THE EXAMINER

Volume 23, No. 3 March 2015C

omm

andi

ng O

ffic

erN

aval

Hos

pita

l Pub

lic A

ffai

rs O

ffic

eB

ox 7

8825

0 M

AG

TFT

CTw

enty

nine

Pal

ms,

CA

9227

8-82

50

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

Patients seen in January -- 10,684Appointment No Shows in January -- 812In January we had an 7.6 percent no-show rate. We need to keep trendingdownward by keeping the appointments we make, or by canceling in enoughtime for someone else to use the slot...To help patients obtain appointments, the Naval Hospital now shows thenumber of open appointment slots each day on the hospital Facebook site,check it out. On Facebook, search: Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms.

To make an appointment call -- 760-830-2752To cancel an appointment call -- 760-830-2369

Corpsmen Render Emergency Aid on Area Roads

Navy Corpsmen sign up to befirst responders. They knowthey’ll be assisting Marines incombat operations, ducking bul-lets and rendering aid inhot zones. On U.S. high-ways they sometimesfind themselves at trafficcrash sites; and when thecall goes out: Does any-one have medical train-ing? They rise to theoccasion. This is thestory of three NavyCorpsmen who werethrust into the role offirst responders afterencountering trafficcrashes and realizingthey were the only med-ical care available.

Hospitalman TrentonJustice

On December 31, 2014,Hospitalman TrentonJustice and his wife,Gabi, were on their way backfrom dropping off his mom atthe Las Vegas airport. It was alittle after noon. The day was

cold and they were drivingthrough snow flurries when theycrested a rise on Kelbaker Roadand drove into the aftermath ofa head-on collision. “A man wasdirecting traffic. My wife rolled

down the window and asked ifthere was anything we coulddo,” Justice recalled. The man

directing traffic, Lt. Col. JoeKarlage (ret.), USAF, Banning,Calif., replied that unless theywere medical personnel, therewas nothing they could do.

Gabi volunteered her husband.

“The wind was whipping. Wehad already driven throughsnow to get back. The driver ofa small sedan “was shiveringreally bad,” Justice recounted.“He couldn't tell me his name.So I just tried to assess thepatient and get some vital signs.I made sure he had blood pres-sure to his extremities, madesure there wasn’t any bleeding. Icouldn’t really get to his leg. Ipulled the door open as much asI could and finally another guyand I got the door open. He had

a tib-fib (tibia, fibula) fractureto the left leg and it was com-pletely at a 90-degree angle.”

The male crash victim also hada hand laceration which was

bleeding profusely. “I got mywife to apply pressure and cleanit up as much as she could. Wegot as many blankets out of peo-ple’s cars as we could. The windwas whipping through and whensomeone loses blood you alsohave to protect againsthypothermia.”

Justice next went to the womanin the mini-van who had a com-pound femur fracture. Her legwas pinned under the dash.

“The dash had literally rolled ontop of her. When I reached myhand down, you could feel theblood coming out. So I tried toapply as much pressure as Icould to stop the bleeding. I hadsomeone trying to keep herawake because she kept wanting

to pass out; she wanted to go tosleep. She was very cold. Wegot her covered up as much aswe could,” Justice said. “I was really impressed by his

By Dave Marks, NHTP PublicAffairs Officer

Hospitalman Gregory Yhap (Navy Service Uniform) was first torespond to a motorcycle-car collision Dec. 29 on Adobe Road. Photoby Kurt Schauppner, courtesy of the High Desert Trail.

Hospitalman Trenton Justice

Continued on Page 7

2 -- The Examiner -- March -- 2015

Published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the UnitedStates Marine Corps, United States Navy or Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, under exclusive written contract withthe Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command. The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the United States MarineCorps, the United States Navy or Hi-Desert Publishing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the pur-chaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, thepublisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is pre-pared by the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Commanding OfficerCapt. Jay C. Sourbeer, MC, USN

Executive OfficerCapt. Angela S. Nimmo, NC, USN

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

Public Affairs Officer/EditorDave Marks

Command OmbudsmanBright Opoku (760) 910-2050 email: nhtpombudsman@yahoo.com

The Examiner welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning the publication. Deadline for submission of arti-cles is the 15th of each month for the following month’s edition. Any format is welcome, however, the preferredmethod of submission is by e-mail or by computer disk.

