THE EXAMINER

Volume 23, No. 1 January 2015C

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Did you know?...

Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

“Serving with Pride and Professionalism since 1993”

You have the right toexpress your concernsabout patient safety and

quality of care.There are several avenues opento you:* Through the ICE website.* The Hospital CustomerRelations Officer at 760-830-2475, or any of the CustomerRelations representatives in theHospital clinics, or directly tothe Joint Commission via: E-mail at complaint@jointcommission.orgFax: 630-792-5636

The Joint CommissionOak Renaissance BoulevardOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

To report Fraud, Waste andAbuse contact one of thebelow offices by calling:

Naval Hospital: 760-830-2344Combat Center: 760-830-7749NavMedWest: 1-877-479-3832Medical IG: 1-800-637-6175DoD IG: 1-800-424-9098

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhtp/pages/default.aspx

An Award Winning Publication

Patients seen in November -- 8,068Appointment No Shows in November -- 804In November we had an 9.1 percent no show rate. We need to keep trendingdownward by keeping the appointments we make, or by canceling in enoughtime for someone else to use the slot...To help patients obtain appointments, the Naval Hospital now shows thenumber of open appointment slots each day on the hospital Facebook site,check it out. On Facebook, search: Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms.

To make an appointment call -- 760-830-2752To cancel an appointment call -- 760-830-2369

New Year’s Eve Baby!

Chiara and Hospitalman Kiori Edwards welcome baby KyliMichelle into the world. Kyli was born on NHTP’s Maternal Infantand Nursing Ward at 8:42 p.m. on Dec. 31 and weighed in at sevenpounds, 15 ounces. Both mother and baby are doing well. Chiaraand Kiori, both from Columbia, S.C., have one other child, three-year-old, Kiori. HN Edwards, assigned to NHTP’s EmergencyMedicine Department, has been here since 2011.

Senior Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare) Carl N. White is pipedashore at his retirement ceremony Dec. 22. HMSC White was cele-brated for his mentoring and leadership, and for his 25 years offaithful and devoted service. Fair winds and following seas, SeniorChief!

The Joint Commission, an inde-pendent not-for-profit organiza-tion, will visit NHTP Jan. 12-16, for its certification process.The Joint Commission accredits

and certifies more than 20,500health care organizations andprograms in the United States.The Joint Commission address-es all complaints that pertain topatient safety or quality of care

issues within the scope of JointCommission standards.Complaints may be forwardedby the Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services or other fed-eral or state agencies havingoversight responsibilities forhealthcare organizations, or maybe received directly from con-sumers, payers, or healthcareprofessionals. As used here, theterm “complaint” includespotentially relevant reports thatare received from federal orstate agencies, identified in themedia, or otherwise obtained byThe Joint Commission. It is thepolicy of The Joint Commissionthat it will only disclose patientidentifiable information ifauthorized by the patient, asconsistent with its businessassociate obligations, or other-

wise authorized by law. TheJoint Commission has a toll-freehotline to provide patients, theirfamilies, caregivers, and otherswith an opportunity to shareconcerns regarding quality ofcare issues at accredited healthcare organizations. The toll-freenumber is 1-(800) 994-6610 andis available 24 hours a day,seven days a week. Staff mem-bers are available to answercalls only on weekdays between8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (centraltime).

Concerns may also be broughtto the attention of the MedicalInspector General hotline at 1-(800) 637-6175 (DSN: 295-9019), or via email:NavyMEDIGHotline@med.navy.mil

Joint Commission and Navy Medical Inspector General to Visit NHTP Jan. 12-16

2 -- The Examiner -- January -- 2015

Published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the UnitedStates Marine Corps, United States Navy or Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms under exclusive written contract withthe Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command. The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the United States MarineCorps, the United States Navy or Hi-Desert Publishing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the pur-chaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, thepublisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is pre-pared by the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Commanding OfficerCapt. Jay C. Sourbeer, MC, USN

Executive OfficerCapt. Angela S. Nimmo, NC, USN

Command Master Chief HMCM (FMF/AW/SW) Carol Merricks, USN

Public Affairs Officer/EditorDave Marks

Command OmbudsmanBright Opoku (760) 910-2050 email: nhtpombudsman@yahoo.com

The Examiner welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning the publication. Deadline for submission of arti-cles is the 15th of each month for the following month’s edition. Any format is welcome, however, the preferredmethod of submission is by e-mail or by computer disk.

