Vol . 27 No. 46 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ November 12, 2015

By Bernard S. LittLeWRNMMC Public Affairs staff writer

In keeping with Lung Cancer Awareness Month observed during November, the John P. Murtha Cancer Center (MCC) at Walter Reed National Military Medi-cal Center (WRNMMC) hosted Lung Cancer Screening Day in the hospital Nov. 4.

The MCC is the only Department of Defense Cancer Center of Ex-cellence in the Military Health System, and it has developed an effec-tive lung cancer screen-ing program, explained Cmdr. Elena Prezioso.

“It’s important to us, especially here at Walter Reed Bethesda where we have a large population, to do as much health pre-vention as we can,” said Prezioso, director of the lung cancer screening program. “Our lung pre-vention program helps us find lung cancer.”

She explained the challenge with lung can-cer is it usually doesn’t show until it’s in its lat-er stages.

“Now that we have this screening tool available, we can identify high-risk patients early and treat them, and most of the time, it’s a cura-tive treatment,” Prezio-so said. She added the criteria established by the U.S. Preventive Ser-vices Task Force to be considered a high-risk patient for lung can-cer, is anyone between the ages of 55 and 80 with a 30-pack-a-year history, or if the person still smokes or has quit

less than 15 years ago. Those 50 and older who have at least a 20-pack-a-year history of smok-ing and at least one ad-ditional risk factor, such as a family history of cancer, pulmonary fibro-sis, and post exposure to toxic chemicals such as asbestos, radon, agent orange or silica/silicon, may also be considered high risk.

“They should be screened with a low-dose computerized tomogra-phy or CT scan,” Prezioso said.

Carolyn Mesnak, who facilitates the tobacco cessation program for the Integrated Health Services-Internal Med-icine Department at WRNMMC, was also on hand at the Lung Cancer

Screening Day event to provide people with help-ful information concern-ing kicking the smoking habit, and her program.

“We provide individu-al counseling and class-es [to help people quit smoking, dipping and vaping],” Mesnak said. In addition to tobacco prod-ucts, Mesnak explained people are getting nico-tine through other dif-ferent avenues, including vape pens, liquid nicotine and hookah pipes.

“A can of smokeless to-bacco could equal up to three packs of cigarettes,” Mesnak continued. “Peo-ple may think they are doing themselves a favor by quitting smoking, but they may be getting more nicotine from the smoke-less tobacco.” She added

the same may be the case with cigars, one of which could equal a pack or two of cigarettes depending on its size. Cigars are rolled using all tobacco leaves for use, whereas cigarettes are rolled in paper with a filter, she explained.

Mesnak said alterna-tives for smokers may include the use of cinna-mon sticks and ginger, behavioral techniques to curb cravings, and patches, gum and medi-cations.

She added the tobac-co cessation program is open to service members, their families and other TRICARE beneficiaries, as well as federal em-ployees and contractors, although civilian employ-ees and contractors can-

not receive medication to help them quit smoking.

Mesnak added the Great American Smoke-out will be held Nov. 19 to encourage smokers to give up the habit. Ac-cording to the American Cancer Society, sponsor of the observance, about 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest pre-ventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S. As of 2013, there were also 12.4 million ci-gar smokers in the U.S., and more than 2.3 mil-lion who smoke tobacco in pipes.

The tobacco cessation program at WRNMMC is located in the Ameri-ca Building, second floor in the Internal Medicine

Department, Integrated Health and Medicine. For more information, call 301-295-0105.

Clinical research co-ordinator Maggie Nel-lissery participated in Lung Cancer Screening Day as well. She is cur-rently involved in two studies seeking to de-tect early lung cancer among military person-nel. “Right now we see lung cancer in the CT scan, but the goal for this project is to detect lung cancer earlier than when you can see it on the CT scan,” she explained.

Nellissery said she’s been working on the project for three years, and it’s slated to last five years. For more informa-tion about the trials, call 301-295-8713.

Photo by bernard S. LittLe

Navy Cmdr. Elena Prezioso (left) and Carolyn Mesnak (second from left) provide information concerning the lung can-cer screening and tobacco cessation programs at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) during Lung Cancer Screening Day Nov. 4 in the hospital.

