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Families attend Deployed Spouses Meal
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Combative tourney wants maximum registration BY JIM DRESBACH
PENTAGRAM STAFF WRITER
National Capital Region/Military District of Washington organizers of the 5th Annual Combatives Tournament are attempting to bolster late registration for the event, which will be held April 16-19 on Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall. “I think anything with 50 or over [registered combatives] would be an excellent turnout,” said Fort Belvoir Headquarters Battalion Lt. Col. Brian P. Zarchin, who also acts as a tournament organizer. Last year, 42 participants (40 male and 2 female) took part in the combatives tournament. This year’s tournament is open to all active duty servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians, who are based in the NCR/MDW. Bouts will be held in seven weight classes (heavy, light heavy, cruiser, middle, welter,
see TOURNEY, page 7
Southern Prince George’s County CBOC reaches out to veterans BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Veterans and family members toured the Southern Prince George’s County Community Based Outpatient Clinic and learned more about Veterans Affairs offerings at an open house held April 6 at the Allentown Road CBOC. “I’ll always be a Marine, but I just joined the VA today,” said Lorenzo Turner, who stopped in to the CBOC for the open house because he passes it every day on his way to work in the building. Michelle Spivak, director, Community Relations and Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. said that the Southern Prince George’s County CBOC offers,
see VETERANS, page 7
Military children express sacrifices through art, writing
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013 | VOL. 2 NO. 14
Morningside girl HOPs to help her community BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Ten-year-old Morningside resident Kaitlyn Gibson has a lot more on her mind than just schoolwork and play. After a conversation with her mother, Tonya Neal, Gibson has begun reaching out to help people in her community. “Me and my mom were watching this TV show, and people were homeless,” Kaitlyn said. Seeing the struggles of homeless people made Kaitlyn want to help. “I haven’t done this before, but my mom has.” Neal used her experience raising donations for economically disadvantaged youth and other at-risk groups to help Kaitlyn come up with a way even children could, as she describes it, “teach, encourage and nurture” others. The pair hosted Kaitlyn’s Spring HOP-Helping Other People-- April 6 at the Quality Inn in Camp Springs, Md. Kaitlyn and her mother reached out to friends, family members and students in Kaitlyn’s class at Mt. Calvary Catholic School in Forestville, Md. to ask for donations of toiletries, snacks, magazines, clothing and other items, which will be distributed to service members and their families through national nonprofit Operation Homefront, an organization which provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. The pair set up a staging area for donations, with craft supplies for children and adults to create thank you cards for the military members and families who will eventually receive the donated goods. Participants received free Italian ice from a Forestville-area franchise, hot dogs, chips, candy and bottled water while working on their greeting cards. “We ended up collecting seven boxes of items,” Neal said. After the event, Neal and a group of family and friends took the remaining food to a local homeless shelter. “After feeding the homeless, my daughter had so many questions,” said Neal. “She couldn’t believe it was that many people homeless and hungry.” Kaitlyn will host a Spring HOP next year, collecting do-
JBA Exchange hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day April 27 BY 779TH MEDICAL GROUP PHARMACY STAFF
PHOTOS/CHRIS BASHAM
Kaitlyn Gibson, 10, selects art supplies to use to create a thank you card for service members. Kaitlyn and her mother, Tonya Neal, use their social network to encourage people to help others in the community.
Kaitlyn’s request for donations to help service members in need brought in seven large boxes of items, including toiletries, clothes, food and magazines. The items will be distributed through Operation Homefront, a national, nonprofit organization which provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.
nations for another organization which helps people in the community. “Next year it will be different, whatever lays on our hearts,” Neal said. “I just want-
ed to get her feet wet, doing things in the community.” The family also plans to host a school supplies drive in August, to support financially atrisk children.
Does your medicine cabinet need a spring cleaning? Disposing of expired, unused, and unwanted medications can prevent drug abuse or theft of these powerful substances. The 779th Medical Group will collaborate with the Drug Enforcement Administration 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday April 27 to provide our community an opportunity to rid their homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. During this time, anyone with base access may bring medications to the JBA Exchange for free and anonymous disposal. Master Sgt. Irene EsquibelRead, 779 MDG Pharmacy Flight Operations NCOIC said, “This is the third time JBA is participating in the drug take-back DEA initiative. During the event held on September 29th, 2012, the DEA’s state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners, working at more than 5,263 locations, collected over 276 tons of medications that were turned in for disposal.” When added to the collections from DEA’s previous four Take-Back events, more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications have been removed from circulation. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medications that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Each day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Lt. Col. Glenn Laird, 779 MDG Pharmacy Flight Commander, said that Air Force pharmacies dispensed more than 15 million prescriptions to our beneficiaries last year. Unfortunately, as a result of changing health conditions, drug allergies or adverse drug reactions, our beneficiaries
see TAKE-BACK, page 7
Health Consumer’s Advisory Council provides updates BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
Lt. Col. Glen Laird, Pharmacy Flight Commander, briefs patients, volunteers and 779 Medical Group leadership on changes at the pharmacy, reiterating the flight’s unofficial slogan, “We’re dedicated to keeping you medicated.”
The Health Consumer’s Advisory Council met April 2 at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center. Lt. Col. Rudolph Cachuela, commander, 779th Medical Group, spoke on the upcoming military construction project at MGMCSC, with a groundbreaking scheduled for May 22. “Everything we have now we will have in the clinic,” Cachuela said. “Trailers are popping up and will temporarily house the clinics (during the three-year construction period).” Starting in late May, Family Health and Pediatrics will be the first two flights to move to temporary trailers, beginning what Cachuela called, “the kabuki dance of the moving clin-
ics.” The movement schedule has been planned so that most departments will only move twice over the next three years--once to a temporary trailer, and again to permanent spaces within the new building. “By 2016, all will be open and state-of-the-art,” Cachuela said. “I think it’s going to be a worldclass facility for all of you.” Lt. Col. Jon Geno, Family Health Flight commander, briefed attendees on the Patient Centered Medical Home model of treatment, which aims to streamline patients’ interactions with their physicians “to try to handle most things you need in one visit,” while enabling patients and their health care team to establish strong, beneficial relationships. Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center recently received Level Three
Patient Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, in recognition of outstanding processes and process improvement. Level Three is NCQA’s highest level of recognition for facilities using the Patient Centered Medical Home model. “Patient Centered Medical Home is not a new concept. All the (military) services are on board with the model,” said Geno. PCMH aims to have patients see the same few members of a health care team over time, so that doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and patients all share the same information and a more intimate relationship. “There are challenges in the military, because we deploy or get orders, and the patients de-
see HEALTH, page 10
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HOT TICKETS
Commentary
The Lady was not for turning
Around Town April 12 and 13
AU Symphony Orchestra and AU Chorus 8 p.m. Katzen Arts Center at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Abramson Family Recital Hall, Washington, D.C. Enjoy poetry, opera, classical and sacred music performed by more than 130 members of American University’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in their annual collaboration. For information, visit http://www.american. edu/cas/performing-arts/opportunities/orchestra.cfm.
