Category: US Navy

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – With only 18 months in existence, the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune’s Healthcare and Bioskills Simulation Center is wasting no time in surpassing goals and transforming the landscape of medical training for military treatment facility staff.

In October, the SIM Center received provisional accreditation though the Society of Simulation and Healthcare. To receive accreditation, the SIM Center met 76 standards for a simulation center including documentation, staffing, and standard operating procedures. Next, the center will prepare for pursuance of full accreditation in 2025.

“[Provisional accreditation] is important because it brings in an outside entity who are experts in best practices for simulation, education, and training,” said Lt. Cmdr. Dana Flieger, department head for the SIM Center and Winsted, Connecticut native. “This is a team verifying that you’re following best practices for national certification and that you will have best outcomes for your learners.”

The SIM Center, established in July 2023, offers training solutions through high-quality simulation, equipping doctors, nurses, and corpsmen to provide care at home and abroad.

Personnel utilizing the SIM Center are able to train on lifelike manikins that emulate human anatomy and functions, ensuring a safe environment for practicing and closing gaps in knowledge before performing care in a real-life scenario.

Accomplishments this past year for the SIM Center include the implementation of the Tier 3 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) course. The Tier 3 TCCC class is a more complex training for enlisted medical care providers. Hospital Corpsman Second Class C. Wallace is the TCCC program administrator at the SIM Center.

“The course used to be three days, but now it is 10-days, and we are testing each student on 84 skills as there is an increased demand for more advanced learning and deeper knowledge for combat medicine such as use of blood products,” said Wallace, a native of Charlotte, Michigan. “Traditionally, that’s something you’d mainly see when you got to a combat support hospital; now, it is becoming something being given on the frontline.”

According to Wallace, the SIM Center is pivotal in ensuring Navy Medicine personnel are ready for potential conflict whenever it may arise.

“I can’t necessarily take a corpsman to the Emergency Department and teach them how to do a chest tube right there on a living, breathing person, but in combat, that could happen,” said Wallace. “With the SIM Center, now we can take those corpsmen and put them into some of these situations that are as close to real-life as possible, so they know what interventions, clinical decisions to make.”

One of the main components of training with a simulated setting is communication. The NMCCL SIM Center affords that space for growth and questioning. For Flieger, the impact is most noticeable in the confidence of medical personnel completing SIM Center instruction.

“If it’s your first time going through a code or trauma alert, it can be really challenging if you’re not used to it. Simulating that, giving you a little adrenaline boost but letting you do that in a safe place, is really beneficial. There is clearer communication; you learn how to work better together and talk to each other–communication is one of the most important things you can learn from SIM that you can’t stop and practice during actual patient care.”

In addition to preparing for full accreditation review next summer, the SIM Center team will be supporting advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) courses and multiple training evolutions for Expeditionary Medical Facility Kilo with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Camp Lejeune and 2nd Medical Battalion at Camp Lejeune.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas M. Suddath, a Navy Chaplain hailing from Hogansville, Georgia, joined Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms on Nov. 1 as the newest member of the Religious Ministry Team. With a deep commitment to spiritual care and a uniquely relatable approach to ministry, Suddath is ready to support the hospital’s staff, patients, and their families through their spiritual journeys.

Chaplains serve a vital role in the Navy, offering spiritual guidance and counseling while respecting the diverse beliefs of service members. For Suddath, the path to the chaplaincy was shaped by personal experiences and a profound sense of calling.

“I wanted to join the military from an early age,” he shared, noting the influence of his grandfathers, both of whom served in the Navy.

Initially aiming for a career in law as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, Suddath’s life took a different turn during college.

“Around my sophomore year, some of my friends came back from war, and I could see the effects it had on them. At the same time, I was starting to reconnect with my faith. This combination of factors led me to look into the military chaplaincy,” Suddath explained.

Suddath’s decision to join the Navy was informed by both personal and professional factors. Having served in the Army National Guard, he found the opportunity to serve Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen appealing. A practical reminder from his recruiter also helped seal the deal.

“He pointed out that the Navy has better locations for their bases,” he laughed, likening his experience of switching military branches as entering the “transfer portal in college football.”

At Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, Suddath joins a team dedicated to providing spiritual care through the four core competencies of the Chaplain Corps: provide, facilitate, care, and advise. Together with Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class (RP3) Diego Escalante and Fr. Mike McCullough, the Religious Ministry Team ensures that the spiritual needs of the community are met.

“We provide religious services and sacraments, facilitate the religious needs of other faith groups, care for patients and staff through counseling and group discussions, and advise leaders on ethics, spiritual fitness, resiliency, and morale,” Suddath said.

A hallmark of the chaplaincy is its commitment to confidentiality, a principle Suddath values deeply.

“Chaplains are unique in that we are the only people who have 100% confidentiality,” he emphasized. “This is crucial because it helps facilitate open communication.”