Lung Cancer Screening Day Seeks to Heighten Awareness

2 Thursday, November 12, 2015 The Journal

Published by offset every Thurs-day by Comprint Military Publi-cations, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a private firm in no way con-nected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written con-tract with Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Md. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an autho-rized 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 De-partment of Defense, or the Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supple-ments, 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 regard to race, color,

religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical

handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit fac-tor of the purchaser, user, or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and pro-vided by the Public Affairs

Office, Naval Support Activ-ity Bethesda, Md. News copy

should be submitted to the Pub-lic Affairs Office, Building 17, first floor, across from PSD, by noon one week pre-ceding the desired publication date. News items are welcomed from all installation sources. Inquiries about news copy will be answered by calling 301-295-1803. Com-mercial advertising should be placed with the publisher by calling 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.

Naval Support Activity (NSA) BethesdaCommanding Officer: Capt. Marvin L. Jones Public Affairs Officer: Ronald D. InmanPublic Affairs Office: 301-295-1803

Journal StaffManaging Editor MC3 Hank GettysWRNMMC Editor Bernard Little

Staff Writers MC1 Christopher Krucke Andrew Damstedt Sarah Marshall Sharon Renee Taylor Joseph Nieves Jamie PetroskeyNSA BethesdaFleet And Family Support Center 301-319-4087

Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterOffice of Media Relations 301-295-5727

NSAB Emergency Information Line 301-295-6246

NSAB Ombudsman Michelle Herrera 240-370-5421

NSAB Chaplain’s Office 301-319-4443/4706

Sexual Assault ResponseCoordinator Hotline 301-442-2053

Visit us on Facebook:Naval Support Activity Bethesda page: https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesdaWalter Reed National Medical Center page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-Reed- National-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-Health-Sci-ences/96338890888?fref=ts

Bethesda Notebook National American Indian Heritage MonthThe Multicultural Committee at

Walter Reed National Military Medi-cal Center Bethesda will host a cele-bration for National American Indian Heritage Month Nov. 20 in the Amer-ica Building first-floor lobby at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact HMC Reese at 301-319-2624 or HM2 Silvey at 301-295-4263.

Leadership AcademyThe next Walter Reed National Mili-

tary Medical Center Leadership Acad-emy class is Nov. 16-20 in Building 5, Heroes Zone, Rm. 4008/4009. Anyone in a middle manager role or aspiring to be a middle manager is encouraged to attend the class. For registration, go to http://tinyurl.com/WRNMMC-LSA-RBCT. Class size is limited to 28 par-ticipants.

Prostate Cancer Support GroupThe Prostate Cancer Support Group

meets at Walter Reed National Mili-tary Medical Center the third Thurs-day of every month. The next meeting will be Nov. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (America Build-ing, River Conference Room, third floor). Spouses and partners invited. Military ID is required for base access to WRNMMC. For those without a mil-itary ID, call Prostate Center at 301-319-2900 at least four business days prior to event for base access. For more information, contact retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or jane.l.hu-dak.ctr@mail.mil.

Director’s column

By Capt. Jennifer VedraL-BaronDirector, Fort Belvoir Community Hostpital

Commanding Officer, WRNMMC(Navy)

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital have the ex-clusive and enviable positions of being the only two “true” joint military healthcare facilities. With this exclusivity comes the privilege of working side by side with our sister services- whatever uniform you may wear! Today I wish to share an article which highlights the extent this “One Team” concept can take--even into the community. Bravo Zulu to these fine American heroes!

Four Belvoir Community Hospital Soldiers and Sailors credited with saving a cyclist’s life at a charity bike event accepted the Joint Service Achievement Medal Tuesday during an awards ceremony here.

Army Capts. Wincess Papius and Amanda Shel-ton, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Aaron Jackson, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Avery Hall received the medals for jumping to action and performing life saving measures on cyclist Roger Lloyd during the 2015 Lymphoma Research Ride at Montgomery County, Maryland, Sept. 27.

