US Navy Medicine

About a week ago, Sailors stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point took part in a the Tactical Combat Casualty Care program. Within the program, members of the Navy Medicine team were taught lifesaving techniques to keep injured patients alive while in difficult environments.

During the three day course, students received training on critical skills such as establishing an airway via cricothyroidotomy, treating tension pneumothorax, and obtaining IV/IO access to provide adequate fluid resuscitation. The students were then able to practice the techniques and familiarize themselves with the equipment utilizing advanced mannequins that breathe, bleed, and scream.

This is not your typical clinical setting. The training here is not only realisitc; it is tough and uncomfortable. But this is exactly what is needed in order to be able to serve in austere environments alongside Marines and other Sailors.

Pacific Partnership Doctors perform surgery at the Phu Yen Ophthalmology Hospital - Cmdr. Tim Kim (middle left), an ophthalmologist aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy; Huynh Nguyen Ngoc Trinh, a Vietnamese ophthalmologist; and LCDR Naoyu Yamuzaki (right), an ophthalmologist in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

During the Pacific Partnership 2022, the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) leadership and Sailors are participating in a Military Medical Humanitarian Assistance Course (MMHAC) table top exercise. The goal of the MMHAC is to provide training for military primary care providers in preparing for and executing appropriate medical care to civilian populations in the austere health emergency setting.

Now in its 17th year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific.

There are few things more frustrating than feeling rushed when at the doctor's office. We all have stories where it was obvious our appointment was crammed into a 10-15 minute window. The patient feels unimportant and the doctor, in many cases, is not able to give adequate care. That's not the case in the Navy.

In the Navy, doctors can practice medicine the way that it's meant to be practiced. Every patient gets not only the treatment, but the time and attention that they deserve. It's just that simple.

Navy Medicine employs a wide range of varied specialties, including entomologists. The missions of these individuals encompass some interesting locations.

The Navy Entomology Center of Excellence (NECE) sent several entomologists to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay earlier this month. While there, the NECE team identified breeding sites for biting insects, evaluated the overall effectiveness of the base's surveillance program, and provided training on how to set up surveillance traps. Additionally, the team surveyed the Migrant Operations area, where up to 50,000 migrants and refugees can be provided temporary housing.

Lieutenant Commander Holly Vickers, a nurse at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, secured a victory at the US Powerlifting Association's Virginia Beach Classic. LCDR Vickers successfully recorded a 275.6lb squat, 137.5lb bench, and 319.7lb deadlift, taking the top spot for her weight class.

LCDR Vickers was quoted as saying “I learned that strength was kind of ‘my thing’ and it grew from there. I deployed to Djibouti in March 2021. While there, Navy Moral Welfare and Recreation hosted a 500 pound and 1000 pound lifting challenge. I ended up taking second place overall form women totaling 630 pounds, only five pounds behind the winner. I figured, ‘hey, I found something I enjoy that I might be decent at.’ When I returned home from deployment, I registered for the Virginia Beach Classic.”

She went on to say "Powerlifting is a strength sport consisting of three lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift. Some meets do allow you to compete in one specific lift, but if you compete in all three- that’s Full Power." And Full Power is exactly what she did.

In the Navy, training is key. It's what we do. When asked "are you ready?" the response is always a loud and enthusiastic "ALWAYS READY!!"

The attached photo shows Lieutenant Commander Amber Neal, a perioperative nurse, and Hospitalman Naseair Ray, a surgical tech, setting up a rapid infuser during a quarterly, multidisciplinary training. The training, held at Naval Medical Center San Diego, focused on facilitating team dynamics and communication between anesthesia and perioperative staff in order to manage common emergency scenarios in the OR.

World class healthcare. Any time. Anywhere.

In support of women's history month, we thought we would share a story about an amazing female Sailor in Navy Medicine.

Laurel Blair Clark started her Active Duty training in 1987 at the US Navy Experimental Diving Unit. Afterward, she completed additional medical education in pediatrics from 1987 to 1988. Her undersea medical officer training was completed in 1989 and she served as a Radiation Health Officer and Undersea Medicine Officer. She was then assigned to Submarine Squadron 14 in Scotland where she dove with Navy divers and Navy SEALs.

Clark completed six months of aeromedical training in Pensacola, Florida and designated a Naval Flight Surgeon. Later, she was designated as the Group Flight Surgeon for Marine Aircraft Group 13. She went on to serve as a Flight Surgeon for Training Squadron 86 before being selected by NASA in 1996.

Laurel Clark completed two years of training and evaluation at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She then flew above Columbia for 15 days, 22 hours, and 21 minutes in space. While in space, she sent emails home describing the view of the Earth as "glorious" and "magnificent".

Her life was sadly cut short during the return to Earth when Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2004.

During her service to the Navy, her qualifications included Radiation Health Officer, Undersea Medical Officer, Diving Medical Officer, Submarine Medical Officer, Naval Flight Surgeon, and of course, Astronaut.

