Journal 061914

Vol. 26 No. 24 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ June 19, 2014

By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

Observing the Army’s 239thbirthday and the frocking ofmore than 60 Sailors, WalterReed National Military Medi-cal Center (WRNMMC) was thescene of combined celebrationsfor both on June 12 in the Me-morial Auditorium.

Wearing uniforms patternedafter those donned by the musi-cians of Gen. George Washing-ton’s Continental Army, whichgo back to the roots of when theArmy was established on June14, 1775, members of the U.S.Army Old Guard Fife and DrumCorps played music from theperiod to welcome attendees tothe event. They then played thenational anthem to begin thecelebrations.

Following “The Star-SpangledBanner,” Master Chief MariaFernandez, WRNMMC seniorenlisted leader, saluted the Sail-ors being frocked, explaining itsa Navy tradition permitting pet-ty officers to wear the rank of ahigher grade before their officialdate of promotion. She added aSailor who is frocked has earned“the trust and support of leader-ship” to advance to the next rank.

Although 61 Sailors werefrocked during last week’s cer-emony, in total, 73 Walter ReedBethesda petty officers were se-lected for promotion this spring,according to Fernandez. Sheexplained those Sailors unableto attend the ceremony wereon temporary assigned duty,leave or had transferred. Theadvancement rates for WalterReed Bethesda Sailors were 15percent for E-6 (10 selectees); 12percent for E-5 (21 selectees);and 12 percent for E-4 (42 select-ees). “TheWalter Reed Bethesdaleadership congratulates all ofthem,” Fernandez said.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd

Class Markeece Oneale, one ofthe Sailors frocked during lastweek’s ceremony, said, “It meansa great deal. I’ve put a lot of timeand effort into it. I’ve had a lot ofmentors push me along the way.Also, I have cousins in the Navyand they are all first class [pettyofficers]. I’m the last one to getfrocked, so it feels pretty good,”he continued.

“My responsibilities now areto help my fellow junior Sailorsto pick up rank,” Oneale added.“I’d like to give back and helpthose whom I can,” he said.

After the frocking ceremony,Army Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Zak,chief clinical non-commissionedofficer for WRNMMC, led theArmy’s birthday celebration,discussing its values and pro-fession of arms.

Originating from humblebeginnings in 1775 when it was

A Combined CelebrationSailors Frocked, Army Birthday Celebrated During Joint Event

Photos by Katrina Skinner

A group of 1st Class Petty Officers is frocked during a ceremony June 12 at Walter Reed Bethesda as part ofa combined celebration for the Sailors and the Army’s 239th birthday.

During a ceremony June 12, Walter Reed Bethesda celebrates the Army’s 239thbirthday with a camouflage cake and the singing of the Army song. On stage forthe cake-cutting (from left), Walter Reed Bethesda Director Brig. Gen. Jeffrey B.Clark, Pfc. Khailah Mata, representing the medical center’s most junior Soldier,Col. Charles McQueen, representing Walter Reed Bethesda’s most senior Sol-dier, and Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Zak, chief clinical noncommissioned officer at WalterReed Bethesda.See CELEBRATION page 7

2 Thursday, June 19, 2014 The Journal

Murtha Cancer CenterThe John P. Murtha Cancer

Center atWalterReedBethesda,the Department of Defense’sonly Center of Excellence forCancer Care, will host its an-nual research seminar on June23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in theAmerica Building, Rm. 2525(registration is required for con-tinuing medical education cred-it). On June 24, the center willhost its Cancer Awareness Dayin the America Building, firstfloor lobby. For more informa-tion about either event, contactKerri Cronin at 301-400-1477,or [email protected],or Bill Mahr at 301-400-1492, [email protected].

TeamSTEPPS TrainingTeamSTEPPS (Team

Strategies and Tools toEnhance Performance andPatient Safety) will conducta two-day train the trainercourse on June 25 to 26 andJuly 30 to 31. There will alsobe a four-hour fundamen-tals course for TeamSTEPPSon July 14. TeamSTEPPS isdesigned to improve patientoutcomes by improving com-munication and teamworkskills. Continuing educationunits are possible throughDuke University. For registra-tion, times and location, con-tact Hospital Education andTraining Navy Lt. Asia Raheemat [email protected] call 301-400-2822, or ArmySgt. Derek Awantoh at [email protected] orcall 301-400-0707.

Bethesda Notebook

Uniformed Services Universityof the Health Sciences (USU) heldits 35th Commencement on ArmedForces Day, May 17. Our graduatesheard from Under Secretary forPersonnel and Readiness Jessica L.Wright, who spoke to them abouttheir responsibilities as practitio-ners and scientists.Commencement is always an ex-

traordinary event for the graduates,the University and its faculty, andalso for the families. USU Commencements aremarked by the large number of family membersand especially the number of graduates’ childrenin attendance, as many of our students — likelymore than at other academic health centers — aremarried and have families. It’s always a joyous andsometimes very vocal occasion tempered by mo-ments of great solemnity and respect for the workthat has paved the path and the seriousness of pur-pose of the future that lies ahead.Graduation is a time not only to celebrate the

academic achievements of our students, but alsothe sacrifices made by their families and the com-mitment of the faculty to their education and train-ing. It is a time to reflect on the course chosen andthe decisions that lie ahead. All of our alumni arejoined by a commitment to public health, to our na-tion, to caring for those who serve and for findingways to improve health and to protect those in uni-form.I always welcome incoming students with great

pleasure, anticipation and bid farewell to our grad-uates with enormous satisfaction and shared pridein their many accomplishments. I am certain Ishare these feelings with virtually all universitypresidents. Nevertheless, I doubt there are many, ifany, others who address their academic health cen-ter graduates knowing they are not only uniquelyequipped to serve their patients and their nation,but that they are looking at careers of unboundedopportunity.Our graduates have learned about health care:

from clinical care to the research that undergirds itfrom a curriculum that has an emphasis on preven-tion. They know this is not solely a philosophicalposition. As I have often said, a line commander ispleased when an injured troop is returned to duty

but much happier when they do notget sick or wounded in the first place.We focus on health promotion and dis-ease prevention in ways that the restof the nation is beginning to under-stand and trying to emulate.In speaking to our graduates, I re-

mind them that they are entering orcontinuing their careers unfetteredby financial debt and have the greatprivilege to practice within a healthcare system where they will not have

to ask, as one of our former Surgeons General putit, “how sick can your patient afford to be?” Theirwork will begin within a system that focuses oncare, advancing that care and providing for thosewho serve and have served our nation and theirfamilies.Our graduates are also well-educated and

equipped as national leaders in health care policy.The cost of health care is of enormous concern to allof us — within the DOD and for our entire economy.I urge them to use their knowledge and extraordi-nary leadership skills to play a role in these de-bates. The issues are complex and changes to cur-rent systems will have far reaching consequences.We should seek to instill and insure the core valuesto any system of access to care, continuing invest-ments in education and research, and maintainingquality and sustainability.As alumni of USU, our graduates have unique

opportunities to serve the nation. Their careerswill take them places others may only rarely goand they have learned skills that others, who haveearned the same degrees, do not have. These spe-cial qualities are apparent to those of us who knowthem well: we understand how they came to be, theexperiences and the struggles that built them. Ibelieve they will find as they progress through theircareers that these skills will help them provide thekind of leadership that can make a difference inachieving many different goals. I ask that theywork always to align those goals with the valuesthey learned at USU.

Charles L. Rice, MDPresidentUniformed Services Universityof the Health Sciences

USU Corner

Published by offset every Thurs-day by Comprint Military Publi-cations, 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a pri-vate firm in no way connectedwith the U.S. Navy, under ex-clusive written contract with theWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda, Md.This commercial enterprise news-paper is an authorized publication formembers of the military services. Contentsof The Journal are not necessarily the of-ficial views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S.Government, the Department of Defense,or the Department of Navy. The appearanceof advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constituteendorsement by the Department of De-fense or Comprint, Inc., of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made availablefor purchase, use or patronage without re-

gard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, maritalstatus, physical handicap,political affiliation, or anyother non-merit factor of thepurchaser, user, or patron.Editorial content is edited,prepared and provided bythe Public Affairs Office, Naval

Support Activity Bethesda, Md.News copy should be submitted to

the Public Affairs Office, Building 11, lowerlevel, Room 41, by noon one week pre-ceding the desired publication date. Newsitems are welcomed from all installationsources. Inquiries about news copy will beanswered by calling 301-400-1381. Com-mercial advertising should be placed withthe publisher by telephoning 301-921-2800.Publisher’s advertising offices are locatedat 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md.20877. Classified ads can be placed by call-ing 301-670-1700.

Naval Support Activity (NSA) BethesdaCommanding Officer: Capt. David A. BitontiActing Public Affairs Officer NSAB: John EppersonPublic Affairs Office NSAB: 301-400-2488

Journal StaffStaff Writers MC2Ashante Hammons

MC2 Christopher KruckeSarah MarshallKatrina SkinnerJulie SmithSharon Renee Taylor

WRNMMC Editor Bernard LittleManaging Editor MC2BrandonWilliams-Church

NSABethesdaFleet And Family Support Center 301-319-4087

Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterOffice of Media Relations 301-295-5727

NSAB Ombudsman

Michelle Herrera 240-370-5421

Sexual Assault Response

Coordinator Hotline 301-442-2053

Visit us on Facebook:Naval Support Activity Bethesda page:

https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesda

Walter Reed National Medical Center page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-Reed-

National-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107

Uniformed Services University of the Health

Sciences page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/

Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-Health-

Sciences/96338890888?fref=ts

The Journal Thursday, June 19, 2014 3

By Sharon Renee TaylorWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

To bridge the gap of differ-entiating medical proficienciesof Navy Corpsmen and Army68 Charlie/Licensed PracticalNurses (LPN), Sailors are par-ticipating in a newly-revisedArmy-based Phase II trainingprogram.The program that teaches

practical nursing specialists toperform preventive, therapeu-tic and emergency nursing careprocedures is now available toSailors for the first time at Wal-ter Reed Bethesda. After com-pleting the requirements of theyear-long course and passing anational licensure examination,students will be credentialed asLPNs.Four Sailors assigned to Wal-

ter Reed National Military Med-ical Center (WRNMMC) joinedthe 21 Soldiers and seven ArmyReservists March 3 at San Anto-nio ArmyMedical Center in FortSam Houston,Texas. During thefirst phase of the 54-week pilotprogram, they learned anatomyand physiology, pathophysiologyas well as microbiology. On May27, the 32 students arrived atWRNMMC for Phase II.

