’s RPOW program. “I think it’s important to let people know what we do to help prepare for the future fight.”
The NNAM concluded the ceremony with an official ribbon cutting with quintessentially large scissors and a round of applause by guests and volunteers who worked on the exhibit, all of whom were invited to a catered reception and to interact with the exhibit displays. Many of the federally employed guests and members of the active-duty staff were pleasantly surprised to see the familiar faces of their colleagues as part of the working displays enjoyed after the ceremony with the recordings both answering their questions and providing interactive tutorials about the equipment and practices of aerospace medicine as well as details about their respective jobs.
In her remarks Capt. Olson highlighted the uniqueness of the Navy and stressed the core mission of NMOTC and Navy Medicine which is to be there whenever needed.
“Our branch is unique amongst the armed forces and is a force who projects power from the sea, with the induction of aviation into the capabilities within this great service it has become a vital projection of power and wherever it has gone navy medicine been right there on the frontlines to back them up,” said Olson.
NMOTC is the Navy’s leader in operational medicine and trains medical providers and specialists for the fields of Aviation, Surface and Undersea Warfare, Expeditionary, and Special Operations Medicine.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.

For more news from NMOTC, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/NMOTC

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

There will be pediatric ophthalmology available starting December 2024 at Naval Hospital Bremerton.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Maggy Mitzkewich, NHB Specialty Care department head, in joint collaboration with Madigan Army Medical Center, Dr. Steven Ballard, pediatric ophthalmologist specializing in diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders of younger patients – from newborn to age 17 – with be onboard on a monthly basis.

There are several reasons why parents should consider scheduling their child for an appointment, insists Lt. Cmdr. Lan Anh Nguyen, comprehensive ophthalmologist assigned to NHB.

When pediatric patients should see an eye doctor:
1) Family or personal history of eye issues. “Generic eye issues that run in the family, or if your child had a history of eye issues,” explained Nguyen.
2) Misalignment or wandering of eyes. “If you notice the eyes do not line up when looking at an object, or an eye is wandering,” said Nguyen.
3) The child communicates vision issues.
4) Standing too close to television, screens, or other objects, or failed a vision test at school.
5) History of headaches or eye pain.
6) Red irritated eyes or rubbing of the eyes.
7) One or both eyes constantly tearing, or eyes producing a yellowish white substance.
8) Light appearing pupils. “If one or both pupils are no longer black or appear gray/white,” said Nguyen.
9) Any change(s) to the eyes, such as visible alteration to sizes of pupils, droopy eyelids, difference in the size of the eyes, or anything else concerning.

If a parent notices any of the aforementioned reasons, they should contact their primary care manager for a referral to ophthalmology.

“While Dr. Ballard will be coming once a month, we may not be able to accommodate all pediatric ophthalmology appointments here. Some may need to go to Madigan Army Medical Center to obtain an appointment within a 28 day window,” added Nguyen.

NHB’s Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery clinic mission is to provide state-of-the-art surgical vision correction to active duty, eligible retirees and dependents with an emphasis on visual performance enhancement for the warfighter to improve operational readiness and safety by reducing the need for glasses and contact lenses.

In 2023, the clinic performed 156 surgical cases and handled 4,424 patient appointments.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

The Defense Health Agency announced Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune as one of 15 hospitals awarded an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Fall 2024 after NMCCL demonstrated a continued commitment to safe, high-quality care and transparency.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a letter grade program that rates a hospital’s patient safety measures through more than 30 national performance indicators. Each indicator reflects errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent patient harm. This enables all hospitals, including military, to publicly report their progress in quality and safety.

“Participation in Leapfrog programs allows the Medical Center to measure our performance across the national health care enterprise,” said Captain Anja Dabelić, director for NMCCL. “This achievement shows our team’s commitment to safety, transparency, and high-quality care for patients. I am incredibly proud of our team’s efforts that have led to this honor.”

According to DHA, the 15 hospitals that received an “A” grade for Fall 2024 are:
• 673d Medical Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
• 81st Medical Group – Keesler AFB
• Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center
• Blanchfield Army Community Hospital
• Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
• Evans Army Community Hospital
• Martin Army Community Hospital
• Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune
• Naval Hospital Jacksonville
• Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
• Naval Medical Center San Diego
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
• William Beaumont Army Medical Center
• Womack Army Medical Center
• Wright-Patterson Medical Center

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program is run by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that advocates for improved patient safety in health care. The program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public.

