Andrews 022015

COMMENTARY Air Force medicine: A vision for the future, Page 2

DCMILITARY.COM

AIR FORCE NEWS

HEALTH Trusting yourself can save your life, Page 3

AF Assistance Fund in full swing, Page 3

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD.

Proper response could save lives in active shooter situation

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 | VOL. 4 NO. 7

459TH AIRMEN RETURN HOME

BY BOBBY JONES

STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

BY STAFF SGT. MATT DAVIS

AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS

When serving, military members know sometimes they will be in harm’s way to support the mission. When forward deployed, Airmen receive training to prepare them to engage the enemy.

But what if the threat was within your base?

Knowing basic active shooter response can save lives.

According to the Air Force’s Be Ready website, an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people, most often in populated areas. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooters can also use improvised explosive devices to create additional victims and to impede first responders.

“An active shooter could be a domestic incident or, as we saw at the Navy Yard, an insider who worked in the building who became disgruntled,” said Mark Allen, Air Force District of Washington Security Forces director. “The Navy Yard shooter was an active shooter and an inside threat. The guy worked there and had the credentials to get into the installation and facility.”

AFDW personnel follow guidelines established on the Air Force’s Be Ready website on how

see SHOOTER, page 5

PGCC support breaking the chain of violence

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/AIRMAN 1ST CLASS PHILIP BRYANT

Maj. Stephen Akins, 756th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft commander and pilot, holds his daughter on the flightine Feb. 9 at Joint Base Andrews. The Akins family reunited after a twomonth deployment to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. More photos on page 4.

Lincoln and Tubman teach students life lessons to succeed

BY BOBBY JONES

STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

The Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington, hosted its’ monthly Kid’s Day Out event entitled “Lincoln and Tubman,” which depicted two of the 19th century’s most historical figures come to life onstage.

The two personas shared their individual roles in the effort to end slavery in America with a large group of students from James Ryder Randall Elementary School students on Feb. 4.

Bright Stars Touring Theater actors, Danny Grumich and Monique Scott portrayed Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tub-

PHOTO/BOBBY JONES

A young Abe Lincoln shows his prowess and strength as he chops wood.

man, based on historical accounts and research.

During their performances, the duel thespian team gave the young audience interesting facts about their lives. Grumich gave glimpses of a young Abe Lincoln’s family life

and personal nuances’ like his love of reading and his physical strength and endurance while chopping logs on the farm.

Both actors stressed the importance of education, touting Lincoln’s success as a lawyer, after only

a year of education.

Best known for her leadership as an abolitionist, Scott helped breathe life into her role as Tubman engaging the children by asking for volunteers to come up on stage and act as though they were runaway slaves.

Waving her arms for the children to follow her she asked them to be quiet as the voice of a slave hunter could be heard in the background over bloodhounds. Grumich, walked briskly from behind the flag on stage which served dually as backdrop and changing quarters, whisking his black cape around while swinging a lantern back and forth in search of

see SUCCEED, page 7

A young man angrily encounters his girlfriend talking with a fellow male student in the Bladen Hall breezeway at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC).

Some onlookers surrounded the tension-filled situation, aiming the cell phones to document the event on the lovers’ eve of Valentine’s Day, Feb. 13. The jealous boyfriend quickly accuses his girlfriend of flirting and explodes in a jealous rage, pushing her abruptly and hollering obscenities. “If I

see VIOLENCE, page 6

JBA honors, ‘A century of black life, history and culture’

BY STAFF SGT NICHELLE ANDERSON

11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

February marks the beginning of African-American/Black History Month and Joint Base Andrews will host several events throughout the month in its honor.

This years’ national theme is, “A century of black life, history and culture.”

“It came from the Association of the Study of African-American life and History,” said Capt. Peter Lee, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight com-

see HISTORY, page 5

Andrews Gazette

2

Hot tickets around town February 21

Musicology 1p.m.-3 pm Mount Rainier Nature and Recreation Center, 4701 31st Pl., Mount Rainier, MD 20712 Bring history to life as you explore the evolution of African American music and culture, from traditional to modern. Enjoy interactive performances and refreshments.

