Volume 24, No. 2 February 2016

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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

Cold Weather Medicine Course Tests Corpsmen Mettle

Chief Petty Officer Christopher Diolata (left) and HN JacobJohnson emerge from frigid water during the hypothermia exercise,part of Mountain Medicine’s Cold Weather Medicine Course.

L-R: HM1 Barrent Dickenson (red cover), HM2 Ildegar Mora (redjacket), Chief Christopher Diolata, HN Jacob Johnson, HM1Austin Smith (standing). The 18-day course at the Marine CorpsMountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., is offeredtwice a year. Elevation of training ranges from 6,500 to 9,500 ft.Students are required to conduct long-range movements over moun-tainous snow- covered terrain with 50 lb. packs. Photos by HM2Xavier Jimenez, Branch Health Clinic Bridgeport.

Notice:

Med Home Port Blue and Gold Teams now have extended hoursevery Wednesday. Appointments are offered until 6 p.m. For moreinformation or to book an appointment, please call the NHTPappointment line, (760) 830-2752. You may also book on TRI-CARE online or you may request an appointment via RelayHealth.

MCAGCC Vet Clinic, pleasesee page 8.

You have the power!

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: (760) 830-2475, or with any of theCustomer Relations representa-tives in the Hospital Clinics.

HM1 MatthewSkipworth(center) retiredJan. 28 in aceremony atBranch HealthClinic ChinaLake. (Photoby HM1 ChrisBarbon).

THE EXAMINER

2 -- The Examiner -- February -- 2016

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. John A. Lamberton, MSC, USN

Executive OfficerCapt. Jeffrey W. Bitterman, MC, USN

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

Public Affairs Officer/EditorMr. Dave Marks

Command OmbudsmanMr. J.Wesley Bassard (760) 668-1348 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.m.marks.civ@mail.milHi-Desert Publishing Company56445 Twentynine Palms HighwayYucca Valley, CA 92284Com: (760) 365-3315FAX: (760) 365-8686

Patients seen in December -- 10,264Appointment No Shows in December -- 768

In December we had an 8.9 percent no-show rate. Weneed to keep trending downward by keeping theappointments we make, or by canceling in enough timefor someone else to use the slot...

To help patients obtain appointments, the NavalHospital now shows the number of open appointmentslots each day on the hospital Facebook site, check itout. On Facebook, search: Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms.

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

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

Reliability Organization.

Capt. Lamberton discussed theNHTP Strategic Planning Off-Site meeting, held Nov. 2-3, atthe Helen Gray EducationCenter in Joshua Tree. Themeeting’s theme, Stabilize,Sustain, Strategically Focused,is the hospital commander’svision for strategically movingforward in a 10-15-year time-frame. “The decision you makethat benefits your immediatesuccessor may not be in the hos-pital’s best interest 10 yearsdown the line,” Capt.Lamberton remarked.

Stabilize means understandingyour position and all that itentails, Capt. Lamberton said.Sustainment means coming togrips with all of the elements ofone’s position and establishing amulti-dimensional communica-tion plan, meaning engagementwith command leadership, hos-pital directors, staff and benefi-ciaries.

The third element of the off-sitemeeting involves being strategi-cally focused with a tri-part

approach:1. Inclusive communication planthat takes all elements of thecommand into account.2. Goal of patients first; staffalways. This means always tak-ing a proactive approach topatients, showing concern andunderstanding, and if there’s aproblem, helping the patient toget it solved. The phrase, “staffalways,” means having mentor-ship programs in place for allstaff, both military and civilian.3. Culture of Process Improve-ment. This refers to leaders andstaff having the mindset ofestablishing and refining bestpractices for their individualareas of operation.

“Our goal is to be a high-relia-bility organization,” Capt.Lamberton said. By emphasiz-ing patient safety and continu-ous process improvement, wecan attain that goal.

“We are more than a collectionof categories at Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms,” Capt.Lamberton said. “We are allshipmates.”

Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms Commanding Officer,Capt. John A. Lamberton, heldhis third Captain’s Call sinceassuming command in May2015. Speaking to different cat-egories of staff (civilian, con-tractors, junior officer, seniorofficers, swing-shift employees)Jan. 16-20 and the followingweek at Branch Health ClinicsChina Lake and Bridgeport,Capt. Lamberton began the ses-sion by showing a video inwhich people in a healthcare

facility (caregivers, staff,patients and visitors) are shownwith word balloons over theirheads describing their innerthoughts. A man brings his wifea cup of coffee and the thoughtbubble reads, “19-year-old sonon life support.” A man ridingup the escalator has the thoughtbubble: Cancer diagnosis:

Benign. Another man fartherdown the escalator has thethought bubble: Cancer diagno-sis: Malignant. The video endswith the thought, “If you couldstand in someone’s shoes, hearwhat they hear, see what theysee; would you treat them dif-ferently?”

“We all have the ability to influ-ence a better day,” Capt.Lamberton said, referring tochanging patient’s, family mem-bers’ and fellow staff’s perspec-

tive by engaging them with gen-uine concern and a wider view-point.

The theme for Captain’s CallSecond Quarter, FY16 was: 1.NHTP Strategic Offsite; 2)Strategic Goals; and 3)Continuation of discussion,what it means to be a High

Captain’s Call: We’re All Shipmates

Capt. John A. Lamberton, NHTP Commanding Officer, addressesgovernment service employees at Captain’s Call Jan. 19.

Weight Loss Goals

• Eat Healthy • Eat smaller portions.• Select a mix of colorful veg-etables each day. • Choose whole grains.• Go easy on fats and oils.

• Be Active Stick with activities you enjoy.Go for a brisk walk, ride a bike,or do some gardening.

• Do strengthening activities.Lift canned food or books if youdon’t have weights.If you’re short on time, getactive for just 10 minutes, sev-eral times a day. Every little bitcounts!

• Build Healthy Habits Make a healthy shopping listand stick to it.

• Keep a food and physicalactivity diary to track yourprogress.

• Be realistic and aim for slow,modest weight loss.(Reprinted from NationalInstitutes of Health website).

The Examiner--February 2016-- 3Preventive Medicine CornerSubmit Questions/Concerns and Tanya Will Provide Answers

Tanya StuckeyDear Tanya,

I just delivered my son at theNaval hospital and I thought hisenrollment with TRICARE wasautomatic when I filled out thepaperwork there at the hospital.

He got sick while we were visit-ing family over the holidays andI got a bill from the hospital hewas seen at. I got it taken careof, but I know if I was con-fused, I know others are too. Signed,New Mom

Dear New Mom, There are several different plansunder the TRICARE coverageumbrella. We have terrificresources for assistance whendeciding which plan is right foryou and how to enroll or verifyenrollment of yourself or otherfamily members.

For new parents, enrollment inDEERS and TRICARE are notautomatic. Your new bundle ofjoy must first be registered withDEERS.

I consulted with our HealthBenefits Advisor here at NHTPand the following was her reply, “Keep in mind that adding afamily member in DEERS does-n’t mean automatic enrollmentin TRICARE Prime.

Beneficiaries who want theirnewborns covered under TRI-CARE Prime must call, goonline or mail an enrollmentform within 60 days of birth(120 days overseas). Initiallynewborns are covered on Primefor the first 60 days; however, if

the child is not in DEERS, TRI-CARE claims department willhave no record of the child andclaims will be denied until thechild can be verified.

If a beneficiary fails to enrolltheir newborn, coverage will beunder TRICARE Standard onday 61 from birth. These new-borns will continue to have cov-erage under TRICARE Standardfor 365 days. If they are not inDEERS, coverage will end onday 366.

In the excitement of celebratinga new arrival, visiting familyand preparing to start your newjourney as proud new parents,important details of requiredpaperwork can be missed.Understanding the process andincluding this as part of baby’sarrival plan can prevent unnec-essary stress and possible finan-cial surprises.

For more information pleasevisit www.tricare.mil and/orcontact your Health BenefitsAdvisor at (760) 830-2903,Tanya

Do you know what it means tohave a healthy heart? What areyou doing that can increaseheart health and what habits andbehaviors would you like tochange to increase your qualityand length of life?