April 12-14
Les Miserables various showtimes The Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, Md. See a live performance of Victor Hugo’s classic story about poverty during the French Revolution. For information, visit http://www.france-merrickpac.com/.
April 13
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade 10 a.m. Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. See vibrant costumes, balloons, performances by Mya, Carmen Electra, Elliott Yamin, marching bands and floral-inspired floats along the streets of D.C. as part of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. For information visit http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival. org/2012/10/02/2013parade/.
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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.
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role in British life and history. Thatcher was known for her steely resolve, for making decisions and not being particularly interested in compromise for the sake of getting along. In that, she is the kind of politician we tend to discount, these days. People call for compromise, for middle-of-the-aisle civility, for a sort of central path that Thatcher and Reagan and their adversaries in the 80s would never have pretended existed. Asked at the Conservative Party Conference in October 1980 if she would u-turn on economic policy, Thatcher said, “The Lady’s not for turning. I say that not only to you
but to our friends overseas and also to those who are not our friends.” Thatcher, Reagan, and other politicians of their era were willing to admit that we can’t all get along. We won’t all agree. That in calling for compromise, people on each side of the aisle usually just mean they’d like the other side to give in. It was a more honest time, perhaps, and one in which everyone realized that there are winners and losers, people on the right and the wrong side of history, and that only time will tell just who those people are, but in the meantime it is only right to stand
COURTESY OF THE RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE
constitute 10 percent of the veteran population.
VA enhances health care for women
Sequestration hits museum
Service is not affiliated with advertisements in Auto Trader and major metropolitan newspapers offering automobile sales through a company calling itself “Exchange Inc.” It appears someone is using the exchange’s trademarked logo and name without permission to purportedly sell vehicles in the United States, an exchange spokesman said. Military exchanges do not have the authority to sell vehicles in the continental United States. AAFES facilities are located solely on military installations. While the exchange does have mail order and Internet offerings, it does not advertise in civilian outlets such as metropolitan newspapers or automobile sales magazines.
BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
When I told my politically savvy, very tuned-in, 21-year-old news junkie son this week that Margaret Thatcher had died, he had just one thing to say. “Who was she, again?” I gave him the quick-and-dirty on The Iron Lady--love her or hate her, Prime Minister Thatcher was the British counterpart to Ronald Reagan, and just as there was at his death there are people mourning and celebrating in equal measure, with each side thinking the other woefully out of touch with the reality of her
see COMMENTARY, page 9
Retiree Corner Grants to 33 VA facilities will improve emergency health care services for women veterans, expand women’s health education programs for VA staff, and offer telehealth programs to female veterans in rural areas. Telehealth concepts that received grants involve telemental health, tele-gynecology, tele-pharmacy, and telephone maternity care coordination. The grant program is part of VA’s continuing effort to improve access and quality of care for the increasing number of women veterans seeking care at VA. Education grants will expand mini-residency training for VA providers and nurses in primary care and emergency services to include topics such as gynecology and early obstetrics emergencies, military sexual trauma, and performing breast and pelvic examinations. Women serve in every branch of the military, representing 15 percent of today’s active duty military and nearly 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces. By 2020, VA estimates women veterans will
The National Museum of the U. S. Air Force will shutter its Presidential Gallery and its Research and Development Gallery May 1 “until further notice,” due to the budget cutbacks resulting from sequestration. “This was not an easy decision, as we have several popular exhibits in the Presidential and R&D Galleries, including President Kennedy’s Air Force One and the XB-70 Valkyrie,” said Museum Director Jack Hudson. “Our goal has been to make every effort to maintain museum operations to the maximum extent possible, and we hope to reopen these galleries as soon as possible,” he said. The museum will remain open during normal business hours, and the Air Force and Air Force Museum Foundation will fund the utility costs each day the museum is open. The museum is located adjacent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Car sale -- or scam?
The Army & Air Force Exchange
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 us at 301-981-2726. Our e-mail address is raoandrews.af.mil. Call the office before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil, click on “Retirees” for a wealth of information on retiree subjects, including past copies of “Retiree Activities Corner.”
Friday, April 12, 2013
Personally identifiable information requires protection BY ALETHA FROST
11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Have you Googled yourself lately just to see how much of your information is available to the world? How much information did you find about yourself that you had no idea was out on the Internet? While it’s impossible to control what is on the Internet you can control what information you safeguard about yourself and others when you use government computers. There is guidance that Airmen should be aware of and use when dealing with personal information. This guidance is called the Privacy Act of 1974. The Privacy Act establishes a code of fair information practices that govern the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of personally identifiable information, or PII, about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies. Chief Master Sgt. Glenda Verley, Air Force District of Washington Privacy Act Officer, reminds AFDW Airmen to get in the habit of putting access controls on electronic files containing PII. “Protecting information is everyone’s responsibility from inception to authorized release or destruction,” Verley said. “Treat PII as if it was your own. Use encryption or password protection to prevent the risk of unauthorized access.” What does the Privacy Act protect? Do you know what is releasable and what is not? Below are some examples of information that is not releasable without the written consent of the subject. This list is not all-inclusive. -Marital status (single, divorced, widowed or separated) -Number, name and sex of dependents -Civilian educational degrees and major areas of study, unless the request for the information relates to the professional qualifications for federal employment -School and year of graduation -Home of record -Home address and phone number -Age and date of birth -Present or future assignments for overseas or for routinely deployable or sensitive units -Office and unit address and duty
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phone for overseas or for routinely deployable or sensitive units -Race/ethnic origin -Educational level, unless the request for this information relates to the professional qualifications for federal employment) -Social Security number Consider how much of this information you give out on social networking websites. You may certainly divulge this information about yourself, but the Privacy Act protects you from others releasing this information without proper authority. Airmen must be especially careful when sending Privacy Act material electronically or storing it on their computers. When sending electronically, be sure personal information is protected from unauthorized disclosure, loss and alteration. Encrypting the message is one way to do this. The transmission of personal information over email assumes the message is for official use, so users must also add “FOUO” to the beginning of the subject line and begin the e-mail with the following statement: “This e-mail contains FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) information which must be protected under the Privacy Act and AFI 33-332.” Don’t use this statement indiscriminately ... just when it’s necessary to warn recipients the message contains someone’s protected personal information. Unless each member in a workflow box or group email account has a need to know, don’t send an e-mail that contains protected personal information; instead, send it to the individuals who are authorized to receive it. Additionally, don’t store Privacy Act material or personally identifiable information on your computer or networkshared drives unless it’s also protected from unauthorized disclosure, loss and alteration. Remember: Personal information that requires protection under the Privacy Act must be protected by everyone. Editor’s note: 1st Lt. Ashleigh Peck contributed to this article.
