Vol. 25
No. 15
www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/
April 18, 2013
Wounded Warriors Participate in Adaptive Sports Clinic Photo by Sarah Marshall
Wounded warriors toss the ball, working on their technique and learning adaptive lacrosse, during a Lacrosse Clinic April 11 at Walter Reed Bethesda. The clinic was hosted by the Military Adaptive Sports Program, which provides various recreational sports and activities year-round for wounded, ill and injured service members at Walter Reed Bethesda. See page 5 for full story.
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Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Journal
Bethesda Notebook
Chaplain’s Corner
Safe. When I initially started to think of the importance of this word, I thought of baseball. Safe on base means you have arrived and play ceases. It is OK to take a rest. Regardless of how well or poorly the ball was hit, once you are safe, you are safe. You can take a deep breath, exhale slowly, shake it out and relax for a moment. I believe chaplains, just like baseball officials, have the power to declare a person safe safe to sit a spell and tell a story. During the Easter season, one of the traditional Christian parables shared is the woman at the well. As the account goes, Jesus met a woman collecting water in the heat of the day. Carrying water is heavy work. Most women did this in the early morning or late evening. This woman was there in the middle of the day because her lifestyle (she had been married five times) did not allow her to feel safe in the company of the other women of the village. She was prepared to be ridiculed by Jesus, but instead he asked her to help him get a drink of water. Jesus was able to create a safe place for this woman to tell her story. She was so excited by this novel concept that she went and told all of her friends, “Come see this prophet who knows everything about me,” ... and is still safe, accepting and understanding. Now, when I think of safe, I sometimes picture warriors meeting their objective: the enemy defeated and all team members accounted for and safe. Later, under the watchful oversight of armed comrades, these warriors usually sleep very well. How does a true combat veteran duplicate that feeling when thousands of miles and a lifetime separated from the field of combat? It is especially difficult if we have left comrades, or our own health and wholeness on the field of battle. Will we ever feel safe again?
Published by offset every Thursday by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of The Journal are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Comprint, Inc., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without re-
Café 8901 Express Opens
Can we ever sleep well? Is there any rest for the warrior? Why can’t we rest? War for some can be “addictive.” There is an adrenaline rush generated in combat that cannot be duplicated. Some of our young warriors may get involved in risky behavior in an attempt to duplicate this rush. Fast company, cars and motorcycles generate adrenaline, but some can never recreate the experience of combat. You just can’t go fast enough - but some of us are willing to self destruct trying. Addiction to the rush is not the only problem that warriors face. War leaves wounds, visible and invisible. Wounds cause pain. Pain can separate us from our loved ones. Pain can rob us of our sleep, our peace and our safety. Every wound, every pain, every rush addiction comes with a story. The problem is, like the woman at the well, the stories are sometimes difficult, even ugly. We do not want to tell them to our spouses, our children, our parents. We are fearful they will deepen the divide between us and our community. Why should we be concerned with these stories? Who do we tell them? Through the telling of these stories, we process past experiences. We communicate values and conflicts that arise from these experiences. Sometimes we change a value or a perception of the experience in a way that helps us to better accept what has happened. Perhaps, if we discover a safe place to tell these stories, we can feel safe having lived them. Your chaplain, priest, or clergy person is a safe place to tell the story. Life is a story. We all need a safe place to tell it. Robert Powers Chaplain (Colonel), United States Army Department Chief, Pastoral Care Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
gard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Md. News copy should be submitted to the Public Affairs Office, Building 11, lower level, Room 41, by noon one week preceding the desired publication date. News items are welcomed from all installation sources. Inquiries about news copy will be answered by calling 301- 295-1803. Commercial advertising should be placed with the publisher by telephoning 301-921-2800. Publisher’s advertising offices are located at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877. Classified ads can be placed by calling 301-670-1700.
Café 8901 Express is now open in Building 9 beneath the twin escalators near the outpatient pharmacy. The facility serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open with late night meal service from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Café 8901 in front of the Tower (Building 1) is open for breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Cash and credit cards are accepted. For more information, contact Maj. Ronna Trent at 301-295-6568 or ronna.l.trent.mil@health.mil.
