good stewards of the government'smoney."

Of nearly 330,000 active duty Sailorsacross the Navy, 41,000 come from thestate of Texas. An additional 36,000 Sail-ors assigned to the Navy Reserve alsohail from the state, Vinci noted.

During a meeting with leadership andstaff from Susan G. Komen for the Cure,Vinci shared Navy Medicine's criticalrole in the chief of naval operation'smaritime strategy.

"Navy Medicine plays a vital role insupporting the five 'hard power' capa-bilities of the maritime strategy: forwardpresence, deterrence, sea control, powerprojection, and maritime security; be-cause no ship, submarine, or aircraft andother Navy assets deploys without thesupport of Navy Medicine," said Vinci."Navy Medicine displays 'soft power'through its most visible role in humani-

A Public Affairs Publication of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

April 2011Navy Medicine Launches Dallas Navy Week

MEDNEWS Items of Interest:

April marks “Navy Medicine: Focuson the Family” This month highlightsNavy Medicine’s robust family-centered programs. As Navy Medicinefocuses on patients and their families,it provides environments in which theentire family can heal physically, men-tally, and spiritually. Families are avital part of the care Navy Medicineprovide and it is imperative to inte-grate children’s needs in all NavyMedicine does.

National and InternationalObservances in April include:

April 1— 30Alcohol Awareness Month

www.samhsa.govSexual Assault Awareness and

Prevention Monthwww.rainn.org

Women’s Eye Health andSafety Month

www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/Injuries

April 23 - 30National Infant Immunization

Weekwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/n

iiw/

Find us on Facebook. U.S. NavyBureau of Medicine andSurgery, and follow us onTwitter @ Navy Medicine

Did You Know…

Project FOCUS is an eight-week,skill-based, trainer-led interven-tion that addresses difficultiesfamilies may have when facingthe challenges of multipledeployments, and parentalcombat-related psychologicaland physical health problems.

DALLAS - Navy Medicine leadershipmet with local health care providers,corporate executives, civic groups, andcommunity leaders to discuss sharedmedical initiatives and Navy Medicine'srole in the maritime strategy, as part ofDallas Navy Week 2011, April 5-8.

Rear Adm. Richard C. Vinci, deputychief, logistics and installations, NavyBureau of Medicine and Surgery, wasthe senior medical officer representingNavy Medicine during Dallas NavyWeek.

"We are here to thank the citizens ofthe Dallas/Ft. Worth area for the greatjob they are doing in taking care of ourarmed forces," said Vinci. "It is also agreat opportunity to show how we aretaking care of the men and women inthe Navy and those who will join theservice, and demonstrate how we are See DALLAS, Page 3

By Valerie A. Kremer, Bureau of Medicine andSurgery Public Affairs

DALLAS - Rear Adm. Richard C. Vinci, deputy chief, logistics and installations , Navy Bureau ofMedicine and Surgery, speaks with employees at the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Apr. 6 duringDallas/Ft. Worth Navy Week, one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across America for 2011. NavyWeeks are designed to showcase the investment Americans have made in their Navy as a globalforce for good and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.(U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward/Released)

In recent months, the DefenseDepartment has increased its focus onproviding more support for the childrenof military families. I echo that call.Since I became Surgeon General, Ihave made it a top priority to inculcatea culture of patient and family-centeredcare across the Navy Medicine commu-nity. By focusing on patients and theirfamilies, we ensure we provide environ-ments in which the entire familycan heal physically, mentally, andspiritually. Families are a vital part ofthe care we provide. We need to ensurethat we continue to integrate children’sneeds in all we do. We already have arobust family-centered program inplace, a part of which I’d like to high-light this month.

In many ways, we have led the mili-tary’s efforts on family readiness. Fromour Family Practice Residency trainingprograms to Project FOCUS (FamiliesOverComing Under Stress), we putSailors, Marines, and their families atthe forefront of our attention. WhenSailors and Marines know that we areproviding world class care for their chil-dren, especially while they are deployed,they have the assurance they need anddeserve to focus on their mission.

