Category: US Navy

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Camp Foster, Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Bravo Okinawa, Japan, 29 October 2024. In November 2021, BUMED adopted the “Charlie Mike” signal flags to convey our posture of “Rendering Assistance” to our warfighters. These flags convey that we are keeping our warfighters in the fight and ensuring they are operationally ready for that next mission. In Semaphore, Rendering Assistance is communicated by an Answer Pennant and two Flags — “Charlie” and “Mike.” These signal flags will help guide us forward as we continue to deliver operational medical capabilities to our Sailors and Marines. – Navy Medicine

Navy Medicine was one of the critical lines of effort for the Keen Sword 25 Exercise. Keen Sword is the latest in a series of joint-bilateral field training exercises designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of JSDF and U.S. forces. The U.S.-Japan alliance is built on shared interests and values and a commitment to freedom and human rights. Both countries are focused on ensuring regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, including building new partnerships, and strengthening multilateral cooperation. Service members from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard will conduct training with their JSDF counterparts alongside Australian and Canadian partners throughout mainland Japan, Okinawa prefecture, and its surrounding waters. U.S. Pacific Fleet

An EMF is designed to be a mobile medical facility that can conduct medical operations like an actual hospital. They have operating rooms, lab capabilities, radiology, and ICUs. The EMF Bravo Triad is made up of the Commanding Officer, Capt. Ian Fowler, Executive Officer Capt. Shannan Rotruck, and Command Master Chief Shannon Bia. EMF Bravo’s deployment for Keen Sword 2025 reinforces the commitment to operational readiness and the enduring U.S.-Japan alliance, which is crucial to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. EMF Bravo provides medical support to the warfighter. EMF Bravo ensures that U.S. forces are medically ready and can provide care in any environment, from combat casualty care to humanitarian assistance. EMF Bravos’ role enhances interoperability with Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and other allied forces, ensuring seamless medical support in joint operations.

EMF Bravo is a Combat-Ready Medical Force. The unit is a critical asset, ready to support military operations by providing medical support anytime, anywhere, ensuring the health and readiness of our forces. EMF Bravo provides support for Joint and Multinational Exercises. The team’s participation in Keen Sword 2025 demonstrates the ability to operate alongside Japanese and other allied medical teams, showcasing the ability to provide seamless care in joint operations. EMF Bravo is prepared for a wide range of contingencies, including combat medical support, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

The exercise generated a lot of media interest. Local Japanese news outlets were eager to be involved in a media event that gave both Japanese and U.S. reporters and broadcasters unfettered access to the EMF leadership and subject matter experts responsible for coordinating the efforts. The press asked many questions, and everyone who witnessed the seamless integration of the JSDF and U.S. health services knew that in the event of an emergency, natural disaster, or other contingencies, the Japanese and U.S. military and civilian population would receive the most advanced and capable military healthcare delivery in the world!

The continuum of care brought the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa into the exercise, which simulated a mass casualty scenario incorporating planning to move injured personnel from Role 2 to Role 3. A prolonged mass casualty scenario then opens up third—and fourth-order effects that lead to a bed expansion plan that transforms the Multi-Service Ward. The constant demand for blood products triggers a blood request, activating a walking blood bank.

These combined exercises allow multiple organizations to come together, and each apply practice to purpose pointing out areas that work well and teams excel, as well as finding areas of concern that can then be targeted for training and reassessment long before the real-world need occurs. The Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) did just that throughout the Keen Sword event. When you walked through the controlled chaos of EMF Bravo you quickly noticed that there were more than one group working together in complete unison. The JSDF and U.S. personnel were working together elbow to elbow to save lives. It did not matter what force or nationality they came from once Navy Medicine received them at EMF Bravo the patient would then begin to transition through the patient triage and diagnostic process. EMF Bravos’ deployment for Keen Sword 2025 reinforces the commitment to operational readiness and the enduring U.S.-Japan alliance, which is crucial to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa (USNMRTCO) supports the Defense Health Agency’s U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa (USNHO) as the largest OCONUS Navy Medicine medical treatment facility and stands at the ready to respond to contingency operations to support the INDOPACOM region. It is a critical regional asset for direct care delivery, regional referrals, and medical contingency operations. The staff of USNHO understands their vital role as pre-positioned, forward-deployed naval forces within the first island chain, aligned and in support of the joint military commands and operations.