How to reach us...Commanding Officer Naval HospitalPublic Affairs OfficeBox 788250 MAGTFTCTwentynine Palms, CA 92278-8250Com: (760) 830-2362DSN: 230-2362E-mail: david.marks@med.navy.milHi-Desert Publishing Company56445 Twentynine Palms HighwayYucca Valley, CA 92284Com: (760) 365-3315FAX: (760) 365-8686

Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Team Embraces New Technology and Expands Membership

Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms' Sexual Assault ForensicExamination (SAFE) Teamrecently celebrated their first-year anniversary, welcoming innew members and biddingfarewell to colleagues who arePCSing. The Sexual AssaultForensic Examiners are medicalproviders of varied disciplinesand specialties who are trainedin the comprehensive medicalcare and forensic evidencepreservation and collection foradult victims and perpetrators ofsexual assault. The all-volun-teer team has provided aroundthe clock coverage since Sept.30, 2013. Our team has grownfrom the 11 original plank own-ers to a total of 27 examinersand assistants throughout NavalHospital Twentynine Palms,Branch Clinic China Lake andBranch Clinic Bridgeport. Collection of forensic evidenceis time sensitive; however, itneeds to be leveraged against

acute medical needs, safety con-cerns and the extreme sensitivi-ty of the situation. Therefore,

the SAFE's work in conjunctionwith the Emergency MedicineDepartment, law enforcement,and victim advocates to compre-

hensively provide patient-cen-tered care. Additionally, indi-viduals who have been sexually

assaulted are strongly discour-aged from performing anyhygiene, eating, drinking or uri-nating if at all possible prior to

evaluation as this may result inloss of evidence.This fiscal year alone, we have

added new technology and newpersonnel . We formalized therole of the SAFE assistant andrecently trained seven enlistedstaff on their integral role in the

evidentiary exam process. Thismotivated group of individualshas proactively expressed aninterest in carrying out their partin the sexual assault care contin-uum and we are proud toinclude them in the team. Weare also pleased to pilot theincorporation of telemedicineinto our practice through ourpartnership with the NationalTeleNursing Center of theMassachusetts Department ofPublic Health. This group ofSexual Assault Nurse Examiners(SANE) is also on call aroundthe clock and provides specialtyconsultation through audiovisualtechnology to enhance the carewe provide to victims of sexualassault. All methods of forensicexamination, to include thetelemedicine component, remainoptional to victims of sexualassault. It is our role to providevictims with accurate informa-tion so that they may makewell-informed decisions in theimmediate aftermath of a sexualassault.

NHTP SAFE Team enjoys holiday celebration welcoming new members and offering “fair winds andfollowing seas” to those PCSing.

By Cmdr. Michelle French,SAFE Program Manager

Hospitalman Dillion Ohair (center) is welcomed back on Dec. 3,after spending a six-month deployment with the 31st MarineExpeditionary Unit (MEU). HN Ohair, from Orange County, Calif.,is a general-duty Corpsman in the NHTP Emergency Department.The 31st MEU provides a forward deployed flexible sea-basedMarine Air Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibiousoperations, crisis response and limited contingency operations in theAsia-Pacific area.

Lt. Kenton Tarver (center) is celebrated by the Public HealthDirectorate Dec. 4 upon his departure from the Navy. Lt. Tarver hasbeen in the Navy three years. He is putting his PhD. in audiology onhold to become a commodities trader in Atlanta.