Throughout the second-half ofthe course, students will obtainclinical hours in medical, surgi-cal and specialty areas such asMedical and Surgical IntensiveCare Units along with the Pedi-atric Intensive Care Unit. Thefuture LPNs will further attendtraining at Fort Belvoir Com-munity Hospital, Va., according

to Army Sgt. 1st Class StevenBrown, Phase II Senior EnlistedLeader and instructor for thecourse atWalter Reed Bethesda.“This is a phenomenal oppor-

tunity for these junior Corps-men and Soldiers to collabora-tively work together for a com-mon goal, to be the best licensedpractical nurses the Navy and

Army have to offer,” said ArmyMaj. Jeff Hillis, Deputy Direc-tor for the Phase II site. “Thein-depth quality of didactic in-struction, coupled with a robustclinical experience, attests toWalter Reed Bethesda’s flagshipof healthcare mantra.”Hillis indicated the joint-

effort pilot program is the first

of its kind in the history of thepractical nurse course, and is de-signed to advance the skillset ofboth groups of service memberstoward completion.“This is a good place to learn

and grow,” WRNMMC DirectorBrig. Gen. (Dr.) Jeffrey B. Clarktold students June 5. “I alsothink it’s a good place to developas a service member, as a Sol-dier or a Sailor.”Clark encouraged the stu-

dents to revel and take fulladvantage of the joint settingof Walter Reed Bethesda with“Army, Navy, [Marine and] AirForce, working as one team.”“We’re very glad to have you

here … proactively, patient-friendly [and] actively lookingfor ways we can make the pa-tient experience as positive aswe can,” he added.Navy Hospital Corpsman

3rd Class-Select Charla Watsonsaid she was glad to be one ofthe first Sailors to participatein a training program that willprovide them the opportunity toattain credentials as LicensedPractical Nurses.“It was a lot of corpsmen that

fought for this position, and wewere selected accordingly, and

Sailors, Soldiers ‘Learn, Grow’ in LPN Course

Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

Soldiers and Sailors learn together in a newly-revised Army-based training pro-gram designed to bridge the gap of differentiating medical proficiencies.

By Julie SmithNSAB Public Affairs

staff writer

Naval Support ActivityBethesda (NSAB) Exception-al Family Member Program(EFMP) Liaison Bonnie Hayes-Johnson said she had neverbeen as nervous as the dayshe was interviewed by a rep-resentative from the Pat Till-man Foundation as a potential2014 Tillman Military Scholarwinner — not even on her re-cent wedding day or during her2004 Kuwait deployment.But nervousness turned to

elation May 15 when Hayes-Johnson learned she and 58others were awarded scholar-ships covering tuition, booksand transportation for an en-tire academic year. The schol-arship also provides a livingstipend.In 2002, Pat Tillman, a mem-

ber of the National FootballLeague’s Arizona Cardinals,put his professional footballcareer on hold to serve in theU.S Army. While in Afghani-stan with the 2nd Battalion,

75th Ranger Regiment basedat then-Fort Lewis, Wash.,Tillman was killed in combat.A foundation providing educa-tional scholarships to militaryveterans and spouses was es-tablished in 2004 in his name.President and co-founder of

the Pat Tillman FoundationMarie Tillman, Pat’s widow,said in a press release the an-nual Tillman Military Scholaraward is an investment in thehigher education of our nation’sactive duty service members,veterans and military spouses.“Through our mission, we are

proud to support and empowerthese outstanding leaders asthey pursue their educationalgoals and strive to impact sig-nificant, positive change for ourcountry and communities aftertheir military service,” Tillmansaid.Hayes-Johnson, an Air Force

veteran, was already workingtowards a Master’s degree insports industry managementat Georgetown University inWashington, D.C., when sheheard about the scholarshipfrom a classmate.

“My post 9/11 education ben-efits were ending,” she said.“So I did some research and re-ally liked what the Pat TillmanFoundation did for the commu-nity.”In applying for the scholar-

ship, Hayes-Johnson highlight-ed her military service, whatvolunteer efforts she had beena part of and what she plannedto do professionally with hereducation.Enlisting in the Air Force

in 2000 at 18 — a year before

the terrorist attacks of 9/11— Hayes-Johnson said at thetime, the military was justsomething for her to do insteadof going to college.“I didn’t really want to go

to college yet,” she said. “Butonce I got into the military andI understood the culture andhow important it was to be inthe military, my ideas kind ofshifted. I realized I was in themilitary because there’s a big-ger mission, and I’m a part ofit.”

During her deployment toKuwait, Hayes-Johnson servedas a mental health techniciandirectly involved in patientcare for service members. Shesaid some were suffering frompost-traumatic stress disorderdue to combat and others weretrying to deal with unresolvedpersonal issues back in theUnited States.“That’s very difficult to do

that when you’re in Iraq,”Hayes-Johnson said. “So wejust helped them processthrough it and gave them thesupport to continue to fight. Ithink we did a very good ser-vice — it was very interestingand I learned a lot.”After seven years in the Air

Force, Hayes-Johnson decidedto transition from the militaryand go to college full-time. Sheenrolled in the journalism pro-gram at the University of Ne-vada in Las Vegas (UNLV) andearned a Bachelor’s degree.After graduation she returnedhome to Chicago, Ill., but it wastough to find work. She even-

NSAB Staff Member Receives Prestigious Scholarship

See SCHOLARSHIP page 10

See LPN page 10

Courtesy photo



staff writer

“The rating of hospitalcorpsman is the most decorat-ed in the United States Navywith 22 Medals of Honor, 178Navy Crosses, 31 Navy Dis-tinguished Service Medals,946 Silver Stars, over 1,500Bronze Stars [and] 20 navalships have been named afterhospital corpsmen. This is whowe are,” said Master Chief Pi-etro Martone, senior enlistedleader for the Directorate forMedicine at Walter Reed Na-tional Military Medical Center(WRNMMC).

Martone, along with otherWRNMMC leaders, salutedthe Hospital Corps on its116th birthday on June 17during a cake-cutting ceremo-ny in the rotunda of the Tower(Building 1) at WRNMMC.

“I want you to think aboutour legacy, those who haveserved in the past, and whowe are,” Martone continued.Established on June 17, 1898,the Hospital Corps provides

health care and help ensurereadiness to Sailors, Marinesother service members, theirfamilies and others entrustedto their care on the battlefield,at sea, under the sea and in

military treatment facilities.Today, the Hospital Corps

consists of more than 25,000active duty and reserve Navyhospital corpsman and in ad-dition to being the most deco-

rated, is the largest rating inthe Navy, according to the De-partment of the Navy.

