Volume 25, No. 10 October 2017

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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

THE EXAMINER

The Adobe Cafe wants toreduce plastic waste. It’s a teameffort that will require AdobeCafe patrons to do their part.What’s your part? Consider din-ing in rather than tossing anoth-er styrofoam container into thetrash.

Have you ever thought aboutwhere that Styrofoam containerends up? A July 2017 NationalGeographic article refers to aSouth Pacific plastic patch larg-er than Mexico. It’s not all bot-tles, bags and Styrofoam con-tainers. Most of this plastic has

broken down into bite-size bits,that fish are eating. This is more

than a pollution problem. Fishare in the human food chain; so

it’s also a contamina-tion problem.

As a command weproduce a significantamount of waste.Some of which is eco-logically friendly,while most of it is not.

Styrofoam, ranks asbeing the secondworst pollutant to theenvironment.

Based on local marketresearch, replacing theStyrofoam and plastic

utensils with environmentally-friendly products would raisethe cost of these products bywell over 200 percent, a costincrease that is not fiscallyviable.

We are putting out a call to din-ers: Help us reduce the amountof plastic waste. Choose toeither dine in (dining room orpatio) or make a conscious deci-sion to reduce your Styrofoamand plastic utensil use.

We value your ideas. If youhave suggestions for reducingwaste, particularly Styrofoam,please send your ideas tomichael.kantar.mil@mail.mil.

Another Styrofoam takeout container ispassed to a customer at the Adobe Cafe.Approximately 150 takeout containers areused daily. According to Harvardresearchers, a single polystyrene coffee cupcan take up to 500 years to break down.

By Lt. Michael Kantar, NHTPNutrition ManagementDepartment Head

Adobe Cafe Wants to Go Green But Needs Your Help

Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms was recognized for“commanding excellence incustomer service.” A Letter ofAppreciation signed by RearAdm. B.L. Gillingham, DeputyChief of Readiness and Health,states: “For commanding excel-lence in Customer Service from1 September 2016 to 31December 2016, which led toNaval Hospital TwentyninePalms ranking in the top 10 per-cent nationally for patients rec-ommending the hospital in theTRICARE InpatientSatisfaction Survey....”“This facility is the finest facil-ity in the entire Department ofDefense chain. I haven’t movedfrom California because ofNaval Hospital TwentyninePalms.”--Mark CainU.S. Army Sergeant Major(Ret.), Nurse PractitionerYucca Valley, Calif.

NHTP Ranks in Top10 Percent forCustomer Service

Five new Navy Chiefs stepped smartly into a new phase of their careers following the FY 18 Chief PettyOfficer Pinning Ceremony in the MCAGCC Protestant Chapel September 16. HMC Daniel Gonzalez,HMC Jenna Uhrich, HMC Dave Domantay, HMC Steven Piedrahita and HMC Katrina Caines werepinned with Chief’s anchors by family members and colleagues. Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (Ret.)Kevin Bittinger was the guest speaker.

2 -- The Examiner - October - 2017

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 preparedby the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Commanding OfficerCapt. Nadjmeh M. Hariri, DC, USN

Executive OfficerCapt. Patrick K. Amersbach, NC, USN

Command Master Chief HMCM (SW/AW/FMF) Jerry Ramey, USN

Public Affairs Officer/EditorMr. Dave Marks

Command OmbudsmanMr. Brent Harris (760) 668-1178 email: nh29ombudsman@gmail.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

Peace Lutheran Church donated 68 layettes September 27, their largest donation yet. The Palm DesertChurch has been making twice annual donations since 2009. “We enjoy doing it; and there’s a lot oflove involved,” said Donna Chilman. The layettes are delivered to the Maternal Infant NursingDepartment and distributed to families with new babies. Hospitalman Leslie Mahrer, who helped takedelivery of the layettes noted that she had received one after delivering her baby. “It was awesome,” shesaid. Pictured, L-R: Capt. Jeffrey Bledsoe, John Rockwood, Pastor Norville Chilman, Chaplain AlbertPerez, Charlotte Spielberger, Donna Chilman, HN Leslie Mahrer and Hospital Corpsman Third ClassDylan Beck.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was observed with great rever-ence, respect and solemnity by the NHTP Junior Enlisted AssociationSept. 28 in Classroom 5.

NHTP Commanding Officer, Capt. Nadjmeh Hariri offered openingremarks. Hospital Corpsman Third Class Michelle Bowles wasMaster of Ceremonies.

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassMaquis Thomas.

Personal Specialist RachelDietz.