In January 2009, BUMED Family

Navy Medicine: “Focus on the Family”

April 2011 Page 2

Programs Division was created underthe Deployment Heath Directorate inthe Wounded, Ill, and Injured WarriorSupport Command of BUMED and nowoversees FOCUS training. In June 2009,the Office of the Secretary of DefenseChild and Family policy praised FOCUSas a best practice program and requestedthe support of BUMED to expand theprogram to select Army and Air Forcesites for services.

FOCUS is an eight-week, skill-based,trainer-led intervention that addressesdifficulties families may have when fac-ing the challenges of multiple deploy-ments, and parental combat-relatedpsychological and physical health prob-lems. The program provides structured

activities to bridge gaps in shared familyunderstanding that may follow stressfulexperiences and separations. FOCUSuses family training techniques to high-light areas of strength and resilience inthe family and promote family growthto help address daily challenges.

FOCUS develops families through ashared understanding of how their owndeployment experience creates a uniquestory to enhance resiliency and preparefor the next deployment. The programincludes the entire family and is tailoredto suit its specific needs. FOCUS isoffered in several formats: family con-sultations, family level training, smallgroup training, and workshops. FOCUSalso builds strong connections withother military family providers to sup-port a network of care for families.

Navy Medicine’s Core Concept ofCare is patient and family-centered toensure patient satisfaction, focusing on

SURGEON GENERAL’S CORNER

Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr.U.S. Navy Surgeon General

Capt. Cappy SurettePublic Affairs Officer

Shoshona Pilip-FloreaDeputy Public Affairs Officer

Valerie A. KremerMEDNEWS Managing Editor

Public Affairs OfficePhone: 202-762-3160

Fax: 202-762-1705

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery2300 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20372-5300

Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr.,

U.S. Navy Surgeon General

“Navy Medicine willdo whatever it takesto deliver the highestquality care that iscentered not justaround the patient, butalso around the family.”

increased access, coordination ofservices and safety, while recognizingthe vital importance of the family. Weserve our personnel and their familiesthroughout a patient’s treatment cycleand every aspect of medicine in the con-tinuum of care to provide a seamlesstransition and reintegration for ourWounded Warriors. Part of that missionincludes our family support programs tobuild paths to restoration, to maximizepatient and family empowerment, andcreate comprehensive healing environ-ments, especially for children who maybe stressed due to a parent’s frequentdeployments.

FOCUS is showing remarkableresults. Since its inception, thousandsof family members and providers havereached out to FOCUS. Notably,program participation has resulted insignificant increases in family and childpositive coping and significant reduc-tions in parent and child distress overtime, suggesting longer-term benefitsfor military family wellness. NavyMedicine will do whatever it takes todeliver the highest quality care that iscentered not just around the patient, butalso around the family.

It is my honor to represent you asyour Surgeon General. Thank you foreverything you do, but most of all thankyou for your service.

April 2011 Page 3

tarian assistance/disaster relief(HA/DR) missions."

Vinci shared Navy Medicine'scritical research and development piecethrough all six components of themaritime strategy.

"Before the USNS Comfort (T-AH20) went to Haiti after a massive earth-quake struck its capital, research anddevelopment went into every facet ofcreating and testing those supplies,medical capabilities, and logistics be-fore the ship left her port in Baltimore,Md.," said Vinci.

The 2010 HA/DR mission to Haitiis also an example of smart power,according to Vinci.

"Smart power is providing humani-tarian assistance and disaster reliefalongside our international partners

DALLASFrom Page 1

to help bring stability and hope tothose in need to the benefit of the globalcommunity," said Vinci. "Navy Medi-cine is often a cornerstone of theseimportant missions."

Vinci also met with emergency medi-cal and rescue staff at the Dallas FireDepartment to discuss trauma care, life-saving techniques, procedures currentlyused on the battlefield in Afghanistan,and advancements in Navy Medicineresearch and development.