The Examiner January 2015 - 3

2X3Smith’s Family

Properties

Preventive Medicine CornerSubmit Questions/Concerns and Tanya Will Provide Answers

Tanya StuckeyDear Tanya,

My husband died a few yearsago just around Christmas time.I can't help myself and get terri-bly depressed at this time ofyear. It's not fair to my children.I'm tempted to send them totheir grandma's house for mostof December. On the otherhand, I dread being alone. Isthis feeling ever going to passor am I stuck in a cycle of holi-day depression? It also doesn't

help that everyone else seems sohappy and delighted with thecoming of the holidays and allof the family get-togethers andtraditions. Is there any helpavailable to me? I still have mil-itary benefits.

Signed,

Not happy with the Holidays

Dear Not Happy,

I am sorry about your loss andhope that I can give a fewoptions to make the holidaysmore bearable. It is not uncom-mon for the anniversary date ofa loved one's death to bringabout feelings of sadness andeven despair; loss often resultsin self-isolation and diminishedinterest in things that were onceenjoyable. Celebrate memoriesby sharing activities your lovedone enjoyed. If you find this isjust too painful and the memo-ries bring about more anxiety,try creating new traditions withfamily and friends. Reach out tothose who are important to you

instead of withdrawing. Sur-rounding yourself with the peo-ple you enjoy, engaging in posi-tive, social activity (no matterhow small) and practicing self-care are ways to minimizesymptoms of depressionthrough the holidays.

If you still have children athome, focus your attention onthem and show them that al-though it is painful, it is possi-ble to survive and even moveon, to find joy in family, friendsand life. I know it soundscliche; however, time allows usto heal and turn the pain of lossinto beautiful remembrances.

It is ok to seek help in dealingwith grief. NHTP BehavioralHealth Consultant (Blue/GoldTeam PCM), NHTP MentalHealth, Chaplains and MCCSCounseling Services are avail-able for support. Grief supportgroups are also accessiblethrough TriCare civilian com-munity resources. Please contactone of these resources, now.

The NHTP Walking Club steps out for better health, camaraderie, and good times. The club meetsTuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. in the Emergency Dept. parking lot and welcomes new ambulators.

Making New Year’s Resolutions We Can Keep

Here are some tips on how tomaintain your motivation andmake your New Year’s resolu-tion a life-long change:

Baby StepsWe all would love to have mag-ical results overnight, but we

It’s a new year and many of usfind ourselves motivated tomake a fresh start. That’s great!

also know that is not reasonable.So why do we set ourselves upfor failure by making our goalstoo big? Start with small,achievable goals. Each victorywill build confidence and inspi-ration to move forward in posi-tive change.

Do your Research

Support systems are great!Workout partners or accounta-bility buddies are a great way toface difficult changes such asincreasing activity, eatinghealthier, and cutting out thebad habits in our lives. Just besure you realize that everyone isdifferent. Even with the sameend goal, we are not all thesame. Health factors, medica-tions, injuries, family life-- weall have our own unique exis-tence that requires us to formu-late healthy lifestyle changesthat suit our needs.

Count the Right Numbers

I’m not talking about the scale,tape measure or clothing size;look at your blood pressure,cholesterol, and blood sugar lev-els. Monitor your mood, energylevels and overall health for

optimal results! These are thenumbers that matter! Thesenumbers will bring you closer tothe other figures you may havebeen chasing. Increasing activi-ty, making healthy food choicesand following your medicalprovider’s guidelines will haveyou looking and feeling great!

Get Moving!

Incorporating small changesinto your daily routine can makea big difference. Take the stairswhile navigating your way toand from appointments or workareas in the hospital. It is fasterand better for your health! Parka little farther away from thestore entrance when holidayshopping. This is a great way toavoid cramped parking areasand cart damage. Join in ongroup exercise. Having otherswith a similar goal, the supportand accountability friends/co-workers/neighbors can offerboosts motivation! If you arelooking for a place to begin,check out the fitness programsat MCCS Semper Fit or feelfree to join the NHTP WalkingGroup on Tuesdays andThursdays @ 1100. For moreinformation about the NHTPwalking group, call Tanya 830-2173.