DEMOLITION BEGINS AT FORMER HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/STAFF SGT. PERRY ASTON
An excavator demolishes the old headquarters building March 26 at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Built in 1946, the building was home to many commands over the years before being replaced by the William A. Jones III building in 2011.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR VISITS JBA Henry Greenbaum, a holocaust survivor, spoke to members of Joint Base Andrews, Md., in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 9. Greenbaum spoke about his losses, struggle, and eventually, his liberation by American forces. Following his story, Greenbaum allowed for a question and answer session, in which he discussed his resiliency and faith, which helped him through the Holocaust. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SENIOR AIRMAN LAUREN MAIN
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Candlelight vigil honors MLK Jr.’s life, work BY BOBBY JONES
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The life and works of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were honored during a candlelight vigil at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. April 4. The King memorial is the first memorial on the National Mall to honor an African American.The solemn event, sponsored by The Memorial Foundation, marked the 45th anniversary of King’s assassination in 1968. Harry E. Johnson Sr., President and CEO of The Memorial Foundation, was among the speakers. During the observance, visitors at the memorial sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sometimes known as the African American National Anthem, while holding flameless candles provided by the Memorial Foundation. After a moment of silence, excerpts from Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech echoed through the towering monument and across the Tidal Basin. Invited guests and visitors then walked through the opening of the memorial’s Mountain of Despair, toward the Stone of Hope led by a park ranger carrying a ceremonial wreath. Upon arriving at the Stone of Hope, the Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, Nineteenth
Visitors sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during a candlelight vigil at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial April 4.
Street Baptist Church senior pastor, gave the benediction and thanked all of the participants in attendance for honoring Dr. King’s memory. Among the other invited guests were: Robert Stanton, Senior Adviser to the Secretary of Interior and Bob Vogel, Superintendent of the National Mall.
Visitors read the words on the Inscription Wall at the Martin Luther King Jr., National Memorial after the candlelight vigil.
PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES
Visitors pay honor to Dr. King’s memory by visiting the memorial.
Female 1st HS pilot: The sky’s the limit BY STAFF SGT. AMBER RUSSELL 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
During World War II, Women Air Force Service Pilots broke the gender boundary in the skies as they became the first women trained to fly American military aircraft. In today’s Air Force, women continue the mission for gender equality both in the skies and on the ground.
1st Lt. Andrea Barry, a UH-1N Huey helicopter pilot at the 1st Helicopter Squadron here at Joint Base Andrews, embodies the spirit of the WASPs as she contributes to an important mission with the Air Force’s largest helicopter squadron. The O’Fallon, Ill., native worked toward getting her private pilot’s license during her spare time in high school and flew a Cessna 152. From there, her desire to fly
led her to a full-time Air Force career. “I was also an instructor in gliders at the Air Force Academy, which cemented my love for flying and wanting to pursue it as a career,” she said. “I joined the Air Force because I wanted to serve my country, and I knew it would open doors to a lot of new experiences and opportunities I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else.” After four years at the Academy, where she met her husband, who flies U-28As, a modified single-engine Pilatus PC-12, Barry landed here at Andrews. The 1 HS provides continuous contingency response and offers distinguished visitors airlift in the National Capital Region. Missions at the 1 HS operate on an “always on” basis. “Someone is always here 24/7-365 days a year,” Barry said. “We are always ready.” Whether escorting high-level military and civilian leaders or participating in a medical evacuation, each day can bring a new adventure. “It definitely gets your adrenaline pumping; you feel your heart beating fast when you take part in a mission,” said Barry. “It’s a huge honor knowing the profound impact we have on the NCR.” Barry’s journey to fulfill her passion to take to the skies for a living came with a unique set of challenges.
“It was intimidating at first because the ratio of men to women is so extreme,” explained Barry. Of more than 60 aircrew members at the 1 HS, only four are female, making recognition easy to come by. “Since there are so few females, everything we do, good or bad, is highlighted because everybody sees it and everybody knows about it,” she said. Additionally, Barry’s height makes her stand out among her peers, as she is currently the shortest pilot in the U.S. Air Force, she said. “I was actually limited to what aircraft I could fly because my sitting height and leg length eliminated a lot of my options,” said Barry. “I had to get several waivers to fly, but I know I ended up with the best option with helicopters.” Neither height requirements nor skewed gender demographics create a problem working with the tight-knit 1 HS, said Barry. “The group I work with is very welcoming,” she said. “The people are incredible and it’s really fun to get to go fly and be a part of the team. The roadblocks keep coming up, but I just keep knocking them down.”
JBA Buzz Which mode of communication suits you best? “I prefer email, because it’s a written documentation. It also helps to keep people honest.”
“I prefer talking over the phone. I like the personal interaction.”
Navy Aviation Support Equipment 1st Class Workneh Tegegnework, Fleet Reserve Center Mid-Atlantic Washington
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Tech. Sgt. Pedro Melendez, 1st Helicopter Squadron Special Missions operator
Senior Master Sgt. Paula Shawhan, 113th Wing Exercises and Planning manager
“I think face-to-face is the best method, because you can see facial expressions and there’s that back-and-forth interaction. There is no misunderstanding when you’re conveying something.”