Research and Innovation Week
Research and Innovation Week is underway at Walter Reed Bethesda. Today, there’s a poster exhibit and competition from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Building 9 (near The Wedge); tomorrow, there will be a symposium from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Clark Auditorium (Building 10); and Monday, a collaborate and connect summit will be from 8 a.m. to noon in Clark Auditorium. All events are open to everyone. For more information, call Deb Murphy at 301-295-8231, or email Deborah.a.murphy.ctr@health.mil.
Chapel Community Luncheon
There will be a Chapel Community Luncheon Sunday at 11 a.m. in the America Building Conference Rooms on the second floor. All the Chapel communities, including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islam and Hindu, are invited to attend. For more information, contact Chaplain (Capt.) Sergio I. Daza at 301-295-1433 or at sergio.daza@med.navy.mil.
Volunteer Opportunities for Earth Week
Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) will be observing environmental events from April 2226 during Earth Week. Staff members are encouraged to clean out their desks and place unwanted papers in recycling bins to participate in “Clean Out Your Files Week.” There will be a box to turn in used toner cartridges in the cage area in Building 9. A Base Cleanup event is scheduled to meet Tuesday at the Building 10 flagpole (outside the Walter Reed Bethesda Quarterdeck) at 10 a.m. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Montgomery County and Environmental Education Booths will be on display in Building 9’s Main Street and Building 62 Wounded Warrior Outpatient Lodging from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Make a difference by participating in any of these events! For more information, call NSAB Environmental Programs Division at 301-295-3289 or email daniel.p.gruen.ctr@health.mil.
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda Commanding Officer: Capt. Frederick (Fritz) Kass Public Affairs Officer NSAB: Joseph Macri Public Affairs Office NSAB: 301-295-1803
Journal Staff Staff Writers MC2 John Hamilton MASN April Beazer Sarah Marshall Sharon Renee Taylor Cat DeBinder David A. Dickinson Jeremy Johnson MCSN Brandon Williams-Church Managing Editor MC2 Nathan Parde NSAB Editor MC2 John Hamilton WRNMMC Editor Bernard Little Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Office of Media Relations 301-295-5727
Fleet And Family Support Center WRNMMC Ombudsman Julie Bondar NSAB Ombudsman Jojo Lim Hector
301-319-4087 443-854-5167 703-901-6730
Visit us on Facebook:
Naval Support Activity Bethesda page: https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesda Walter Reed National Medical Center page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-ReedNational-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-HealthSciences/96338890888?fref=ts
The Journal
Thursday, April 18, 2013
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Navy’s ‘Keep What You’ve Earned’ Campaign Promotes Responsible Drinking By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Parde NSAB Public Affairs staff writer The Navy introduced a new campaign this month called “Keep What You’ve Earned” in honor of National Alcohol Awareness Month. Dorice Favorite, director of the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) program, said Sailors face many causes of stress during their military service and may turn to alcohol to deal with that stress. “From boot camp, to advancement exams, job training and deployments, the ‘Keep What You’ve Earned’ campaign recognizes these challenges and encourages Sailors to drink responsibly to maintain their successful careers,” said Favorite. Another effort to increase alcohol awareness, the Navy’s “Right
Spirit” campaign was started in 1996 to improve the quality of life for Sailors and their families and ensure a safe and productive work environment. It introduced an alcohol abuse prevention program, the ‘0-0-1-3 Program,’ to discourage binge drinking and promote responsible alcohol use. The “Keep What You Have Earned” campaign is an extension of that program. 0-0-1-3 stands for: 0 underage drinking offenses, 0 drinking and driving incidents (DUI’s), 1 drink per hour, and 3 drinks per evening, said MasterAt-Arms 1st Class Christopher Varga, Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s (NSAB) drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA). “Drink only what you can handle,” said Varga. “That’s part of being responsible. If you know that only one or two drinks affect you more, you may need to stick to that. Allow time in between drinks, and don’t
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie Matyascik
Charlie Ross, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program counselor, and Jennifer Dolehite, U.S. Fleet Forces Alcohol and Drug Control Officer, demonstrate how to use the alcohol detection device during a Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor/Urinalysis Program Coordinator forum at Naval Station Norfolk. binge drink.” To ensure that people come into work ready to work and do so safely, the Navy and NSAB are currently introducing alcohol detection devices to the fleet, said Varga. “Basically, this device is to deter people from alcohol abuse,” he said. “It is a compact device that comes with a mouthpiece. The Sailor