“The duties of a hospitalcorpsman require extensivetraining and the ability toadapt to any situation whencalled upon,” the Navy Bureauof Medicine and Surgery adds.

Matron explained the legacyof the Hospital Corps is builtupon the professionalism andhard work of those who servedin its ranks in the past. “It’sa legacy for us to maintain,honor, and carry on into thefuture. That’s what our nationexpects from us.”

Hospital Corpsman 1stClass Sophia Jurado said,“Few military organizationscan look upon their historywith the same degree of pride,and in some cases awe, as themembers of the Navy Hos-pital Corps.” She also noted,“Throughout its history thecorps has proven itself readyto support Marines and Sail-ors by giving them comfortwhenever and wherever neces-sary. The Hospital Corps’ un-selfish dedication to duty has

been unparalleled.”Navy Medicine Force Mas-

ter Chief Sherman Bossstated in a letter read at theceremony by Hospital Corps-man 2nd Davin Laurell, thatthe Hospital Corps’ history is“well documented and storiedwith extraordinary heroismby hospital corpsmen who per-formed above and beyond thecall of duty.” He added like to-day’s hospital corpsmen, thoseheroes cared for “the nation’smost precious commodity – theAmerican citizen, our fellowshipmates and service mem-bers.”

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey B. Clark,WRNMMC director, encour-aged members of the Hospi-tal Corps, and all those whoserve at the medical center,“to work at the top of theirskill sets.” The general addedhe was proud to participate ina recent frocking ceremony formore than 70 Sailors at Wal-ter Reed Bethesda and wit-ness “the next level of talentpreparing to take on greater

Hospital Corps Celebrates 116th Birthday

Photo by Bernard S. Little

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center(WRNMMC) Director Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Jeffrey B.Clark (center) is joined by Chief Hospital CorpsmanJoseph DeLaCruz, the most senior in age hospitalcorpsman, and Hospitalman Tiffani Trentham, theyoungest member of the Hospital Corps to cut a cakecelebrating the 116th birthday of the Navy HospitalCorps Tuesday in the Tower on Naval Support Activ-ity Bethesda.

See BIRTHDAY page 12

10419581042350


By Mass CommunicationSpecialist 2nd ClassAshante Hammons

NSAB Public Affairsstaff writer

“As humans, we are naturally drawnto things that promote ease and conve-nience; and cell phones certainly fit thebill. However, we humans also usuallyfail to account for the unintended conse-quences of our actions,” said Jim Ganz,Naval Support Activity Bethesda SafetyManager. “Cell phone use (in conjunctionwith driving) is a fine example of this.We have become “habitualized” to theavailability of cell phones, everywhereand at all times. Despite the preponder-ance of evidence that demonstrates thedangers of these actions, and punitiveconsequences to getting caught doingthem, it is difficult to break ourselves ofthese habits.”

Cell phone usage while driving is anexample of distracted driving. Accordingto the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration, distracted driving is anyactivity that could divert a person’s at-tention away from the primary task ofdriving. Although they may seem harm-less in nature, other examples of distract-ed driving include talking to passengers,eating and drinking, using a navigationsystem or reading a map. These activi-ties require the brain to attempt the jobof multitasking, meaning that the brainmust do two or more activities at once.However, multitasking is not possible forthe human brain.

“What we do is shuffle between taskswith our attention on only one at a time.Driving and having a conversation in-volve two thinking tasks and our brainscannot process both at the same time,”said Ganz. “So people ask, ‘what aboutwalking and chewing gum? I can do bothof those at the same time?’ That is be-cause they are both non-thinking tasksand we do not need our brains to processthese tasks. Others ask, ‘if driving andtalking are both thinking tasks, whatabout talking with passenger?’ Yes, talk-ing with passengers is pretty much thesame as talking on a cell phone, but hav-ing passengers in the vehicle tends tomake driving safer since there is at leastone extra pair of eyes on the road.”

Distractions can be divided into threemain types: visual — taking your eyes offthe road to look at a billboard or checkself in the mirror; manual — taking yourhands off the wheel to reach for a fallenobject or to get a drink of water; and cog-nitive — taking your mind off the roadwhile occupied with visual and manualdistractions.

“Texting while driving is one of theactivities that combine all three primarydistractions at once, which is why textingand driving has been compared to the im-pairments associated with drinking anddriving” said Ganz. “However, it’s not justabout texting. Studies have shown thatdrivers who use handheld devices (in-cluding talking on cell phones) are fourtimes more likely to get into crashes seri-ous enough to injure themselves or oth-

ers, than those not using these devices.”Distracted driving, like the warnings

of not wearing a seatbelt in moving ve-hicles, has become a serious issue overthe past few years.

“The proliferation of cell phones withunlimited texting offered by just aboutevery cell phone company, and promo-tion of hands-free devices, includingthose built into vehicle’s audio systemsthat are promoted as a safety feature byautomobile makers have all contributedto the rise of distracted driving as being aserious issue,” said Ganz. “Of all, the ex-plosion of cell phone use in today’s societyis the primary mover, but all these othershave contributed in part.”

Maryland and Washington D.C. re-cently banned handheld devices for alldrivers, and Maryland, D.C., andVirginiabanned texting for all drivers. These lawsare considered primary, meaning that apolice officer does not need to see anotherviolation to pull you over. In regards toall Navy military personnel, the Navy’sTraffic Safety Instruction (OPNAVINST5100.12) states all Navy military person-nel at all times, all personnel driving orriding in a motor vehicle on a Navy in-stallation, and all persons driving or rid-ing in a motor vehicle owned or leasedby the Navy, at all times, on or off baseincluding rental cars while on official or-ders.

