National Naval Medical Center staff members completed a four-month humanitarian mission to Latin American. During the mission onboard USNS Comfort, known as Continuing Promise 2009 (CP09), crew members visited seven countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Columbia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Panama. They served more than 100,000 patients, conducted more than 1,600 operations and filled more than 135,000 prescriptions. The crew, which included roughly 200 staff members from NNMC, provided medical and dental assistance, and veterinarian and educational programs both ashore and afloat.

CP09 was a collaborative effortbetween U.S. military forces, non-governmental agencies and host nations. The mission demonstrated goodwill and America’s lasting commitment tocountries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

NNMC, NDW leaders form new command

National Naval Medical Center and Naval District Washington leaders formed an agreement to align a new command, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda. NNMC Commander Rear Adm. Matthew Nathan and NDW Commander Rear Adm. P.J. Lorge signed a Memorandum of Agreement, creating a command structure separate from that of the medical center.

NSA Bethesda will support a defense secretary initiative to align financialresources of certain base operations and maintenance activities, which will thus improve accounting and funding for these activities throughout the Defense Department. Functions directly associated with the medical center’s operations will remain under control of the medical center commander.

Tricare looks to aid transition,future care in WRNMMC

An integral part of the BRAC process is integrating the existing services at NNMC and WRAMC. Tricare Management Activity’s new director, Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, is interestedin finding ways Tricare can help ease the NNMC and WRAMC transition. Along with that Hunter is looking forward to working closely with Joint Task Force National Capital Area – Medical leadership to help support plans for the future Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Tricare is interested in continuing its mission of providing quality health care for service members and their families. Hunter is the former commander of Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center SanDiego.

NNMC, WRAMC hit integration milestone

The National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center have completed integration of leadership at the senior level. All integrated clinics have filled chief positions, a process two years in the making that took cooperation and collaboration from the Army and the Navy. The commands worked together to overcome challenges, such as creating new positions and completing evaluations and awards programs.

The integrated chiefs have adapted to the best practices of each service and will move patient care into the future. Though they have a great opportunity to work in a joint arena, leaders will need to rely on joint instructions for guidance.