FREE Call 301-927-2163,www.pgparks.com

February 21-22

Maryland Wine Passport Experience Romano Vineyard & Winery, 15715 Bald Eagle School Rd., Brandywine, MD 20613 While enjoying the wine trails, explore the state’s rich culture, museums, attractions and history while learning more about the wines that represent each region. Ticket includes exclusive access to all of the participating wineries on any of the six Maryland wine trails, “behind- the- scene” experiences at each winery, a commemorative wine glass and more.

Call 301-752-1103, or visit www.marylandwine. org

February 24-26

Be an “E-Week” Southern Technical/Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD Engineers Week celebrates how engineers make a difference in the world. Children will see how engineering works in daily life with fun, interactive activities.

For children 8-16 (Parents encouraged to attend).

February 26

Midweek Matinee: Four Score and Seven Years Ago 10:15 and noon Publick Playhouse, 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale, MD 20737 Lemuel escapes slavery in Georgia to find a new life in Gettysburg and unexpectedly befriends a young confederate soldier. Understanding and empathy combat racial prejudice when these young men realize that fighting back is the not path to peaceful resolution.

Recommended for grades 3-8. Tickets $8/$6 for group of 20 or more. Call 301-277-1710.

COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military.

The appearance of advertising in these publications, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

Maxine Minar, president mminar@dcmilitary.com John Rives, publisher

jrives@dcmilitary.com

Deirdre Parry, page design dparry@gazette.net Leslie Smith, editor lsmith@dcmilitary.com Bobby Jones, photographer bjones@dcmilitary.com

Friday, February 20, 2015

Commentary

Air Force medicine: A vision for the future In view of the evolving Air Force, the AFMS is evolving to ensure that AIR FORCE SURGEON GENERAL as many of our supported service members are available to their comThe United States Air Force’s core mander as possible, and are able to missions are air and space superi- perform the exquisite set of skills that ority, intelligence surveillance and are now required of them. Health in reconnaissance (ISR), rapid global the context of mission equates to permobility, global strike, and command formance and every medic or health and control. These are almost iden- care team must know how the mistical (but in different terms) to the sion might affect the health of the missions the USAF had in 1947. But individual, or unit, and how medical we now do these missions in three support affects the mission. domains: Air, Space and Cyberspace.

I think this is just as relevant for In the Air Force I grew up in, the other beneficiaries -- to include family “operators” were primarily pilots and members and retirees, who also have navigators. There are many more performance goals in their day-to-day types of operators these days, as air- activities. Toward that goal, we have power is projected through the vari- begun either embedding or dedicating ous domains in very new ways. Air medics to directly support missions Force medicine is adapting and inno- such as special operations, remotely vating to better support the Airmen piloted aircraft, ISR and explosive who safeguard this country 24/7, 365 ordnance disposal, which have had a days a year. clearly positive impact on those AirIn that regard, Air Force medi- men, their mission effectiveness and cine is now focusing on human per- their families. We are moving rapidly formance. This is not a huge shift for to make this “mission specific” supus. Since the Air Force Medical Ser- port a more widespread practice. vice (AFMS) began in 1949, Air Force At the clinic level, our intent is to medics have focused on occupational provide customized prevention, acand population health and preven- cess and care for patients, recognizing tion. We are simply taking it to the specific stresses associated with canext level. reer specialties. Our goal is to prevent Our AFMS strategy embraces this, physical or mental injuries where and to focus on this as a priority, we possible, and, if we are unable to prerecently changed the AFMS vision: vent, then to provide rapid access to “Our supported population is the the right team for care and recovery healthiest and highest performing to full performance. As a result, missegment of the U.S. by 2025.” sion effectiveness and quality of life This is an audacious but achiev- should improve, and long-term injuable goal, which is focused on health ries or illnesses are mitigated to prorather than health care and is clearly vide for a healthier, more active life, connected to the imperative to assure long after separation or retirement. optimal performance of Airmen. Every Concordantly, long-term health care Airman (or other service member) has costs and disability compensation human performance demands placed should also decrease. on them by virtue of their operational Patient safety and quality care and mission tasks. These demands are foundational to supporting our have changed, rather than decreased, beneficiaries in their quest for better due to the technologies employed in health and improved performance.

In order to improve both safety and current mission environments.