device, which is expected to be introduced on the installation starting April 18, said Varga. “It will be randomly administered, similar to the current urinalysis program,” he added. “The details of the program were left open for command interpretation and are still being
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will blow into the device utilizing the mouthpiece and the device will detect if the person has an amount of alcohol in their system, but not necessarily the blood alcohol content.” Standard operating procedures have already been established and distributed with the
worked out.” For any service member who has an alcohol dependency, there are many resources available to them. “There are numerous places that offer help,” said Varga. “You can talk with the chaplain, or your medical physician. One of the greatest tools and assets that you have is the command DAPA. Walter Reed National Medical Center also has a command DAPA, as well as the tenant commands and USU (The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences). Any one of these people can be a great help and get you pointed in the right direction. It’s better to go that route than to have an incident happen and be forced to go.” For information on the “Keep What You’ve Earned” campaign and the alcohol detection devices, visit the NADAP website at www.nadap. navy.mil.
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The Journal
Leaders Urge Staff to Seek Support During Stressful Times
WRNMMC Town Hall Focuses on Resiliency/Suicide Awareness By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer Senior leadership at Walter Reed Bethesda reached out to staff during town hall meetings on April 9, informing employees of resources available to assist them during times of stress and crisis. Additional town halls are scheduled for today at 7:30 p.m., and Tuesday at noon and 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. With potential civilian furloughs looming, the recent integration, and parking challenges, Walter Reed Bethesda leaders encouraged staff to seek safe and effective ways to handle situations that can cause anxiety. “We’re all in this together … taking care of patients and taking care of each other,” said Rear Adm. (Dr.) Alton L. Stocks, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
(WRNMMC) commander. “We’ve been given a really big job,” he added, explaining the integration of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center to form WRNMMC, the nation’s largest military medical center. “We’re all here now, and that change in itself and what we’ve been asked to do, is massive and has been done very well, but we would be foolish not to recognize the stress, even with the successes, that [this] places on us.” The admiral encouraged staff to seek healthy outlets for their stress, and solicited ideas for coping with stress management. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Scott Moran, an Photo by Bernard S. Little Army psychiatrist and assistant Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Brett Schneider, head of behavioral health at deputy commander for behavioral Walter Reed Bethesda, discusses strategies for resiliency and suicide health at WRNMMC said despite prevention while his words are translated into sign language, includthe frustrations people may be ex-
See STRESS page 10
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The Journal
Thursday, April 18, 2013
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Adaptive Sports Boost Wounded Warriors’ Confidence By Sarah Marshall WRNMMC Journal staff writer
Several Walter Reed Bethesda wounded warriors suited up with pads, helmets and gloves, as they learned the ins and outs of adaptive lacrosse during a clinic April 11. The newly established adaptive lacrosse clinic, is one of many adaptive sports clinics recently organized by the Military Adaptive Sports Program (MASP) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). Engaging wounded, ill and injured service members, MASP offers various recreational activities year-round to help improve physical and mental quality of life, explained Amanda Kelly, Adaptive Sports Site Coordinator. “Mentally and emo-
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tionally, service members benefit from the camaraderie and support of a team environment and participation allows them to focus on contributing to a team’s success,” Kelly said. Under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, MASP is geared toward service members who are farther along in their treatment, and/or in transition out of treatment, she explained. MASP is open to all wounded, ill and injured service members who have been medically cleared to participate, as well as their family members. MASP offers various adaptive sports clinics, such as rowing, cycling, running and swimming, in addition to training service members for triathlons and the annual Warrior Games. Kelly noted the benefits of adaptive sports,
Photos by Sarah Marshall
Wounded warriors gather around Ryan Baker, founder of an adaptive wheelchair lacrosse organization, as he demonstrates the adaptive sport during a Lacrosse Clinic April 11 at Walter Reed Bethesda. such as lower blood pressure, weight management and enhancing the rehabilitative process. The recreational activities can also mitigate negative behaviors, she said, such as poor dietary habits, drinking alcohol in excess or abusing drugs. “Participation in ath-
letic reconditioning activities can help curtail these potential pitfalls,” Kelly said. Retired Navy gunners mate Paul Hurley, who participated in a recent MASP indoor rowing clinic, said the adaptive sports program provides opportunities to participate in