Hospitalman Joshua Creech. Hospitalman Jomar Jean.

Hospital Corpsman ThirdClass Anthony Winsor.

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassChristina Keithley.

“Let us remember and neverforget their sacrifice.”

“You are not forgotten.”

The Examiner--October 2017-- 3

Department in the Spotlight: Mental Health Department• Department Head: Lt. Cmdr.Starla Lyles• Number of Officers: 9• Number of Corpsmen: 4• Number of GS Employees: 1• Number of Contractors: 15• Lead Petty Officer: HM3Dyresha McKay• Average number of patientsseen per day: 50 (includingscheduled appointments andwalk-ins).

If Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms were a maritime ship, theMental Health Departmentwould be considered the “crow’snest,” a lookout point warning

against approaching hazards androcky shores. The mental healthteam intervenes and assists dur-ing service members’ most chal-lenging times in life, whetherduring times of marital stress,occupational strain, substanceuse, and so on.

The Mental Health Departmentprovides services and guidancefacilitating the development ofhealthy coping strategies,behavioral changes, and com-mand support to navigatethrough life’s stormy waters.

The Mental Health Departmentconsists of the Mental HealthClinic, Deployment HealthClinic, and the Traumatic BrainInjury Clinic. Services offeredinclude individual and grouptherapy, psychotropic medica-

tion management, pre- and post-deployment screenings, concus-sion care, and more.

In the summer of 2016, thedepartment moved into the newAdult Medical Care Clinic(AMCC) allowing for a closerrelationship with the BattalionMedical Officers and theRegimental Surgeon. Recenthighlights include contributingto the Marine Corps Air GroundCombat Center’s annual SuicideSymposium for Commanders,held on September 19, and host-ed by the Marine CorpsCounseling Center. The sympo-sium represented a collaborationof psychologists, psychiatrists,clinical social workers, andchaplains--who elaborated ondecreasing the stigma of mentalhealth in the Marine Corps cul-

By Lt. Cmdr. Starla Lyles,Psychiatrist, MentalHealth/Deployment HealthDepartment Head

Department in the Spotlight: Mental/Deployment Health ture, ancillary services availableto the installation, and highlight-ing upcoming initiatives toimprove the safety of servicemembers in crisis pending trans-port to inpatient mental-healthfacilities.

Future initiatives and items offocus include advances in carecollaboration with MedicalHome Port (primary care) toextend prescription services fordependent care. Recently, theTraumatic Brain Injury Clinicextended care to dependents ofactive-duty members, 16 yearsof age and older. This includesmedical clearance following aconcussion and access to neu-ropsychological testing and astaff neurologist.

The Deployment Health Clinicensures medical readiness andrecently implemented the new

electronic Periodic HealthAssessment (e-PHA). Thisendeavor entails assessment of1,500 service members fromHeadquarters Battalion,MCTOG, MCLOG, MCCESS(permanent staff), and NHTP,requiring records review annual-ly to ensure medical readinessand deployment preparation.

The Mental Health Departmentat Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms ((760) 830-2724), is opento active duty members, Mon -Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., forwalk-in, urgent, and routine vis-its. For service members in cri-sis after hours, emergent ser-vices are available at the NHTPEmergency Room.

The National SuicidePrevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255.

First row L-R: Lt. Cmdr. Starla Lyles, Dr. Richard Ellsworth, Ms. April Cruz, Ms. Marcy Cohn, Ms.Leslie Belt, Lt. Nicole Kang; 2nd row: HM3 Armando Sosa, Ms. Monalisa Infante, Ms. Sandra Foshee,Ms. Jill Colburn, Ms. Susan Kent, Ms. Jenei Dariano, HM3 Dyresha McKay, Dr. Frederick Blum, Dr.Robin Ellis, Mr. Rubin Rios; Back row: Lt. Cmdr. William Johnson, Mr. Paul De Waard, Mr. FernandoBobadilla, Lt. Cmdr. John Hoyos, Mr. Thomas Teleha. Not pictured: Capt. Anthony Arita, Cmdr.Patricia Miller, Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Cruz, Lt. Cmdr. Monica Delano, Lt. Chelsey Flohe, HM3 JulioGarcia, HN Stephanie Blubaugh, Dr. Roxana Farinpour.

Hospital Corpsman Second Class Michael Spencer and HospitalCorpsman Second Class Mercedes Maebane man the SuicideAwareness and Prevention display during the NHTP CommunityHealth Fair Sept. 21.