BY LT. GEN. (DR.) THOMAS W. TRAVIS

quality, we are committed as part of the Military Health System (MHS) to becoming a high-reliability health care system. This is a journey being undertaken by health care systems across the country. To achieve this goal, we need a focused commitment by our leadership and staff, instilling a culture of safety and quality, and a constant measurement of the care we provide, combined with robust process improvement at all levels.

These key tenets will enable the AFMS to achieve the principles of high reliability seen in the aviation and nuclear communities, and are aimed at eliminating medical errors. To that end, we are committed to strengthening our performanceimprovement programs and training all medics as “process improvers.”

This will require advanced training for key leaders and staff, driving process improvement activities from the executive suite down to the front lines of our clinics and wards. A great example of this is Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgery Center’s “Gateway Academy,” designed to equip mid- and senior-level leaders with the knowledge and skills to lead in an innovative environment.

Another area where we are pursuing process improvement is obstetric care. All military treatment facilities with maternal-fetal care have implemented standardized checklists and operating instructions created by a team of AFMS obstetric care subject matter experts. The consistency provided by these clinically proven guidelines allows medical staff to work in any Air Force OB department, with the confidence that the processes are the same regardless of location. Additionally, these experts have worked with Air Force Medical Modeling and Simulation Training to implement state-of-the-

see MEDICINE, page 7

Retiree Corner Nuclear Medal Ready

The new Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal is expected to be available this spring. It’s an effort to help retain high-caliber airmen in the nuclear mission. Airmen who were assigned, deployed, or mobilized on a nuclear mission to a wing, center, or below for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days are eligible to receive the award, retroactive to Dec. 27, 1991.

Retired or separated airmen and families of deceased airmen can submit requests to the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Tex.

Uniforms are Distinctive

Having separate military services brings perspectives to the table that are the epitome of “jointness,” according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said that he hopes the military services retain their own

unique field uniforms. There have been suggestions for the military to adopt a single field uniform. Legislators point to cost as an issue. The chairman said he believes the uniforms affect and express the unique cultures of the services. The uniforms reflect the differences in the services, the chairman said. “When I sit with the service chiefs, it is beneficial that we have four different views and that those views can be molded into military advice that we can provide to our elected leaders.”

The difference in perspectives and experiences of the services are valuable, and a single viewpoint would be a disservice to the nation, the chairman added.

New POW/MIA Agency

The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii has a new name -- the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The new designation repre-

sents a merger between JPAC, as it was known, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office in Washington and some functions of the Air Force’s Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory in Ohio. The merger follows a series of revelations in testimony before Congress concerning failures in efforts to identify missing war dead.

Congress had mandated that the Pentagon have the capacity to identify up to 200 sets of remains a year, but in 2013 the agencies identified only 70 sets.

The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call 301 9812726. Call before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil.

Andrews Gazette

Friday, February 20, 2015

AF Assistance Fund in full swing

BY AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The 2015 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign has kicked off and will run until May 1.

Air Force bases worldwide are participating in this fundraising event which raises money for four Air Force charities Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

- The Air Force Aid Society: Provides Airmen and their families worldwide with emergency financial assistance, education assistance and various base-level community enhancement programs.

- The Air Force Enlisted Village: Supports Teresa Village in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, Florida, near Eglin Air Force Base.

The fund provides homes and financial assistance to retired enlisted members’ widows and widowers who are 55 and older.

It also supports Hawthorn House (in Shalimar) which provides assisted living for residents, including 24-hour nursing care.

- The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation: Donations support independent and assisted living needs for retired officers and their spouses, widows or widowers and family members. Communities are located in San Antonio, Texas.

- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation: Provides rent and financial assistance to widows and widowers of officer and enlisted retirees in their homes and communities through financial grants of assistance.

Air Force officials are using a three-campaign grouping where all Air Force bases are assigned to one of the following three six-week campaign periods: Group I -- Feb. 2 March 13 Group II -- March 2 April 10 Group III -- March 23 - May 1 Group I bases, which already started, include Charleston Air National Guard Base, West Virginia; Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota; Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Vance AFB, Oklahoma and Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minnesota.

New this year is an updated Air Force Assistance Fund website, which features information about all of the affiliate charities, a link to the donation forms, videos, assistance stories and FAQs. Everyone is encouraged to check out the site and learn more about how your donations help the Air Force family. Whether active duty or retired, officer or enlisted, Air Force Assistance Fund is there for the Airmen, by the Airmen to take care of our own.