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cardiovascular activities while having fun. During the rowing clinic, on April 3, several indoor rowing machines lined the inside of Building 226, located in the north east corner of the base near the Blood Bank. As energizing music played in the background, attendees were taught the proper techniques of rowing. Volunteers with years of rowing experience assisted the group, including Esther Lofgren, who won gold in rowing at the 2012 Olympic Games. Indoor rowing is a first for Hurley, though the former petty officer said he enjoyed the total body workout. Hurley retired from the Navy in 2009 after he was injured on a mobile security mission in Bahrain. A hitand-run accident left him in a coma for nine days, and without his
right leg. Up until his injury, he was training for a 50-mile race, and enjoyed swimming long distances. “I was missing that. I was looking for some sort of cardio, something that gave me that same enjoyment,” Hurley said. Adaptive sports are filling that gap for him, while aiding in his recovery, he added. “It’s a good stress reliever, and it just helps you find your bearings. I always feel a lot better after working out. Plus, the people who go are all generally good people. They’re really fun to hang out with,” he said. “It makes you feel better about yourself.” Army Sgt. Sean Karpf expressed similar sentiments. He was among the many wounded warriors at
See SPORTS page 9
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The Journal
Laboratory Professionals Get Results Lab staff members perform manual differential. The blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white cells in the blood, and also reveals if there are any abnormal or immature cells.
By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer Medical Laboratory Professionals Week begins Monday, and this year’s theme is “Laboratory Professionals Get Results.” At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), the Nation’s Medical Center, those results include more than 3,000,000 reportable tests performed by lab professionals annually, according to Navy Capt. Larry R. Ciolorito, laboratory manager. Navy Lt. Ephraim Escobar, laboratory officer, credits the behindthe-scenes work of the more than 350-member laboratory and pathology staff with getting those results and helping WRNMMC continue to be recognized as one of the top medical centers in the world for patient care, research and education. The staff includes nearly 200 civilians, more than 50 officers and roughly 120 enlisted members of the Army and Navy. The labs have “stellar performers,” according to Escobar, and Medical Laboratory Professionals Week “recognizes [them] and celebrates [their] hard work and dedication.” Some of the work laboratory professionals at WRNMMC perform includes complete blood count, urinalysis, coagulation, cultures, flow cytometry (identifying leukemia/lymphoma cells), semen analysis, chemistry, serology, blood bank, transfusion services, and more. WRNMMC lab professionals, such as Spc. Rachel A. Neitzke, Lee Evans, Ethny Obas, Nakita Glorioso and Tracey Johnson agree the most rewarding aspect of their jobs is knowing what they do can help save lives. Johnson, as a health technician in Client
Hospitalman Recruit Nicholas Ramos draws Photos by Bernard S. Little blood specimens for the lab at Walter Reed Ethny Obas performs blood chemistry testBethesda. ing, measuring the level of substances in the Services, is responsible receiving samples from blood (such as electrolytes). It serves as an for receiving, organiz- over 40 outlying clinics aid to the physician about the general health ing and maintaining and shipping samples condition of the patients, help look for cerand processing of clini- to over 10 reference tain problems, and finds out whether treatcal specimens for mul- laboratories. She’s an ment for a specific problem is working. tiple labs. “She is the ‘face of the lab,’” Escobar said. “She takes part in many roles, from drawing patient blood,
integral part of the laboratory that has a fast pace environment.” Johnson explained team work, planning,
consistency and efficiency are necessary to providing quality patient care, and those
qualities are found in the lab staff. “They are excellent team players who possess friendly
and pleasant attitudes,” she said. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Justin Harris, a certified medical laboratory technician, explained that being able to treat wounded warriors and their families motivates him daily. “After being deployed to Afghanistan and working in a combat hospital, I was able to see the fruits of my labor. I left my deployment with a new prospective on life.” Medical Laboratory Professionals Week originated in 1975 as National Medical Laboratory Week under the auspices of the American Society for Medical Technology, now called the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. In the fall of 2005, National Medical Laboratory Week was changed to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week to emphasize the person whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United States, according to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, ASCLS officials say the clinical laboratory professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease and has become a key member of the health care team.