"Through medical research anddevelopment, we have made greatstrides in innovative ways to treatwounded service members in theater,"said Vinci. "A one-handed, self-appliedtourniquet and a one-handed cricothy-rotomy kit, which allows quick andsafe access for breathing when there isa blockage in the throat, are just twoways that are making a difference insaving lives of our Sailors and Marines

Bremerton Naval Hospital Supports Effort to Aid Returnees

By Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. - Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) staffmembers assisted with the arrival at Seattle-Tacoma (SEATAC)international airport of the voluntary authorized departure ofeligible family members from Japan, Mar. 21.

The military-chartered flight arrived from Naval Air FacilityAtsugi with 154 passengers and 21 pets. NHB was one of nu-merous Navy assets to help support the US Army North jointmission, with an established reception and coordination centerto receive, account for, and render support for the returningfamily members.

Patient Administration Hospital Corpsmen, a doctor, and anurse from the Family Practice Clinic and technical supportfrom the leading chief petty officer of Information ManagementDivision aided in the overall process to get the family membersto their final destinations scattered throughout the U.S. TheArmy-led joint service support team brought in experts frompersonnel services, logistic and other specialties to streamlineand personally manage and address the returnees' needs andrequired administrative accountability.

“We are here in this joint environment to provide military-medical liaison, any basic medical needs, handle triage require-ments and screen anyone for any health-related issues,” saidCmdr. Pat Taylor, NHB’s Family Practice Assistant departmenthead.

The Monday flight followed the initial arrival on Mar. 19 thatbrought approximately 240 military family members to the des-ignated destination, including 190 children, and nine pets fromYokota Air Base.

"We had some minor medical issues on Saturday such as al-lergies kicking in and some gastro-intestinal distress," Taylorsaid. "We handled everything with the supplies we had onhand."

These two flights are the beginning of multiple chartered

BREMERTON, Wash. - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jerry Wagner,Naval Hospital Bremerton's Patient Administration Operational ForcesLiaison, provides assistance on coordinating medical-care for MinervaAquinaga and her six-month old daughter, Cassandra at Seattle Ta-coma (SEATAC) International Airport. Wagner and other NHB staffmembers assisted with the arrival at SEATAC of the voluntary author-ized departure of eligible family members from Japan on March 21.(U.S. Navy photo by Douglas H. Stutz/Released).

See BREMERTON, Page 4

whereas many would have been lostin the past."

Other Navy Medicine engagementsduring Dallas Navy Week includedspeaking with the Dallas Cowboys headtrainer and emergency medical support(EMS) stadium staff; visits to the BaylorSchool of Nursing, Susan G. Komen forthe Cure, and the Veterans AffairsNorth Texas Healthcare System; receiv-ing mayoral proclamations from themayors of Dallas and Ft. Worth; andspeaking with students from the Univer-sity of North Texas Health ScienceCenter, among others.

Dallas Navy Week is one of 21 Navyweeks across the country this year. NavyWeeks are designed to show Americansthe investment they make in their Navyand increase awareness in cities that donot have a significant Navy presence.Dallas Navy Week events continue untilApril 15.

April 2011 Page 4

flights bringing in an estimated 7,000Department of Defense personnel andfamily members impacted by devastat-ing Mar. 11 earthquake and tsunamis.

"Bringing military medicine to whereit’s needed is what we do," said Lt.Cmdr. Gray Dawson, NHB FamilyPractice, noting that for the majorityof passengers arriving, the commontheme was simply a relief to finally be attheir chosen destination of departure."But we're here for anything, evenworking with them to clear up TRI-CARE questions or find and contact acase manager for them to where theyare headed, or just seeing them or their

BREMERTONFrom Page 3

children for any reason at all."For Minerva Aguinaga, traveling

from NAF Atsugi with her six-monthold daughter Cassandra and anotherbaby on the way, her main concern afterthe long flight was linking up with aprovider at her final destination to assistwith checkups during her pregnancy.Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class JerryWagner, NHB Patient Administration,seamlessly stepped in to calm herunease. "I am worried about base accessand unsure about the entire area wherewe are going," said Aguinaga.