3

Trusting yourself can save your life I wanted it,” Harris-Berry said.

Harris-Berry was For Gail Harris-Berry prepped for the proceAmerican Heart Month dure with each member is about more than anof the staff explaining other observance month, the procedure and their it’s about a message. role. It was while she At the age of 43, Gail was in the operating Harris-Berry first went room when she could to the emergency room hear the urgency in the after experiencing exvoices of the staff once treme fatigue. “I had they began the procegotten the point where dure.

PHOTO COURTESY/ I could hardly put one “When they were GAIL HARRIS-BARRY foot in front of the othwheeling me to recovery, er.” During her visit, Gail Harris-Berry was I told them I could hear they performed several moved to become an them and I asked what it tests, including those for ambassador for the was. And the nurse said, high blood pressure and American Heart Asso‘Thank God you listened high cholesterol, ruling ciation after her own to your body and not to out heart disease and a experience of being us. You had a 90 percent hospitalized with a 90 heart attack. blockage and it would After much insis- percent heart blockage have killed you.’ ” tence, the staff decided while presenting no To understand Harto put her on a heart other symptoms of heart ris-Berry’s insistence monitor and kept her disease. you have to go to the overnight. The next day very beginning, “Heart they released her with a for you; we’ve run every disease runs in my famprescription for a stress test we can, more than ily. All the men on my fatest. She took the stress one time.’ They wanted ther’s side of the family test within the week, to send me for a psychi- died before the age of 50; and passed “with flying atric evaluation,” Har- except for my dad. His colors; and the very next ris-Berry said. life was spared because While seated in the he had a quadruple byday I was back in the emergency room with emergency waiting room, pass surgery. My dad had refusing to leave when two daughters, but both the very same feeling.”

“The medical staff being turned away once of us developed heart began to treat me as again, she happened to disease before the age of if I was having mental see a doctor that recog- 50. My first episode was problems. They said, nized her from one of before the age of 46, and ‘Ms. Harris-Berry you’re the previous trips. “He my sister had hers about going to have to have explained to me the only two years ago.” you leave this hospital; thing left he could do With me, because we’ve run every test on was a cardio cath; and I of my age, and, at the you – your heart, your really didn’t know what time, I didn’t have high liver, your lungs. There it was at the time, but I cholesterol and I didn’t is nothing else we can do told him whatever it was have high blood presBY LESLIE C. SMITH STAFF WRITER

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sure, I had none of the precursors that a hospital would look for in a patient coming in [for a heart attack]. And I didn’t go in because I was having chest pains or anything like that; so I didn’t have the obvious precursors for a heart attack but I knew something was going on in my body,” said Harris-Berry.

It was her personal experience coupled with her family history that prompted Harris-Berry to lend her voice to heart disease and sought out the American Heart Association (AHA) for training to become an ambassador. “I’ve been with them ever since.”

Her biggest message is, “Be your own advocate!

No one can tell you how you feel better than you.”

In her message, Harris-Berry by no means discounts modern medicine, “It is only because of modern medicine that some have been diagnosed; women by nature are nurturers – taking care of everyone else – and sometimes ignore the signs. And so you go into cardiac arrest because you ignore the signs.”

“What I’ve learned is 80 percent of cardio vascular [episodes] and strokes are prevent-

see LIFE, page 5

Andrews Gazette

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Notice of Availability Joint Base Andrews, Md. Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, Md. Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) announces the availability of and invites public comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for MD 4 at Suitland Parkway Interchange Construction on Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, MD (JBA).

Under the Proposed Action, SHA would construct a grade-separated, signalized diamond interchange with a directional ramp at the intersection of MD 4 and Suitland Parkway/ Presidential Parkway. The profile of Suitland Parkway and existing Presidential Parkway would be raised, while the profile of MD 4 would be lowered, allowing Suitland Parkway and existing Presidential Parkway to travel over MD 4. Elements of the current design that would occur within the boundary of JBA include the relocation of an existing high pressure fuel line, and relocation of the JBA perimeter fence and security path. This action would

improve traffic operations and provide sufficient capacity to address existing and projected travel demands along the MD 4 corridor.