By Tanya Stuckey

Continued above, Baby Steps

Baby Steps, continuedfrom below

Our commitment to you:NHTP personnel are scrupulous in providing a safe environmentfor active military, beneficiaries, family members, and visitors. Oneaspect of providing high quality care is providing an infection-freeenvironment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) estimates 722,000 patients are infected each year from aninfection acquired in a healthcare setting. Practicing good handhygiene helps to decrease this number. Medical providers practicehand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water or by usingalcohol-based hand rub. Hand hygiene is performed before patientcontact, after contact with any soiled material, before invasive pro-cedures, and after removing gloves. Patients can help by remindinghealthcare providers to perform hand hygiene. For more informa-tion, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwebsite at CDC.gov. --Teresa Turbyfill, Infection Preventionist

4 -- The Examiner -- January 2015

Super Stars...

Petty Officer 1st Class (FleetMarine Force) Danell Dumasis awarded the Navy andMarine Corps AchievementMedal (Gold star in lieu ofthird award) “for professionalachievement in the superiorperformance of her dutieswhile serving as Leading PettyOfficer, Staff Education andTraining Department, NHTP,from Oct. 2013 to Sept. 2014which culminated in her selec-tion as Senior Sailor of theYear for Fiscal Year 2014. PettyOfficer Dumas’ personal initia-tive, perseverance andunswerving devotion to dutyreflect great credit upon herselfand are in keeping with thehighest traditions of the UnitedStates Naval Service.”

Ms. Cheryl Frazer is recog-nized for her selection asContractor of the Quarter,Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms, for the period from July1 to Sept. 30, 2014. “Yourexemplary professionalism andoutstanding performance ofduty reflect great credit uponyourself and are in keepingwith the highest tradition of theUnited States Naval Service. Icommend you for a job ‘WellDone’ and wish you continuedsuccess in your future endeav-ors.” -- Capt. Sourbeer

Culinary Specialist SecondClass Jeffrey Eng is recognizedfor his “outstanding perform-ance as a volunteer with theDiversity Committee, NavalHospital, Marine Corps AirGround Combat Center,Twentynine Palms, Californiaon Oct. 9, 2014. Your willing-ness to share your valuabletime, expertise and experiencecontributed to the overall suc-cess of this year’s HispanicHeritage festivity. I commendyou for a job ‘Well Done’ andwish you continued success inyour future endeavors.” Signed,J. C. Sourbeer, Captain, Medical Corps,United States NavyNote: CS2 Eng received thisreward on behalf of the follow-ing personnel:-MA1 Adams-CS2 Decastro-HM2 Blas-HM2 Diaz-HM2 Sanchez-HM3 Dyer-HN Bickford-HN Catelo-HN Ortiz-HN Roxas-HN Ortiz-Pastor Albert Perez-Mrs. Sabrina Kyle

CS2 Eng also received anaward for his time and serviceto the 2014 Red Ribbon WeekCampaign. CS2 Eng receivedthis reward on behalf of thefollowing personnel:-LT Cao-CSC Ramirez-HM1 Macknight-HM1 Soza-HM1 Cervantes-HM1 Teofilo-HM3 Lo-CSSN Lostal

HM3 Tyler K. Boyd HM3 John Paul Astfalk HM3 Philip G. Price

HM3 Justin A. Harrison HM3 Dennis V. Roxas HM3 Jacob P. Schmidt

HM3 Scott R Schumaker HM3 Glenn J. Shortt IT3 Sydney L. Zmich

From: Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Twentynine PalmsTo: HN JohnPaul L. Astfalk, HN Tyler K. Boyd, HN Justin A.Harrison, CSSN Isaiah N. Jackson, HN Philip G. Price, HNDennis V. Roxas, HN Jacob P. Schmidt, HN Scott R. Schumaker,HN Glenn J. Shortt, and ITSN Sydney L. Zmich

Subj: AUTHORITY TO ASSUME THE TITLE AND WEAR THEUNIFORM OF PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS

Ref: (a) MILPERSMAN 1420-060

Under reference (a), you are hereby authorized to assume the titleand wear the uniform of a Petty Officer Third Class effectiveimmediately. Your appointment carries with it the obligation thatyou exercise increased authority and willingly accept greaterresponsibility. Occupying now a position of greater authority, youmust strive with a renewed dedication toward the valued ideal ofservice with honor. Under reference (a), you will not be entitled topay and other monetary allowances of a Petty Officer Third Classuntil actually advanced to the pay grade for which you have beenselected. Signed,J. C. Sourbeer, Captain, Medical Corps, United States Navy

Congratulations!