Wagner, adept in fleet liaison andfamily consult issues, took her paper-work to ensure her family informationwill be correctly updated in TRICARE.He then explained how he would ar-

Navy’s Top Doc Addresses 2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition

By Navy Bureau of Medicine and SurgeryPublic Affairs

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The NavySurgeon General addressed Navy Medi-cine's role in international humanitarianassistance and global health diplomacyin support of the Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition held at the GaylordNational Resort and Convention Centerin National Harbor, Md., April 11.

"The Navy has been doing humani-tarian assistance and disaster relief foryears and it is of crucial importance,"said Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr.,U.S. Navy Surgeon General and Chief,Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. "Weare the best suited for these missionsbecause we can deploy medical capabili-ties around the world in a matter ofhours and never skip a beat."

The theme of this year's exposition is"Internationally Engaged: EnsuringFreedom of the Seas," and in that vein,Robinson highlighted many of NavyMedicine's international engagementsand partnerships.

Robinson discussed Navy Medicine'srole in support of the Japanese reliefefforts, especially Operation Tomodachi.According to Robinson, the Navy hasupwards of 500 medical personnelworking in direct support of Tomoda-

chi, including more than 30 radiationhealth officers and technicians support-ing every service and joint commandin the region.

Robinson cited the importance of theNavy hospital ships and how the inter-agency and multinational missions theyconduct demonstrate the key role of'whole of government" solutions. Hepraised missions like Operation Con-

tinuing Promise 2011, currently under-way in South and Central Americaand the Caribbean, with 13 partneringand host nations and multiple govern-mental and non-governmental organiza-tions, in an effort to build emergencypreparedness in the region and forgefuture partnerships.

"The difference in civilian and NavyMedicine is our adaptability and flexibil-ity to surge medical capacity anywherein the world while maintaining quality

patient and family-centered care athome," said Robinson. "That is whatour hospital ships and expeditionarymedical forces are all about."

Robinson also highlighted the impor-tant strides Navy Medicine is making inglobal health diplomacy in areas aroundthe Horn of Africa and Afghanistan.

"We are committed to helping bolsterAfghanistan's medical capability, as wellas, many other places around the world,"said Robinson. "Our global medicalpartnerships are important to us as theyare critical to helping us preserve stabil-ity in these regions. We have seen tre-mendous success in this area in multipleparts of the world and will remain stead-fast in our commitment to them."

The annual Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition brings togetherthe U.S. defense industrial base,private-sector U.S. companies and keymilitary decision makers in a forumwhere open discussion and interactionis encouraged.

This year's event features more than150 exhibits, five professional develop-ment seminars, daily floor speaker ses-sions, and the new Maritime Energypavilion where speakers will discuss thecurrent and future energy initiatives ofthe sea services.

"We are the best suitedfor these missionsbecause we can deploymedical capabilitiesaround the world in amatter of hours andnever skip a beat."

range contact information and facilitatenecessary paperwork for her upcomingappointments. "We'll make sure she hasno problem," said Wagner. "That's whatwe're here for."

“Although we haven’t fielded a lotof questions, the families arriving seewe’re here and everyone one elsestanding by to help them,” said Taylor.“That takes a lot off their mind. Thecombined team effort going on herereally is tremendous. The NBK ChildDevelopment Center has set up a greatarea to watch the children so the par-ents can concentrate on gettingchecked in and our Fleet and FamilySupport team has so much compassionin reaching out to every family memberand helping them.”

April 2011 Page 5

Books, Crafts, Kids at Museum for Month of the Military Child

By Lance Cpl. Shandra Dyess, Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE, QUANTICO, Va. — Children of mili-tary personnel celebrated the Month of the Military Child dur-ing an event at the National Museum of theMarine Corps on Saturday.