Trey Savitz, Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Comm: 011-81-971-7024
DSN: (315) 646-7024
isaac.s.savitz.civ@health.mil

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Well before dawn on most days, there’s a solitary figure striding up the surrounding inclines which envelop Naval Hospital Bremerton.

For Ed Gerlach, physical therapist assistant at NHB, the morning workout allows him to maintain physical – as well as mental – health to handle his daily workload assigned to NHB’s Physical Therapy Department.

“As well as maintain the ability to do all of my hiking, kayaking, snowboarding and many other hobbies, as well as prevent and work on my own aches and pains, and be fully ready to assist my patients,” said Gerlach.

With October designated as National Physical Therapy Month, Gerlach helps provide a wide array of physical therapy services for eligible patients. Last year, NHB’s Physical Therapy saw over 9,200 patients. As a physical therapist assistant, Gerlach works under supervision of a physical therapist in helping patients improve their mobility and function after injury and surgery. He also assists in evaluating, instructing and treating musculoskeletal ailments and disorders, and providing specifically designed routines to help clients recover, recuperate and rehabilitate.

However, Gerlach knows there are some people who are unfamiliar with physical therapy and the associated benefits.

“PT is just a good way to decrease and prevent pain, increase balance, and improve mobility which in the long term helps improve quality of life, including some mental health benefits such as helping to reduce stress and anxieties,” stressed Gerlach. “There are people who don’t work out regularly because of pain. PT is a good way to start a workout routine that will help identify the cause of the pain and target muscle group to help decrease pain and prevent future pains and injuries.”

Some of the most common injuries which Gerlach and other members of PT usually deal with include helping patients with post operative healing from shoulder surgeries to foot and ankle surgeries, as well as chronic illnesses.

“We care for patients on a daily basis who have suffered a traumatic injury or debilitating illness, and our clinic does really well help them recovery and rehab,” stated Gerlach, who has been working in NHB’s PT department for 10 years. For him, it’s been a decade of fulfillment.

“Seeing people progress from not being able to move or lift a body part after a surgery to getting back out to doing the activities and hobbies that they love is gratifying,” Gerlach said. “Their appreciation in receiving help to personally improve their quality of life also helps me on a personal level by knowing I’ve made a difference in someone’s life for the better.”

Yet it’s almost by chance that a self-described Army brat somehow ended up in the Pacific Northwest far removed from his original roots. Born in Texarkana, Texas, Gerlach moved to Heidelberg, Germany when only four months old and spent his next 14 years there.

“However, if you were to see me on a Friday during any college sports season, you would know that I call Arkansas home which is where most of my family still lives and is where the original homestead is,” exclaimed Gerlach.

By 1998 he was in Fayetteville, North Carolina, completed Pine Forest High School in 2002, followed by graduating from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2007. Before starting his career in Navy Medicine Gerlach toiled for a local company as a traveling physical therapist assistant, commuting between six different clinics, “and getting paid mileage and lunch which was great for a recent college graduate new to the work force,” quipped Gerlach.

Still, he sensed something was missing. A timely note from a former teacher informed him of a position open at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune.

“I hopped on the opportunity. Fast forward six years later from there. The wife and I decided to move in 2014 and Washington just happened to be the landing spot. She’s at Madigan Army Medical Center and I’ve been at NHB for ten years. Being from the military community, it’s just felt like home here. I have been around the military my whole life so being able to help out military families and help give back means a lot. I know the hardships that come along our lifestyle. And the best part is just how much fun it is meeting new people all the time and helping improve their quality of life,” shared Gerlach.

The added bonus for Gerlach being at NHB is access to the surrounding wilderness featuring the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range across Puget Sound. He takes off at every opportunity to explore.

“There are so many awesome hiking, trekking, backpacking and camping adventures. But my all-time favorite would be the Enchantments Lakes [high elevation alpine lakes in the Cascades]. Nearly 20 miles of crystal blue lakes, depending on time of year blazing golden larches and a super fun ascent nearly 2,000 feet in just three-quarters of a mile,” related Gerlach.

When asked to sum up his experience with Navy Medicine in one sentence, Gerlach replied, “It’s been awesome to be here the last 10 years and be able to be part of such an amazing core group of clinicians and co-workers.”