No increase in the number of personnel or change in operations at JBA is anticipated. The Draft EA demonstrates that the Proposed Action would not significantly impact the environment and supports a FONSI. Consequently, an Environmental Impact Statement is not needed.

Copies of the Draft EA and Draft FONSI are available for review until February 28, 2015 at the Upper Marlboro Branch Library of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and the JBA Library at 1642 Brookley Ave. The Draft EA and Draft FONSI are available online at: http:// www.andrews.af.mil/library/environmental/index.asp.

Comments should be sent to Mr. Bruce Grey, Deputy Director for Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering, Maryland State Highway Administration, 707 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 or send via email to bgrey(at)sha.state.md.us by no later than 15 days from the publication of this notice.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

Friday, February 20, 2015

459TH AIRMEN RETURN HOME

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOS/AIRMAN 1ST CLASS PHILIP BRYANT

Members from the 459th Air Refueling Wing greet unit members returning from deployment on the flightline Feb. 9 at Joint Base Andrews. They were greeted by friends, family and co-workers for the first time in months.

Megan McAlister and son Colin await husband and father, Tech. Sgt. Chris McAlister, 756th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator, on the flightline.

Family of a 459th Air Refueling Wing member holds welcome balloons as they wait to be reunited on the flightline.

Col. Thomas K. Smith, 459th Air Refueling Wing commander, passes bags from the KC-135 Stratotanker to other unit members on the flightline. It is common for unit members to unload bags while returnees embrace family.

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Andrews Gazette

Friday, February 20, 2015

Trespass Notice The Joint Base Andrews firing range, located at building 2495, is off limits to all unauthorized personnel. Personnel are reminded of the dangers of gunfire.

Trespassing is not only illegal, but dangerous due to gunfire.

If you have a valid need for entry or have questions, contact 301-981-9755.

SHOOTER, from page 1 to react to an active shooter threat. Here are some tips to follow if an active shooter incident occurs:

HISTORY, from page 1 mander. “It epitomizes the hardships African-Americans faced to attain the level of prominence they currently hold today.”

The reasoning stems from the life of Carter G. Woodson, who established the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, later renamed, Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. The group was created to alter the world’s perception of African-Americans and showcase their contributions to the continuously evolving American lifestyle.

The theme is represented by the use of 100 names of individuals from a host of backgrounds that made notable contributions to black history.

JBA plans to celebrate this month by paying tribute to such figures.

“We will read to the children at the Child Development Centers on base,” said Tech. Sgt. Antonio Jones,

Evacuate

• If an escape route is accessible, evacuate the immediate area.

• When safe, call 911 or equivalent. Stay on the phone until the operator ends the call.

• Once evacuated, prevent others from entering the area.

• Follow any law enforcement instructions.

Barricade

“The shooter is looking for the easy target and a lot of times they are looking for numbers,” said Allen. “If something blocks or obstruct them, they’ll most likely move on to an easier site.”

• If evacuation is not possible, find a place to create a barricade between you and the active shooter.

• If possible, lock the door and/or block the door with heavy furniture. Turn off any lights and cover windows.

• Remain quiet and silence any devices (e.g. a cell phone) that may give away a hiding place.

Take action against the shooter, “fight”

• As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/ or incapacitate the shooter.

• Personnel should use whatever means possible to overpower the subject to save further lives.

When law enforcement arrives

• Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible.

• Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard and will not stop to help injured persons until the shooter is neutralized.

• Remain calm and follow instructions.

• Provide any information that may assist them in countering the threat.

Just knowing a few of these guidelines could potentially help you and others survive an active shooter incident. For more information on responding to and active shooter threat, visit http://www.beready.af.mil/ disasters&emergencies/activeshooter.asp or contact the installation’s emergency management office.

LIFE, from page 3 able. And because we know they are preventable and treatable, we also have to be proactive: monitor your sodium intake; if you’ve already been diagnosed with hypertension, take your medicine; take advantage of what five minutes of exercise a day can do; if you smoke, stop smoking,” Harris-Berry shared.

“Because it is preventable, you want to do everything you can. And those are the things I talk about when I speak for AHA at different events; know you your numbers – your blood pressure, your cholesterol.

Be proactive.”