The event ran from noon to 3 p.m. and fea-tured pace painting, a puppet show and a visitfrom McGruff the crime dog, said Martha Stout,education specialist at the museum.

The Month of the Military Child began in1986 as a way to share with the world theimpact children have on the armed forces.

Reilley, 4, showed her pride as a militarychild by telling people that he father wasa Marine.

“He can beat up a bear,” said Reilley.Sunshee Wilson, author of “Mommy Wears a Uniform” was

also present for a book reading and signing.The event was sponsored by Families Overcoming Under

Stress, the New Parent Support Program, Marine Corps FamilyTeam Building, the Exceptional Family Mem-ber Program, the School Liaison Program, theFamily Advocacy Program and the base library.

The museum isn’t alone in celebrating themonth, however. The Children, Youth and

Teen Program is holding events throughout themonth. The CYTP will have garden plantingApril 11-15 and an egg hunt on April 20.

The Marine Corps exchange also held eventsin celebration of the Month of the MilitaryChild on Saturday where children competed

in events like a Lego contest and diaper derby.For information on this month’s events, view the Marine

Corps Community Services website at www.quantico.usmc-mccs.org.

an IPAP instructor from 2006 to early 2011.Additionally, students submit a master's thesis to the

University of Nebraska. The students graduate with master'sdegrees in physician assistant studies from the University ofNebraska, ranked number 16 by U.S. News and World Reports.

The students are then commissioned as alieutenant junior grade in the Navy's Medi-cal Service Corps, Perry said.

"Our mission is to provide the uniformedservices highly competent, compassionatePAs," Perry said. "We are committed totraining PAs who model integrity, strive forleadership excellence, and are committed tolifelong learning."

The IPAP is the world's largest PA pro-gram, graduating approximately 225 PAsannually, while maintaining the high-quality reputation for which it has becomeknown, Perry said.

"All program graduates are well-preparedto provide high-quality patient care in a wide variety of settingslike inpatient, outpatient, primary and surgical care," Perry said."They provide this care both in the U.S. and abroad."

"It is wonderful to hear that the Interservice PhysicianAssistant Program has been ranked among the leading physi-cian assistant programs," said Lt. j.g. Tonya Lozier, a 2010IPAP graduate who is now serving at the Marine SpecialOperations Command (MARSOC) at Camp Lejeune, NC.

"What an extraordinary testament to the quality of leadershipand instruction provided to prepare hundreds of IPAP studentsservice wide," she said.

Navy Physician Assistant Training Ranked Among Nation's BestBy Larry Coffey, Navy Medicine Support Command Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO - The Interservice Physician Assistant Pro-gram (IPAP) was selected by U.S. News and World Reportsas a top graduate school program April 5.

A 2012 special edition of U.S. News and World Reports BestGraduate Schools announced that IPAP,based at Fort Sam Houston, was selected ina three-way tie with Northeastern Univer-sity in Boston and Stony Brook University –SUNY in Stony Brook.

The selection was based on peer assess-ment surveys within the discipline and canbe viewed online at the U.S. News andWorld Reports website.

"I am very proud of our PA trainingprogram," said Rear Adm. Eleanor Valentin,Commander, Navy Medicine SupportCommand and the Navy's Medical ServiceCorps director.

"Our physician assistants are charged with the care of ourmost important resources in the Navy and Marine Corps – ourpeople. So, it is essential that we provide the best training possi-ble. Our joint training program at Fort Sam Houston accom-plishes this in part by combining the best of the military ser-vices," she said.

IPAP is taught by Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guardinstructors, and is comprised of students from those servicesand the Marine Corps.

Training includes 2,810 hours of clinical rotations, directpatient care, research work and classroom study, said Lt. Cmdr.Ron Perry of the Health Care Interservice Training Office and

April 2011 Page 6

Combat Casualty Care Course: Marines Learn Battlefield First AidBy Lance Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr., Marine CorpsBases Japan

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan —Combat is an inherently dangerousenvironment in which casualties canoccur at any time.