Even when the mountains are calling.

Source: United States Navy (Fleet Command)

by Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

31 October 2024

NORFOLK, Va. —

The Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE) hosted the Maritime Security Regimes Roundtable on Oct. 29-30, 2024, gathering key stakeholders to address global maritime security challenges and foster collaboration across sectors.

CJOS regularly collaborates with industry and academic institutions, bridging military and civilian expertise to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and conceptual thinking. This year’s theme was “Maritime 360: Securing Our Seas in an Increasingly Complex and Connected World,” which highlighted the critical importance of cooperation in facing global maritime threats. Military officials, government authorities, industry leaders, and academic representatives gathered for discussions that emphasized the wide-ranging concerns of today’s maritime security environment.

During his opening remarks, Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, commander, Joint Force Command Norfolk, and director, CJOS COE, acknowledged the diverse group of participants.

“It is imperative that we focus on maritime security at every level of our future planning,” said Perry. “Our robust maritime network is an advantage that our adversaries cannot match, and we grow stronger with every opportunity we have to work together.”

The event featured a two-day agenda. The first day focused on both ongoing and emerging maritime threats, including discussions on the Red Sea, Arctic and Baltic security, and challenges in the South China Sea and Gulf of Guinea. The discussions incorporated both military and commercial perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to maritime security.

The second day shifted to industry and technological innovations, with presentations on advanced maritime technologies and their applications for current and future security needs. By incorporating these forward-looking solutions, the roundtable aimed to enhance the readiness and resilience of maritime forces.

“The Alliance must maintain that collective advantage – our governments and our people demand it,” said Perry. “Maintaining an international rules-based order as a guiding global principle, requires us to tackle our challenges together. Not just with the force of our militaries, but with diplomacy, advice from our scholars, the ingenuity of our industry, and the will of our free people as represented by our governments.”

Leaders from Maritime Security Working Groups closed the event with updates on their accomplishments throughout the year, reinforcing the importance of collective action in maintaining a secure maritime domain.

CJOS COE, established in May 2006, plays a pivotal role in advancing maritime-based joint operations within NATO. Based in the United States, it is the only Centre of Excellence headquartered in the country and one of 30 NATO-accredited centers worldwide. Representing 13 nations, the organization focuses on driving innovation, concept development, and the formulation of doctrine and standards in support of NATO’s goals.

“We have a long-standing, close, and hugely successful partnership that is central to CJOS’ efforts to help foster a prosperous and safe maritime environment,” said Commodore Philip Nash, Royal Navy, deputy director, CJOS COE. “Combining our strengths creates new perspectives and solutions to meet the global maritime security challenges facing our NATO Alliance today.”

As an independent entity, CJOS COE is not part of NATO’s Command structure but serves as a critical resource, leveraging the expertise of its 13 sponsoring nations and its close relationship with U.S. Fleet Forces and U.S. 2^nd Fleet. This collaboration ensures that NATO’s maritime forces remain agile and capable of adapting to evolving threats.

CJOS COE’s partnerships with Allied Command Transformation, Allied Maritime Command, and other NATO Centres of Excellence to further enhance its ability to foster cooperation across borders. These efforts ensure that NATO’s maritime forces remain at the cutting edge of modern military doctrine and technology.

With a team of 25 permanent staff members, CJOS COE maintains the flexibility to respond quickly to the evolving needs of its stakeholders. This diverse group brings a wide range of perspectives, enhancing the Centre’s ability to shape future maritime strategies effectively.

Through its commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of best practices, CJOS COE continues to strengthen NATO’s maritime capabilities, ensuring the Alliance remains ready to meet the challenges of modern maritime operations.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Story courtesy of Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 1st Class Breanna Funderburk, a native of Leesburg, Florida, was recently selected for the Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program while serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program is a pathway for career-driven active-duty sailors to become commissioned officers.

Funderburk graduated from Leesburg High School in 2016. Additionally, Funderburk earned an associate degree in health science from Incarnate Word University in 2020, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Purdue Global University in 2022 and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport in 2024.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Leesburg.

“Growing up in my hometown, and because of poverty levels of the economy, I always sought to be successful,” said Funderburk. “With this goal in mind, I began working at the age of 15 and diligently studied in school to ensure that this was to be my outcome. I earned two scholarships when I graduated high school, yet I returned these and knew that there was something greater out there for me. I carried my desire for higher education and work ethic with me as I began my naval career just seven and a half years ago. Everything happens for a reason and I wouldn’t be who I am today without the hometown experiences that shaped me into who I am and who I continue be in my naval career.”