The Mayo Clinic states thatheart disease consists of a rangeof conditions that includes coro-nary artery disease, arrhythmia,heart defects as well as condi-tions that involve narrowed orblocked blood vessels, affect theheart’s muscle, valve or rhythm.

Having a healthy heart involveshealthy lifestyle choices com-bined with proactive medicalscreenings and care to ensureyou and your loved ones greatlyreduce or diminish the risk ofthe conditions listed above.

Know the warning signs andrisky behaviors that increaseyour chances of heart disease.For instance, leg pain and kid-ney problems combined with ahistory of tobacco use may be asign of peripheral artery disease(PAD). According to theAmerican Heart Association,more than 200 million peopleare affected by PAD across theworld. Risk increases with ageand is further escalated bytobacco use, diabetes and highcholesterol. Patients with PAD

are also more likely to sufferheart attack or stroke. Talk toyour medical provider to see ifyou are at risk.

Nutrition and exercise are keyin reducing risk. Yes, once againI am pushing for increased exer-cise and healthier food choices.Does that mean giving upeverything you love? No way!

Creating a fitness and meal planthat works for you includesfoods and activities you alreadyenjoy. If you are experiencing amedical condition that restrictsyour food choices, make anappointment to meet with ourdietician to discuss options thatwill keep you on the right track.

If you suffer from pain or limit-ed mobility, talk with your pri-mary-care manager and ourresources at the MCCS gyms toset reasonable fitness goals andmake a plan that increasesstrength, flexibility and buildsyour confidence as well as yourbody!Have you already identifiedhabits such as tobacco use,stress or poor sleeping andwould like more information orsupport to help you in yourdecision to make healthierchoices? Contact our HealthPromotions Coordinator at (760)830-2814 to make an appoint-ment.

Healthy Hearts Lead to Longer LivesBy Tanya Stuckey

Call 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273)Option 124 hours a day, 7 days a week

4 -- The Examiner --February 2016

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassSteven Cullity, EmergencyDept., is recognized for hisvaluable contributions to NavalHospital Twentynine Palms’Patient Safety Program forNovember 2015.

Ms. Kimberly Davison, NHTPPharmacy, is recognized for hervaluable contributions to NavalHospital Twentynine Palms’Patient Safety Program forOctober 2015.

Ms. Dinah Olivera, NHTPObstetrics & Gynecology, ispresented a Letter ofAppreciation upon her selectionas Contractor of the Quarter, forthe period from July 1, 2015 toSept. 30, 2015. “You achievedthis distinction by demonstrat-ing exceptional initiative anddedication to duty.”

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Horner isawarded the Navy and MarineCorps Achievement Medal “forprofessional achievement whileserving as Division Officer forOptometry, Directorate forSurgical Services, onboardUSNS Mercy during pacificpartnership 2015 from May2015 to Sept. 2015.”

Lt. Cmdr. Monica Delano isawarded the Navy and MarineCorps Commendation Medal“for meritorious service in thesuperior performance of herduties while serving as ProgramManager, Deployment Healthand Department Head, MentalHealth Department, BooneClinic, Naval Medical Center,Portsmouth, Va., from June2012 to Sept. 2015.”

Hospital Corpsman First ClassDuncan Stewart is awarded theNavy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal “for profes-sional achievement in the supe-rior performance of his duties...which culminated in his selec-tion as Senior Sailor of the Yearfor FY 2015.”

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassTyler Hilborne is awarded theNavy and Marine Corps Achi-evement Medal for professionalachievement in the superior per-formance of duties while serv-ing as General Duty HospitalCorpsman, Multi-service Wardfrom Oct. 2014 to Sept. 2015.

Awardees...

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassVince Lo is presented with twoNavy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medals: One forhis selection as Junior Sailor ofthe Year for FY 2015. His sec-ond award commends his timelyintervention May 13, 2015, asfirst responder to a motor vehi-cle crash. HM3 Lo was on hisway home from work when hehappened upon a crashed car atTwo-Mile Road and Lear Ave.HM3 Lo first assessed theinjured person for life-threaten-ing injuries. He stabilized thepatient by applying a tourniquetmade from the vehicle restrain-ing strap. His quick thinkingcombined with exemplary lifesaving skills stabilized the con-dition of the motorist untilemergency services arrived.