Harris-Berry shared, “Stay attuned with your body, have a good relationship with your cardiologist, and be proactive those are the things you can do for yourself.”

To discover more about the American Heart Association and its resources, and to learn about the risk for heart attack and stroke, visit www.heart.org.

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11th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant. “The books will either be written by black authors or have special emphasis on black history.”

The event will take place at all three CDCs on Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.

According to the Black History Month Planning Committee, the second event will be a 1-mile walk beginning at the West Fitness Center on Feb 25 at 7:30 a.m. Volunteers will provide historical facts along the length of the walk to educate participants on black history.

The month will conclude with a luncheon hosted by the 11th Wing at the Club at Andrews on Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m., with a guest speaker who is still to be determined. Members wishing to attend should contact their unit representatives. The buffet price for club members is $9.95 per plate, and for non-club members $10.95 per plate.

For more information please contact the Black History Month planning committee at (301) 981-7781.

Andrews Gazette

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Friday, February 20, 2015

VIOLENCE, from page 1 can’t have you nobody can,” he shouted.

Fortunately, the scenario was only a skit performed by actors from the PGCC theater department who wanted to illustrate the prevalence of domestic violence in today’s society and take a stand against it during the global observance of the One Billon Rising Movement = 2015 V-Day “FLASHMOB.” Cindy Marilyn, Violence Prevention Center Project (VPCP) program coordinator, noted, “We opened with an impromptu exercise involving a bystander intervention scene by some of the students from my theater arts department,” with a “soapbox” to follow where people shared thoughts and ideas on the issues.

According to Marilyn, the VPCP is a federally funded grant program through the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women. “What I do here on campus is facilitate training and programs as they pertain to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” said Marilyn.

“People across the globe will join in solidarity to speak out against violence to women on Valentine’s Day Feb, 14. So whether it’s communities coming together doing flash mobs,

PHOTO/BOBBY JONES

Prince George’s Community College students and faculty members take a stand to stop violence during a global observance of the One Billon Rising Movement = 2015 V-Day “FLASHMOB dance raising the hand in defiance Feb 13.

speak-outs, or visuals the whole idea is that everyone comes together at that moment to speak against these issues. We sent out the link earlier and everyone has been practicing. We’re looking forward to being a part of this worthwhile event.”

Tanisha Smith Health Sciences Collegian Center coordinator noted, “We just want to make our students aware of domestic violence and violence against women. So we wanted to support the effort of the One Billion Rising and ending violence. When it comes to on cam-

pus we know that women are in relationships and they deal with different things, so we just wanted to bring that awareness to everyone on campus.”

Along the sidelines, several students and faculty members from the PGCC Violence Prevention Center Project wore red as a sign of solidarity during the global observance.

The participants initially watched a film with various celebrities loaning support, including President Barack Obama, before joining the Flash Mob dance routine, entitled

‘Break The Chain.’

After, the participants made personal affirmations in taking a pledge to put an end to domestic violence.

Nancy Franklin, a first-time participant, was elated to join the international broadcasted event. “I just learned the dance and I’m excited because I’ve wanted to do a flash mob dance,” said the Bowie resident. “I’m happy to be a participant and I hope to find more causes like this to support because it looks like they do lots of them around Valentine’s Day every year. This

cause is really something that people really need to get behind. I’m excited about it, even if I can’t dance.”

Miriam Ofoegbu, PGCC general studies student noted, “I feel by taking this pledge we’re all walking toward eradicating sexual assault in our communities. It’s really a good thing to be a part of it and I advise everyone to try and contribute to the community in whatever way they can to fight sexual assault.”

“Last year I was with the group of people who helped with choreography and practice the dance,” noted Neha Sethi, PGCC campus staff member and student. “As a woman, this pledge means that we have to support our fellow women who cannot speak out and stand for them; become their voice and give them strength so the violence against them can end.”

A member of PGCC’s social media department noted it was the college’s second year participating in flash mob dance entitled “Break the Chains – 1 Billion Rising” choreographed

by Debbie Allen, renowned actress, choreographer and dancer. To support future events and learn the dance for next year visit: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=mRU1xmBwUeA, or http://www.youtube. com/watch?feature=player_ embedded&v=Fwv16dtUvYM.