How to reach us...Commanding Officer Naval HospitalPublic Affairs OfficeBox 788250 MAGTFTCTwentynine Palms, CA 92278-8250Com: (760) 830-2362DSN: 230-2362E-mail: david.marks@med.navy.milHi-Desert Publishing Company56445 Twentynine Palms HighwayYucca Valley, CA 92284Com: (760) 365-3315FAX: (760) 365-8686

Ms. Cheryl Viau, registerednurse, Emergency Dept., is pre-sented a Letter of Appreciationfrom NHTP Commander Capt.Jay Sourbeer for her “out-standing performance inPatient Services as a patientsafety advocate, EmergencyDepartment. You went aboveand beyond to help and appro-priately treat a patient who, ifnot for your attention to detailand dedication to our benefici-aries, could have resulted in anadverse reaction to the patient’sand unborn child’s health. Youractions i the EmergencyDepartment demonstrate yourdedication to NHTP by ensur-ing patients are being treatedsafely. Your exemplary profes-sionalism and outstanding per-formance of duty reflect greatcredit upon yourself and are inkeeping with the highest tradi-tions of the United States NavalService. I commend you for ajob ‘Well done!’ and wish youcontinued success in yourfuture endeavors.”

Ms. Therese Weseman, CaseManagement Department, ispresented a Letter ofCommendation by NHTPCommanding Officer Capt. JaySourbeer for “your selection asSenior Civilian of the Year forFY 2014. Throughout this peri-od you consistently performedyour duties in an exemplaryand highly professional man-ner. This prestigious recogni-tion sets you apart as a trueprofessional and personifies thereputation of high standards ofperformance and conductexpected of our staff. Yourexemplary professionalism andoutstanding performance ofduty reflect great credit uponyourself and are in keepingwith the highest traditions ofthe United States NavalService. I commend you for ajob ‘Well done!’ and wish youcontinued success in yourfuture endeavors.”

L-R: Hospitalman Tyler Hilborne, Hospitalman Cody Tolle, Lt. Cmdr. Virgilio Crescini, Pastor NorvalChilman, Donna Chilman, Reverend Brian Pratt, Susan Pratt, Capt. Jay Sourbeer, Chaplain RonCooley, Lt. Cmdr. Bridget Wise-San Antonio pose with a few of the 51 layettes donated by PeaceLutheran Church, Palm Desert, on Feb. 4. The layettes will be given to new mothers in the MaternalInfant and Nursing Department. Each package contains a hand-crocheted blanket, outfit and diapers.Reverend Pratt recently took over from Paster Chilman, who retired.

Demetria Robertson, RN, (center, green sleeves), Vocational NursingClinical Instructor, stands with Copper Mountain CommunityCollege nursing students. The students, part of the LicensedVocational Nursing (LVN) 12-month program spend six weeks atNaval Hospital Twentynine Palms rotating through the Multi-Service Ward, Labor & Delivery, Orthopedics, Immunology,Pediatrics, Family Practice, OBGYN, Emergency Department andthe Adult Medical Care Clinic.

The Examiner March 2015 - 3

2X3Smith’s Family

Properties

Preventive Medicine CornerSubmit Questions/Concerns and Tanya Will Provide Answers

Tanya StuckeyDear Tanya,I'm a Marine wife and I'm con-cerned my husband drinks toomuch. He says he's fine and onlyhas a couple of beers to unwind.But I notice on weekends hedrinks about a six-pack eachday. He never seems particularlydrunk and he's fine around thekids. I'm just interested in someguidance concerning drinkingand what's considered too much.He brings up the fact that somealcohol consumption is good foryou.

Signed, Concerned Wife

Dear Concerned Wife, Approaching such a sensitivetopic can be hard within a fami-ly and often leads to defensiveresponses. Although not a

healthy coping tool, somepeople consume alcohol as aresponse to stress. The Centersfor Disease Control and Pre-vention defines heavy drinkingas more than "two drinks perday on average for men and onedrink per day for women."Binge drinking is defined as"five or more drinks in a singleoccasion for men and four ormore drinks for women." Thoseweekend celebrations could bedetrimental to his physical/med-ical and mental/emotionalhealth.