Suddath brings a variety of experience to his new role, having previously served as chaplain for 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, aboard the USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73), and with 1st Supply Battalion. A yearlong residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego proved especially formative.

“Last year at San Diego prepared me the most for my current assignment. We completed four educational units that helped us better understand ourselves and how we do ministry,” he said. “Essentially, the entire last year was in preparation for my position here.”

As he steps into his role at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, Suddath is mindful of the unique challenges that come with serving a hospital population.

“The first thing that is universal for chaplains is to be present. This is more than just being here — it means being fully committed to hearing people and providing the right support based on their needs,” he explained.

Whether addressing the stressors faced by hospital staff or offering solace to patients and their families, Suddath aims to meet people where they are.

“Everyone reacts to situations differently,” Suddath expressed. “Therefore, I need to be able to adapt to their needs.”

In a diverse military environment, Suddath embraces the opportunity to support service members of all faiths and beliefs.

“This is the bread and butter of the Chaplain Corps,” he said. “My goal is to help people grow in their faith. I want them to be strengthened in what they believe, not necessarily what I believe.”

Suddath’s commitment to fostering religious freedom is central to his work.

“Facilitation, as one of our core competencies, allows us to be the chaplain for all our people, regardless of their faith group,” explained Suddath.

Suddath’s personal journey has deeply informed his unique approach to chaplaincy.

“I want my community here to know that I did not step into a chaplain role because I am a ‘good person,’” he candidly shared. “I became a chaplain because I was beat down from life, making huge mistakes, and facing many hardships along the way — all of which I would share with anyone who wants to talk about it. I needed something more than myself to pull me out of it.”

Suddath explains that his overall relatability is key to his success as a chaplain

“I am a normal person who loves to run — even though I’m slow, watches college football and mixed-martial arts (MMA), and laughs at the same memes you probably do. I also play video games a lot with my kids. The reason I say this is because I want people to know that if they ever want to talk about anything they will find a real person on the other end. They will find someone who will be honest, and most importantly, someone who is very relatable,” expressed Suddath.

Reflecting on his own spiritual journey, Suddath emphasizes the importance of individual exploration and growth in matters of faith.

“I would consider myself solid in my personal faith and very open minded in hearing the views of others. I encourage everyone to find faith for themselves. I left the church for ten years myself. When I came back it was a personal journey and I found something meaningful,” explained Suddath. “I will sit down with anyone and show them the utmost respect to help them discover their own spirituality — in whatever way that looks for them. I have learned that this promotes growth and helps bring unity to those who have different beliefs.”

For the service members, staff, and families at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, Suddath plans to offer not just spiritual guidance but a genuine connection and supporting hand.

“What I enjoy most is seeing people grow in their faith,” he reflected. “A close second would be people overcoming adversity. Nothing beats getting to talk to people one-on-one and building a connection of support for that person.”

With his compassionate approach and dedication to his calling, Chaplain Suddath is eager to address the unique spiritual needs of the Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms community.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

On Nov. 7, Navy Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms unveiled its “Rates That Rule” board, a creative display honoring the contributions of enlisted rates beyond the Hospital Corpsman (HM) community.

The initiative was conceptualized by Lt. Angela Swint and brought to life by Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Brian Johnson, who built the board. Together, they aimed to shed light on the often-overlooked impact of the eight non-Corpsman Navy rates serving at the hospital.

“It is a bulletin of information that shows what the other enlisted rates besides Hospital Corpsman do in the military and here at our hospital,” said Swint. “The Rates That Rule board highlights the history and pride of heritage and what their impact is to our Navy.”

Swint explained that the idea came from her desire to ensure these Sailors’ contributions received recognition.

“The amazing history and contribution to our mission that these Sailors embody often gets overlooked due to the focus we tend to have on the patient care that happens here,” she said. “The Rates That Rule board came about because I wanted to ensure that these Sailors are being recognized for their achievements.”

Johnson echoed the sentiment and emphasized his motivation to showcase the diverse roles within the command.

“This command is a hospital, and we have eight rates here that don’t often get recognized all the time because Corpsman are the forefront of the hospital,” said Johnson. “So I wanted to make sure — especially since I moved from working with just Corpsman to three other rates — that they got the recognition they deserved.”

The board features information on Culinary Specialist (CS), Yeoman (YN), Personnel Specialist (PS), Master-at-Arms (MA), Religious Program Specialist (RP), Information Systems Technician (IT), Electronics Technician (ET), and Logistics Specialist (LS).

Swint encouraged Sailors to learn more about the contributions of other rates.

“My advice would be to explore your command and see what things you can find,” she said. “Who works where? How does this get done? Asking interesting questions can often give you knowledge you never would have found.”

The Rates That Rule board now stands as a testament to the diverse skills and heritage of the sailors at NMRTC Twentynine Palms, promoting pride and understanding across the command.