Hospitalman Carlo M. Foles ispresented a Letter ofCommendation for outstandingperformance of duties whileserving as General DutyCorpsman, Maternal InfantNursing Department and AdultMedical Care Clinic, NHTP,from Dec. 2012 to Dec. 2014.As Shift Leader in theMaternal Infant NursingDepartment, he trained 13 staffCorpsman on rigorous depart-mental competencies resultingin the delivery of quality mater-nal-newborn care.Hospitalman Foles’ exceptionalprofessional ability and loyaldevotion to duty reflect greatcredit upon himself and are inkeeping with the highest tradi-tions of the United StatesNaval Service. Signed, Bruce L. Gillingham, Rear Admiral, Medical Corps,United States Navy

Hospitalman Joshua Holder ispresented a Certificate ofAppreciation for for outstand-ing customer service in theNHTP Emergency Department.

The Examiner -- January 2015 -- 5

Lt. Amanda M. Jack is award-ed a Navy and Marine CorpsCommendation Medal “formeritorious service while serv-ing as Division Officer,Obstetrics and GynecologyClinic, NHTP, from Sept. 2011to Dec. 2014. Lt. Jack institutednumerous performanceimprovement projects includingthe obstetric due date tracker,electronic essentris intake noteand patient satisfaction tracker.Lieutenant Jack’s distinctiveaccomplishments, unrelentingperseverance, and steadfastdevotion to duty reflect greatcredit upon herself and are inkeeping with the highest tradi-tions of the United States NavalService.”

Hospitalman Justin A.Yamamoto receives a Letter ofCommendation “for outstand-ing performance of dutieswhile serving as General DutyCorpsman, Maternal InfantNursing Department, FamilyPractice Blue Team, andPediatrics Clinics, NHTP, fromDec. 2012 to Dec. 2014. Heassisted 3,470 patients success-fully supporting military andfamily readiness in three differ-ent departments. HospitalmanYamamoto’s exceptional profes-sional ability and loyal devo-tion to duty reflect great creditupon himself and are in keep-ing with the highest traditionsof the United States NavalService.” Signed,Bruce L. Gillingham, Rear Admiral, Medical Corps, United States Navy.

CS2 Stephen C. Fuqua CS2 Donald N. Fryer

CS2 Dominique D. DemeritteHM2 Martel J. Thomas

Congratulations!From: Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Twentynine PalmsTo: HM3 Martel J. Thomas, CS3 Dominique D. Demeritte, CS3Donald N. Fryer, and CS3 Stephen C. Fuqua

Subject: AUTHORITY TO ASSUME THE TITLE AND WEARTHE UNIFORM OF PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS

Ref: (a) MILPERSMAN 1420-060

Under reference (a), you are hereby authorized to assume the titleand wear the uniform of a Petty Officer Second Class effectiveimmediately. Your appointment carries with it the obligation thatyou exercise increased authority and willingly accept greaterresponsibility. Occupying now a position of greater authority, youmust strive with a renewed dedication toward the valued ideal ofservice with honor. Under reference (a), you will not be entitled topay and other monetary allowances of a Petty Officer SecondClass until actually advanced to the pay grade for which you havebeen selected. Signed,J. C. Sourbeer, Captain, Medical Corps, United States Navy

Hospital Corpsman First Class(Surface Warfare) Madonna L.Macknight is presented a Letterof Commendation for outstand-ing performance of dutieswhile serving as Leading PettyOfficer, Pharmacy Department,Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms from April 2014 to June2014 culminating in her selec-tion as Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms’ SeniorSailor of the Quarter for theThird Quarter, Fiscal Year2014. Petty OfficerMacknight’s exceptional pro-fessional ability and loyal devo-tion to duty reflect great creditupon herself and are in keep-ing with the highest traditionsof the United States NavalService. Signed,Bruce L. Gillingham, Rear Admiral, Medical Corps,United States Navy

Dave Marks is recog-nized with a FederalLength of ServiceAward for 15 years offaithful service to theFederal Government.