“More important than any regulation,law or policy is the need for drivers tounderstand their actions, the risk theypose to themselves and others, and toaccept personal responsibility for chang-ing their behavior to reduce this risk.We have seen this in the past with seatbelt use and drinking and driving issues.Like these issues, change will not occurover night. Again, like these issues, lawsalone will have little effect,” said Ganz.“This is why various organizations thatpromote safe driving have developedcampaigns to raise awareness and get

people talking about this issue. Most ofus on this installation are active-dutymilitary or Department of Defense civil-ians. As such, we are charged to developand demonstrate leadership in a numberof areas. We are expected to set the ex-ample for our friends, families and otherco-workers in everything we do. So, re-garding this issue, we must lead. Set theexample.”

For more information on the Na-vy’s stance on distracted driving onmilitary installations as well as at alltimes, read the Navy’s Traffic SafetyInstruction (OPNAVINST 5100.12).

Please contact the NSAB SafetyManager at [email protected] any questions or to set up a time tomeet with a group.

“Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk” Put an End to Distracted Driving

Courtesy photo

1036542


Photo story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ashante Hammons

Patrons spend their lunch time playing a competitive game of basketball as part of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation DepartmentBasketball League. Games are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 and 12:15.

1036543


made up of state militias with citizen Soldiers to defendthe new colonies from British forces, the U.S. Army hassince grown from its initial 10 companies of Continen-tal troops to a force of approximately 1.1 million.Zak explained the Army established its values of loy-

alty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity andpersonal courage as well as its Warrior Ethos to helpguide its Soldiers, but the focus of his presentation wason lines from the Soldier’s Creed and NCO Creed whichrespectively state, “I am an expert and I am a profes-sional,” and “No one is more professional than I.”The sergeant major encouraged all service members

at Walter Reed Bethesda to think about and be pro-fessionals by “taking that extra moment to make suretheir uniforms are within standards and they are wear-ing them properly. Make sure you’re doing the rightthing and living by your service values,” he added. “Re-member that you’re not just a health care professional,but you’re also a member of the profession of arms.”Referring to a 2010 Army white paper concerning

the Profession of Arms, Zak stated professions and pro-fessionals produce “uniquely expert work, not routineor repetitive work.Medicine, theology, law, and the mili-tary are — social trustee forms of professions. Effective-ness, rather than pure efficiency, is the key to the workof professionals — the sick wants a cure, the sinnerwants absolution, the accused wants exoneration, andthe defenseless seeks security.”In addition, “the profession exists only through a re-

lationship of trust with the client, and to maintain thattrust, the profession requires the continuous develop-ment of human practitioners, (i.e. experts) who holdhigh levels of knowledge, adaptability, resilience, andother attributes that make them effective members ofthe Profession of Arms,” the White Paper states.Also, the profession requires “unwavering, deeply

held values on which to base its ethic. Those values,when well internalized, are manifested in the characterof individual professionals, and the profession providesa vital service to American society, and does so in sub-ordination.That service is manifested in the duty of theindividual professional.”Following Zak’s presentation, he was joined on stage

byWRNMMC Director Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Jeffrey B. Clarkand Col. Charles McQueen, representing Walter Reed

Bethesda’s most senior Soldier, and Pfc. Khailah Mata,representing the medical center’s most junior Soldier,to cut the Army birthday cake.After the cake was cut, Soldiers sang the Army song

to conclude the ceremony.Army Staff Sgt. Andres Moorman, an academic in-

structor in the Department of Health Professions Edu-cation at WRNMMMC, said he proudly celebrates theArmy’s birthday because it means “being a part of theforces that defend the Constitution and support Ameri-ca’s freedom. It means service to others, selfless service,and it means a lot to serve in this capacity. I can’t imag-ine myself doing anything else.”

The Army staff sergeant added at Walter ReedBethesda, it’s important to celebrate all of the services’birthdays. “We are increasingly becoming a joint ser-vice and lately, that’s becoming more prevalent. Forexample, in theater, it’s not just the Army, it’s not justthe Marines, it’s not just the Navy, and it’s not just theAir Force,” Moorman said. “We’re all working togetherto accomplish the same mission, whether it’s winningthe war on terror, a humanitarian mission, or securingAmerica’s borders here. Everybody has an importantrole to play and we all do it together. One service cannotdo it without the other, so it’s important for us to under-stand each other and be unified,” the Soldier concluded.

CELEBRATIONContinued from 1

1036547

1041987

1042098

• 5 BR/3BA, Open Floor Plan with Garageand Off-Street Parking• Large Addition and Hardwood Floors• Fenced Back Yard• Renovated Kitchen with Granite Counters• High School Top 10 in the State• Close to Public Golf Course and Needwood Lake.

A must see!

Presented by Sunshine Properties, Inc,Michael Ray Broker. Phone 301-570-0087

www.PropertiesBySunshine.com

WALK TO METRONeedwood Estates Home


By Sarah MarshallWRNMMC Public

Affairs staff writer

To demonstrate com-mitment to excellenceand patient-friendlyaccess, Walter ReedBethesda recently pre-sented a World ClassBrief to an independentreview panel comprisedof several flag officersand representatives fromcivilian health care orga-nizations.

During a town halllast week, staff mem-bers reviewed the briefwhich charts the medi-cal center’s initiativesto continue enhancingpatient safety and usingresources efficiently. Asoutlined in the presenta-tion, Brig. Gen. JeffreyClark, Walter Reed Na-tional Military MedicalCenter (WRNMMC) di-rector, explained what itmeans to be world class.

It’s when the “excep-tional is routine,” andthe needs of those servedare met – mentally, phys-ically, spiritually and so-

cially, the general stated.“Fundamentally, to be

world class, [the facility]needs to go beyond com-pliance,” he said.