The National Institutes ofHealth published research thatmoderate consumption of beer(no more than two 12 oz. serv-ings per day for men and oneserving for women) couldreduce the risk of death fromheart disease and may haveother health benefits. However,they also stated that more thanthat amount could increase therisk for cardiovascular disease.

This does not mean that anyorganization is promoting thealcohol industry or suggestingthat beer or wine should be usedfor medicinal purposes; and aswith most topics that areaddressed in general forums,every person is different.Circumstances and individualparameters differ.

Encourage your husband to dis-cuss this with his physician andhe or she will be betterequipped to offer informationspecific to his medical healthand well-being.

Just as important, is the impactour behaviors and practiceshave on the family as a whole. Iam glad to hear that there are nosafety concerns and apparentlyno negative incidents as a resultof alcohol. This doesn't meanthat there isn't a problem. Anyconcerns that create additionalstress on a relationship need tobe addressed. Some couplesresolve such concerns without athird party; and others choose toseek out services where atrained professional can offerunbiased feedback.

I do want to point out that atrained professional is preferredto a friend or family memberwho may inadvertently offeradvice that could trigger morestressors. Professional resourceson base include MCCS Behav-ioral Health and the chaplains.There are also resources avail-able through Military One-Source and TriCare. Whateverroute you choose, please knowthat resources are available toassist.

Tanya

Hearing Conservation Technicians Combat Hearing Loss

Naval Hospital TwentyninePalms (NHTP) hosted a five-day training course in Februaryto certify nine Corpsman andtwo civilians as occupationalHearing ConservationTechnicians. Corpsman attendedfrom NHTP, Camp Pendleton,and one Corpsman from NOSCMinneapolis. All eleven partici-pants successfully completedthe course and were praised bythe training-course instructor,Lt. Cmdr. Richard Blair, NHTPHearing Conservation Manager.

NHTP Audiologist, Lt. KaleyGray, helped the students pre-pare for their examination andapplauded the students as well.“I was encouraged by theirattention to detail and commit-

ment to hearing healthcare fromday one of training,” Lt. Graysaid.

Hearing ConservationTechnicians are the face ofNavy and Marine Corps’ hear-ing conservation, being the firstperson they see within the pro-gram. Marines and Sailors areroutinely exposed to hazardousnoise, and as such are requiredto have their hearing screenedannually. The role of the techni-cian is critical for ensuring thattesting is done accurately, andthat any patient in need of fur-ther evaluation is appropriatelytriaged.

Tinnitus (ringing or othersounds heard in the ears or headwhen no external sound is actu-ally present) and hearing loss

are the first and second healthconditions reported in activeduty and veterans. In the pastdecade, 840,000 service mem-bers have been diagnosed withtinnitus, and just over 700,000have hearing loss according tothe DOD Hearing Center ofExcellence. The Department ofVeterans Affairs has spent $1.39billion in calculated compensa-tion for major auditory disabili-ties in Fiscal Year 2010.

Lt. Cmdr. Blair further explains,"A large number of jobs in themilitary involve periodic expo-sure to hazardous noise. There'sno shortage of loud and danger-ous jobs in the Navy andMarine Corps. That's one of thereasons we see so much hearingloss. Another reason is the long-

standing culture in the militaryto not use hearing protection, orto use it incorrectly. This is whywe need great technicians whoare motivated and competent. Inaddition to running hearingtests, the technicians providecounseling on the results andtraining on the proper use of

hearing protection. Here again,the role of the technician is criti-cal because many Sailors andMarines have a mistrust of hear-ing protection, or disregard italtogether. A sharp techniciancan help change attitudes andprovide the training to savehearing.”

By Lt. Kaley Gray, NHTPAudiologist

Continued above, see Hearing

Hearing, continued from below

Lt. Kaley Gray, NHTP Audiologist (bottom center), stands before thenine Corpsmen and two civilians who successfully completed thefive-day certification course to become occupational hearing techni-cians. Occupational hearing technicians are the front line in thewar on hearing loss. In FY 2010, the VA spent $1.39 billion forauditory disabilities.