“For me, I prefer face-to-face communication, because it’s more personal.”
Staff Sgt. Desantis Symonette, 11th Security Forces Group security assistant
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FAMILIES ATTEND DEPLOYED SPOUSES MEAL Joint Base Andrews spouses and children of deployed service members were serenaded by the “Singing Sergeants” of the United States Air Force Band at the Bi-Annual Deployed Spouses Meal hosted by Freedom Hall Dining Facility April 6. The children were also treated to face painting, photos and arts and crafts activities.
PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES
McGruff the Crime Dog greets Jack Bohl, 17 months.
Col. William Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander, holds Danabella Sandlin.
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Dawn Miller, 11th Force Support Squadron Marketing publicity coordinator, paints a Spider-Man on the face of Shiloh Cairo, 3.
Christine Cairo, her daughter, Brieanne, 20 months, and son, Braden, 5, work on arts and crafts projects.
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Longtime victims’ rights advocate’s death ‘great loss for the community’ BY DANIEL J. GROSS
PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
After being kept from witnessing the murder trial for his then-22-year-old daughter, who was kidnapped and raped before being slain in 1982, an Upper Marlboro man dedicated his life to advocating for victims’ rights up to the day he died, say those close to him. Longtime crime victims’ rights advocate Vincent Roper, 79, experienced breathing troubles and died at an area hospital April 4. Stephanie Roper, a senior at Frostburg State University, was kidnapped and raped before being killed April 3, 1982, and Vincent Roper and his wife, Roberta Roper, formed the Stephanie Roper Committee and Foundation, which in 2002 became the Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, based in Upper Marlboro. The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center is a state-wide nonprofit that advocates for victims’ rights and provides services to crime victims through criminal justice education, court accompaniment, therapeutic counseling and other forms of support, according to its website. Colleagues and friends said Vincent Roper’s legacy will continue on in places such as the courtroom each time the victim of a crime reads an impact statement prior to a sentencing, as he lobbied to make that a victims’ right. “Vince was the foundation, the rock of the organization’s existence,” MCVRC executive director Russell Butler said. “He was very influential from the start up until his death.” He died just hours after being handed a proclamation from Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) crediting his work and declaring April 3 as Crime Victims and Advocates Commemorative Day. “Along with his wife, Roberta, Vince Roper worked tirelessly to see that victims of crime were treated with dignity and respect and given all the rights due under law,” O’Malley said. “When the laws were proven to be inadequate, they worked to get old
OLIVER SMITH/MARYLAND CRIME VICTIMS’ RESOURCE CENTER
Vincent Roper (right), 79, of Upper Marlboro, and his wife, Roberta Roper, stand with Maryland State Police Superintendent Marcus Brown to accept a Governor’s Proclamation for Crime Victims & Advocates Commemorative Day on April 3, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center and the anniversary of daughter Stephanie Roper’s 1982 murder.
laws changed or new laws passed. Countless Marylanders have benefited from their dedicated service, and thousands of lives are better because of their work.” The commemoration day proclamation was chosen for April 3 to mark the same day as Stephanie Roper’s death, Butler said. “It was intentionally put on the day Stephanie was murdered to try and make something good out of a horrible situation,” said Butler, who became the executive director of MCVRC in 2002 but has known the Ropers since 1984 when he became their attorney and lobbyist. He said the entire premise for Vincent Roper’s work and the center’s mission is built around making a difference for crime victims in light of tragic situations. Roper served as MCVRC’s treasurer and the chairman of the center’s governance committee until his death. Attempts to reach Roberta Roper or other family members were unsuccessful. The Rev. Wayne Rice, Sr. of Landover said when his son was murdered in 2002, he joined a victims’ support group the Ropers led. Rise said apart from his son’s death, his granddaughter was
killed in a car crash, and the couple helped support him and attended services. “I have experienced quite a bit of loss and tragedy and have always looked up and admired Vince and his kind spirit,” he said. Now Rise runs his own victim advocacy nonprofit in Landover called The Center for True Justice and Healing. “I’m going to miss working with him,” he said. “It’s a great loss in the community for victims and support, but the work will go on because that is no doubt what Vince would have wanted.” Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. today at Saint Joseph’s Center, 11704 Duley Station Road, Upper Marlboro. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Butler said Roberta Roper has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to MCVRC or the Stephanie Roper Scholarship at Frostburg State University. Donations for either can be sent to MCVRC at 1001 Prince George’s Blvd., Suite 750, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. Prince George’s Gazette staff writer Peggy McEwan contributed to this article. This story originally appeared in the April 10 edition of the Prince George’s Gazette.
Friday, April 12, 2013
SARC response NOT by the numbers BY STAFF SGT. KRIS LEVASSEUR 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The aftermath of a sexual assault is unimaginable for those who haven’t experienced one. For Michelle Williams, Joint Base Andrews sexual assault response coordinator, being able to empathize and “wear the victim’s shoes” is vital to her ability to see the victim as a person rather than a number on a report. As a SARC, Williams’ job is to assist sexual assault victims, ensuring they understand their options for reporting the incident and connecting them with various organizations, such as mental health, the chapel and medical care, to get them every aspect of care they may need. “My first job as a social worker was working with children that were sexually abused, so I have always been drawn to being able to support individuals that have been assaulted,” she said. “It is difficult to deal with the kind of pain I see in the victims, but I constantly remind myself that I am the link for the survivor of these assaults and I am the first step in their recovery from tragic events in their lives.” Williams added that she has several coping mechanisms for dealing with the pain she sees routinely, which include being very spiritually grounded and spending quality time with her husband and children. “This is a 24/7 program, so when most of us are at home spending time with our families, I am standing by to help those who need it,” she added. “Being able to leave work at work is not always possible, but my family is very supportive and helps me do what I do.”
