THE EXAMINER

Volume 22, No. 11 November 2014C

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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

Patients seen in September -- 11,124Appointment No Shows in September -- 1,089In September we had an 8.9 percent no show rate. We need to keep trend-ing downward by keeping the appointments we make, or by canceling inenough time 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

NHTP Navy Ball Rocks Palm SpringsThe women wore gowns andthe men were in dress blues inwhat was truly a gala affair. TheNHTP 193rd Navy Ball wascelebrated on October 10 at theHard Rock Hotel in PalmSprings, Calif. The approxi-mately 280 attendees enjoyedcocktail hour prior to findingtheir places at round tables, ableto seat 10, and decorated withnavy blue table cloths, whitelinen napkins--attended by acadre of attentive wait staff.The food was served buffetstyle and was uniformly praisedfor the flavor and tenderness ofthe beef entree and the subtleelegance of the chicken.

Petty Officer Third Class SoniaDuffy, a Corpsman in NHTP’sRadiology Department, said shedidn’t realize the amount ofwork she was agreeing to takeon when she volunteered to actas secretary to the NHTP NavyBall committee. “I did not knowwhat I got myself into,” shesaid, but also noted that theevent went off very well. “Thefacility was perfect for our

By Dave Marks, NHTP PublicAffairs Officer

size,” Duffy said. “The locationwas close enough to Twenty-nine Palms to be convenient,but it was far enough away forpeople to feel they were someplace special.”

The guest speaker was Com-mand Master Chief (retired)

Katherine Hansen, who gavewhat many described as one ofthe most effective and provoca-tive speeches they had everheard. Hansen touched on grief,honor, commitment, and notjudging people by first impres-sions. She talked of counselinga sailor with post-traumaticstress who had a fear of bridges.She talked about her own dis-

Command Master Chief(Ret.) Katherine Hansen

HMC (Ret.)Jonathan Pellioris piped ashorefollowing hisretirement cere-mony Oct. 31.Pellior has beenin the Navy 20years. He says heplans to “take iteasy” for a coupleof months” beforeseeking furtheremployment.

Cmdr. Wendy Pinkham cuts the NavyBall birthday cake.

comfort with bridges followingan argument with her brotherwhen she was 21 and he was 23years-old and they were argu-ing. “He threatened to go killhimself,” Hansen said. “And Itold him to go ahead, not think-ing he was serious.” Her brother

committed suicide by hanginghimself from the CoronadoBridge in San Diego.

Hansen talked about seeing agentleman who seemed to bedown on his luck. She offeredhim a tour of her ship and waslater surprised by the gift hesent that noted he was a Medalof Honor recipient. “Command Master ChiefHansen was awesome,” saidNHTP Command Master Chief(CMC), Carol Merricks.“Everyone will remember thatspeech.”

Petty Officer First Class DuncanStewart, NHTP Navy Ball coor-dinator, served with CMCHansen while they were sta-tioned at Navy Medical CenterSan Diego together. ì“She’s an excellent speaker,”Stewart said. “She’s very to thepoint and concise, and she con-veys a sense of Naval heritagein such a short time span. Iwanted our junior sailors andofficers to hear her speak.”

Please go to “Navy Ball” onpage 2

2 -- The Examiner -- November -- 2014

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

Capt. Angela Nimmo, NHTP Executive Officer (left), receives awireless hotspot device from Jim Ansell, Post Commander forAmerican Legion Post 761 in Joshua Tree, Calif. The Wifi deviceallows in-patient family members on the Maternal Infant andNursing Department to stay connected. “I figured it would be agood thing for our service organization to fund,” Mr. Ansell said.The American Legion will pay the monthly service charge for thenext two years.

HN Marc Gasbarri (left) and Chaplin (Lt.) Andrew Edwards, repre-senting the youngest and oldest sailors aboard the Marine CorpsMountain Warfare Training Center, cut the birthday cake whileDeWert and Training Center medical staff look on.

DeWert BHC has had tremendous success with Sailor of theQuarter boards and Blue Jacket of the Quarter boards in FiscalYear 2014. HM2 Racquel Petticrew (left) was selected as Sailor ofthe Quarter for 4th Quarter. In a four-month gapped laboratory bil-let, this pharmacy technician stepped up and managed the laborato-ry department. Petticrew is also currently implementing DeWert’sfirst SAFE program for victims of sexual assault. HN JosephCassar (center) was selected as Blue Jacket of the Quarter for the1st Quarter. As the Front Desk Petty Officer In Charge for DeWertBHC and the Supply petty officer, HN Cassar has taken on leader-ship roles that surpass many of his peers. Pharmacy techniciansHM2 Rachel Daniels (right) was selected for Sailor the Quarter, FY2014 2nd Quarter. HM2 Daniels’ strong leadership led to positivechanges in the clinic. She increased personnel training from 65 to95 percent. She the only active-duty victim advocate at MCMWTC,representing one quarter of the team. These Sailors will travel theeight hours south to Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms for theSailor of the Year and Blue Jacket of the Year boards. Good look toall the candidates! (Photo by HM3 Anthony Wolden).