The Tactical Combat Casualty Carecourse held on Camp Schwab March14-18 taught Marines the battlefield firstaid needed to tend to the wounds fellowMarines might receive during combat.

During the five-day course, Marineswith Military Police Support Company,Headquarters Battalion, 3rd MarineDivision, III Marine ExpeditionaryForce, learned how to keep combat

casualties alive while awaiting transportto medical care.

The first three days were classroominstruction with some practical applica-tions, said Petty Officer 3rd Class EddieRodriguez, a special amphibious recon-naissance corpsman with 3rd Recon-naissance Battalion, 3rd MarDiv.During the last two days of class, Ma-rines use their new skills in realistictraining scenarios.

All Marines receive some sort of firstaid care while in boot camp, but thetraining taught during TCCC goes morein depth, Rodriguez said.

“All Marines know how to usean occlusive dressing on a gunshot

wound or splint a broken bone,”Rodriguez said.

An occlusive dressing is an air- andwater-tight trauma dressing used infirst aid.

Providing care on the battlefieldhowever involves understandinghuman physiology, the aftermath of awound and being able to care for thevictim for a few hours or even days, saidRodriguez.

In one field environment trainingscenario, two students, a caregiver andan assistant, administered care to asimulated casualty. The team assessedthe casualty before providing battlefieldfirst aid, he added.

Martha Stewart Honors Military Families at Camp Lejeune

By Anna Hancock, Naval Hospital CampLejeune Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - First LadyMichelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden andMartha Stewart kicked off a nationaltour to generate support and awarenessfor Joining Forces aboard Marine CorpsBase Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 13.

Joining Forces is a national initiativefocusing on supporting America's ser-vice members and their families. Obamanoted how Camp Lejeune and the Jack-sonville, N.C., community serve as amodel for military support and positivecommunity involvement to the rest ofthe nation, and was an obvious choice tolaunch their national campaign.

Later that afternoon, Stewart, anEmmy Award-winning television serieshost, joined Capt. Daniel Zinder, NHCLcommanding officer, and Col. DanielLecce, Marine Corps Base Camp Le-jeune commanding officer, in recogniz-ing active duty NHCL staff for theirwork and commitment to serving theircountry and taking care of militaryfamilies.

Stewart donated a southern magnoliatree and engraved plaque to the hospital.The dedication ceremony began with

Stewart introducing Zinder and Lecce tothe crowd, and then gifting the tree toZinder. Stewart said choosing NHCL todedicate the tree to growing militaryfamilies was most appropriate. She rec-ognized that out of the approximate100,000 babies born each year in theUnited States, about 2,000 babies aredelivered at NHCL, placing NHCLamong the hospitals with the highestbirth rates in the country.

"I brought you a gift," said Stewart."Since you're doing this massive restora-tion at the hospital, I thought you canuse this grand Magnolia… in honor ofMother's Day and the babies born hereat the Naval Hospital"

Stewart's vision is for the babies bornin 2011 to return to the Naval Hospitaland visit the tree as it flourishes, to re-mind the children of Stewart's increas-ing gratitude to military children's manysacrifices for this country. She empa-thized with military children, who shenoted often grow up with only one par-ent present while the other serves thiscountry somewhere away from home.

Stewart began the tree planting dem-onstration with the help from the com-manding officers and two active dutyNavy NHCL staff members. The demon-

stration concluded with the presentationof an engraved plaque from Stewart tothe Naval Hospital that states, "A gift tobabies born at Camp Lejeune in 2011.April 13, 2011."

The commanding officers then pre-sented Stewart with their respectivecommand coins; thanking Stewart forher kind gesture.