Gunnery Sgt. Joseph A.Saunders is awarded the Navyand Marine CorpsCommendation Medal from theSecretary of the Navy for meri-torious service while serving asSenior Enlisted Advisor andMedical Liaison, detachmentTwentynine Palms, WoundedWarrior Battalion West,

Wounded Warrior Regiment ,Headquarters United StatesMarine Corps, from April 2011to Sept. 2014. Gunnery Sgt.Saunders’ professionalism,determination and keen focuson care for 90 wounded, ill,and injured, ensured the suc-cess of an exceptionally diverseunit. Gunnery SergeantSaunders’ distinctive accom-plishments, unrelenting perse-verance, and steadfast devotionto duty reflect great credit uponhimself and are in keeping withthe highest traditions of theUnited States Naval Service. Signed,T. S. Tomko, Colonel, United States Marine Corps,Commanding Officer WoundedWarrior Regiment

Personnel Specialist ThirdClass Lindon Spicer receives aCertificate of Appreciation for outstanding customer serv-ice in the Human ResourceDepartment.

Saunders, continued

6 -- The Examiner -- January 2015

Sub Offer5X3

Introducing New Staff -- Welcome Aboard!

HM1 Chrisbert Barbon HM1 John TugmanHM2 Daniel Dobrick HM3 Albert HernandezHN Coleen Buckles

Petty Officer 1st ClassChrisbert Barbon arrived fromMarine Support Squadron 374where he’s been the leadingpetty officer for the past threeyears. During that time hedeployed to Bahrain; and pre-vious to his assignment withMSS 374, he deployed toAfghanistan as an individualaugmentee (IA) with an Armyunit. “It was interesting,”Barbon said. “It was my firstdeployment, and the Armymedics have different trainingfrom Navy Corpsmen so I washelping them out.” Barbon isoriginally from San Diego.He’s been in the Navy 15 yearsand is a certified x-ray techni-cian (he anticipates beingassigned to Radiology). Barbonlives in Twentynine Palms withhis wife, Cesarlyn, and twosons, Jacob and Jared. Barbonsays he’s basically a homebody.“I like going out to eat and forexercise, running and trainingfor marathons,” he said.

Hospitalman Coleen Buckles isfrom Mount Vernon, Wash.,but enlisted in Seattle whereshe was living at the time.She’s been in the Navy justthree years and arrived atNHTP from Naval Air StationPatuxent River, Md., where sheworked as a family practicegeneral-duty Corpsman. HNBuckles was raised in a forest-ed area and had never beforebeen to the high desert, butfinds it “amazingly pretty.” Shedoesn’t have dependents butshe does have a hospitalmanhusband who will soon haveorders for the MCAGCC greenside. They plan to live in VistaDel Sol housing in TwentyninePalms. “I definitely enjoy out-door activities,” Buckles said.“So I enjoy hiking. In Winter Ienjoy the snow sports.” Musictaste runs the gamut: “I’mmore of like a beat person so Ilike dubstep; I’ll listen to coun-try, some rock; I’m kind of allover the place.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class DanielDobrick arrived at NHTP afterspending three years with the3rd Light Armored Reconnais-sance Battalion (3rd LAR)where he was section leader forthe battalion aid station. He’sbeen in the Navy six years.Prior to his assignment withthe 3rd LAR, he worked inNHTP’s Labor and DeliveryDepartment. “I loved it,” hesaid. For his second tour atNHTP, Dobrick will beassigned to Staff Educationand Training. Hometown isjust up the road in Victorville,Calif. HM2 Dobrick is well onhis way to making the Navy acareer. He looks forward toearning his Chief Corpsmanstripes and eventually retiring.He’s a new home owner, hav-ing recently purchased a housein Twentynine Palms. Heenjoys dirt-bike riding, workingout, and listening tosinger/song writers of the ‘60sand ‘70s on Pandora.