Nurse Advice Line

Call 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273)Option 1

24 hours a day, seven days aweek

4 -- The Examiner -- March 2015

Super Stars...

Hospital Corpsman Third Class (Fleet MarineForce) receives a Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of SecondAward) for professional achievement in the superi-or performance of his duties while serving asAdvanced Radiologic Technologist, RadiologyDept., NHTP, from Sept. 2011 to Feb. 2015. PettyOfficer Abad demonstrated organizational skillsduring a process improvement initiative thatrestructured the fluoroscopy protocol and reducedexam turn-around time from 45 minutes to 15 min-utes. Petty Officer Abad’s personal initiative, perse-verance,and unswerving devotion to duty reflectgreat credit upon himself and are in keeping withthe highest traditions of the United States NavalService.

Ms. Maria Theresa C. Agustin receives a Letter ofAppreciation for her “selfless devotion in support-ing the Aesthesia Dept. by training a newly assignedregistered nurse which required superior workingknowledge of the nursing duties in the GeneralSurgery/Orthopedic Surgery Clinics. Your dedica-tion and work ethic, exemplary professionalism andoutstanding performance of duty reflect great creditupon yourself and are in keeping with the highesttradition of the United States Naval Service.”

Hospitalman Celeste Black, Patient Administration Dept.,receives a Letter of Appreciation for “your courage and commit-ment. While standing watch you noticed a patient in distress.After assessing this patient and getting her definitive care at theEmergency Dept., you stayed and supported the patient during amajor life-threatening medical crisis. Due to your act of kindnessand empathy, this patent received the best medical care possible.Your exemplary professionalism and outstanding performance ofduty reflect great credit upon yourself and are in keeping with thehighest traditions of the United States Naval Service. I commendyou for a job ‘Well Done’ and wish you continued success in yourfuture endeavors.”[signed]J.C. SOURBEERCaptain, Medical CorpsUnited States Navy

Left: Mr. Beven Webb receives a Letter of Appreciationfrom NHTP Commanding Officer Capt. Jay Sourbeer,for “your selfless devotion during manning shortfalls inthe front office was most vital to the success of the com-mand’s mission. You accurately tracked 1,002 pieces ofcorrespondence, and completed 106 appointment letterand 16 Desert Rat Certificates in a timely manner. Yourexemplary professionalism and outstanding performanceof duty reflect great credit upon yourself and are in keep-ing with the highest tradition of the United States NavalService.”

Right: Ms. Lisa Aldridge, Executive Assistant to theNHTP commanding officer and executive officer, is rec-ognized with a Federal Length of Service Award “ingrateful recognition of your five years of faithful serviceto the federal government.”

The Examiner -- March 2015 -- 5

Lt. j.g. Cassandra Gamel isawarded a Navy and MarineCorps Commendation Medalfor “meritorious service whileserving as division officer, PostAnesthesia Care Unit andGeneral Surgery Clinic, NHTP,from Feb. 2012 to Feb. 2015.Lt. j.g. Gamel personally con-ducted 396 preoperativeappointments and providedsolo post anesthesia servicesrecovering 526 postoperativepatients with zero adverse out-comes. She improved staffreadiness by training 229 staffon TeamSTEPPS and maternaland newborn resuscitation,performing 25 drills. Lt. j.g.Gamel’s distinctive accomplish-ments, unrelenting persever-ance, and steadfast devotion toduty reflect great credit uponherself and are in keeping withthe highest traditions of theUnited States Naval Service.”

Ms. Cindy Crockett, MaterialManagement Dept., is present-ed a Letter of Commendationupon her selection as JuniorCivilian of the Year for fiscalyear 2014. “Throughout thisperiod you consistently per-formed your duties in an exem-plary and highly professionalmanner. This prestigiousrecognition sets you apart as atrue professional and personi-fies the reputation of highstandards of performance andconduct expected of our staff.Your exemplary professional-ism and outstanding perform-ance of duty reflect great creditupon yourself and are in keep-ing with the highest traditionsof the United States NavalService. I commend you for ajob ‘Well done!’ and wish youcontinued success in yourfuture endeavors.”