Though relatively young, the SARC program has had several important improvements since its implementation in 2005, said Williams. “The SARC program is constantly evolving and changing so we can provide the very best support to the victims,” she said. “One of the biggest improvements coming up is a new credentialing process for our advocates. As of Oct. 1, 2013, all victim advocates will have the same credentials as civilian counterparts.” According to www.sapr.mil, preventing sexual assaults is everyone’s responsibility. In many sexual assaults, bystanders saw and heard things that made them feel uncomfortable, but did nothing to intervene. “Being a good wingman and preventing your friends from placing themselves in bad situations is crucial to preventing sexual assaults,” Williams said. “We have a responsibility, not only as service members and wingmen, but as human beings, to prevent pain and suffering when we can.” Williams noted that taking an active stance on sexual assaults is the first step in preventing these assaults from happening. “I think the program is a tremendous success for everyone who utilizes it,” she said. “It is a success because we are able to get the victims to the help they need as soon as possible.” I don’t really know how many cases I have worked because I don’t see numbers, I see people,” she added. “I remember every person I work with and if what I do can bring even a little peace to the victim, I’m going to keep doing it.”
Prince George’s middleschoolers go international with service efforts BY LINDSEY ROBBINS
PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
While many students spent the week before spring break eager to get away from school work, sixth-grader Jessy Tientcheu of Upper Marlboro spent the week painting a school room in the Dominican Republic. Jessy, 11, was part of a group of nine Prince George’s County fifth- and sixth-graders who visited the Dominican Republic to perform community service. The March 23-28 trip — taken the week before county schools’ spring break — was facilitated through a Silver Spring-based nonprofit that started this year and seeks to instill a “culture of service” in children. “Fifth- and sixth-graders are in a decisive part of their lives, so if you expose them to a different culture and get them involved in international service at this age, you can create a culture of service early on,” said Katie Esmark, a former third-grade teacher at Arrowhead Elementary School in Upper Marlboro and the founder of Katie’s International Kids. The organization, consisting of Esmark and a six-member board of directors, meets at the Largo-Kettering library, said Esmark, who lives in Silver Spring. Esmark planned the trip for the week before spring break to match her availability since she is a reading specialist for Bren Mar Park Elementary School in Alexandria, Va. The students visited the Joan Rose Foundation, a Michiganbased nonprofit that runs a daily development program in the Dominican Republic providing lunch, education and other services to 93 children, according to the foundation’s website. Their visit was especially timely since the foundation had recently paid for construction there and didn’t have enough money to paint the rooms that the students painted, using material Katie’s International pur-
chased, said David Palmer, president of Joan Rose. “It was very generous and will help us do a lot of good,” he said. Jessy, an Arrowhead student, said she learned a lot from the time she spent helping the foundation. “It made me tear up a little. Some of these kids didn’t even have shoes. It really was them against the world,” she said. “I noticed a lot of little kids caring for even younger ones,” said Tamia Meade, 11, an Arrowhead fifth-grader from Upper Marlboro. “You’d see 6-year-olds taking care of 4-year-olds.” Esmark said she prepared the students for the trip with a five-month program that taught them about the Dominican Republic and provided lessons in Spanish, the primary language there. Esmark chose the country because she wants to tie cultural service to useful language skills such as Spanish, she said. The nonprofit selected students, starting at Arrowhead, based on an application that asked students their opinions on social issues, she said. Students from Cora L. Rice Elementary School in Landover and Samuel P. Massie Academy in Forestville also participated, Esmark said. The nonprofit raised money for the students’ travel at $1,000 each and parents paid their own way. Esmark hopes to take new students to a French-speaking African country next year, she said. She said she is not limiting future applications to Prince George’s students and is looking beyond Maryland, as well. “I’d never heard of the Dominican Republic before we started learning about it,” said Sadani Percy-Boyd, 12, an Arrowhead sixth-grader from Upper Marlboro. “Now, I want to figure out how else I can help the people there.” This story originally appeared in the April 10 edition of the Prince George’s Gazette.
7
Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 12, 2013
JBA INTRAMURAL VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS TEAM
WINS
LOSSES
TOTAL GAMES
WIN %
WSA
1
0
1
100%
NCWDG
2
0
2
100%
11 SFG (2)
2
0
2
100%
PAG
2
0
2
100%
11 CES
2
0
2
100%
844 Comm (1)
1
1
2
50%
1st AS
1
1
2
50%
89 COMM 1
1
1
2
50%
11 SFG (1)
0
1
1
0%
NGB
0
2
2
0%
779 MDG
0
2
2
0%
844 Comm (2)
0
2
2
0%
ONI
0
1
1
0%
11 LRS
0
1
1
0%
VETERANS, from page 1 “comprehensiveness of care that is significantly better than the other units (in the region). The D.C. Medical center is 1962. This is kind of the wave of the future.” That “wave” includes an emphasis on tele-health care, in which doctors can consult with patients by phone and video chat; audiology screenings for hearing loss common in cases of traumatic brain injury and other blast injuries and women’s health care programs. “The VA is striving to make women’s health care just like the men--they can see one clinic and have all their needs met,” said VA Medical Center Mammogram and Breast Care Coordinator Women’s Health Program Assistant Stephanie L. Johnson. Since the Allentown Road location’s grand opening in July 2012 the CBOC has added four dental operatories, to provide routine oral health care and restorative dentistry on site. VA Medical Center Dental Administrative Officer Angela Martin said that eligible veterans can visit the CBOC to receive the same services they would ordinarily receive at the Washing-
TOURNEY, from page 1 light and fly) with winners possibly advancing to the All-Army Combatives tournament in July if the DoD budget allows. “What has been done in the past under different budget constraints, the Army has an All-Army competition. Last year’s was at Fort Hood, Texas; this year’s is planned for Fort Carson. The winners would be offered an invitation to join the MDW combatives team,” Zarchin explained. A number of changes have been made for this year’s tour-
TAKE-BACK, from page 1 end up with partially used prescriptions filling their medicine cabinets. By getting rid of these items at this event, our homes & community become safer and it ensures that medications are
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
Lorenzo Turner joined the VA at the Southern Prince George’s County Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Allentown Road, and then spoke with Veterans Affairs Medical Center representatives Adrianne Atwater, center and Stephanie L. Johnson about the services available at the CBOC.
ton, D.C. location without battling city traffic and parking. This is the first CBOC in the region to include dental services. Xavier Teasley, operations manager for the CBOC here as well as locations in Southeast D.C., Fort Belvoir, Va. Green-
belt, Md and Charlotte Hall, Md., said that the Allentown Road facility has 2,500 registered patients, with room for a total of approximately 5,000. New CBOC locations are planned for northern and central St. Mary’s County in the coming year.