Funderburk joined the Navy seven and a half years ago. Today, Funderburk serves as a hospital corpsman.

“I joined the Navy to find a solid foundation while pursuing higher education and to challenge myself in ways I couldn’t have imagined if I stayed in my comfort zone,” said Funderburk. “I wanted to serve a greater purpose, gain new skills and grow as a person by exploring opportunities beyond my hometown. The Navy offered me not only stability but also the chance to be a part of something bigger, experience new cultures and contribute to something meaningful. It’s been a decision that has expanded my horizons in ways I never thought possible.”

Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay provides health care to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community, which consists of approximately 4,500 military members, federal employees, U.S. and foreign national contractors and their families. The hospital also operates the only overseas military home health care facility providing care to elderly special category residents who sought asylum on the installation during the Cuban Revolution.

“What I love most about my role in the Navy is the opportunity to mentor and guide junior sailors and my peers,” said Funderburk. “The ‘sailorization’ process – helping others grow, develop their skills, and reach their potential – is deeply rewarding for me. As a leader, I strive to embody a servant leadership style, where my focus is on supporting others and empowering them to succeed. There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching someone I’ve mentored overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Knowing that I played a part in their growth is a reminder of the true purpose of leadership; serving others and uplifting those around you.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Funderburk serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Funderburk has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest achievement in the Navy is being selected through the Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program to commission as a United States Navy officer with my master’s degree in healthcare administration,” said Funderburk.

Funderburk can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means being part of something greater than myself,” said Funderburk. “It’s about commitment, sacrifice and dedication to protecting our nation and supporting those in need. It’s given me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, to learn from diverse experiences and to develop a strong sense of discipline and teamwork. Serving in the Navy has instilled a deep pride in knowing that my contributions make a tangible impact, and it’s allowed me to build a lifelong bond with others who share the same mission of service and excellence.”

Funderburk is grateful for the opportunities the Navy has provided to help them reach their goals.

“A main goal of mine when I joined was to have stability and a strong foundation while attending college and I sought to be very academically successful,” said Funderburk. “With that, the Navy has provided me with great opportunities and I was able to go to corpsman-specialized schooling, which awarded me with my associate in health sciences and a license as a Certified Respiratory Therapist, which is transferable to the civilian sector. Later, at my second command at Navy Medicine and Training Command Fort Belvoir, I was able to complete both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in healthcare administration through online colleges within four years of being stationed there.

“It can be very challenging balancing the active duty lifestyle and excelling in your education, but it is not impossible.”

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – Command teams from across the Naval Medical Forces Development Command Region came together to improve processes and propose innovative ideas to better develop and deliver naval medical forces to the U.S. Navy, here, Oct. 22-23, 2024.

“I wanted to bring all the command teams together and remind them how vital we are to the Navy Medicine Enterprise,” Rear Adm. Walter Brafford, commander of NMFDC said. “Having everyone together in one place helps consolidate our mission and enhances the fact that we must work together to meet the ever-changing environment.”

The command is the designated training agent for the Bureau of Navy Medicine and develops and delivers integrated education and training to all Maritime Medical Forces; and is looking into innovative technologies to enhance how it accomplishes its mission.

“We are testing and researching how augmented and virtual reality platforms can give our Sailors close to real life scenarios and provide that cutting edge in how we develop, train, educate and prepare them for the fleet,” Brafford said. “Getting after efforts like this not only upgrades the development of our medical profesionals, but it also enables us to more quickly flex when new requirements come our way.”

Which fits into this year’s conference theme, ‘New Capabilities to Meet Emerging Requirements,’ Brafford added.

Command teams from the Navy Medicine Operational Training Command, Navy Medicine Training Support Command, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command and NMFDC reserve were in attendance at the annual conference and appreciated the face-to-face interaction and the forum to share what they do for the region.

“Devoting two days to in-person discussions is necessary to effectively share information and best practices, while identifying common barriers,” Capt. Katherine Shobe, commanding officer for NMLPDC said. “We were glad to increase awareness on not only what we do to support force generation and development, but on how the other commands do so as well.”