WRNMMC has donejust that, with JointCommission accredita-tion for the entire hos-pital, as well as accredi-tations in numerousspecialties, such as thestem cell service, simu-lation center, laboratory,

and blood bank, Clarkoffered. The medicalcenter also has the firstand only Department ofDefense (DOD) cancercenter of excellence, theJohn P. Murtha CancerCenter, in addition to re-ceiving Level II traumacenter verification, mak-ing it one of only 155 inthe U.S. verified by theAmerican College of Sur-geons.

The general addedthere are six key do-mains that are consid-ered components of aworld class medical facil-ity: basic infrastructure,leadership and culture,processes of care, perfor-mance, knowledge man-agement, and communityand social responsibility.Clark described howeach of these domainsapplies to the nation’s

medical center, as out-lined in the brief.

As part of its basic in-frastructure, WRNMMChas received LEED(Leadership in Energy &Environmental Design)Gold certification, as wellas several other buildingdesign awards, includingthe Design-Build MeritAward for HealthcareFacilities. WRNMMCwas also noted as one

of the most innovativehealth care architec-ture and interior designprojects in the U.S. byHealth Facilities Man-agement. Several way-finding measures are inplace, including “zones”to help patients, visitorsand staff find their wayaround, Clark said. Ad-ditionally, “Fast Track” isused to help see patientsmore expeditiously andmake flow through theEmergency Departmentmuch quicker, he added.

Internal and externalcommunications are alsoessential to WRNMMC’sinfrastructure, as well asemergency preparednessexercises throughout theyear, the general contin-ued. Basic concepts alsoinclude collaborativeagreements with othermedical treatment facili-ties, as well as practicinga patient and family-cen-tered care model, Medi-cal Home, allowing pa-tient’s families to be ac-

World Class Brief Presented to Independent Review Panel, Staff

Photo by Sarah Marshall

On May 22, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) presented itsWorld Class Brief to an Independent Review Panel. During a town hall last week, WRNMMCDirector Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Clark (center) presented the brief to staff.

See BRIEF page 14

By Julie SmithNSAB Public Affairs

staff writer

Uniformed ServicesUniversity of the HealthSciences (USU) aboardNaval Support ActivityBethesda (NSAB) held itsseventh annual EducationDay June 12 on the uni-versity’s campus.

The USU faculty senateorganized the event andlectures referenced Edu-cation Day’s theme, “Judg-ing Success in EducationHealth Professions.” Theevent aimed to promotecontinuing education ofUSU faculty, staff andstudents; to facilitate thetransmission of strate-gies between research andclinical disciplines; and todiscuss pioneering and ef-fective strategies used inhealth science education.

Program highlightsincluded keynote speak-ers Penn State College ofMedicine’s Associate Deanfor Assessment Dr. KlaraPapp, Ph.D., and Dr. JohnBoulet, Foundation for theAdvancement of Interna-

tional Medical Educationand Research. Panel dis-cussion focused on currentassessment and best prac-tices in health education.

The day’s events culmi-nated in the presentationof the education innova-tion awards, given to USUeducators who planned

and taught modules andcourses with new or inven-tive materials and meth-ods. In the weeks leadingup to Education Day, USUeducators submitted ab-stracts chronicling theirinnovative teaching ap-proach. Six finalists werechosen to present their

original instruction meth-ods, which were judged bydepartment deans, pre-vious innovation awardwinners and audiencemembers.

Air Force Maj. (Dr.)Craig Goolsby, assistantprofessor of military andemergency medicine, and

Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) AdamSaperstein, director of re-flective practice, both re-ceived the judge’s innova-tion award when scoringended in a tie.

Goolsby’s hybrid simu-lation presentation out-lined a teaching methodintegrating several dif-ferent types of simulatedtraining, including lowand high fidelity simula-tors, virtual simulationenvironments, cut-suit

simulators, mannequinsand live patient actors.

“Every time we askedthe students if they likedthe training, their re-sponses were overwhelm-ingly positive,” Goolsbysaid. “Hybrid simulation isreally the cutting edge ofwhere (health education)is going now.”

Saperstein co-createdthe Wounded Warrior

Educators Gather to Discuss New Methods, Promote Continuing Education

Photos by Julie Smith

Audience members listen to education innovation award presenta-tions during The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sci-ence’s seventh annual Education Day June 12.

Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Adam Saperstein (left)and Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Craig Goolsby tiedfor The Uniformed Services University of theHealth Science’s judge’s innovation award.

See EVENT page 12



staff writer

The inaugural Joint Com-mand Fund Drive at WalterReed Bethesda ended success-fully last month, according tocampaign organizers. Mem-bers of the command contrib-uted over 21 percent more tothe joint campaign effort thisyear than last year, when sep-arate drives were held for theArmy Emergency Relief (AER)and the Navy-Marine CorpsRelief Society (NMCRS).

“We’re one team 24/7, so weshould be one team when wetake on issues like this, whichare critically important,” saidWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center (WRNMMC)Director Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Jef-frey B. Clark, during the kick-off for the four-week campaignin April.

“This is service membershelping service members, andour opportunity to do what wecan for those who serve withus,” added Navy Capt. DavidA. Bitonti, Naval Support Ac-tivity Bethesda commandingofficer.

The mission of AER,NMCRS and the Air ForceAid Society (AFAS), is to helpSoldiers, Sailors, Marines, Air-men and their families by pro-viding emergency financial aid

(in the form of a direct grant,an interest-free loan or both),and educational assistance,including college scholarships.

Army Capt. Kyle Peper, alead coordinator for the jointcampaign, along with Hospi-tal Corpsman 1st Class MarkG. Brown, briefed the medicalcenter staff about the resultsduring WRNMMC leadershipforum June 3 and town hallmeetings last week.