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassChristopher Moran, MainOperating Room, is presented aLetter of Appreciation fromNHTP Commanding Officer,Capt. Jay Sourbeer, “for youroutstanding performance inCustomer Services, GeneralSurgery Dept., NHTP, for fiscalyear 2015, first quarter. Youdemonstrated excellent cus-tomer service skills and a will-ingness to assist your team inall daily tasks without hesita-tion. Your team members nomi-nated you for this awardbecause you are a pleasure towork with and for your contri-butions to the department. Yourexemplary professionalism andoutstanding performance ofduty reflect great credit uponyourself and are in keepingwith the highest traditions ofthe United States NavalService. I commend you for ajob ‘Well done!’ and wish youcontinued success in yourfuture endeavors.”

Best of the Best AwardFamily Medicine Gold Team Combined Food Service Dept.

Best of the Best is recognition for departments that have the mostsatisfaction surveys for the quarter. This honor is bestowed on twodeserving departments who consistently sought feedback from theircustomers within FY 2015, second quarter, receiving the highestratio of positive feedback. Accepting the award for the FamilyMedicine Gold Team: Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Evans. Accepting theaward for the Combined Food Services Department: CS2 StephenFuqua.

Senior Sailor of the Quarter Blue Jacket of the Quarter

Congratulations to HospitalCorpsman First Class(FMF/AW) Danell Dumas forher selection as Senior Sailorof the Quarter, 4th Quarter,2014.

Congratulations to HospitalCorpsman Third Class JustinHarrison for his selection asBlue Jacket of the Quarter, 4thQuarter, 2014.

Right: Lt. Ashley Robertson, Adult Medical Care Clinic, is awarded aNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal commemorating his selec-tion as NHTP Officer of the Year for FY 2014. Lt. Robertston was alsopresented a Letter of Appreciation: “Your devotion to our active dutybeneficiaries goes above and beyond promoting patient-centered health-care. You have increased access to care for our patients by implement-ing a ‘Welcome Aboard Check-in System’ to newly arriving Marinesinto Tricare, Relay Health, and facilitating assignment of a primary-care manager.... Your exemplary professionalism and outstanding per-formance of duty reflect great credit upon yourself and are in keepingwith the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Left: Hospital Corpsman ThirdClass Jacob Schmidt is awardedthe Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal for “profes-sional achievement in the superiorperformance of his duties whileserving as general-duty corpsman,Multi-Service Ward, NHTP, fromMar. 2013 to Feb. 2015. PettyOfficer Schmidt constructed,organized and maintained theCommand’s wound-care cart withessential supplies valued at $5,000.He effectively executed an annualbudget of $150,000 and submittedequipment procurement packagesfor vital equipment valued at$256,000. Petty Officer Schmidt’spersonal initiative, perseveranceand unswerving devotion to dutyreflect great credit upon himselfand are in keeping with the high-est traditions of the United StatesNaval Service.”

6 -- The Examiner -- March 2015

Sub Offer5X3

Introducing New Staff -- Welcome Aboard!

Mr. Daniel Aldridge Lt. Tony HenryLt. Cmdr. Christine McDonald Ms. Shannel MatthewsLt. Cmdr. Michael Lanker

Mr. Daniel Aldridge is NHTP’snew data analyst in the TricareOperations Department. Aretired Marine Corps active-duty Career Planner, he studiedcomputer programming follow-ing retirement, took advantageof his own advice, added newskills to his resume, andstepped into a new career. “Ilove it,” he said. “I never knewcoming to work could be thisfun.” Hometown is Longmont,Colo. Aldridge is married toLisa Aldridge, ExecutiveAssistant in the CommandSuite. “We get to carpooltogether, spend lunchtimetogether. I’m digging it,” hesaid. For leisure activities,Aldridge says he’s a computernerd and can often be foundplaying computer games. Mr.Aldridge also enjoys workingon cars and is looking for hisnext project. Mr. Aldridgehopes his influence in theCommand will make everyone“business smarter.”