The mission of Cornerstone Therapeutic Riding Center is to save and restore the lives of Active Duty service members, first responders, and frontline medical workers who battle service-related emotional, psychological, and physical trauma through equine-assisted therapies.

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) San Diego hosted Cornerstone just a few days ago, where a Sailor stationed at the NMRTC got to spend some time with one of the horses.

The Navy's Training in Medical Specialty (TMS) program is an opportunity for doctors in select residencies and fellowships to earn additional income and loan repayment.

TMS offers residents a monthly stipend of about $2500 and could provide up to $250,000 of loan repayment. In addition, those selected for the program will receive all pay and benefits of a drilling Reservist, to include a comprehensive healthcare benefit package and low cost life insurance.

In order to qualify, a resident/fellow must be a US citizen and a full categorical Match into an accredited residency or fellowship. Those accepted into the program will only be required to attend reserve training two weekends per year. Residents/fellows will never be pulled from training in order to fulfill military requirements.

With the Match results on the horizon, I thought I would share an opportunity available in the Navy. If you are matched to a residency in a critical medical specialty, the Navy's Financial Assistance Program (FAP) will pay you a monthly stipend of $2500 and an annual grant of $45,000 for the duration of your residency. Your payback would be served on Active Duty within your medical specialty.

The greatest reward for nearly every nurse is the joy of serving others. But in the Navy Nurse Corps, when you work to improve the lives of others, you can vastly improve your own – both professionally and personally. As a Navy Nurse Practitioner, you will serve your country by helping not only those in the military who defend it but also their families and people in need around the globe. Excellent promotion opportunities mean competitive salaries, and specialty training opportunities can give you a competitive edge in your field.

Happy 151st birthday to the Navy Medical Corps! Established in 1871, the Medical Corps contained 150+ members with 66 physicians attached to the fleet. In 2022, the Medical Corps boasts over 3600 personnel with 48 ships containing a physician onboard.

Fleet Surgical Team 7 and Sailors aboard the USS America work together to stabilize simulated casualties during a training event referred to as a "mass casualty exercise." These exercises test the crew in mass casualty triage, care and first-aid practices

By nature, a mass casualty event would be chaotic. Practicing these drills allows medical teams to get their nerves under control. It is absolutely critical that a medical team is squared away in the event of an actual emergency.

Naval Hospital Bremerton has completely revamped their menu. The new options include healthier choices, and the hospital staff is raving about the galley crew's culinary prowess.

The Naval Hospital has introduced a 21-day menu cycle, with two entrees daily. The cycle includes themed days including Italian cuisine Monday, Taco Tuesday (of course), American traditional on Wednesday, and Asian-inspired Thursday. Friday offers alternating main entrees and speed line items like pizza/wings and brunch.

It is nice to know that we have incredibly talented Culinary Specialists out there making sure we put the old ideas of hospital cafeteria food to rest.

Ensign Mary Jane Tran, a charge nurse assigned to the Mother Baby unit at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) was presented with the DAISY Award during a ceremony, Jan. 31.

Along with her award, she received a hand-carved, serpentine sculpture from the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe. The meaningful statue depicts the embracing relationship that nurses have with their patients. Additionally, the Shona people show a profound level of respect to their healers, regarding them as treasures.

The individual who nominated Ensign Train for the DAISY award is quoted as saying "People with true compassion like her are hard to come by, and (she) has made the whole time here an amazing experience. Any mother would be blessed to get Mary Jane.”

Opportunity Details

Seeking fully trained US board certified & licensed Critical Care Physicians
US Categorically matched residents may also apply and be eligible for other incentives

Navy medicine has opportunities for physicians to serve part-time while maintaining their civilian practice. Navy physicians typically enjoy an accelerated career track, with opportunities to care for the medical needs of the brave men and women who serve our country, their families and other beneficiaries who have served. It’s a great responsibility—and an honor—of the highest order. The rewards for meeting such challenges are, of course, also great.

As a Navy Reserve Officer, you’ll have ample opportunity to see the world. The Navy will work with you so you can be flexible in scheduling your Reserve time. It really is the best of both worlds. You serve your country —you stay true to yourself. Drill one weekend per month locally, plus one two-week period annually. Take some time for yourself and enjoy the sights and sounds of places such as Italy, Spain, or Japan, while you complete your annual training.

You may also take part in humanitarian relief efforts stateside and around the world collaborating with fellow military doctors and other health care professionals, while partnering with International Relief Teams and organizations, such as FEMA, USAID, and Project Hope.

Navy health-care offers the ability to focus on the finer points of medicine in state of the art facilities, without the financial and business complications of a private practice. Start-up costs, malpractice insurance, staffing, equipment and office management don’t exist for Navy physicians.