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MWR Bethesda Begins Spring Sports Season By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton NSAB Public Affairs staff writer
Courtesy photo
Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s (NSAB) Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is pulling out all the stops this year to offer a spring sports program complete with: a slow pitch softball league, racquetball tournament, kick ball, badmitting, indoor soccer, walleyball tournament and a dodge ball tournament designed for everyone attached to the installation. “The purpose of the NSAB MWR Recreation Division Sports Programs is to promote camaraderie throughout the military mem-
bers, civilians, family members and retirees assigned to or attached to NSAB,” said Dwight Jackson, intramural sports coordinator at NSAB MWR. Personnel interested in the spring sports programs, can use it as an opportunity to relieve a bit of stress from their hectic work week. “One of the benefits of participating, in not just the Spring Sports Program but all of our programs in general, is to allow our members to release all of the worries of jobs, family, or just life in general for a few moments,” said Jackson. “Our programs, although fun, are competitive and well-designed with them in mind. Our programs are just like the lotto ‘you have to play to win.’” Slow pitch softball
begins the season with sign ups that started March 31 to continue until May 10. Softball is slated to begin May 16. All games are played Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m. The field of play will be Forrest Glen Annex. Signing up to be on a team for the spring sports season is easy. All you have to do is contact the MWR sports office and one of the coordinators will point you in the right direction. “Any unit assigned to or attached to NSAB or Walter Reed National Military Medical Center can contact the sports office via phone or email for all the ins and outs of putting a team in our leagues. Any individual can also contact us and we will place them on
a team for our league play,” said Jackson. “When you notify your sports team: Tim Davis, sports manager; Brenda Hardaway, varsity sport coordinator or Jack Jackson, intramural sports coordinator, we give you the current LOI (letter of instructions) of the sport, when it starts, local rules, team limitations, etc. Basically, your sports are our business! Between the three of us you have over a total of 57 years of sports experience.” Travis Keefer, a team captain of one of the spring softball teams, said he loves the spring sports season. “What I like most is that we actually get to play,” said Keefer. “It’s a fun crowd and everyone seems to
See MWR page 10
Logo Wall Builds Bridge From Past to Future By David A. Dickinson WRNMMC Journal staff writer
Patients and staff hustle between clinics at Walter Reed Bethesda, going to and coming from appointments. Now, there’s a wall in the medical center offering a brief history of the facility. The Walter Reed Bethesda Logo Wall, located in Building 9’s west waiting area near the Gastroenterology Clinic, illustrates the evolution of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), from its two historic predecessors, the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and former National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). The symbols used on the logo represent war, peace and medicine. Those logos, three each from WRAMC and NNMC, can be
found on the logo wall at WRNMMC, and were used as starting points for planners in designing the new WRNMMC logo, which bears a purple cross and the edifice of the U.S. Capitol building. The new WRNMMC logo has the prominent place on the wall, in the center of the historical logos from WRAMC and NNMC. “The idea for the wall came from the history committee,” said Dawn Marvin, the department chief of Strategic Communications “We wanted to capture the uniting of two worldclass medical centers into one,” she explained. Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Vernon Rhodes noticed the wall, a tribute to military medicine, while waiting on his wife during an appointment in the medical center. “I thought it was fascinating how there’s the Army on the one side and the Navy on the other to create the syn-
Photo by Bernard S. Little
The Walter Reed Bethesda Logo Wall, located in Building 9’s west waiting area near the Gastroenterology Clinic, illustrates the evolution of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, from its two historic predecessors, the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center and former National Naval Medical Center. ergies in the middle to become Walter Reed Bethesda,” Rhodes said. “The significance of that wall is that we saw ourselves capturing the history that started once the two facilities came together
fall of 2011,” Marvin added. She explained the Strategic Communications Department began formulating the design for the wall with a step back in time, researching old issues of NNMC’s newspa-
per, The Journal, and WRAMC’s newspaper, Stripe, to find the medical center’s logos. The symbols in the logos show mission similarities, as well as differences, Marvin explained. The Army
symbolism includes the helmet of Minerva (the Roman goddess of arts, trade and the art of war) along with the Army Medical Department colors of maroon and white. The Navy’s symbols include both the anchor and the mooring line to signify it’s seafaring history. “We started looking at the older logos from both medical centers and saw that the core of values was comparable,” said Marvin. “A shield is often used to symbolize protection of our nation by our armed forces,” Marvin said. She added staff, patients and their families can identify with the logo of the place where they worked, served or received care. She said the wall’s symbols and icons will stand as sign of pride and commitment to country, as well as the health of our nation’s uniformed force and their families.