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassRyan Weems is awarded theNavy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal for profes-sional achievement in the supe-rior performance of his dutieswhile serving as staff corpsman,NHTP, from Jan. 2014 to Jan.2016.

First Friday Colors are a cele-bration of NHTP staff, military,civilian and contract, who arerecognized for their achieve-ments. These photos are fromthe Jan. 8, 2016, award cere-mony. Commanding Officer(acting) Captain JeffreyBitterman, is the presenter.

Petty Officer Lo’s personal ini-tiative, perseverance andunswerving devotion to dutyreflect great credit upon himselfand are in keeping with thehighest traditions of the UnitedStates Naval Service.

The Examiner --February 2016-- 5

Mr. Christopher White,Directorate for Public Health, ispresented a Letter ofAppreciation upon his selectionas Junior Civilian of theQuarter, from April 2015 toJune 2015. “You achieved thisdistinction by demonstratingexceptional initiative and dedi-cation to duty.”

Ms. Cheryl Frazer, NHTP CaseManagement, is recognized forher valuable contributions toNaval Hospital TwentyninePalms’ Patient Safety Programfor October 2015.

Hospitalman Cesar Garcia,NHTP Operating Room, is rec-ognized for his valuable contri-butions to Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms’ PatientSafety Program for November2015.

Ms. Jennifer Flores, NHTPCustomer Relations Officer, ispresented a Letter ofAppreciation upon her selectionas Senior Civilian of theQuarter, for the period fromJuly 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2015.“Throughout this period youconsistently performed yourduties in an exemplary andhighly professional manner.”

Mr. Daniel Levine, NHTPPharmacy, is recognized for hisvaluable contributions to NavalHospital Twentynine Palms’Patient Safety Program forNovember 2015.

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassByron Geonzon is recognizedfor his valuable contributions toNaval Hospital TwentyninePalms’ Patient Safety Programfor November 2015.

Ms. Vanda Stanley, Directoratefor Healthcare Business, is pre-sented with a Letter ofAppreciation upon her selectionas Senior Civilian of the Quarterfor the period from April 2015to June 2015.

Ms. Theresa Partin, AdultMedical Care Clinic Pharmacy,is presented with a Letter ofAppreciation upon her selectionas Junior Civilian of the Quarterfor the period of July 1, 2015, toSept. 30, 2015.

Ms. Danielle Vasquez,Department of Public Health, isrecognized for her valuable con-tributions to Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms’ PatientSafety Program for October2015.

6 -- The Examiner --February 2016

Introducing New Staff -- Welcome Aboard!

Lt. Cmdr. Esther Colbert Lt. Maria Sweat HM1 Jessica Williford Dagher Mr. Augustus Delarosa HM1 Douglas Ayala

Lt. Cmdr. Esther Colbert recent-ly arrived from Naples, Italy,where she headed the Utilizat-ion Management Team as casemanager and referrals manager.Before that, she was in chargeof the branch health clinic, run-ning two medical home portteams as a senior nurse. She’sbeen in the Navy 19 years. Forthe first seven years, Colbertwas enlisted and earned the rankof Hospital Corpsman FirstClass before entering theBOOST program and earningher commission. Hometown isAtlanta, Ga. She earned a dualundergraduate degree: Nursingand biochemistry from NorwichUniversity, Vt., the oldest pri-vate military college in the U.S.She is here with her husband,Jason, who works in logistics.Their eight-year-old son,Sebastian, enjoys soccer andbaseball. At NHTP, she’s a staffnurse on MSW. Colbert saidtheir first impression was thatthis is “an awesome opportunityfor a lot of camping and moun-tain climbing.” Hobbies includereading and cooking.