Lt. Cmdr. Michael Lankerarrived from Naval MedicalCenter Portsmouth where hetransitioned from EmergencyDepartment resident to staffphysician. He attended medicalschool at Pikeville CollegeSchool of OsteopathicMedicine, Pikeville, Ky. He wascommissioned in 2004 and fin-ished medical school in 2007.He is here with his wife, Tracy,a registered nurse, and daugh-ter, Addison, 7, and son, Eli, 16months. Originally fromMansfield, Ohio, the Lankersare new to the high desert andare reserving judgement. “Thisduty station probably wouldn’tbe our first choice, but as afamily, we like to hike and dooutdoor activities so this areamight work out well.” Theyalso like to travel and explorethe environs. His personalfavorite activity is watchingcollege football. Lt. Cmdr.Lanker is a staff physician inthe Emergency Dept.

Lt. Cmdr. Christine McDonaldis freshly arrived from NavalMedical Center San Diegowhere she recently completedher residency in Radiology. In2006 she graduated from theUniformed Services Universityof the Health Sciences inBethesda, Md. She was in ainternship in 2007 and workedas an aviation medical examin-er in Pensacola, Fla. At NHTP,McDonald will be a staff radi-ologist and eventually depart-ment head. Hometown isAnnapolis, Md. Lt. Cmdr.McDonald earned her under-graduate degree (Biology andSociology) from StonehillCollege in Easton, Mass. She’son an unaccompanied tour andhas found a house inTwentynine Palms. For hobbiesshe enjoys running and travel-ing. McDonald visited this areain 2011 to visit a friend andfinds the area “beautiful.”

Lt. Tony Henry is originallyfrom Beaumont, Texas. Hewants the emphasis on TEXAS.He started out as a 91B, ArmyField Medic. On 9/11 he was ina PhD program and joined theNavy Reserves shortly thereafter. At NHTP he is the newHuman Resources DepartmentHead. He arrives from CampLejeune where he worked forthe Group Surgeon, 2ndMarine Logistics Group. Forhobbies, Henry says, “I mustlike drama, because I watch theDallas Cowboys and there’salways drama.” He’s also agun enthusiast. He enjoys bas-ketball, and the outdoors,depending on how his kneesfeel. Henry has an undergradu-ate Biology Degree and aMaster’s of Science (Biology)Degree both from TexasSouthern University, and aMaster’s in HealthcareAdministration from the Uni-veristy of Houston, Clear Lake.

Ms. Shannel Matthews was astaff obstetrics nurse in Hawaiiat the Kauai VeteransMemorial Hospital where sheworked for the previous 18months. At NHTP, she will beBreast-Care Coordinator underthe Directorate for SurgicalServices. Ms. Matthews saysshe’s looking forward to shar-ing her experience workingwith women in an obstetricsenvironment, educating thepopulation about women’shealth and breast issues. Hometown is El Paso, Texas.Matthews earned her registerednursing degree from NewMexico State University. She ishere with her husband, Burt,who works in agriculture. Theyhave two sons, 4 and 2, and arecurrently living in YuccaValley. “I like it,” Matthewssaid. “It reminds me of home.Matthews says she likes havingready access to the low desertbut enjoys being able to escapeback to the high desert.

The Examiner -- March 2015 -- 7

professionalism,” Karlage said.“He didn’t have a lot of equip-ment that he could work with.But he went around andchecked everybody, makingsure they were okay. And ofcourse that one woman, the onewho was injured seriously, shewas pinned in the wreck. It wasimpossible to get her out. In factit took the fire department overan hour to cut her out of there.”

Justice recalled that theCalifornia Highway Patrol werethe first to respond. “CHP askedwho I was and what I do. Thepolice officer just looked at meand asked, well, what do wehave? I told him we had twourgent cases.”

The man was transported byambulance to Barstow and thewoman was transported by heli-copter to Palm Springs.

Hospitalman Trenton Justice isoriginally from Douglasville,Ga. He is currently assigned tothe 1st Tanks, 1st MarineDivision, Battalion Aid Station,Marine Air Ground CombatCenter, Twentynine Palms,Calif.

Hospitalman Gregory Yhap

On December 29, 2014,Hospitalman Gregory Yhap wasreturning to the Adult MedicalCare Clinic from lunch when hepassed a motorcycle-car colli-sion.