The four service members were part of an 18-per-son volunteer team representing Belvoir Commu-nity Hospital and its Junior Officer Council and Junior Enlisted Association. The JOC and JEA have volunteered at the event for the past three years, according to Navy Lt. Jason Delinsky, JOC president.

“This year, [the hospital’s] presence took cen-ter stage … which brought great credit upon the members present and to [Belvoir Community Hos-

pital] as a whole,” he said.The four-person team was assigned to cheer and

encourage cyclists along a steep hill that tests every rider’s mental and physical endurance. As Lloyd battled to conquer this section of course, he collapsed. Immediately, the Belvoir crew rushed to his side. Initially, they provided Lloyd with water and towels to make him comfortable, but his con-dition rapidly worsened.

Lloyd went into cardiac arrest, and the team immediately began performing CPR until Emer-gency Medical Services arrived on scene. First responders commended the team members for their fast action and noted that Lloyd had a small chance of survival because of the care they provid-ed, Delinsky said.

Doctors only gave Lloyd a 9 percent chance of survival. Following a couple weeks of hospitaliza-tion, Lloyd’s condition improved enough to under-go a quadruple by-pass surgery.

During Tuesday’s luncheon, Lloyd was well enough to surprise the team and join race organiz-ers to personally thank Papius, Shelton, Jackson, and Hall.

“It may have been four individuals who per-formed CPR on me, but saving my life was a team effort,” said the Marine Corps employee who works at the Pentagon. “Their quick response and dedica-tion is why I am here! I am the lucky recipient of their skills and professionalism.”

Some might say that Lloyd has had some set-backs since the cycling event, to include contract-ing pneumonia while recovering from the surgery. However, his wife Sherry Little said he will be okay thanks to the Belvoir Community Hospital crew.

“It will be awhile before he is back to work, but the fact that he has a chance to do that is because of these service members,” she said at the lun-cheon. “We’ve been married 11 years, and because of them, we get to see 12. I am so grateful.”

Members of the team teared up when Lloyd first entered the room, which was a surprise to them.

“It means everything to see him here today,” Shelton said. “The night of the race I couldn’t sleep, wondering if we had done enough. It’s wonderful to see we did. He looks great.”

Navy Capt. Jennifer Vedral-Baron, hospital di-rector, was also on hand to address the group. She said she wanted to ensure each of them under-stood how much their service at the event – and every day at the hospital – means to people.

“The best part of this job is being able to look at people like you and say, ‘I am so proud,’” Ve-dral-Baron said. “I have never seen a team like this. Thank you for being ambassadors for our community and our hospital. You saved a life! All of you are heroes.”

The Journal Thursday, November 12, 2015 3

By Bernard S. LittLeWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

Walter Reed National Mil-itary Medical Center (WRN-MMC) celebrated the 240th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps during morning colors Nov. 5 in front of the historic Tower on Naval Support Ac-tivity Bethesda.

“This is a hallowed place, a sacred place,” said Marine Maj. Gen. Burke W. Whitman, guest speaker at the celebra-tion. “In some faith traditions, we would call this a ‘thin place’ because there is very little separation between what you

all do on a day-to-day basis, and the spiritual calling that compels you to come do it. It’s so fitting we get to celebrate the 240th birthday of the Ma-rine Corps in this place for that reason,” he continued.

The general added that he has “spent a lifetime” at WRN-MMC visiting wounded, ill and injured Marines and their families.

“Your Marines are fighters,” said Whitman, director of the Marine and Family Division, Manpower and Reserve Af-fairs for Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. The unit has responsibility and oversight for the Marine Corps Wound-

ed Warrior Regiment.“The Marine Corps is also a

thin place. Sometimes there’s a job aspect to it; sometimes we are just doing what we’re ordered to do. But if you ask most who served in this uni-form for the last 240 years [why they do what they do], their answer would be, ‘It’s because of a higher calling.’ They want to serve [to] make the world a better place and make the country safe. So what defines us is not only our fighting ability, but also the spiritual commitment we have to one another and to the country at large,” Whit-man said.