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Friday, February 20, 2015

7

SUCCEED, from page 1

MEDICINE, from page 2

slaves. The children bunched together, following Scott’s instruction.

As an adult, Lincoln had his first encounter with slaves being sold in the rural south as he bumped into a young female crying while scurrying down the street en route to the auction block. The abrupt encounter showcased Lincoln’s Christian upbringing from his father as he tried to comfort her.

“I’m sorry sir, I’m on my way to the auction block to be sold away from my family,” said Scott, playing the slave girl.

It was a pivotal moment and life lesson for Lincoln, because he realized that slavery was an unacceptable way to treat people. “I never liked slavery before, but I had just seen people firsthand being beat and whipped.”

He vowed that if he ever had a chance to do something about slavery he would eradicate it.

Lincoln explained to the young audience that although his passion was to free all slaves, he wouldn’t have the power to do so until the later term of his presidency.

The children also learned about how President Lincoln had to deal with the turbulent and bloody Civil War between the north and the south.

To give the audience an idea of how divided the country was then, Grumich, divided the audi-

art mobile emergencies simulator training for all staff that cares for OB patients. This technology promotes teamwork and communication, enabling a systematic approach aimed at managing infrequent, yet highrisk, obstetric emergencies.

Air Force Intensive Care Unit representatives also are working on updated checklists and bundles to ensure standardized evidence-based practices and soon will begin to work hand in hand with the other military branch’s medical services to decrease variability throughout the entire MHS. In addition, we are working to enhance communication across the AFMS. Because medical errors often involve miscommunication between medical staff, our inpatient facilities have teamed with the Joint Commission’s Center for Transforming Healthcare to develop a comprehensive strategy using a Targeted Solutions Tool to prevent patient handoff communication failures. All AFMS inpatient facilities are participating in this program.

Coupled with this initiative are programs such as TeamSTEPPs and Time Outs, which our staffs use to facilitate open feedback and training. A culture of safety requires that all AFMS members are empowered and understand their responsibility to

Bright Stars Touring Theater actors, Danny Grumich and Monique Scott, portrayed Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman.

ence into three –each representing a portion of the division of the states at the time: Northern states, Southern states and Border States. Grumlich then asked each section to shout a chant – the left shouting “Free North,” the center shouted, “State rights!” and the right, ‘Help us!”

“I hope that gives you an idea of people yelling at the president from all over the country,” said Grumich, in an attempt to make clear Lincoln’s two primary missions during his term – end the war and slavery.

Lincoln eventually was able to keep his promise, angering many, to the point of his eventual death

by John Wilkes Booth who assassinated him at Ford’s Theatre, in Washington, D.C, just five days after the Civil War ended.

The children also later learned that Tubman’s quest eventually

led more than 300 slaves to freedom. She later built a home in New York and lived there until she died in March of 1913. She gave her home to the elderly.

Although the two history makers never met, the one-hour creation explored their childhoods, and highlighted moments and events that showed how their lives paralleled as they fought for the equal rights of enslaved African Americans.

“Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln were ordinary people, just like you and me,” said Grumich. “But when given a chance they did something extraordinary with their lives.”

Scott noted, “So you see you never stop learning and working for others. As we end our play today, we want each of you to ask yourselves what you can do to make this world a better place.”

report any unsafe condition or error.

After more than 13 years of war, in which the MHS attained the lowest died-of-wounds rate and the lowest disease/nonbattle injury rate in history, the AFMS is envisioning future conflicts and adjusting our concepts of operations to prepare to provide medical support in situations that could be very different than what we have faced in the current long war. Among many efforts, we are focusing on en route care (aeromedical and critical care evacuation), expeditionary medical operations and support to personnel during combat operations. Future contingencies may require longer transport times of more acute casualties without the benefit of stabilization in fixed facilities, as we have had in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have to consider worst-case scenarios, which will prepare us well for less challenging circumstances. By enhancing clinical skills through partnerships with busy, high acuity civilian medical centers, such as our training programs in Baltimore, Maryland; Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; and, most recently, Las Vegas, Nevada, regular sustainment training for all team personnel and developing new medical capabilities, we are committed to being just as ready or more ready at the beginning of the next war as we were at the end of the current one.

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Andrews Gazette

Friday, February 20, 2015

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