nament. The event has been moved from Comny Hall to the JBM-HH Fitness Center (Bldg. 414) and a standard rules (no striking) format has been adopted with a focus centered on grappling and takedowns. “We want an emphasis on Army skills sets,” said tourney official Billy E. Cook Jr., operations officer at Fort Belvoir Headquarters Battalion. “As servicemembers train for this, we want them to train toward the basic strengths.” According to tournament officials, though online registration ended April 11, the tour-
ney will accept warrior servicemembers up to bout time on a case-by-case basis. Preliminary bouts begin at 2 p.m. April 18. The final day of the tournament, April 19, championship bouts begin at 6 p.m. and awards presentations commence at 7:35 p.m. For the latest JBM-HH combative tournament and registration news, contact Cook at 703-806-5176/6446.
properly disposed of to minimize any impact to the environment. Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic Pharmacy personnel will be present at the collection site to ensure proper collection and disposal of any controlled substances (narcotics) which may be turned in. In addition, rep-
resentatives from the 779th Medical Group Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program will be available to answer questions or address any of your concerns about the program or ADAPT. Please help JBA make this initiative a success.
Talking baseball: Nats and Os BY LT. COL. LANCE RODGERS
After the first week of major league baseball, the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles look as though they will bring some excitement to the area this season. The Nats opened on April 1 with a 2-0 shutout hurled by Stephen Strasburg against the Miami Marlins. The 24-year-old Strasburg completed seven innings and chalked up his first win. Though he has had more spectacular outings as far as strikeouts in the past, he was extremely efficient in his seven innings, throwing just 80 pitches. He struck out three of the 23 batters he faced, allowed only three hits, and didn’t walk anyone. His sinker had hitters dribbling grounders to the infield as the Marlins grounded out 10 times. Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco was also impressive on the mound, allowing only three hits in six innings with five strikeouts. However, two of these hits were home runs off the bat of 20-yearold star Bryce Harper. Harper is the youngest player in baseball history to homer twice on opening day, and is the second Rookie of the Year to collect two opening day home runs the following season. Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies accomplished the feat in 2006. Gio Gonzalez was the Nats’ hero on day two, throwing six scoreless innings, as the Nats again shut out the Marlins, 3-0. The highlight of the game occurred in the fifth inning when Gonzalez provided some offense, belting a first-pitch hanging curveball into the left field seats to break the scoreless game. Gonzalez wanted to make sure people didn’t expect too much from his bat this year, but was all smiles as he crossed the plate after only the second home run of his career. The Nats completed their three-game sweep of the Marlins with a 6-1 victory the following day.
LT. COL. LANCE RODGERS
Though the Nats lost two of three games to the Reds over the weekend, they smacked five home runs in their 7-6 extra inning victory on April 6, including two solo shots in the 11th inning. At the end of the first week, the Nationals have four wins and two losses and are one game behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. The Os have not had very good luck so far this season, losing three games by one run each. They took two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays on the road, but then lost two of three against the Minnesota Twins at home. After the first week of play, the Orioles have three wins and three losses and are one game behind the division-leading Boston Red Sox. Player of the week honors would have to go to first baseman Chris Davis, who set a new major league record with 16 RBIs in the first four games of the season, and became the fourth player in history to hit a home run in each of the first four games, after Nelson Cruz, Willie Mays, and Mark McGwire. Davis is hitting .455 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in six games through Sunday, April 7. Looks like it could be an exciting year for both the Nats and Os, so make it out to the ballpark this season.
CAPTION THIS
Editor’s note: The All-Army competition scheduled to be held at Fort Carson has been cancelled.
Send your silly captions for this photo to cbasham@dcmilitary.com. The funniest ones will be used in a future edition of the Andrews Gazette.
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 12, 2013
Military children express Military children have sacrifices through art, writing resources online, in print BY TERRI MOON CRONK
BY HEALTH NET FEDERAL SERVICES
AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Life through the eyes of military children through their paintings, drawings and writings was on public display at the Education Department here April 4 to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Since 1983, the Defense Department has officially recognized military children for the support they provide to their families, and the military now has 1.8 million children in the services. The exhibit reflects the works of military children -- nearly 50 in all -- from elementary to high school. On the back of each work of art, the children wrote what motivated them to produce their particular work, said Cindy Simerly, marketing chief for the Military Child Education Coalition and a military spouse. The result of a partnership of the Energy Department, the Military Child Education Coalition and the Student 2 Student Initiative, the exhibit also traveled to the home of Vice President Joe Biden as part of Joining Forces, an effort to garner public support for service members, veterans and their families spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama and the vice president’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden. From there, the exhibit was on display April 9 at the Department of Defense Education Activity’s headquarters at the Mark Center in Alexandria, Va. For those who were unable to visit the exhibit, a digitalized version of the military children’s work, titled, “Art from the Heart,” is on the Military Child Education Coalition’s website. “The exhibit is a powerful medium for military children to express their experiences over a decade of war, and to show their sacrifices,” Simerly said. “It’s a way for the children to express themselves in a way that they might not be able to do in words.”
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PHOTOS/TERRI MOON CRONK
Lauren Sink, a high school junior, drew this picture of her Army father returning home. Nearly 50 illustrations, paintings and writings were on display at the U.S. Education Department on April 3 in observance of the Month of the Military Child.
April is the Month of the Military Child and Health Net Federal Services, LLC, the TRICARE contractor for the TRICARE North Region, celebrates the 1.8 million children of U.S. military families around the world. These kids move an average of six to nine times between kindergarten and twelfth grade, according to the nonprofit Military Child Education Coalition. More than 900,000 of them have had a parent deploy multiple times and there are nearly 45,000 children who are living with a parent’s wound, injury, illness or death, according to the MCEC. Health Net is proud to highlight resources and organizations dedicated to the well-being of military children:
Online Resources
This artwork by Mattie Steed, a fourth-grader from an Air Force family, is among nearly 50 illustrations, paintings and writings on display.