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The Journal
Candidates Vie To Represent Civilians on Board of Deputies By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer Nine candidates vying to become the next civilian representative to the Walter Reed Bethesda Board of Deputy Commanders (BOD), introduced themselves and stated their agenda during a Meet the Candidates forum on April 10 in the Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium. The civilian representative to the BOD provides the civilian perspective to senior leadership represented at the board level, as well as coordinating the civilian of the quarter and the civilian of the year awards process. Most importantly, the civilian representative to the BOD ensures issues affecting civilians are brought before the board and addressed, according to Cat DeBinder, the current civilian representative to the BOD. Those contending for office include: Sara Berschet, Carolyn Craig, Sam Dimmerling,
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Dr. John Moore, David Oliver, Rose Marie Pola, Robert Robinson, Jr., David Rohrbaugh and John Wohlever. During the forum, the candidates stated their intent and provided a brief history of past work assignments they feel have prepared them for their candidacy. Candidates are currently campaigning for the office, with voting beginning tomorrow and continuing through May 2. The winner is scheduled to be announced May 9. Civilian staff members can vote online for the candidate they want to serve as the next civilian representative to the BOD at https://nnmcwebapps.capmed.mil/civrep/. “I hope [civilian employees] realize how important [they] are to the mission of this historical, state-of-theart institution,” DeBinder said. “[Civilians] are the continuity, corporate knowledge, and the only constant [entity] in this ever-changing environment.” She said the civilian representative to the BOD is
Photo by Bernard S. Little
The nine candidates vying to become the next civilian representative to the Walter Reed Bethesda Board of Deputy Commanders, introduce themselves and state their agenda during a “Meet the Candidates” forum on April 10 in the Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium. “an extremely important manders, and also the voice position. [The person] is the of the board to the civilians.” DeBinder said it’s been an voice of all the civilians to the Board of Deputy Com- honor to serve in the posi-
tion, and encouraged staff to support the next civilian representative to the BOD the same as they supported her.
The Journal
Thursday, April 18, 2013
SPORTS Continued from 5 the recent lacrosse clinic. “This is fun,” he said. “To get out here and do this, you use a lot of core [muscles]. I like to do the adaptive sports because each one of them has something else it works on [physically].” Karpf also regularly participates in adaptive sled hockey and is currently training for a triathlon. The sergeant, who lost his left leg in June 2012 after stepping on an improvised explosive device, said he encourages others to participate in the adaptive sports program because it has helped in his recovery, both physically and mentally. During the adaptive sports clinics, service members also have the opportunity to learn from experienced sports professionals, who often volunteer to
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Photo by Sarah Marshall
Wounded warriors, staff and volunteers participate in a recent indoor rowing clinic. help teach the service members. Professional lacrosse player Ray Megill, who plays for the Ohio Machine, as well as Brooks Singer, a lacrosse coach at Catholic University, in D.C., and Ryan Baker, founder of an adaptive wheelchair lacrosse organization, were among the volunteers leading the recent lacrosse clinic. Paralyzed from the waist down, Baker said it was a privilege to work with the wounded warriors - a first for him. He said, “It’s something else to be able to share [our
knowledge] with this group, considering everything they’ve been through, what they’ve done for our country, for us.” This month, several clinics will be held, including a cycling clinic April 23, a running clinic April 24, and a swimming clinic April 25. In May, MASP hopes to plan another lacrosse clinic, as well as a self defense clinic. For more information about the program, contact Amanda Kelly at amanda.k.kelly.ctr@ health.mil, or visit warriorcare.dodlive.mil.