4 -- The Examiner --October 2017

Awardees... The following awards were presented during the First Friday Award Ceremony, September 1, 2017, in NHTPClassrooms 4 & 5. Hospital Commanding Officer, Capt. Nadjmeh Hariri, was the presenting officer withExecutive Officer (acting) Capt. Jeffrey Bledsoe and Command Master Chief Jerry Ramey.

Lt. Cmdr. Amelia Buttolph is awarded the Navyand Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Hospital Corpsman First Class Diana Rudolf isawarded the Navy and Marine Corps CommendationMedal.

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Julius Navalta isawarded the Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal.

Hospitalman Clayton Echimovich is awarded theNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Hospitalman Justin Depergola is presented with aLetter of Commendation. “Your technical expertisewas exemplary during 11 obstetric emergencies, twoneonatal emergencies, and two cardiac arrests thatresulted in the delivery of world-class care.”

Mr. Stephen Crowder is presented with aFederal Length of Service Award, “in gratefulrecognition and appreciation for your 15 yearsof faithful service to the federal government.”

The Examiner --October 2017-- 5

Hospitalman Justin Geier is awarded the Navy and MarineCorps Achievement Medal.

Hospitalman Jose Kajatt is presented with a Letter ofCommendation. “You displayed a wealth of knowledge andexpertise in the fine calibration of the newborn hearingscreening machine and the performance of 756 hearingscreenings with minimal to no descrepancies.”

Surgical Tech Week was celebrated with cake and congratulatory remarks outside the surgery suite Sept.21. “I’m honored to be your leader. We couldn’t do this without you,” said Director for SurgicalServices, Lt. Cmdr. Lacy Gee. L-R: Hospitalman Joshua Herrin, Hospital Corpsman Second ClassMichael Spencer, Hospitalman Tyler Graham, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Vittorio Garcia,Hospitalman Cesar Garcia and Hospital Corpsman Third Class Marquis Thomas. HospitalCommanding Officer, Capt. Nadjmeh Hariri noted that surgical techs “are the backbone of the OR.”

The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery’s 175th birthday was celebrated on the NHTP Quarterdeck August31. L-R: Holly Aquilar, NHTP Senior Civilian of the Year; Lt. Conrad Chou, Dental Corps; HospitalmanBrenden Wyatt, Hospital Corps; Lt. Alexandria Ford, Medical Corps; Amanda Cervantes, NHTP JuniorCivilian of the Year; Ensign Rachel Meza, Nurse Corps; Lt. j.g Lester Vidal, Medical Service Corps.

6 -- The Examiner --October 2017

Introducing New Staff -- Welcome Aboard!

HM3 Donavon Miller CS2 Judy HolcombMs. Jessica Redding HMCS Glenn BagamaspadYNSN DeAwanna PretlowHospital Corpsman Third ClassDonavon Miller arrived fromU.S. Naval Hospital Naples,Italy, where he worked as aphysical therapy tech for thepast three years. He’s been inthe Navy for six years.Hometown is Chicago, Illinois.He chose to become a Corps-man out of an appreciation forthe scope of work and the cus-tomer service. His goal is toearn his physical therapy assis-tant licensure and eventuallyearn a doctorate in physicaltherapy. Naples was great,” hesaid. He especially enjoyedbeing able to travel on week-ends. “I visited approximately24 countries,” he said, namingCroatia, Germany, Spain andPortugal. HM3 Miller gained anappreciation for the various cul-tures throughout Europe. Hedrove here from Chicago andwas impressed with the changeof scenery as he drove west.Hobbies involve his love oftravel. He plans to hike the trailsin Joshua Tree. He also enjoysreading a good mystery, eitherfiction or non-fiction.

Ms. Jessica Redding arrivedfrom Carlisle, Pennsylvania,where she was an emergency-room nurse. She earned her RNdegree from Seattle Universityin her hometown, Seattle. Whileearning her degree, Reddingmet a civilian EMT whobrought patients to her emer-gency room. Now, that EMT isa Corpsman on the Multi-Service Ward; and his wife,Jessica Redding, has a positionin the NHTP ER. “He had theidea to join the Navy before Imet him; and I thought that waspretty cool,” Redding said.Jessica drove cross country withher mother and a six-month oldpuppy. She and her husbandmoved into off-base housing atthe beginning of summer, whentemperatures hovered around115 degrees; and the swampcooler promptly broke. It’s allworked out. Redding isimpressed with the “family”aspect of the NHTP EmergencyMedicine Department. Hobbiesinclude hiking as a couple withtheir dogs and going to thebeach as much as possible.