Following the general’s re-marks, he was joined by retired 1st Sgt. Melissa Mimms and Cpl. Joseph Santone, the most senior and junior Marines at WRNMMC respectively, to cut the celebratory cake for the 240th birthday of the Marines.

Santone, 21, has been a Ma-rine for a little more than two years. The native of Oakland, Calif., said celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday is a way of passing on traditions “from one generation of those who have worn the uniform to the next generation of Ma-rines.” He added the Marine Corps’ birthday is also time to remember and celebrate Marines past and present, as well as the Corps’ motto (Semper Fidelis – “Always Faithful”) and core values (honor, courage and commit-ment).

Santone explained it was a commitment to a cous-in which led him to join the U.S. Marine Corps. “When I was in high school, my cous-in was determined to join the Marines. He was hit by a car and wasn’t able to join, so one of the reasons I joined is be-cause he couldn’t.” He added he hasn’t regretted his deci-sion.

“I feel when I joined the Marine Corps it helped me to become a better person and mature,” Santone said. “You learn a lot from your parents and school growing up, but I’ve learned more about peo-ple, life, responsibility, coun-

try and commitment being in the Marine Corps.”

The official birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps is Nov. 10, 1775, the day the Second Con-tinental Congress established the Continental Marines with the decree: “ That two battal-ions of Marines be raised con-sisting of one colonel, two lieu-tenant-colonels, two majors and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they con-sist of an equal number of pri-vates as with other battalions, that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve for and during the present war with Great Brit-ain and the Colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of Marines.”

The ceremony at WRN-MMC concluded with the playing of ‘Anchors Aweigh’ and The ‘Marines’ Hymn’ by the U.S. Marine Corps Brass Quintet. The Marines’ Hymn begins with the lines, “From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli; we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea.” It is probably the most recog-nizable military hymn and the oldest official song in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s also a reminder of the sacrifice and courage Marines have shown on the battlefield.

WRNMMC Celebrates 240th Birthday of U.S. Marine Corps

Photo by bernard S. LittLe

Marines at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center pay respect to the nation and the flag during morning colors on Nov. 5. Following the raising of the colors, WRNMMC celebrated the 240th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps with a special cake-cutting ceremony.

By andrew damStedtNSAB Public Affairs

staff writer

It was her first recording session.

Lakesha Green-Frederick, an Army veteran, was re-laying her concerns about performing in front of a live audience to the two musi-cians who would play music to the poem she planned to read. She wanted more time to practice, but the record-ing session was ready to go.

So, she read her piece, which she had refined during the weeklong Music and Writing Workshop at the USO Warrior and Fam-ily Center at Bethesda and

was surprised when she was told how well she had done. Even so, she asked for an-other take to get it perfected before her live performance.

More than a dozen people participated in the work-shop, which was facilitated by Seema Reza, a Walter Reed National Military Med-ical Center recreational arts activities coordinator, with New York City-based poet Mahogany L. Browne and local musicians Wytold and Christylez Bacon helping the participants with their writing as well as showing them how to incorporate mu-sic into their performance.

USO Workshop puts Words to Music

Photo by andrew damStedt

Victoria Holmes and her brother, Stephen McGrath, sing at the “Courage Has a Voice” music and writing performance at the Mansion at Strathmore Oct. 30 while musicians Wytold and Christylez Bacon play music they wrote for the song. The performance was the culmina-tion of a week-long music and writing workshop at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Bethesda.

See workShop Page 6

4 Thursday, November 12, 2015 The Journal

By ed BarkerNaval Education and Training Professional

Development and Technology Center

Public Affairs

As part of an effort to expand the reach of military Voluntary Education (VOLED) and help make higher education acces-sible for all service members, veterans and family members, the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program will host its first online Virtual Education Fair Nov. 19.

The online fair is designed to enable members’ participation from anywhere in the world, helping them get a head-start on the information needed to reach their education goals.

The Military Evaluations Program Manager for the Defense Activity for Non Tra-ditional Education Support (DANTES), Taheesha Quarells said this inaugural online ed-ucation fair will serve as a pi-lot for future events and offers several advantages over local education fairs.