Health Net kids’ journal series – In an effort to support our nation’s military children, these journals have been created to help kids navigate the unique challenges military families face (deployment, frequent moves, loss of a loved one who served). These are available at https://www.hnfs.com/ content/hnfs/home/tn/bene/res/ symbolic_links/kids_journals. html to review and print at no cost. Health Net’s Military Children, Deployment and Behavioral Health Care Page (https:// www.hnfs.com/content/hnfs/ home/tn/prov/bh/children_deploymentandbehavioralhealthcare.html) – A helpful resource for military parents who see a behavioral change in their children. Military Child Education Coalition (www.militarychild.org) – A support center for military
children and their families affected by mobility, family separation and transition. Militarykidsconnect.org –A safe, online community for military children ages 6–17, providing access to age-appropriate resources to support military children from pre-deployment to reunion. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (taps.org) – Offers regional and national Good Grief Camps to military children and teens. Camps provide a safe and supportive atmosphere to learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems, and connect with others who have lost a loved one.
Books for Military Children
Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom by Lisa Tucker McElroy – Lizzie’s mom is deployed overseas. The story is told through a series of letters Lizzie writes her mom from the time she deploys until she returns home, navigating all the difficult questions military children with a deployed parent want to ask. For grades kindergarten–third grade. My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens by Michelle Sherman – With raw emotion, fictitious teens describe the stress of coping with a parent away at war and the everyday challenges of school dances, sports and report cards. This book suggests coping skills such as exercising, recognizing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and reconnecting after a parent returns. Additional Internet resources are included. For ages 13–17. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn – Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to be separated from his mom, but his mom’s special rit-
see CHILDREN, page 9
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 12, 2013
Team Andrews members discuss women in science BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ERIN O’SHEA 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Military members from the National Capital Region gathered at The Club at Andrews here to discuss the impact women have on science, technology, engineering and mathematics March 28. The event was designed to inform the audience about educational opportunities in STEM career fields and allowed them to ask questions of authorities in their respective fields. “The jobs in the STEM fields have been steadily increasing and they continue to do so ... nearly doubling by 2018,” said Col. Gina Humble, 11th Operations Group commander. “So in order to stay competitive, we need to continue to encourage women especially to become more involved in the STEM fields.” According to several members of the panel, parents are responsible for a large part of their child’s progression and potential future career. Exposing children to various educational activities at a young age is vital to development. “We need to encourage interest from a very young age, work to break down those barriers and tell them they can do it no matter what they choose to do,” Humble
said. “We need to break down those negative stereotypes and match them with strong, female mentors. These are exciting times for women. [This concept] is about preparing young girls and women to make history tomorrow.” Lt. Col. Bridget Gigliotti, 11th Force Support Squadron commander, stated that she did not get to where she is in her career by sheer coincidence. She attributes a lot of her success to the support her parents gave her at a young age. “My parents were very interested in our schooling,” said Gigliotti. “My mom always told me I could do anything. She was involved in our education when the school perhaps could not provide for us.” Not only is exposure crucial in a child’s development, but to the making of a well-structured military member. There are opportunities for women in the military to seek careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, but you have to seize them, said Maj. Jenn Marino, former Marine One pilot and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. “A huge determinate of our success is realizing intelligence is not the only factor,” said Marino. “Passion and perseverance is necessary in order to reach our longterm goals. You don’t need to be a genius, but you do have to be willing to work hard for what you want.”
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ERIN O’SHEA
Col. Gina Humble, 11th Operations Group commander, answers questions during an interview panel March 28 at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The discussion focused on educational opportunities and careers in science, technology engineering, and mathematics.
Death notices ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL: 1st Lieutenant Cody Works regretfully announces the death of Airman 1st Class David D’Augustine. Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to the estate of A1C David D’Augustine contact 1st Lieutenant Cody Works, Summary Court Officer, at 301-981-5206. ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL: 1st Lieutenant Brittne Lynn regretfully announces the death of Senior Airman Thomas Richardson. Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to the estate of Sr. Airman Thomas Richardson contact 1st Lieutenant Brittne Lynn Summary Court Officer, at 202-404-7328.
CHILDREN, from page 8 ual of kissing the palm of his hand keeps her close to him while they’re separated.
Books for Military Parents
Deployment – Strategies for Working with Kids in Military Families by Karen Petty, PhD – This comprehensive handbook is for civilians and military personnel who work with or care for children who experience separation through deployment, death or divorce. Theory-based, practice-driven strategies for handling separation and helping young through elementary-age children move forward and live full lives. Heroes at Home: Help & Hope for America’s Military Families by Ellie Kay – Written by the wife of an Air Force pilot in encouraging language and from a spiritual perspective, this book offers helpful ideas for saving money, surviving frequent moves, keeping in touch during deployment, and other aspects of military life.
COMMENTARY, from page 2 for our principles and not back down on things that really matter. She knew, as well, that although she spoke to Britain the world was listening, friend and foe. Her choices impacted her nation and the world’s reaction to it for years to come. Love her or hate her, it would be a shame to forget her so soon. The grocer’s daughter who grew up to lead Britain lived a life worth noting. For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,
visit www.dcmilitary.com.
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, April 12, 2013
HEALTH, from page 1 ploy or get orders,� Geno said. Cachuela also noted that doctors in the Internal Medicine flight have hospitalist duties at Fort Belvoir or other facilities-during the week your usual doctor is serving somewhere else, other members of the health care team will cover for them, to avoid gaps in care. Some patients see doctors outside the military health care system. Geno encouraged all patients to keep their primary care providers informed about what doctors they see, what diagnosis and treatment they receive, and any other information that can work together to give their health care team a detailed, accurate picture of the patient’s health and health care needs. Pediatrics at MGMCSC already operates under a Patient Centered Medical Home model. Internal Medicine will be the next flight to make that transition. Geno encouraged patients to use the MiCare secure messaging system, a tool that can help patients and doctors communicate over email without an appointment. “You can get in touch, get your lab results; it’s easier than the phone system,� Geno said. Since most patients do not visit their doctors very frequently, “MiCare allows you to expand that interaction beyond a few hours a year.� It is also a quick way to inform a primary care doctor about tests and treatments received at outside facilities. Proposed changes to the MiCare system may allow patients to receive notice when their regular physician is planning to leave for temporary duty or permanent change of station, and let patients know who will provide health care in their absence. Pharmacy Flight Commander Lt. Col. Glen Laird said that the Pharmacy Flight has recently added to its formulary of available and recommended prescription medicines, and is trying a new Forward Pharmacy Services approach which will “take (the pharmacist) from behind the counter and put him out to the clinics, where he can talk to you.� Laird explained that Forward Pharmacy Services will allow patients to discuss and
The Family Health and Pediatrics departments will be the ďŹ rst to move to temporary trailers as Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center begin construction on their new facility. Groundbreaking for the new structure is scheduled for May 22, and Family Health and Pediatrics will move to trailers in late May.