NMCCL has provided dedicated, passionate care for warfighters and beneficiaries aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for more than 80 years.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

At US NMRTC Sigonella Diversity Matters

The team at US NMRTC Sigonella deeply values the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These elements are essential to fostering a strong and cohesive community. Leaders at US NMRTC Sigonella reflect on the significant contributions made by the Diversity Committee over the last year. Lieutenant Julius C. Wiseman III serves as the Command Diversity Officer and Culinary Specialist 1st Class Mary Lee-Pruitt is the Diversity Committee President. Under their leadership, they have curated a robust committee with engaged team members who executed a series of impactful observances throughout fiscal year 2024. The Diversity Committee organized a total of ten observances that aligned with the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s strategic initiatives. These events served as platforms for education and engagement that allowed command team members to explore the rich tapestry of our nation’s history and the contributions of various groups.

In January the command commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In honor of this significant occasion, the committee dedicated a wall to showcase Dr. King’s many accomplishments and incorporated powerful excerpts from his speeches that still resonate today. The visual display educated attendees about Dr. King’s legacy and offered reflection and relevance of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality.

Black History Month is observed during the month of February. This event featured keynote speakers who highlighted the profound contributions that Black Americans have had on the arts and enrichment our cultural landscape. These discussions illuminated the struggles and triumphs of black artists throughout history and cultivated a deeper appreciation for their work. The celebration included a delightful showcase of Black American cultural cuisine. The culinary delights allowed command team members to engage in a communal experience that celebrated diversity in a tangible and enjoyable way.

In March, for Women’s History Month the command honored the countless achievements of women throughout history. The Diversity Committee curated an exhibit that highlighted the remarkable accomplishments of women across various fields and their inspiring journeys. The exhibit featured stories of female trailblazers in the fields of science, technology, social justice, the arts and more. The display featured photographs, narratives, and artifacts, that articulated the challenges they faced and vital roles they have played in shaping our society.

In May the command observed a moment of silence to honor the lives lost during the Holocaust. This act of remembrance served as an acknowledgment of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust. It also served as a time for reflection that allowed team members to consider the significance of standing against hatred and intolerance in all forms. Later that month, the Diversity Committee organized a celebration for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This observance showcased the rich contributions made by individuals from these communities, particularly highlighting their innovative spirit and resilience. The committee organized presentations that shared the stories of influential figures and their impact on various sectors, from technology to the arts. The committee also facilitated a culinary experience that featured diverse flavors representative of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures.
In June the Diversity Committee commemorated Juneteenth, the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Diversity team members organized an informative presentation that explored the historical context of Juneteenth and encouraged dialogue among command team members regarding freedom and the ongoing journey toward equality.

In recognition of Pride Month, the Diversity Committee decorated a refreshment cart in vibrant rainbow colors, symbolizing the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community. This initiative not only provided a festive atmosphere but also served as a platform for raising awareness about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can express their true selves without fear of discrimination.

August was a month to observe Women’s Equality Day, dedicated to honoring the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the achievements of women throughout history. This year’s celebration featured two remarkable keynote speakers who shared their inspiring journeys. The first, Ms. Giuseppa Sangiorgio who is a local national team member with over twenty years of service at the command. She captivated the audience with her emotional recollection of her experiences. She expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities that America afforded her, and she reflected on the challenges she faced and the resilience she cultivated because of those challenges. Her story resonated with the audience and highlighted the importance of perseverance and hope. The second keynote speaker was Captain Monseratt Jorden, Dental Corps, USN. She shared her inspiring journey of becoming a dentist in the United States Navy. She recounted the hurdles she overcame and the passion that fueled her ambition. Captain Jorden’s story offered an empowering reminder of the significant contributions women make in traditionally male-dominated fields and the importance of breaking barriers to achieve one’s dreams.