“We wanted the virtual edu-cation fair to act as a force mul-tiplier, working in conjunction

with the services’ education centers to offer service mem-bers a greater variety of school options,” said Quarells. “Each of the 43 schools participating in this fair have both online and face-to-face programs, and are currently members of the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) Degree Net-work System (DNS). SOC DNS schools have simplified credit transfers and reduced resi-dency requirements making it easier for students to complete degree requirements.”

Registration is required to participate, but takes only a few minutes and is anony-mous, asking only for a unique username, location, e-mail, major interest, education lev-el and how participants heard about the fair. Advance and day-of registration for the vir-tual education fair is available through: https://dodeducation-fair.com/signup.html

Representatives from partic-ipating schools will be avail-able via live chat from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST to accommodate different time zones. The fair is designed to offer an informa-tive, pressure-free experience,

where members can learn about:

Schools having a signed agreement with the Depart-ment of Defense to provide a quality education to service members and military spouses

Financial aid options to help defray the cost of your educa-tion

Degree and certificate pro-gram offerings

Cost of Tuition and FeesPost 9/11 GI Bill benefitsDuring and after the fair,

several prerecorded video in-formation sessions will be available, including: Top high-growth career fields and de-grees; Resources for choosing a school; and Bridging education and credentialing. Information from schools participating in the fair will be accessible on-line after the event as well.

One unique aspect of the vir-tual education fair is partici-pation of education counselors representing each branch of the armed forces, offering re-al-time counseling during the fair.

“All of the services have unique rules, requirements and policies regarding Tuition

Assistance, education plans and credit transfer options,” said Dr. Deborah Harris-Sims, manager of special projects for Navy VOLED. “During the on-line fair, service counselors will be able to explain and clari-fy any misconceptions that service members may have about education benefits and get answers that are accurate for their particular service branch.”

Quarells added that rare-ly will service members and their families find so many resources in one place and the virtual education fair is perfect for those who might not have an educational sup-

port office nearby.“Depending on their location,

it can be challenging for ser-vice members to find answers to their education questions quickly,” she said. “During the virtual education fair, not only will they be able to speak with someone from DANTES or a counselor from their service, but they will also be able to chat live and get real-time an-swers from Federal Student Financial Aid and post-9/11 GI Bill representatives.”

For additional information about the DoD Voluntary Edu-cation Virtual Education Fair, visit: http://www.dodeduca-tionfair.com.

DoD VoleD offering Virtual education Fair nov. 19

CourteSy graPhiC

By Sharon renee tayLorWRNMMC Staff Writer

Walter Reed National Mil-itary Medical Center (WRN-MMC) held its semi-annu-al Nursing Skills Fair, Oct. 26-29. Nearly 200 registered nurses, licensed nurses, Navy hospital corpsmen, Army medics and Air Force medical techs participated.

“This year’s skills fair is [fo-cused] on emergent patient management, prevention of hospital-acquired infections/injuries, and blood/medica-tion safety,” explained Army Maj. Trisha Bielski, a clinical nurse specialist who orga-nized the four-day event held in the Simulation Center Lab of Bldg. 5.

For nine hours each day, the fair offered the nursing staff an assessment and validation of their nursing competen-cies in seven areas including medication safety and cen-tral line-associated urinary

tract infections (CAUTI), along with the opportuni-ty to practice skills in blood administration that ensure patient safety. The nursing skills event also helped ful-fill learning requirements for the Joint Commission and human resources.

Navy Lt. j.g. Kyle Follebout, a registered nurse work-ing in pediatrics, graduated from nursing school at East-ern Michigan University two years ago. He called the skills fair, “a great refresher that helps to make sure every-body’s skill is concrete.”

“The instructors are hand-selected by the educa-tors here, and they’re very professional about what they do. Whether you’re a master in a field or you’re fresh to it, they take into consideration your experience when teach-ing,” Follebout said, pointing to Maimouna Fall, affection-ately known as “Mr. Tony.” A registered nurse for nearly

20 years, Fall taught his spe-cialty – peripherally-inserted central catheters, to Hospital Corpsman Daren Dean, a new skills fair participant who has worked in the WRNMMC Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) for five months.