DeWert Branch Health Clinic Sailors of the Qtr

Stewart said some of the juniorenlisted sailors told him thiswas by far their favorite NavyBall. “I was happy that eventhough they’ve been in theNavy a short time and havebeen to a few Navy balls, ourBall conveyed a sense of Navalheritage and respect, honoring

our past, preparing for thefuture; and it wasn’t long anddrawn out,” Stewart said. “Theyenjoyed being able to get thatsense of Naval history but notfeeling like it was a confer-ence.”Following dinner, a raffle washeld for gift baskets that had

HM3 Don Williams (right) winsthe Public Health Directorate“Basket.” previously been assembled in an

NHTP competition betweendepartments and directorates.The Public Health Directoratewon the competition with a sur-vivalist/camping “basket” thatfar exceeded in value the sug-gested minimum of $60 for eachentry. Numbered Ball ticketstubs were pulled from a bowland HM3 Don Williams from

the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines,1st Marine Division (battalionaid station) won the covetedPublic Health Directorate bas-ket, to the chagrin of many. Following the raffle, attendeestook to the dance floor. A goodtime was had by all.

Navy Ball, from page 1.

The Examiner November 2014 - 3

2X3Smith’s Family

Properties

Preventive Medicine CornerSubmit Questions/Concerns and Tanya Will Provide Answers

Tanya StuckeyDear Tanya, I brought my daughter to the ERlast week and of course she washungry and wanted a snack. Icouldn’t find any healthy snacksin the vending machine. Thankgoodness the mini exchangewas open and I was able to gether something better. I noticedthat there were a lot of optionsin the store and although therewere more unhealthy choicesthan healthy ones, the store hadmarked the “better for you”

foods. Can this be done in thevending machines too? -H

Dear H, I am sorry that your daughterwas ill and I hope she is feelingbetter now. I understand yourfrustration when you are facedwith limited food selectionsAND a sick child. No oneseems to fall ill at a convenienttime, so we are rarely in theframe of mind to pack healthysnacks or meals in preparationfor an extended wait in theemergency department waitingarea. I am sure many late nightdinners have been purchasedfrom that very vending machine.

I am excited to share with you(and the rest of our readers) thatMCCS is making great stridesto improve our ship store andthey have done an amazing jobof responding to requests forhealthier options. The staff thatstock and work in our Ship’sStore are genuinely kind andcare about each customer theyserve. I make a point to stop in

every day and say, hello. I knowfirst-hand that they will goabove and beyond to try tobring in food items that yourequest. I love that they havechosen to bring about awarenessof the better options with smallgreen signs. For those who eatin the NHTP Galley, you willrecognize the color-coding toknow green is the healthierchoice from our Go4GreenCampaign.

As you know, progress takestime and there is alwaysresearch and planning that musttake place before change canoccur. We love to hear you arepleased with the growing selec-tion of healthy snacks in theShip’s Store and appreciate yourfeedback on other areas youidentify as needing attention.This is how change happens!NHTP and MCCS are here toserve you and they work togeth-er to provide the best services topromote our military family’shealth and well being. Tanya

November’s focus for HealthPromotions is Tobacco FreeLiving. You may have noticedthat our hospital has a tobaccofree policy that has been inplace since 2010. We are tryingto set the example for others byproviding a safe and healthyenvironment for patients. Often,we are driven to make lifestylechanges for which we are notready. We may “give in” tomake someone we care abouthappy, but find ourselves in arepetitive cycle of frustration.

Have you or someone you lovebeen struggling with the deci-sion to quit tobacco? Assessyour readiness and make stepsto change when you are ready. Stages of Change:1. Precontemplation: “I’mhappy where I am and have nodesire to change.2. Contemplation: “Maybe it’stime for a change.”3. Preparation: “I’ll start onMonday” (we have all beenhere).4. Action: “Here we go, thisisn’t so bad.”5. Maintenance: “Some days

are better than others, but I dofeel better!”

Tobacco cessation is not theonly area where we struggle tomake healthier choices. Forsome, it’s stress management,exercise or eating healthier. Weare all striving to make betterchoices and no matter how itfeels, you aren’t alone.

One day at a time: Are you upfor the challenge? The GreatAmerican Smokeout, an annualsocial engineering event on thethird Thursday of November bythe American Cancer Society,will take place November 20,2014. This event challengespeople to stop smoking ciga-rettes for 24 hours, hoping theirdecision not to smoke will lastforever. Can you give up tobac-co for one day?