HM1 Jessica Williford Dagherarrived from Naval BaseVentura County where she wasassistant Lead Petty Officer.Previous to that assignment, shewas with the Seabees where shewas a preventive medicine tech-nician. She’s been in the Navy16 years. Hometown isMonterey, Calif. She’s a certi-fied environmental health tech,and has earned her Bachelor’sof Science degree (HealthScience) and her Master’sdegree (Health Science/PublicHealth) both from TridentUniversity. “I really enjoyworking at Naval hospitals,” shesaid. Her last Naval hospitalassignment was in 2008 inYokosuka, Japan, where sheworked in Patient Administ-ration. At NHTP, she’s assignedto Preventive Medicine in thePublic Health Directorate. HM1Williford Dagher is here withher husband, Michael, a civilianpayroll specialist, and one-year-old daughter, Katherine.Williford Dagher enjoys walk-ing, outdoor activities, museumsand other cultural events.

Lt. Maria Sweat arrived fromNaval Hospital Bremerton,where she was a staff nurse inthe clinic as well as on themulti-service ward. Hometownis Siletz, Ore. She earned herBachelor of Science in nursingfrom the University of Portlandand became a Navy nurse candi-date during her junior year.She’s assigned to the MaternalInfant Nursing Dept. at NHTP.She’s been in the Navy six yearsand has enjoyed all of herassignments so far. In SanDiego she enjoyed that city’sactivities. She enjoyedBremerton because it was closeto home. And in TwentyninePalms she’s found a house,which is an upgrade from herBremerton apartment. She saidshe especially likes the small-town feel of Twentynine Palmsbecause it reminds her of home.Hobbies include “doing thingsoutside.” Lt. Sweat tries toreturn home each summer for anannual family camping trip withher sisters and parents. Musicpreferences run from country, torock to alternative rock.

Mr. Augustus Delarosa recentlycame on board as a medical labtech. Those who have been herea few years will rememberChief Petty Officer Delarosa, atNHTP from 2010 to 2013.During that time he served asSenior Enlisted Leader in PatentAdministration, SEAT, Man-power and for the Director forAdministration and for theDirectorate for Clinical Services(not concurrently). “Beingretired, it’s like starting fromscratch,” Delarosa said.“Because you’re working along-side junior Sailors. At the sametime, I’m able to impart to themsome of the corporate knowl-edge and lessons I’ve learned.”He said he instructed them tocall him “Mr. D” but many stillcall him Chief. The retired Chieflives in Twentynine Palms withhis wife, Norlyn, and son, asenior at the local high school.His daughter is a sophomore atUC Davis. Originally from thePhilippines, he last visited in2008. Hobbies include Golf, forwhich he has a passion, and“hanging out with the family.”

HM1 Douglas Ayala arrivedfrom Naval Hospital Napleswhere he was LPO of Plans,Operations, and MedicalIntelligence (POMI) as well asassistant security manager.Hometown is Los Angeles. Hesays his favorite duty stationduring his 19-year Naval career,is Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms He was stationed herefrom 2005-2009; and from2009-2013 he was assigned tothe 3rd Combat EngineerBattalion, across the street. AtNHTP, he’s worked in PatientAdmin, Decedent Affairs, and asa career counselor. “People lookat this assignment as, there’s nota lot to do. But I’m an outdoorsguy, and there’s so much to dohere,” he said. “I’m home.” Forthis tour at NHTP, he’s LPOPOMI. He’s earned a Bachelor’sdegree in criminal justice, spe-cializing in homeland security,and plans a second career withNCIS. HM1 Ayala is here withhis daughter, Marisol, 9, andson, Douglas, 11. He enjoyswood working and automechanics.

The Examiner -- February 2016 -- 7

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Marc Gasbarrireenlisted for three more years Jan. 15 at BranchHealth Clinic Bridgeport. HM3 Gasbarri is a gener-al duty corpsman performing OJT in the Laboratoryand Radiology departments. He is applying to theRespiratory Technician C School.

Cmdr. Wendy Stone (center), NHTP Director for Public Health, presents a plaque Jan. 27 to Rosemary Morillo, Chairwomanof the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Tribal Council, in thanks for the toys and gift cards they and the Soboba FoundationBoard of Directors contributed to Naval Hospital junior enlisted families and to Marine Corps families at the Marine CorpsCommunication-Electronics School (MCCES). Capt. David Leonard, MCCES Alpha Company Commander is standing to theleft and Capt. Daniel Lawrence is MCCES Alpha Company Executive Officer is on the right. Culinary Specialist SecondClass Javonnie Beall is standing to the left of Capt. Lawrence. A plaque was also presented to the Board of Directors and res-idents of the Four Seasons Hemet Community Association, Inc.