Experienced nurses, such as Evelyn Curtis, a registered nurse on 4-West, also attended the nursing skills fair. With 25 years’ experience as a nurse, she said it’s still important for her to attend skills fairs.

“We all have to keep our skills updated for the safety of the patients, and to teach the oncoming nurses,” Curtis explained. She added that if nursing skills fairs weren’t offered at the medical center, she would have to renew her skills through continuing ed-ucation classes, outside of the hospital.

“It is convenient to get the education on the job, to pass the competencies. It’s wonder-ful,” Curtis said.

nurses enhance Patient experience with skills Fair

Photo by Sharon renee tayLor

The Journal Thursday, November 12, 2015 5

By Sharon renee tayLorWRNMMC staff writer

A phone call interrupted her stretch in the warm Arizona sun.

“Jean, we need you back,” the caller said.

Jean Petrov didn’t hesitate to leave the house south of Tucson where she spent the winter months.

With two years of retirement under her belt, the clinical nurse specialist re-turned to the East Coast and a job in radiation oncology at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). She was 72.

After jobs with the National Insti-tutes of Health, National Naval Med-ical Center, WRAMC and a brief stint with a civilian health-care provider, Petrov officially retired in 2003, more than 12 years ago.

“I didn’t retire for any particular rea-son. I didn’t have a grand plan,” she said. “I woke up one day and said, ‘I’m 70, I better retire.’”

When WRAMC closed, she moved with her department to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). Now at 83, the nurse con-tinues to work with oncology patients at WRNMMC.

Petrov no longer wears the white cap she received in 1955 when she gradu-ated from the University of Connecti-cut School of Nursing. These days she doesn’t even wear scrubs, but you will find her moving between exam rooms as a case manager for cancer patients at the medical center.

The octogenarian says she stays nim-ble doing 10 to 12 squats two times a day, along with floor exercises. She also practices yoga.

Petrov may seem unassuming to some. “I just thought she was a volun-teer [at the medical center] a [few] days a week,” said Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Gerald Lee, diagnosed with cancer at 52, and a WRNMMC patient for whom Petrov serves as case manager.

When she became his full-time case manager, Lee said he fell in love with her positivity, caring spirit, encourage-ment, thoughtful help and ability to stay on top of everything.

“It’s just amazing the way she’s able to move around and make sure the schedule is right to project what you need to do for the next year or so,” Lee said.

Born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1933, Petrov didn’t set out to become a nurse. She explained “peer pressure” led her down that path.

A friend in high school applied to nursing school, and Petrov decided to follow her there. But by Petrov’s ac-count, she didn’t begin her nursing career until nearly 20 years after she graduated from nursing school.

Petrov said she married a college pro-fessor from czarist Russia who worked as a journalist for National Public Ra-dio. For a time, the couple raised their eight children in Russia, and Petrov put her career on hold to take care of her family.

The couple returned to the states with their children. Despite staying home in Bethesda, Md., as a full-time mom, Petrov continued to work oc-casionally, maintaining her nursing skills and acquiring the experience and proficiency she would later use as an oncology nurse in pediatrics, hema-tology oncology, gynecology oncology, radiation oncology and clinical nurse specialist.

In 1974, she placed the last of her eight children in daycare, and returned to work full-time, later earning a grad-uate degree.

“I’m glad I finally got started [in my career].” Her patients and colleagues are, too.

“She’s an angel,” said Navy Chaplain (Cmdr.) Kobena Arthur, referring to Petrov. “She’s always on top of things. You can tell she really cares about her patients.” She is his case manager.

Before they met in person, Petrov

and Arthur spoke on the phone. He ex-plained he could feel the compassion, love and sincerity in her voice.

She guided the chaplain through the challenges he encountered as a new-ly-diagnosed prostate cancer patient while he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Arthur returned to the U.S. for treatment.

“She has the love of God and compas-sion,” Arthur said. “She was called to this [profession].”