National Hispanic Heritage Month in September brought another opportunity to honor diversity within the command. Lieutenant Euri Beltre, Medical Service Corps, USN, was the keynote speaker and shared his ascent from an enlisted service member to a commissioned Naval Officer. His story illuminated the challenges and triumphs he encountered along the way and offered valuable insights of the benefits of determination and hard work. Lieutenant Beltre’s journey resonated with many attendees and is proof that success is attainable through dedication and resilience. Culinary opportunities again featured a variety of Hispanic cuisine and promoted camaraderie and fellowship. The event generated a robust command presence that reflected the community’s enthusiasm for celebrating cultural heritage.

The collective efforts of the Diversity Committee have been instrumental in the success of each event. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Keevin Gibbons reflected on his experience with the team and expressed these thoughts, “Being a part of the diversity committee is like no other. The unique ability to immerse myself in different cultures and be afforded the opportunity to celebrate each other while enhancing the connection with my fellow shipmates on a deeper level is very rewarding. Diversity for me means unity. Bridging the gap to connect with others is the most valuable tool I’ve learned since becoming a part of this incredible team.”

The Diversity Team’s passion for inclusivity has helped to create a command atmosphere where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Samar Samiee said, “Being on diversity team means embracing people from all backgrounds of life and showing them that they are recognized for their hard work.” By showcasing the many contributions of all members, the team has reinforced the idea that diversity is not just a concept but a vital part of our strength and success. HA Kayden DeVilla expressed that, “As a member of the diversity committee, I have the privilege of showcasing various cultures and fostering appreciation for them. This committee serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and excellence of our Navy, demonstrating how individuals from diverse backgrounds can collaborate and thrive together.”

Lieutenant Julius C. Wiseman III stated that, “As we look to the future, the US NMRTC Sigonella team remains poised to continue this important work. We are committed to furthering our mission of valuing diversity in all its forms, ensuring that each event and initiative reflects the richness of our community. Our anticipation for the upcoming opportunities to engage, learn, and celebrate together is high, and we are excited to serve you in this endeavor.”

US NMRTC Sigonella ensures maximum readiness by providing high-quality, safe patient and family-centered care to maximize force health protection for all beneficiaries, to included NATO and transient DoD forces in the U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Sixth Fleet areas of operation.

The US NMRTC Sigonella Diversity Committee team members:
Lieutenant Julius C. Wiseman III, Lieutenant Mark Fisher, Chief Hospital Corpsman Tamisha Claxton, Culinary Specialist 1st Class Mary Leepruitt, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Seddrick Spencer , Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Nayla Dimapilis, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Samantha Richmond, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Alvondre Shannon, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Keevin Gibbons, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Chantau Bowens, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Heather Boswell, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Sequia Finney, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Natalia Stallings, Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Samar Samiee, Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Kayla Wilson, Hospital Corpsman Albanea Rice, Hospital Corpsman Regina Crew, Hospital Corpsman Shanilee Nelson, Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Kayden Devilla

Story written and submitted by Lt. Julius C. Wiseman III
Edited by Lt. Cmdr. Brandi L. Gibson

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

SAN ANTONIO – (Nov. 7, 2024) – In support of Celebrate America’s Military (CAM), the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, with support of its sponsors, hosted the annual Women in the Military Luncheon at SeaWorld.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Navy Capt. Neva Fuentes, Nurse Corps, dean of Academic Affairs, Medical Education and Training Campus (METC); Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jocelyn Lopez, staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge, Marine Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) De Zavala; and Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Liana Sanchez assigned to the Coast Guard Cryptologic Unit Texas (CGCU-TX).

The panelists impressed the crowd by sharing some of their experiences as women in the U.S. Armed Forces and how the role of women in the military have evolved throughout their careers.

The program was moderated by retired Navy Capt. Gail Hathaway, former commander of Naval Medicine Education and Training Command, now Naval Medical Forces Development Command.

According to Richard Delgado, the 2024 CAM chairman, it is the chamber’s responsibility to promote military service as an excellent opportunity to young women in establishing a fulfilling career, learn new skills and enjoy important benefits to include education, housing, and healthcare.

Since 1970, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has organized CAM as an annual tribute to the military in San Antonio, also known as Military City USA.

The two-week celebration, held during the first few weeks of November, features more than a dozen events, proudly presented with community partners, making it the largest event of its kind nationwide.