“Joint is the explicativeterm,” Peper said. “The part-nership between sister ser-vices added a synergy to ourefforts beyond what one indi-vidual service could achieve,”the Army captain added. “Weowe a special thanks to ourkey personnel, strategic part-nerships, supporting programsand contributors for help-ing us reach this distinctiveachievement. Their dedicationto duty and selfless servicedirectly supported an invalu-able program that assists ourfellow service members whenthey are faced with financialhardships and allows for com-manders to accomplish theirmissions.”

Peper continued, total con-tributions to the combinedAER and NMCRS campaignthis year was $32,413, ex-ceeding last year’s total con-tributions to separate cam-paigns for AER and NMCRS

of $26,788 by 21 percent. Thisyear, contributions to AERtotaled $17,528, up from lastyear’s AER contributions of$13,288 by 32 percent. Con-tributions to NMCRS totaled$14,885 this year, up from$13,500 last year, a 10 percentincrease in donations.

The total contribution tothis year’s campaign of themore than $32,400 also ex-ceeded this year’s goal of$21,250, a 25 percent increasefrom last year’s goal.

Peper said another goalwas to have face-to-face con-tact with all of those eligibleto contribute to the campaign,and a table was set up dailyfrom 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on MainStreet to help meet that ob-jective during the campaign,which lasted from April 9through May 15.

“‘Jointness,’ and leveragingthe enlisted corps were theprinciple efforts and made itmuch more efficient to provide100 percent face-to-face con-

tact with some 3,300 servicemembers in the organization,”Peper continued. “Other ef-forts included a hospital-widemarketing/public affairs planand strategic partnershipswith supporting associationsincluding the Medical ServiceCorps Association and JuniorOfficer Council. Additionalsuccess can be attributed toparticipation in parallel ef-forts to engage the organiza-

AER, NMCRS

A Successful End for Inaugural Joint Command Fund Drive

Photo by Bernard S. Little

Army Capt. Kyle Peper, a lead coordinator for the Joint Command Fund Drive forthe Army Emergency Relief and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at WalterReed Bethesda, briefs medical center staff about the campaign results during atown hall meeting June 10 in the Memorial Auditorium.

See FUND page 12

Photo story for Mass Communication Sepcialist 2nd Class Brandon-Williams Church


tually accepted a position at a transitional livingprogram for women aged 17 to 21, and the natureof the job allowed her to provide emotional supportto the residents, often donating her own clothesand food to the women in the house.

“I was just happy I was able to support girlsfrom the neighborhood who didn’t really have anyfamily,” Hayes-Johnson said.

After some volunteer work with Habitat for Hu-manity and an internship with Comcast SportsNet,Hayes-Johnson landed aboard NSAB working forthe EFMP. Here she met her husband, MauriceJohnson, a Navy veteran and employee with theDepartment of Veterans Affairs. They were mar-

ried in March, around the same time Hayes-John-son had her final interview with the Pat TillmanFoundation.

“When I found out I won, my husband gave me ahigh-five and he was just so proud of me,” she said.

With her degree, Hayes-Johnson has a dreamof starting a nonprofit organization for woundedwarriors that focuses on whole health services, in-cluding physical, emotional, mental and spiritual,all under one roof.

“Just because you’re missing a limb doesn’tmean that you’re not a whole person,” she said. “Iwant to have counselors, I want to have coaches,I want to have orthotic and prosthetic specialists.Wounded warriors get a lot here at NSAB becausethat’s what we focus on, but once they leave thisarea they don’t have the same opportunities. Iknow I alone can’t fix that, but I want to be partof the change.”

SCHOLARSHIPContinued from 3

Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

Soldiers and Sailors learn nasogastric medi-cation administration techniques in a new-ly-revised Army-based training programdesigned to bridge the gap of differentiat-ing medical proficiencies. At the end ofthe course and passing a national licensureexam, the students will receive credentialsas Licensed Practical Nurses.

I couldn’t be more excited to be here,” said the Sailor.Watson said she and her three Navy peers were

selected among a group of 60 Walter Reed Bethesdacorpsmen who submitted applications, and 20 who in-terviewed before a board of directors for the programthat included senior enlisted LPNs. Each candidatesubmitted letters of recommendation as well as an ap-plication package. Physical Training (PT) and ArmedServices Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scoreswere also required.

“We had to be a Quad Zero Corpsman, which meanswe didn’t have a specialty yet,” she explained. “This issomething I think all of us wanted to do and to open itup for future corpsmen is going to be our goal.”

Joining the Sailors is Army Spc.Alicia Griffin, a com-bat medic who reclassified to become an LPN. She saidthe pilot program is the first course she has taken withSailors in her four years of active duty in the Army.

“It’s great. I like it,” said Griffin, who explained hercorpsmen classmates share the same military disciplineas Soldiers, and agreed they are basically the same —they just wear different uniforms.

The 32 students form the fourth LPN class held atWalter Reed Bethesda since 2011. The current classis tentatively scheduled to complete the pilot programMarch 27, 2015.

LPNContinued from 3

1042297

1036546


Photo story for Mass Communication Sepcialist 2nd Class Brandon-Williams Church

Service members and their families take part in NSAB’s first Color Me 5K Run June 7.

1042

081


tion through the Prosperity Fair andanalogous events,” he added.

Although the campaign has official-ly ended, Peper stated people are stillable to contribute to AER, NMRCS andAFAS by visiting their offices in Build-ing 11 (except for AFAS), or their re-spective websites.

AER provides emergency financialassistance as an interest-free loan,grant or a combination loan and grant,based on a valid need. The organization,established in 1942 and headquarteredin Alexandria, Va., has helped Soldiersand their families with emergency trav-el, privately-owned vehicle repair, rent,utilities, medical and dental expenses,funerals, relocation funds, HVAC repair,repair or replacement of stoves and re-frigerators, car seats, cranial helmets,dependent dental care, basic furnitureneeds, rental cars and replacementvehicles. Since its beginning, AER hasprovided more than $1.5 billion to over3.5 million Soldiers and their familiesfor financial and educational assistance.