Capt. Nichole Olson, commanding officer of NMOTC said she felt the most important part of the conference was the ability to network together.

“We were able to discuss common issues and how we can solve them,” she said. “It was also great to hear that we all share a common goal to leverage technology and innovation to develop our forces.”

The Naval Medical Forces Development Command and its subordinate commands have a very diverse mission centered around force development, but all are interconnected and working towards the same goal, Brafford said.

“I’m looking forward to what NMFDC is going to look like as we grow together as a region to better develop and produce the best-educated, most professionally-trained and most operationally-trained medical forces across all of DOD!”

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Sailors and medical staff from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms conducted a Shot Exercise (SHOTEX) session from Oct. 15–28, providing influenza vaccinations to personnel across various non-deployable units at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC).

This particular session of a wider SHOTEX primarily focused on supporting the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School (MCCES), with vaccinations also being administered to the Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group (MCLOG), Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (TTECG), Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC), Headquarters Battalion, and other units.

The initiative aims to ensure efficient and timely vaccination of all permanent personnel and students, an essential element in maintaining the medical readiness of units such as MCCES, where personnel are required to meet high medical standards.

“The SHOTEX is an initiative designed to ensure that all permanent personnel and students at MCCES receive their flu vaccinations promptly and efficiently,” said Lieutenant Sherman Baskins, who helped lead the SHOTEX.

“This program is crucial for maintaining the overall medical readiness standards of MCCES,” explained Baskins. “Failure to vaccinate personnel can negatively impact MCCES’s overall medical readiness rating. The SHOTEX allows MCCES to achieve 100% vaccination coverage for both Marines and civilian staff while minimizing disruptions to training operations.”

Over the course of the SHOTEX, NMRTC Sailors administered over 1,500 vaccinations in just three days, underscoring the Navy medical team’s ability to coordinate mass vaccinations quickly to uphold readiness standards.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Joella Pitts highlighted the program’s success, pointing to the dedication and efficiency of the staff in handling the large-scale immunization effort.

“It is a force readiness requirement to administer these vaccines,” said Pitts. “It shows our dedication to the mission and highlights the efficiency of our staff at administering vaccinations to a large number of people within a short time.”

Next, NMRTC Twentynine Palms is expected to continue administering vaccinations with deployable units to bolster the readiness and mission capability of all Marine Corps personnel and staff across Twentynine Palms.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

In the bitter fighting that raged across the jungle island of Guadalcanal during World War II, more Marines were lost to disease – malaria, dengue fever, dysentery – than enemy bullets.

Lt. Cmdr. Lauren Kalodner, MD, MPH, is doing her best to ensure such a casualty count won’t happen again.

Kalodner, a Rose Valley, Pennsylvania native, was part of a Uniformed Service University educational assignment to the equatorial West Africa nation of Ghana for two weeks of in-depth field work. The Military Tropical Medicine field mission provided an ideal natural environment for increasing her knowledge to confront and prevent endemic, infectious diseases prevalent in a tropical setting.

“Participating on a field mission in Ghana is crucial for the understanding of tropical diseases because it allows for direct observation of the conditions that facilitate their spread. Local ecosystems, climate, animal and human behaviors plays a significant role in disease transmission. Immersing in the community helps healthcare workers understand cultural practices, health beliefs, and the social determinants of health that influence disease prevalence and management. The firsthand experience is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to the context from which the disease arises,” said Kalodner, stationed with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, as an emergency medicine physician.

Kalodner and others went to Accra, capital and largest city of Ghana, as well as Kumasi, the second largest city. They received instruction on how to recognize, diagnose and treat disease agents, understand mitigation strategies to help control and limit disease transmission, identify transmission modes, and understand the overlapping connection of the natural and animal environments and human disease.

Being able to help stop the spread of infectious tropical diseases which continue to cause untold casualties as well as fatalities – there were 608,000 malaria deaths in 2022 alone estimated by the World Health Organization – is significant in the light of Rear Adm. Darin Via, Navy Surgeon General and chief, BUMED recently affirming that Navy Medicine’s focus is readiness, especially with expeditionary medicine capabilities. Those capabilities call for a ready medical force ensuring there is a medically ready force.