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STRESS Continued from 4 periencing, staff members should feel good about what they do every day at the Nation’s Medical Center — saving lives daily, delivering world-class care to the nation’s heroes and their families, and supporting those missions. Army Spc. Corey Garmon, injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan in July 2012, personally thanked the Walter Reed Bethesda staff for the care he received here following his injury. In a video showed at the town halls, Garmon, who lost both of his legs and suffered other life-threatening injuries in the IED attack, said, “The care I got was incredible. I was priority [and] I felt like that. “[The staff] fought [for me]. It was pretty intense. They helped me
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with everyday things.” Garmon, who is now back to driving again, added, “I would like to thank the staff at Walter Reed Bethesda for helping me in every way, for getting me to where I am and where I’m going to go.” Helping to save and heal wounded warriors such as Garmon, is why staff members come to WRNMMC every day, added Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Brett Schneider, head of behavioral health at Walter Reed Bethesda. He also said mounting frustrations, either on the job or at home, without the proper means for release, can pose danger. “The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has acknowledged suicide as one of the leading public health crisis in America,” Schneider said, adding there are 38,000 suicides a year, and a half million visits to U.S. hospital emergency departments for self-inflicted
The Journal injuries. Schneider explained the CDC’s strategy to tackle suicide involves “connectedness,” which supports healthy interpersonal relationships and encourages communities to care about their members. On the job, Schneider said this means staff members knowing each other, managers knowing their employees, and caring for one another. Chaplain (Col.) Robert Powers, WRNMMC command chaplain, agreed community, as well as faith, art, nature and meaningful work, are important in handling stress. “I see miracles in this place every day,” Powers said of WRNMMC. “We do meaningful work,” and every staff member contributes to that work, said the chaplain. “You’re a part of the team that has the power to change lives.” Powers said there’s also a “robust” team of chaplains at
WRNMMC for people to tell their stories, share their frustrations, and confide in 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can be reached at 301-2951510 during the normal duty day, and after hours or on weekends and holidays, through the Command Duty Officer desk at 301-2954611 (option 3). “It’s a sign of strength to ask for help,” Powers said. Col. Ramona Fiorey, WRNMMC chief of staff, went on to remind staff what they do matters. “The leadership cares about you,” she added. “There’s no way we can accomplish our mission without all of us.” Showing support for staff, a burn-out prevention presentation is scheduled for April 24 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Heroes Zone of Building 5, third floor, in rooms 3007/3008. Seating is limited to 30 people on a firstcome-first-serve basis. WRNMMC’s Resiliency
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Service is presenting the program, and those unable to attend can request a group presentation by contacting Michael C. Marquette at michael.c.marquette @health.mil or fallon. m.mitchell.mil@ health.mil, or calling 301-400-1972 or 301400-1965. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available for staff, offering confidential problem identification/assessment services for civilian employees and their families. For more information about EAP, contact Amanda Maher at 301-400-0077 or amanda.l.maher.ctr@ health.mil. Town hall attendees were also provided information about the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Pressing 1 from the number will connect the caller with the Military Crisis Line.
MWR Continued from 7 have a great time. “A lot of facilities don’t have such programs or they’ve been tossed aside in favor of budget cuts or lack of interest, he added. “Luckily we still have ours here and it’s not only enjoyed, it’s also integral in building morale and working on that cohesive foundation in the workplace. Our team originates in the Ophthalmology Clinic, but we’ve got players from all over the hospital [including] doctors, residents, corpsmen, technicians, IT people, etc. Basically, if you want to play you’re welcome to come out! Plus it’s great exercise. For more information or for how to sign up for the spring sports season, contact the MWR sports office at 301-2950031.
The Journal
Thursday, April 18, 2013
11
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Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Journal
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