Petty Officer 1st Class JohnTugman arrived from the 1stMarine Special OperationsBattalion, Camp Pendleton,where he was BattalionLeading Petty Officer for theprevious four years. Tugmanhas been on three deployments,the first two, with infantryunits, he describes as intense,but less so for his third deploy-ment. Tugman, originally fromPalestine, W. Va., has been inthe Navy 10 years. He enlistedto be an electrician, but foundbeing a Navy Corpsman moreto his liking. Tugman’s wife,Brittany, and two children,Lexi (age 2) and Avry (age 9months) are in the process ofmoving from Oceanside. Heanticipates being assigned tothe Emergency MedicineDepartment as Leading PettyOfficer. For recreation, heenjoys hiking, or “anythingoutdoors.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class AlbertHernandez grew up in El Paso,Texas. He’s been in the Navyfive years and is arriving from3rd Battalion, 7th Marines(3/7), where he served as a lineCorpsman. During his tourwith the 3/7, Hernandezdeployed to Afghanistan. Priorto his assignment with the 3/7,Hernandez was with a trainingbattalion in Camp Pendleton.He’s an experienced TacticalCombat Casualty Care (TCCC)instructor. Hernandez has beenstationed at the Combat Centerfor the past two years. Heanticipates living in the bar-racks. Without a car, hedepends on his friends fortransportation and enjoys trav-eling to San Diego and LosAngeles for recreation wherehe likes to “just hang out.” Foron-Base recreation, Hernandezenjoys working out. Music tasteincludes “everything,” but hehas a penchant for hip hop.

The Examiner -- January 2015 -- 7

MBTA2X8

Dwannah Tajalle (“Ms. D”), left, enjoyed a retirement luncheon inPatient Administration celebrating her 34 years of federal serviceDec 18. Ms. D, originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, enlisted in theArmy in 1972. She left the Army after 15 years of service as a mili-tary police staff sergeant. In May of 1993 she reported to work atBranch Health Clinic Twentynine Palms (the current VillageCenter) and was in processed by Petty Officer 1st Class Kelly VonPoppen (right), currently a civilian medical records administrator,still working at NHTP.

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Javonnie Beall (left) reen-lists for six more years Dec. 5. CS2 Beall, hometown, Longview,Texas, has been in the Navy over seven years. She is NHTP Galleysupervisor and and assistant Leading Petty Officer. CS2 Beall isenrolled at Copper Mountain Community College and is takingcourses in preparation for the Medical Enlisted CommissioningProgram as a registered nurse. CS2 Codarius Washington is therecipient of the special 72-hour liberty bestowed by CS2 Beall.

Left: The Command Staffserves the holiday meal Dec. 23with support from (right) theCulinary Specialists who see tothe dietary needs of NHTPpatients, visitors, employeesand family members 365 days ayear.

Hospitalman Michael Wurtelereceives his Honorable DesertRat Certificate from NHTPExecutive Officer Capt. AngelaNimmo during his end-of-touraward ceremony Dec. 19.Wurtele has orders for NavalHospital Bremerton.

Petty Officer 2nd Class MartelThomas reenlists for six moreyears Dec. 19. Thomas, a pre-ventive medicine technician,has been in the Navy six years.Hometown is Southbend, Ind.HM2 Thomas has orders forthe USS Pearl Harbor.Thomas’ wife is HM2 DianaCamacho, Leading PettyOfficer for NHTP’s FamilyMedicine’s Gold Team.

8 -- The Examiner -- January-- 2015

Hospitalman Ryan Weemsreceives a Certificate ofAppreciation for outstandingcustomer service in theEmergency Department.