activate their prescriptions with a pharmacist while still at their clinic, and then go to the pharmacy only to pick them up. The goal, Laird said, is to make picking up prescription medications orderly and fast, and reduce wait times in the pharmacy. He encouraged patients to complete the digital e-2569 form to notify the pharmacy if they or a family member has an Other Health Insurance provider. Patients should complete the forms digitally if it has been more than a year since they last submitted a Form 2569, otherwise known as a “yellow card.� “About five percent of our budget comes from other (nonmilitary) health insurance,� said Cachuela. Laird encouraged patients to use home delivery for prescriptions to save money for both patient and the system, and to save time in traffic picking up those prescriptions. The pharmacy will offer electronic prescribing in the future but for now patients can request home delivery over the phone or online. Laird also called for volun-
teers in the pharmacy. Volunteers can pre-pack medications, identify what prescriptions are refills, hand out refills to patients, shelve and rotate prescription stock, and handle other tasks that free up the pharmacist and pharmacy technicians for more technical efforts. “We have a billion opportunities for you to come out and volunteer,� Laird said. “We’ll provide the coffee.� Nationwide drug shortages can make it difficult to fill some prescriptions quickly, although Malcolm Grow’s pharmacy is the only military pharmacy in the National Capital Region that has a 24-hour turnaround on prescriptions, Laird said. If a particular prescription is not available on site, the pharmacists at Malcolm Grow will look for them in the broader region, at local retail pharmacies, and when circumstances permit through the mail order system. Laird recommends that patients have the pharmacy near them call the pharmacy at Malcolm Grow to discuss prescription pick-ups. TRICARE Education Special-
ist Sheri Pueblo gave a quick briefing on Health Net Federal Services webinars, which combine desktop presentation with audio interaction by phone to educate individuals about health care issues on a variety of topics. The free webinars are available to anyone and no registration is required. To participate in a webinar, visit www.hnfs.com/go/ webinars. Master Clinician Family Health Col. Marcia Potter explained the benefits of relying on MiCare to communicate with a health care team,�from home, in your fuzzy slippers,� especially since doctors check their MiCare emails twice each duty day. “On average we have 3.4 attempts to contact patients by phone (before we succeed),� Potter said. “Phone tag is not getting you the answers you need.� The goal, Potter said, is for Air Force medicine to “move from better care to better health,� through fostering engagement between patients and their health care team, cutting down on unnecessary or dangerous medical testing and making
Protestant:
Christian Education and AWANA Kid’s Program 6 p.m.
other changes in the mode of care which, she said, “are changing the way medical care looks in this nation.� Asked about the impact of sequestration on patient care at Malcolm Grow, Cachuela said that so far tightened budgets have reduced staff opportunities to participate in medical conferences or get the latest equipment in their offices, “but there have been no significant, direct cuts in the delivery of care.� He said that after furloughs begin in June, if those are not avoided, civilian employees will have their work schedules reduced, but active duty members will “take up as much of that slack as possible, to avoid gaps in care.� Should furloughs happen, Cachuela warned that there may be some expansion of wait times for services because of reduced civilian staffing. Though some attendees expressed concern that budget cuts might impact bus service to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Cachuela said that the 1100 riders who rely on the shuttle each month can expect that service to be provided in future. “The shuttle is well-utilized. We will defend it as hard as we can, but right now no one is talking about cutting its funding,� said Cachuela. Cachuela said that 29,000 patients are enrolled at Malcolm Grow, which has a capacity of 31,000 patients. The number of health care providers is expected to remain static over the next four to five years. “For now, we still have room at Malcolm Grow,� said Cachuela. “We’re not going to grow in response to Obama Care.� The next Health Consumer’s Advisory Council will meet at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center in August. A new Commander for 779th Medical Group will relieve Col. Cachuela in June. The meetings are open to the public; all interested health care consumers are welcome to attend, ask questions and bring up their concerns about health care, insurance coverage, changes at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center and related issues.
Religious Services on base Islamic
Prayer Room in Chapel 1 Annex Daily Prayer Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Prayer Service Friday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jewish
Kiddush/Sabbath dinner Fri-
Painting/Wallpaper
day, 6 p.m. All are welcome. To RSVP and for location contact: Rabbi, Capt. Schechter at 240-6712270 or sarah.schechter@us.af. mil. You can ďŹ nd a complete listing of Yom Kippur services in the National Capital Region through www.jewishindc.com.
Painting/Wallpaper
Reconciliation by appointment, call 301-981-2111 Daily and Saturday Mass have been temporarily suspended. Chapel 1, 1345 W. Perimeter Road.
Call 301-670-7106
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Sunday: Sun. School 9:45am, Worship Services 11:00am & 6:00pm
Wednesday: AWANA, Teen Clubs, Adult Prayer & Bible Study 7:00pm /ĂˆĂˆÂŁĂŽxÎä
Roman Catholic
Mass Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Chapel 2, 3715 Fetchet Ave. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) classes Monday, 6 p.m. For information, pastoral counseling and religious accommodation of all faith traditions call 301-981-2111 or visit the chapel ofďŹ ce at 1345 W Perimeter Road.
Worship Guide
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Sunday Services Chapel 2, Traditional Service 9 a.m. Base Theater, Contemporary Service 10 a.m. Gospel Service 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Family Night at Base Theater Family meal 5 p.m.
An Independent Bible Centered Church • In the Baptist Tradition - Missionary minded Affiliated with IFCA International • Nursery Available All Services
Print & Online Media Packages for Colleges/ Schools/ Universities to Reach the Military Market in MD/VA/ Washington, D.C.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Andrews Gazette
11
12
Andrews Gazette
1033507B
1036139B
Friday, April 12, 2013