Culinary Specialist SecondClass Judy Holcomb arrivedfrom Pearl Harbor NavalShipyard where she preparedmaintenance briefs for ships.Previous to that assignment, shespent three years on the USSHalsey (DLG-23), starting outas a cook-on-watch, which ledto galley-watch captain, thenbaker and eventually recordskeeper. She enjoyed being abaker best. Holcomb has been inthe Navy for nine years.Hometown is Winters, Texas.She originally enlisted as acryptologic technician but foundherself in an over-manned yeargroup and was looking at sepa-raton. She took it upon herselfto research options, and foundthe culinary-specialist rating.She originally signed up for theeducation benefits and ability tosee the world, as well as servingher country. Now, in her firstshore assignment, she plans toattend college and pursue busi-ness management with the endgoal of opening her own restau-rant. Holcomb is here with herhusband and two children.

Senior Chief Hospital CorpsmanGlenn Bagamaspad arrived fromYokosuka, Japan, where he wasBattleforce 7th Fleet Indep-endent Duty Corpsman, work-ing directly under Rear Adm.Charles Williams. He was therefor four and a half years andloved it. HMCS Bagamaspadhas been in the Navy 22 years.Hometown is the San FernandoValley in greater Los Angeles.He credits his brother for hisdecision to join the Navy. Hisbrother had joined 18 monthsearlier, had recruitment duty inLos Angeles, and invited hisyounger brother to visit him atthe recruiting office. He and hisbrother, a fellow hospitalCorpsman, served two tourstogether, in Bremerton and atBethesda. Bagamaspad is herewith his wife and four childrenand will be Senior EnlistedLeader for Branch Clinics.Bagamaspad earned a degree inHealth Sciences from TridentUniversity. For hobbies, heenjoys shooting, photography,drones, cart racing, hiking andsports.

Yeoman Seaman DeAwannaPretlow wanted a career inadministrative work. She had ahair-stylest position, “but thatwasn’t a lifetime job,” she said.She had earned her Bachelor’sdegree in accounting (Wilber-force University) and a Master’sin Business Administration(DeVry University), but still hadtrouble finding a position that fither skill set. So she joined theNavy. Pretlow enjoyed the train-ing she received at the NavalTechnical Training Center(Yeoman“A” school) inMeridian, Mississippi. “Ienjoyed learning the craft of aNavy Yeoman in its entirety,”she said. New to the West Coastand the high desert, Pretlow saidshe was taken aback by thedesert, the mountains and theoverall brown color of the land-scape. But the Navy barrackswas a pleasant relief. “The bar-racks are a comfort zone. Itreminds me of college,” shesaid. For recreation, Pretlowenjoys reading (48 Laws ofPower, Forensic Accounting)and playing sudoku.

The Examiner -- October 2017 -- 7

Hospital Corpsman First Class Joshua Lukacovic reen-listed for six more years Sept. 29. Hometown is St.Augustine, Florida. Lukacovic has been in the Navy for14 years. Reenlisting Officer was Capt. Jeffrey Bledsoe.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Madonna Macnightwas presented with her Desert Rat Certificatefrom Cmdr. Mark Lang during her going awayluncheon Sept. 14. Macnight was also awardeda Navy and Marine Corps CommendationMedal. Macnight departed for duty aboard theUSNS Mercy (TA-19).

Hospital Corpsman Second Class Daniel Dobrickreenlisted for four more years Sept. 8. Hometown isPhelan, California. Dobrick has been in the Navy fornine years. Reenlisting officer was Lt. Cmdr.Markeece Murriel.

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Christopher San Miguelreenlisted for three more years Sept. 1. Hometown isOdessa, Texas. Capt. Jeffrey Bledsoe was the reenlistingofficer.

Capt. Roger Bunch was promoted during a Sept.7 ceremony on the NHTP Quarterdeck. Hisdaughter and wife apply the new shoulder boardsreflecting his current rank.

Information Systems Technologist Third Class AustinBoon reenlisted for two more years Sept. 8.Hometown is Knoxville, Tennessee. Boon has been inthe Navy for four years. Lt. Christopher Skirvin wasthe reenlisting officer.

Lt. Cmdr. William Michael’s wife pins a golden oakleaf onto his collar, commensurate with his new rank,following a Sept. 1 promotion ceremony. Michael is astaff physician in the Family Medicine Clinic.

Awards

Promotions

Reenlistments

Morning Colors, September 11, 2017.

8 -- The Examiner -- October 2017