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassBenjamin P. Kaplan is awardeda Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal “for pro-fessional achievement in thesuperior performance of hisduties while serving as ShiftLeader, Multi-Service Ward,NHTP, from Dec. 2012 to Dec.2014. HM3 Kaplan maintainedan inventory of 99 equipmentline items valued at $500,000with 100-percent accountabili-ty. Petty Officer Kaplan’s per-sonal initiative, perseveranceand unswerving devotion toduty reflect great credit uponhimself and are in keeping withthe highest traditions of theUnited States Naval Service.”

Hospitalman Jose N. Ortiz isawarded a Navy and MarineCorps Achievement Medal “forprofessional achievement in thesuperior performance of hisduties while serving as GeneralDuty Corpsman, Adult MedicalCare Clinic, NHTP, fromMarch 2013 to Dec. 2014.Hospitalman Ortiz skillfullyperformed his duties as physi-cal health assessment workcenter supervisor by completing1,245 physical health assess-ments which increased medicalreadiness by 26 percent.Hospitalman Ortiz’ personalinitiative, perseverance andunswerving devotion to dutyreflect great credit upon him-self and are in keeping with thehighest traditions of the UnitedStates Naval Service.”

Hospital Corpsman SecondClass Nicholas A. Kirsch isawarded a Navy and MarineCorps Achievement Medal “foroutstanding performance ofduties while serving asBiomedical EquipmentTechnician, MaterialsManagement Department,NHTP, from April 2014 to June2014, culminating in his selec-tion as Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms’ JuniorSailor of the Quarter for theThird Quarter, Fiscal Year2014. Petty Officer Kirsch’sexceptional professional abilityand loyal devotion to dutyreflect great credit upon him-self and are in keeping with thehighest traditions of the UnitedStates Naval Service. Signed,Bruce L. Gillingham, Rear Admiral, Medical Corps,United States Navy

Mrs. Therese Weseman is pre-sented with a Letter ofCommendation “for your selec-tion as Senior Civilian of theQuarter, NHTP, for the periodfrom July 1, 2014 to September30, 2014. Your exemplary pro-fessionalism and outstandingperformance of duty reflectgreat credit upon yourself andare in keeping with the highesttradition of the United StatesNaval Service. I commend youfor a job ‘Well Done’ and wishyou continued success in yourfuture endeavors.”--Capt. J. Sourbeer

Mrs. Cindy Crockett is present-ed with a Letter ofCommendation “for your selec-tion as Junior Civilian of theQuarter, NHTP, for the periodof July 1, 2014 to Sept. 30,2014. Your exemplary profes-sionalism and outstanding per-formance of duty reflectedgreat credit upon yourself andwere in keeping with the high-est tradition of the UnitedStates Naval Service. I com-mend you for a job ‘Well Done’and wish you continued suc-cess in your future endeavors.” --Capt. J. Sourbeer

Superstars! Continued fromPage 5

Capt. Evelyn Quattrone is awarded a Customer Service Award whichreads: “It is with great pleasure that I extend to you my sincereappreciation for your outstanding performance in Patient Servicesas a Nurse Practioner Midwife, NHTP, for Fiscal Year 2014 FourthQuarter. Your organizational skills to coordinate the Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms first “Operation Mermaid” inspired our team tothink outside the parameters of the past for possible solutions to pro-mote patient-centered healthcare. I commend you for a job “WellDone” and wish you continued success in your future endeavors.”Signed,J. C. Sourbeer, Captain,Medical Corps, United States Navy

Teresa Turbyfill (in yellow) wins the Junior Enlisted Association’sCinnamon Challenge Nov. 26 with her cinnamon-infused cupcakes.Second place winners were CS2 Javonnie Beall and CS3 CodariusWashington who made chicken wings and cinnamon turnovers.Third place winner was Annmarie Whitcomb who entered Mexicanchocolate cinnamon cupcakes. Judges were Capt. Jay Sourbeer,Cmdr. Gary Grothe, and HMC Andrew Gonzales. Capt. Sourbeerremarked, “I’ve judged many food competitions during my career,but this was by far the tastiest.”