The NMCRS, established in 1904,provides financial, educational and oth-er assistance to members of the Navyand Marines, eligible family membersand survivors when in need. NMCRS,headquartered in Arlington, Va., as-

sisted more than 65,350 clients in theform of interest-free loans and grantsover $48.6 million in 2013.

Last year, NMCRS provided finan-cial assistance to service members andtheir families for basic living expenses(food, lodging), transportation (insur-ance, car payment, rental), car repairs,transportation due to family memberillness, family emergency, pay entitle-ment shortfalls, predatory loan avoid-ance, funeral expenses, household setup, medical and dental expenses andeducation.

In 2012, AFAS direct assistance to-taled nearly $18 million, and includesmore than 40,000 assists to Airmenand their families, according to AFASofficials. The AFAS direct assistanceincluded $10.1 million in emergencyassistance; $5.8 million in educationassistance; and $1.9 million in com-munity enhancement programs. Emer-gency travel expenses accounted for 20percent of AFAS assistance, 36 percentwas provided for basic living expenses,and 28 percent was given for vehicleexpenses. This accounted for $8.6 mil-lion. Funeral, medical, dental, movingexpenses, respite care, and other emer-gency needs accounted for $1.5 millionin assistance.

For more information about AER,visit www.aerhq.org. For informationconcerning NMCRS, visit www.nmcrs.org. For more information about AFAS,visit www.afas.org.

FUNDContinued from 9

Partnership, a program that gives stu-dents an opportunity to participate inthe wounded warrior community byjoining an adaptive sports program or acreative arts therapy program.

“The immersive approach is criti-cal. Students can begin to understandthe perspective of the wounded warriorcommunity,” Saperstein said. “It giveslearners a greater sense of responsibil-ity. They can know what is going to help(wounded warriors) as opposed to whatthey think might help.”

The audience favorite was Air ForceMaj. (Dr.) Grant Lattin’s presentationsurrounding a teaching module hemodeled after the movie, “The HungerGames.” Students divided into groupsand examined three clinical scenarios.A male and female “tribute” were cho-

sen randomly from each group to dis-cuss the clinical scenarios and defendtheir treatment choices. At the conclu-sion of the exercise, one group, or “dis-trict” was declared the winner. Lattindeveloped the teaching method withDr. James G. Smimiotopoulos, USU de-partment of radiology and radiologicalassistant professor.

“We tried to create the tension stu-dents feel on their first day of round-ing,” Lattin said. “The students felt itwas fun, engaging, highly motivating,and they received real-time feedback.”

The winning educators said theywould continue to refine their innova-tive teaching ideas thanks to feedbackthey received during Education Day.

“The intent is to support educationand further innovation,” Army Lt. Col.(Dr.) Justin Woodson, president of thefaculty senate, said. “It’s really inspir-ing. To hear and see the new ideas andto apply those concepts into educationalactivities — that’s what stands out forme.”

EVENTContinued from 8

responsibility. It’s our responsibilityas leaders we create conditions foryou to develop and to work at the topof your skill sets,” he said.

The general was then joined byChief Hospital Corpsman JosephDeLaCruz, the most senior in agehospital corpsman at the ceremony,and Hospitalman Tiffani Trentham,the youngest member of the HospitalCorps in attendance, to cut the Hospi-tal Corps’ birthday cake and concludethe celebration.

BIRTHDAYContinued from 4

1041962


1042294


tively involved in their care.The general went on to explain

the second domain, leadership andculture. He emphasized WRNMMCleaders bring their experience andbackground to the table, and advocatewhat’s best for the entire medical cen-ter. Leaders also serve on a number ofnational academic and clinical boardsand committees, Clark said.WRNMMC also offers more than

50 professional training modulesthroughout the year, to continue grow-ing and shaping staff into leaders. Ad-ditionally, the Prosperity Plan was im-plemented by the general to encouragegoal setting and growth among staff.The workbook allows staff to tracktheir personal, professional and rela-tionship goals.The World Class Brief goes on to

outline the transparent process of careat WRNMMC. The general describedthe Healthcare Resolutions Programas “remarkable,” promoting organi-zational transparency and integrity,while training providers in effectivedisclosure techniques and ensuringJoint Commission compliance.The general also explained

WRNMMC has demonstrated perfor-

mance, by receiving numerous highratings in communication with doctorsand nurses, pain management, caretransition, and responsiveness.Knowledge management is evi-

denced by the numerous state-of-the-art technology and applications atWRNMMC, the general stated. Thebrief explains a brain-controlled limbis one of many innovative tools help-ing to give wounded warriors betterquality of life, as well as the 3D Medi-cal Applications Center, where customimplants are made, such as prostheticattachments and facial transplants.WRNMMC is also DOD’s leading

academic and research medical cen-ter, training one-third of the MilitaryHealth System’s (MHS) military pro-viders, and conducting more than one-third of MHS research, Clark said.Speaking to community and social

responsibility, the general explainedthere are several community servicegroups at WRNMMC, and he encour-ages service members to get involvedin their efforts.“These are outstanding organiza-

tions,” the general said.In all, WRNMMC is a tertiary medi-

cal center that’s growing its relation-ships with fellow military treatmentfacilities and medical centers, he said.“It’s good for our patients. It’s good

for us,” he said. “We’re very good atwhat we do.”

BRIEFContinued from 8

T6618000

Rockville

1041974


Visit DCMilitary.com for more newsand to view the entire onlineversion of this week’s paper.

Delivering local military news inWashington D.C., MD and Virginia

1041966


Documents

Journal 061914