"NHCL staff is a mix of active dutySailors, civil service employees, contractpersonnel and Red Cross volunteerswho carry out Navy Medicine's missionto provide quality care to all Sailors,Marines and their families no matterwhere they serve around the world,every day," said Zinder. "Our Sailorsserve in positions from doctors andcorpsman, to biomedical techniciansand facilities maintenance, and we prideourselves in our great Navy medicinesupport to the military community."

Stewart supported Zinder's com-ments and commended the efforts of thehospital staff in taking care of their own.

"I think the community is lucky tohave the Naval Hospital here," explainedStewart. "The hospital is very valuable. Imet some of the doctors and familiesand they were great. I hope that the chil-dren and families appreciate [the gift]for years to come."

Dayton researcher, Michelle Okolica, testing bio-fuels.To date, the in vitro toxicological tests performed by

NAMRU-Dayton show no evidence of mutagenic events in theDNA with either HRJ or the algae-based F-76 fuel.

These preliminary data indicate that the risk to military per-sonnel likely will not increase with the use of these alternativefuels, potentially giving the Navy a “green light” for moving tothese types of fuels in the near future.

April 2011 Page 7

Navy Fuels Go Green, Navy Biomedical Research Part of the Plan

By Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton Public Affairs

DAYTON, Ohio - The Navy currently relies on at least seventypes of petroleum-based fuels to power its multitude of ships,aircraft and other components of the fighting force. RecentNavy efforts are aimed at replacing approximately half of the 35million barrels of fuel with alternative fuels.

Biofuels generated from fats, plant materials or other naturalresources are particularly promising, with two types of biofuelscurrently undergoing performance-based testing. HydrotreatedRenewable Jet (HRI) fuel generated from camelina seeds wasused as a 50/50 blend with conventional Jet Propulsion (JP)-5 tofly the F/A-18 “Green Hornet” on Earth Day 2010, and a marinebiodiesel form of F-76 made from algae was used as a blend topower a Riverine Boat in October 2010.

Despite being biologically based, biofuels still need to un-dergo a series of toxicological tests to ensure the safety of themilitary personnel working with and around these fuels. NavalMedical Research Unit-Dayton (NAMRU-Dayton) researchersare working with the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Divi-sion to evaluate HRJ and the algae-based form of F-76 for toxic-ity and biological efforts.

To reduce costs and streamline testing, the NAMRU-Daytonteam has relied heavily on in vitro technologies that expose hu-man lung cells, grown in dishes, to the biofuels and blends di-rectly or as vapors. Following exposure, the researchers deter-mine damage to the cells by tracking enzyme activity. The teamalso assesses the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of thebiofuels and blends with the Ames assay, a test that NAMRU-

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - An F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter,dubbed the “Green Hornet,” is fueled with a 50/50 blend of biofuel andconventional fuel at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. before asupersonic test flight. (Photo by Liz Goettee/Released)

“It was as real as we could get it,” said Cpl. Daniel Malmberg,the simulated victim for the exercise and one of the students inthe course.

As part of the “real” training the caregiver and assistant in-serted a tube into Malmberg’s nostril. The procedure, referredto as a nasopharyngeal, is used to open the airway of an uncon-scious victim, preventing the tongue from blocking air passages.

The course taught the guidelines of battlefield care but alsoprovided Marines with the necessary skills to think independ-ently when dealing with a downed casualty, said Malmberg aftercompleting the course.

“I’d be able to assess any casualty, diagnose and fix them,”he added.

The Marines learned to improvise and use what was availableto treat casualties, Rodriguez added.

“Field medicine is kind of improvised,” said Rodriguez. “Youmight use a stick to make a splint. Today we had the Marinesuse duct tape as an occlusive dressing.”

TCCC instructors try to teach Marines to think outside thebox for solutions to provide medical aid, Rodriguez said.The knowledge corpsmen teach Marines at TCCC might some-day save lives, he said.