If the time is right and you arelooking to quit, call (760) 830-2814 for more information onsupport, behavioral and aware-ness tips, medication referral,and healthy options to substitutefor old habits.

You’re feeling pretty lousy.You’ve got sniffles, sneezing,and a sore throat. Is it a cold,flu, or allergies? It can be hardto tell them apart because theyshare so many symptoms. Butunderstanding the differenceswill help you choose the besttreatment.

“If you know what you have,you won’t take medications thatyou don’t need, that aren’teffective, or that might evenmake your symptoms worse,”says National Institute ofHealth’s (NIH) Dr. TeresaHauguel, an expert on infectiousdiseases that affect breathing.

Cold, flu, and allergy all affectyour respiratory system, whichcan make it hard to breathe.Each condition has key symp-toms that set them apart.

Colds and flu are caused by dif-ferent viruses. “As a rule ofthumb, the symptoms associatedwith the flu are more severe,”says Hauguel. Both illnesses canlead to a runny, stuffy nose;congestion; cough; and sorethroat. But the flu can also

cause high fever that lasts forthree to four days, along with aheadache, fatigue, and generalaches and pain. These symp-toms are less common whenyou have a cold.

“Allergies are a little different,because they aren’t caused by avirus,” Hauguelexplains. “Instead,it’s your body’simmune systemreacting to a trig-ger, or allergen,which is somethingyou’re allergic to.”If you have aller-gies and breathe inthings like pollenor pet dander, theimmune cells inyour nose and air-ways may overreactto these substances. Your deli-cate respiratory tissues may thenswell, and your nose maybecome stuffed up or runny.

“Allergies can also cause itchy,watery eyes, which you don’tnormally have with a cold orflu,” Hauguel adds.

Allergy symptoms usually lastas long as you’re exposed to theallergen, which may be aboutsix weeks during pollen seasonsin the spring, summer, or fall.Colds and flu rarely last beyondtwo weeks.

Most people with a cold or flurecover on theirown without med-ical care. But checkwith a health careprovider if symp-toms last beyond 10days or if symp-toms aren’t relievedby over-the-countermedicines. Formore about when tosee a doctor, go toCDC's Flu Pagehttp://newsinhealth-

test.od.nih.gov/images2/extLink.gif.

To treat colds or flu, get plentyof rest and drink lots of fluids.If you have the flu, pain reliev-ers such as aspirin, acetamino-phen, or ibuprofen can reducefever or aches. Allergies can betreated with antihistamines or

decongestants.

Be careful to avoid “drug over-lap” when taking medicines thatlist two or more active ingredi-ents on the label. For example,if you take two different drugsthat contain acetaminophen--one for a stuffy nose and theother for headache--you may begetting too much acetamino-phen.“Read medicine labels careful-ly--the warnings, side effects,

Join Great American Smoke Out

Cold, Flu, or Allergy? Know the Difference for Best Treatmentdosages. If you have questions,talk to your doctor or pharma-cist, especially if you have chil-dren who are sick,” Hauguelsays. “You don't want to overmedicate, and you don’t want torisk taking a medication thatmay interact with another.”Note: This article was reprint-ed from NIH News in Health.To read this and other health-related articles, please visit:http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/oct2014/feature2

4 -- The Examiner -- November 2014

Super Stars...

Lt. j.g. Maureena B. Sosa is presented a Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Third Award), from NHTPCommanding Officer, Capt. Jay Sourbeer, for “professionalachievement in the superior performance of her duties while servingas Administrative, Manpower and Personnel Officer in Charge, 1stMedical Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st MarineExpeditionary Force Force from June 2012 to August 2014. Lt. j.g.Sosa meticulously analyzed 652 billets, adjusting the Battalion’sorganizational structure to meet the Marine Corps’ end-of-strengthgoal of 175,000. Her screening and processing of 160 HealthServices Augmentation Personnel led to 100 percent completion ofthe to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.Additionally, she developed and implemented a control system forthe government travel charge card program and DTS system thatachieved a 98 percent accuracy rate, nearly zero delinquencies andthe prompt reimbursement of 400 travel claims valued at $575,000.Lt. j.g. Sosa’s enthusiasm, professionalism and unwavering devotionto duty reflect great credit upon herself and are in keeping with thehighest traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps and United States NavalService.”