Kalodner noted that there were several key lessons which emerged relevant to Navy Medicine’s expeditionary medicine emphasis, such as “Adaptability, the ability to quickly adjust to vary environments and resource limitations is crucial for effective medical care in the field,” she explained.

Other valuable insight gained included being culturally knowledgeable by “understanding local customs and health practices enhances trust and improves patient outcomes to function as part of a multi-national medical force. Collaboration [with] working closely with a diverse healthcare team is essential for a successful mission. Preventive care emphasizes education and preventive measures which can significantly reduce the burden of tropical diseases. Logistics management for effective planning for supply chain challenges is vital for maintaining readiness and ensuring the medical teams can operative efficiently in remote areas,” stressed Kalodner.

“These lessons enhance the Navy’s expeditionary medicine capabilities and promote a more holistic and integrated approach to healthcare in diverse environments,” continued Kalodner, adding that the training proved to be invaluable. “Unmatched. This is the best training opportunity offered to prepare military healthcare workers to prepare for tropical disease and DNBI [disease and non-battle injury].”

Her interest in Navy Medicine was fostered by the opportunity to combine her passion for healthcare with a commitment to put service before self. After completing Strath Haven High School in 2003, Kalodner graduated from Davidson College in 2007, followed by George Washington University Milken School of Public Health in 2012 and the Uniformed Services University, F Edward Herbet School of Medicine in 2018. She then completed her four-year residency in emergency medicine at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in 2022.

“The chance to work in diverse environments, address unique medical challenges, and contribute to global health initiative was particularly appealing,” Kalodner said. “The emphasis that Navy Medicine puts on teamwork and the ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of service members and communities inspired my decision to join the Navy.”

Fast forward to the summer of 2024. When the prospect of traveling to Ghana for the Military Tropical Medicine mission became known, it was easy for Kalodner to make the commitment.

“While I was studying at Davidson College, I started taking French classes. I knew I wanted to study abroad in a unique place where I could grow my French language skills and experience a new culture,” she related. “I selected to go to Dakar, Senegal, where I studied and lived for eight months of my sophomore year of college. I loved the people and culture of West Africa. I thought doing my tropical medicine field mission in Ghana would be a great way to experience new cultures within West Africa while also furthering my knowledge of tropical medicine and international medicine.”

Before being immersed in the field, Kalodner and other students had four-weeks of virtual instruction to help prep their knowledge.

“The knowledge of disease processes and skills earned through hard work and study during the classroom allowed you to become an active participant in patient care,” said Kalodner. “The field experience helps solidify the classroom lessons through patient interaction.”

From coastal rainforest to rural village, the itinerary of Kalodner and others had them conducting water and environmental sampling and field collecting of mosquito and tick vectors. They met with Ghanian Armed Forces 37 Military Hospital physicians and medical residents to discuss treating patients with diverse illnesses from cerebral malaria to tuberculosis, as well as reviewing parasitology and microscopy of infectious diseases at the Ghana Entomology Center of Excellence. There was valued time also spent with the Ghana Military Police National Dog Academy to learn about dealing with canine-related disease transmission(s) and veterinarian services in their country.

Kalodner and others worked with Navy Medical Research Unit 3 Accra staff and U.S. embassy. They met with representatives from a host of organizations including U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development to learn about interagency cooperation and partnership as it relates to global health engagement.

There were challenges, which provided an instructive framework for future planning and problem solving.

“I think the elegant part of this experience was that many of the challenges I faced during my field mission in Ghana are similar to those I will face in a deployed environment. One of the biggest challenges was limited access to resources, including medical supplies and equipment. There were logistical issues, such as patient transportation difficulties and infrastructure limitations that hinder the delivery of healthcare. Additionally, navigating cultural differences and ensuring effective communication are barriers to overcome,” exclaimed Kalodner.

Yet there was fulfillment in encountering and coping with the trials.

“The most gratifying aspect was seeing the direct impact our work had on the local community and knowing that the knowledge, skill, and abilities I learned from my time in the field could have the same direct impact on American servicemembers and allies in future combats zones,” stated Kalodner.

When asked to sum up her experience Navy Medicine – which also includes having her conduct clinical sustainment shifts at NMC Portsmouth – in one sentence, Kalodner replied, “My experience with Navy Medicine has been a profound journey of service, learning, and collaboration, dedicated to enhancing health outcomes in diverse and challenging environments.”