MARINESFrom Page 6

MARINE CORPS BASES JAPAN - Marines from Military Police SupportCompany, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MarineExpeditionary Force, move a simulated casualty on a stretcher duringa Tactical Combat Casual Care class on Camp Schwab March 17.(Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr./Released)

April 2011 Page 8Voices From the Field

To keep up with NavyMedicine news and dailyupdates follow us on...

Naval Detainee Medicine – New Challenges, New Insight

under the command of an Army brigadesurgeon and answering to an Armybrigadier general.

Our mission was a highly chargedone. The detention facility was fre-quently visited by senior military andpolitical officials from numerous coun-tries. The care we provided was con-stantly under the scrutiny of militarycommanders, civilian leaders, and hu-man rights organizations. This fact,combined with the ethical and moraldilemmas of caring for an enemy thatwas attempting to kill or injure our fel-low soldiers made having compassionfor our patients particularly difficult.But we persevered and even excelled atour job to provide top notch medicalcare not only to the detainees, but alsoto the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmentasked with protecting us and guardingthe detainees.

Despite the fact we came from vari-ous backgrounds and locations from all

By Lt. Cmdr. Anthony LaCourse PA-C,MSC, USNR

over the United States, when combinedwith the Army and Air Force teammembers, we developed into a cohesiveand very effective medical unit.

Each of us faced challenges whileworking in the DFIP that we had neverdreamed of facing before. None of ushad worked in detainee healthcare pre-viously, yet we accepted the challengeand turned them into opportunities forsuccess. We came to accept the realitiesof working with patients who were oftenresistant and openly hostile. As provid-ers we often found ourselves accommo-dating and changing our schedules tomeet the medical and religious needs ofour patients. Despite all these challengeswe were glad to be able to complete themission and to be able to reach out andshare our training and experience, ofwhat we learned, with the next genera-tion of detainee medical operationalteams.

Working as medical support in a de-tainee facility was an incredibly de-manding position as a Navy IndividualAugmentee (IA). Combine those de-mands with the challenges of operatingin a combat zone and conflicting emo-tions about your job, and it was evenharder. We often compared it to an actfrom Dante’s Inferno, a struggle of envi-ronment, emotions, and trying to do thebest job possible. The setting was theDetention Facility in Parwan (DFIP),located several kilometers from BagramAir Field, Afghanistan, where the tem-perature ranged from 80 to 125 degreeson any given spring or summer day.

The Navy augmentation medical staffat the DFIP consisted of four reservists:Capt. Thomas Fluent, M.D. (Director ofBehavioral Health), Lt. Cmdr. AnthonyLaCourse, PA-C (Executive Officer), Lt.Kathleen Cooper, PA-C, HospitalCorpsman 1st Class Nicholas Huso, andone active duty Sailor, Lt. AlexandraMurray (HCA).

Working 70 to 80 hours every week,our job was to provide medical and ad-ministrative support to a medical facilityhoused inside the only theater-level de-tention facility in Afghanistan. We man-aged all aspects of care, including pri-mary, emergency, and behavioral health.Our role was to augment a medicalclinic primarily staffed by members ofthe Air Force and Army. All of us were

PARWAN, Afghanistan - NavyIndividual Augmentees (IAs)provided medical support atthe Detention Facility inParwan (DFIP), Afghanistan.Back row from left: HospitalCorpsman 1st Class Huso,Hospital Corpsman 2nd ClassFrench (Task Group Trident),Lt. Cmdr. LaCourse. FrontRow from left: Lt. Murray,Lt. Cooper and Capt. Fluent(Courtesy photo/Released)

Got News? If you’d like to submit an article or have an idea for one,contact MEDNEWS at 202-762-3160, fax 202-762-1705 or Valerie.Kremer@med.navy.mil.

April is Sexual Assault Month

While individuals of both genders are perpetrators of sexual assault, the majority of those who

commit sexual assaults are men. Even so, it is important to remember that the vast majority of men

are not rapists. There are many things men (and women) can do to help prevent sexual violence.

For more information: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (http://www.rainn.org)