Incentives:

May qualify for up to $75,000 accession bonus or $40K per year served school loan repayment ($250K CAP)
Dependent Identification Cards – Dependents access to commissary, exchange, and recreation facilities
Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance – $400,000 for ready reservist performing at least 12 drill for pay
Dental Insurance – Enroll you and your family in Tricare Dental with low monthly premiums
Health Insurance – Enroll in Tricare Reserve Select for you and your family with low premiums
Thrift Savings Plan – Take advantage of this tax-deferred optional retirement plan
Base Facilities, Commissary, and Exchange access – Have access recreational facilities and exchanges
Travel – Travel Space Available on military aircrafts from certain military bases at a low fee
Retirement – Eligible for retirement benefits for 20 good years of service at military retirement age
Post 9/11 GI Bill – Provides educational benefits to fulfill your educational needs
Home Loans –Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guarantee Program after 6 years of good service

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Navy Physician and Officer in the Navy Medical Corps, you will help lead the highly respected Navy healthcare team as you provide high-quality medical care for Sailors, Marines, service members, their families and, when called upon, the population at large. In this role, you may be called upon to:

Diagnose ailments and treat injuries
Work at the best military medical facilities on shore, at sea and in the field
Join top health care professionals on the highly valued Navy health care team
Collaborate with fellow military doctors and other health care officers, and partner with International Relief Teams and organizations, such as FEMA, USAID and Project Hope
Operate as a leader within your focus area and get exposure outside your specialty
Gain management experience that will serve you well throughout your career

Navy Physicians may serve at any one of more than 250 Navy and medical facilities around the globe, from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C. to Washington state. As a Navy Physician, you could work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, MD; Portsmouth, VA; and San Diego, CA. Or you could provide medical support to deployed troops aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships—the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy. Still more opportunities are available aboard a surface ship, working closely with a nearby aircraft squadron, or even with the Fleet Marine Force.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications include:

Be a U.S. Citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
Be a graduate of an eligible medical school accredited by the AMA or the AOA
Must be categorically matched if a resident/or intern
Have a current state medical license and board eligible/certified if fully trained
Be between the ages of 21 and 64
Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination
Must meet security and legal requirements
Must meet our credentialing process
Must attend Officer Development School during the first year

The demand for Labor and Delivery nurses is at an all time high for the Navy. With that, it's nice to see how L&D nurses are able to continue their education while serving in order to achieve higher qualifications. Lieutenant Commander Cheryle Castro is one who did just that.

After completing a tour as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Naval Hospital Guam, LCDR Castro was selected for Duty Under Instruction, Midwifery. She attended San Diego State University where she received her Master's Degree in Women's Nurse Midwifery and immediately started serving as a midwife at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in California.

Currently, LCDR Castro leads eight providers, 10 hospital Corpsmen, and two medical assistants in providing Obstetric and Gynecologic care for more than 10,000 patient visits annually.

When asked to sum up her experience with Navy Medicine in one sentence, LCDR Castro replied, "I have been blessed and honored to serve with amazing people, some that have become family."

The Navy believes in recognizing its members for acts of heroism, meritorious achievement or service, and arduous or otherwise special service, but also for plain old-fashioned hard work.

In the attached photo, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego's commanding officer presents an award tp their Junior Officer of the Year. Lieutenant Molly Clark, a Navy nurse at the unit, won the award because of her specialty expertise, professional acumen, impressive leadership, and inspirational contributions to the mission.

The Navy was Ashley’s lifeline. And now, she is ours. Check the link below for a quick read on one of the Navy's amazing nurses.

https://www.navy.com/faces-fleet-ep-08-lifeline

Navy Stories - Curiosity Opens Up the World to Us | Navy.com Curiosity changed this Sailor’s mind about the Navy, and then it changed her life. Watch how it all happened in this latest Faces of the Fleet episode.

In the Pacific Ocean, Sailors situate a patient in an operating room during a casualty evacuation training exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8). This exercise was part of a 1st Marine Division led annual training exercise which enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to operate in a realistic, combined-arms environment to enhance naval warfighting tactics, techniques and procedures.

Commander (Dr.) Tamara Worlton looks back at her time onboard the USNS Mercy during the Pacific Partnership. She recounts her memories of the mission that provided medical, dental, veterinary, public health, and engineering and disaster response services to countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Japan. Each visit was around 10 days in length depending upon mission needs.

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/408673/humanitarian-deployments-offer-usu-navy-surgeon-hands-cultural-immersion-experiences?fbclid=IwAR2FBfNTZ07PrSnMg5DXQ8Xs4wZOW1Nqn-UzYENbRDiwEeOpBl9jALb0azs

Humanitarian Deployments Offer USU Navy Surgeon Hands-on, Cultural Immersion Experiences As the hospital ship USNS Mercy sailed the Pacific Ocean, Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Tamara Worlton remembered standing on deck watching the amazing burnt orange sunsets.

The US Navy returns to the Arctic Circle to deliver an Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) to the caves of Norway. The EMF is a 150-bed mobile hospital that can be moved quickly in response to crises that require significant and sustained medical support. Check out the article for more information.

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2820958/returning-expeditionary-medicine-to-the-arctic-circle/