“I looked back to see what wasgoing on and I could see themotorcycle on the ground andthe rider partially underneaththe car,” Yhap said. HN Yhapchecked the victim for brokenlimbs, checked his airway andstabilized his neck. “Once Iconfirmed that he was okay, hesort of pushed himself out fromunderneath the car and then Imaintained stabilization of hisneck. That was my main con-cern at the time,” Yhap said.

“They know trauma,” saidEmergency Medical ServicesCaptain Marc Ryan, CombatCenter Fire House, referring toNavy Corpsmen. “They gooverseas, they go toAfghanistan; they’ve been toIraq. Actually stabilizing, hold-ing c-spine, calming the patientdown and doing all of that stuffprior to us getting on the scene,they do a great job,” Ryan said.

Like so many Corpsmen beforehim, Hospitalman Yhap recededinto the background once theemergency responders arrived.

Originally from San Diego,Calif., HN Yhap has been in theNavy less than two years. He iscurrently assigned to the AdultMedical Care Clinic on the

Marine Air Ground CombatCenter, Twentynine Palms,Calif.

Hospital Corpsman ThirdClass Christopher Moran

On November 2, 2013, HM3Moran was on Interstate 15 withhis fiance and grandmother trav-elling to his sister’s weddingrehearsal in Las Vegas. “Wewere one car behind the actualaccident,” he recounted. “I sawa red car to the left of me speedby at over 100 mph. He passedus in the far left lane, hit themedian and shot across thelanes of traffic cutting off thesebikers.” While cars were stillcoming to a stop, Moran wasrunning up to crash victims.“The first guy had head trau-ma,” Moran said.

Moran’s training took over andhe checked for DCAP-BTLS(Deformities, contusions, abra-sions, punctures, bleeding, lac-erations and scratches).

While checking his first patient,

elevating his legs, and applyingblankets to ward off shock,Moran saw another victim whobystanders were attempting tohelp by removing his helmet. “Istarted yelling at them to stopbecause that gets rid of the c-spine that the helmet is creat-ing,” Moran said. In all, therewere seven motorcyclistsinjured as well as the two in thecar.

At one point, Moran foundhimself calming down a motor-cyclist who was threateningviolence against the driver ofthe car. “I just wanted everyoneto calm down, more than any-thing,” he said.

After about 35 minutes theparamedics got there. “I did aquick triage--just, hey, he sus-tained the most (injuries), thisis what happened neurological-ly; you have chest injuries;these guys just need to bequick seen-- no broken bones,lacerations, bleeding. Theygave me the green flag to getout of there.”

Moran told of how the motor-cyclists stopped traffic onInterstate 15 to allow his car tomerge back into traffic, but notbefore hugging him profusely.

“I had to get to my sister’swedding rehearsal. I wasalready running late and I did-n’t want a homicide that day.

She would have killed me,”Moran said.

Navy Corpsman Third ClassChristopher Moran’s hometownis Las Vegas. He is assigned tothe Post-Anesthesia Care Unit(PACU), Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms, Marine AirGround Combat Center,Twentynine Palms, Calif.

“Navy Corpsmen have trainingin emergency medical treatmentand can quickly assess, triageand help stabilize life threaten-ing injuries,” said Lt. Cmdr.Nathaniel Rial, DepartmentHead, Medical Home Port GoldTeam, Navy HospitalTwentynine Palms. “Crash vic-tims across a wide range in ageand chronic medical conditionsshould be relieved and heart-ened knowing that a NavyCorpsman is on scene to helpinitiate medical care.”

Hospital Corpsman Third ClassChristopher Moran

Corpsmen, continued fromPage 1

Black History Month

Black History Month was celebrated at NHTP Feb. 26. Top:Keynote speaker, Master Sgt. Horton G. Johnson (ret.), shares his-toric photos of his family. Johnson served over 44 years of continu-ous government service. He retired from the MCAGCC G-6Directorate in 2005. Center: Sgt. 1st Class H.G. Johnson receivesthe Meritorious Service Medal from Col. C.A. Trowbridge. Bottom:Hospitalman Samuel Ortiz, Patient Administration, plays an extend-ed set while NHTP Commanding Officer, Capt. J. Sourbeer, enjoysthe audience participation.

8 -- The Examiner -- March-- 2015