The NHTP Clinical Skills Fair was heldJan. 7 and 14 in Classrooms 4 & 5. Skillstations included Suturing, InfectionControl, Health Promotions, PatientSafety, EKG Training, Code Purple, Care-Giver Occupational Stress Control andAirway Management.

Top left: HM3 Thomas Hanson, MaternalInfant Nursing Dept., offers instruction onthe proper response to a Code Purple(obstetrics emergency).

Top right: Ms. Teresa Turbyfill,Directorate for Public Health, InfectionControl, offers guidance to Lt. Cmdr.Virgilio Crescini on the donning and doff-ing of personal protective equipment (ster-ile outer garments).

Bottom left: HN Rome Lake, MedicalHome Port Blue Team, gives an overviewof the EKG (electrocardiogram, a test thatmeasures the electrical activity of theheartbeat).

Bottom right: Ms. Martha Hunt,Directorate for Public Health, HealthPromotions, provides guidance on the var-ious programs her department offers, suchas tobacco cessation, sleep workshops,stress control and nutrition.

8 -- The Examiner -- February-- 2016

Twentynine Palms VeterinaryTreatment Facility (VTF) is alittle-known resource availableto military families at theMarine Corps Air GroundCombat Center. The VTF under-went an extensive renovationthis past fall and is now able toprovide a complete range of vet-erinary healthcare services. "Most people know we provide24/7 care to the military work-ing dogs, and that is the largest

portion of our mission.However, the DoD recognizesthe human-animal bond is veryimportant. We are honored to beable to foster that relationshipby caring for four-legged mili-tary family members," saidArmy Capt. Candace Wimbish,officer in charge and base vet-erinarian.The hospital has laboratorycapabilities, radiograph andultrasound services, a stocked

veterinary pharmacy, as well assurgical and dental facilities.Staffed by Army Soldiers andcivilians, reduced cost servicesprovided include routine well-ness appointments, sick callexaminations, health certificatesfor PCS moves, vaccinations,medications, and certain surgi-cal procedures.

“We are a fully equipped facili-ty,” said Army Sgt. KevinNichols. “The major differencebetween us and a civilian prac-tice is that we cannot provideboarding, grooming, orovernight hospitalization.”

Another important role of theVTF is educating the public ondiseases that may be transmittedfrom animals to humans andminimizing any risk. They workclosely with Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms PreventiveMedicine Department, consult-ing on any concerns of human-to-animal illnesses.

"The majority of these illnessescan be prevented by responsiblepet ownership and routine well-ness examinations," said

Nichols. The VTF staff recom-mend pets be examined annuallyat a minimum and twice annual-ly in their senior years to catchany potential problems early.

Additionally, any pet residingon MCAGCC is required to bemicrochipped and registeredwith the VTF. Both can beaccomplished on a walk-inbasis.

“Tricare doesn’t cover veteri-nary care,” jokes Wimbish “butwe try very hard to keep costslow for the families without sac-rificing quality medicine for thepet.” Wellness service atTwentynine Palms VTF may belimited due to the small size ofthe staff, but they endeavor toprovide timely care to sick petsin need.

Services are available to activeduty service members, theirauthorized dependents, andretirees. Hours of operation areMonday - Friday from 8:30 a.m.to 4 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4p.m. on Thursdays by appoint-ment only.

For more information, check outthe Twentynine PalmsVeterinary Treatment FacilityFacebook page, 29PalmsVet orcall (760) 830-6896.

Army Capt. Candace Wimbish, Officer in Charge of the MCAGCCVeterinary Clinic, examines 10-year-old Baily, an Australian cattledog, while Army Sgt. Kevin Nichols, veterinarian technician, assists.

Military working dogs are thevet clinic’s main focus. Capt.Candace Wimbish, Sgt. KevinNichols and Lance Cpl.Preston Ford shown with Rex,a 10-year-old Dutch Shephard,who has seen overseas deploy-ment.

MCAGCC Vet Clinic Provides Valuable Resource for Pet Owners