Lana Cade worked with Petrov for 15 years. “Her caring manner with pa-tients is exceptional,” Cade said. “She is diligent and efficient while still main-taining a compassionate attitude,” she added. She said she was honored to

work with Petrov for so long.Petrov brings personality, perspec-

tive, and wisdom to the team, according to retired Army Col. (Dr.) Steven Wil-son, a radiation oncologist who worked five years with Petrov at WRAMC.

Sarah Bernstein has worked with Petrov for nearly 30 years. The GYN Oncology clinical nurse specialist met Petrov at NIH in 1988. The two have worked together since their days at WRAMC. Bernstein called Petrov an “amazing” advocate for patients. “She has no hesitation about what is the right thing to do,” she said.

“I think she’s given us a blueprint or lesson on how to really live,” Lee said. “She really enjoys life.”

Nurse Shares Her Blueprint for Life

Photo by Sharon renee tayLor

Jean Petrov, 83, a nurse case manager at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, shares a light moment with Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Gerald Lee. When she became his full-time case manager, Lee said he fell in love with her positivity, caring spirit, encouragement, thoughtful help, and ability to stay on top of everything.

“Arguably, the highest performing squads in our formation are those that are built upon trust: trust in their leaders, and trust in one another. This is the essential element of ‘Not In My Squad’.”

- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey

sergeant major of the Army Visits Wrnmmc

PhotoS by Joe nieveS

Sgt. Maj. of the Army (SMA) Daniel Dailey visited Walter Reed National Military Med-ical Center staff Nov. 4. to congratulate them on the hard work and dedication they have shown to patients, their commitment to service has helped WRNMMC remain the world-class medical facility that it is. SMA Dailey recognized that this success is part of a group effort and our service members’ high level of professionalism.

6 Thursday, November 12, 2015 The Journal

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Green-Frederick, who started writing poet-ry when she was young and picked it up again when she was deployed, said she came to the program because of the opportunity it afforded

her to “think about what I’m writing, and I re-ceive more ideas about how I can present it in a creative way – and for me, to challenge my emo-tions.”

Others came because of the music aspect.A brother-sister duo – Victoria Holmes and Ste-

phen McGrath – said they attended the work-shop because of the songwriting aspect. The two have been writing music for some time and used the workshop as a way to hone their craft.

The two wrote in two days the songs they per-formed at the “Courage Has a Voice” music and writing performance at the Mansion at Strath-more Oct 30. Their songs focused on some of the challenges their military family faced because of their father’s struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Our father had bad PTSD, so we had a rough upbringing,” Holmes said. “The music portrayed going through rough patches, but coming out stronger through everything.”

McGrath said it was good learning from all of the participants about their experiences.

“Each of us has our own past,” he said. “By us-ing poetry to embrace it, we can let it fade into the dark and start something new and bright.”

Adding music to the writing helped enhance and channel the message each person wanted to tell from their writing, Wytold said.

“Every single piece is telling a very individual story,” Wytold said.

Bacon said people choose to express themselves in different ways and they worked to get the mu-sic right for each piece.

“The poetry – their pieces are very musical in their own way, and that helps us because we get so much imagery and we get so much from hear-ing their pieces – so it makes a great match,” Ba-con said.

Navy Cryptologic Technician-Maintenance 3rd Class Anthony Horton said he enjoyed writing in the group setting.

“We all like to hear what each other wrote and we all like to feed off what the other writes,” he said. “Just get our feelings out.”

Browne, who has helped put on the workshop in previous years, said this group had some serious, intense writers who were dedicated to their writ-ing. While some might have been nervous about the performance aspect, she said it was great to watch them grow during the week.

Reading their work aloud or performing their piece provides an immediate feedback that some writers crave, she said.

“I think it does something for any writer to hear their words go into the world,” she said. “So when you read the poem to yourself in your house, it’s different than when it hits the air, it’s different when an audience is there to catch it and give you a response … in a live performance you know exactly what line made that person go ‘mmm.’”

Army Maj. April Harris said writing and per-forming have been part of her healing process and she read aloud her poem “Triggers,” at the Mansion at Strathmore performance.

“Healing is phenomenal,” she said. “I can’t get enough.”

WorkshopContinued from Page 3

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8 Thursday, November 12, 2015 The Journal

Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland University College

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