Hospitalman Adam Reshkovskyreceives a Letter of Commen-dation “for outstanding per-formance of duties while serv-ing as General Duty CorpsmanMulti-Service Ward andEmergency MedicineDepartment, NHTP, fromNovember 2012 to December2014. Hospitalman Reshkovskyconsistently performed hisduties in an exemplary andhighly professional manner. Heassisted in the delivery of rou-tine and emergency treatmentof 4,422 patients during histwo-year tour. He assisted inthe orientation of 15 Corpsmenin two departments, ensuringPersonnel QualificationStandards were met which sup-ported the facility’s ability toprovide quality patient care ina safe environment. As theDepartmental Training Officerfor Emergency Medicine, hemaintained a 98 percent train-ing compliance for 45 officerand enlisted personnel. A car-ing and compassionate Corps-man, he was frequently recog-nized on patient satisfactionsurveys and InteractiveCustomer Evaluation for hisfriendly demeanor and provi-sion of outstanding medicalcare. Hospitalman Resh-kovsky’s exceptional profes-sional ability and loyal devo-tion to duty reflect great creditupon himself and are in keep-ing with the highest traditionsof the United States NavalService.”[signed]

B. L. GILLINGHAMRear Admiral, Medical CorpsUnited States Navy

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher W.Abbott receives a MeritoriousService Medal “for outstandingmeritorious service while serv-ing as Optometrist, OptometryDepartment, Directorate ofNursing Services, Naval Med-ical Center, San Diego fromOctober 2006 to May 2014. Lt.Cmdr. Abbot demonstratedexceptional leadership andbusiness acumen in multipleleadership roles throughout histour. As the Satellite ClinicProject Officer, he oversaw thecreation of two new outpatienthealth care clinics, increasingthe clinic space by 19,000 sq. ft.and enhancing Primary Careservice for 28,000 enrollees bybringing medical care closer toresidences. As a result of hisexceptional leadership andattention to detail, this $2 mil-lion project was completed ontime and under budget. AsBranch Head, Tricare Out-patient Clinic Chula Vista, heled 85 staff in the delivery ofhealthcare to 45,000 benefici-aries annually. He achieved thehighest historical score in sixkey cancer and diabetes meas-ures, resulting in his clinicselection as Naval MedicalCenter San Diego’s “TopPerforming Large MedicalClinic” for calendar year 2011.He led 59 staff delivering48,000 eye exams annually. Aprolific visionary, he createdthe Optometry Fleet Liaisonposition which led to 2,000deckplate exams annually. Lt.Cmdr. Abbott’s exceptional pro-fessional ability and loyal devo-tion to duty reflect great creditupon himself and are in keep-ing with the highest traditionsof the United States NavalService.”For the President,[signed]BRUCE L. GILLINGHAMRear Admiral, Medical CorpsUnited States Navy

Congratulations, Petty Officer2nd Class Nicholas Kirsch,selected for Junior Sailor ofthe Quarter, 3rd Quarter, 2014.

Ericka L. Andaya, NHTPPharmacy Department, wasrecognized for her selection asJunior Civilian of the Quarter,for the period of April 2014 toJune 2014. “During this timeperiod you received and storedover 5,600 items with a value ofover $1,100,000, and supportedthe command, 13 operationalunits, and 12 deployed units’emergency and routine medica-tion needs. Your efforts andexpertise to order every phar-maceutical item at the lowestcontracted price has saved$220,000 for the command.Your exemplary professional-ism and outstanding perform-ance of duty reflect great creditupon yourself and are in keep-ing with the highest tradition ofthe United States NavalService. I commend you for ajob ‘Well Done’ and wish youcontinued success in yourfuture endeavors.”

[signed]

J. C. SOURBEERCaptain, Medical CorpsUnited States Navy

Sherry Steinau,Health Technician,Audiology, at theAdult Medical CareClinic, receives aFederal Length ofService Award fromNHTP CommandingOfficer, Capt. JaySourbeer, “in grate-ful recognition andappreciation for your20 years of faithfulservice to the FederalGovernment.” Ms.Steinau is also anActive Navy ReserveChief Petty Officer.

The Examiner -- November 2014 -- 5

Hospital Corpsman Second Class (Fleet Marine Force) George A.Mingle receives a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal fromNHTP Commanding Officer, Capt. Jay Sourbeer, “for meritoriousservice while serving as leading petty officer, Post Anesthesia CareUnit, NHTP, from July 2011 to October 2014. Petty Officer Mingleled 12 sailors in support of four anesthesia providers in deliveringcare to 3,217 post-surgical patients. He was influential in theemployment of new capno-oxygen monitors for all recovery bayssaving $10,000 quarterly. As assistant command fitness leader, heconducted 200 fitness enhancement program sessions ensuring 44personnel met or exceeded U.S. Navy physical readiness standards.Petty Officer Mingle’s distinctive accomplishments, unrelenting per-severance, and steadfast devotion to duty reflect credit upon himselfand are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United StatesNaval Service.”

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Charles K. Yeon receives a Navyand Marine Corps Achievement Medal “for professional achieve-ment in the superior performance of his duties while serving aspharmacy technician, Pharmacy Department, NHTP, from May2010 to November 2014. Petty Officer Yeon accounted for 216 nar-cotic and controlled medications resulting in five flawless controlledsubstance inventory board audits. He assisted in the execution of an$8 million annual operating target and independently processed6,000 inpatient orders with an error rate of 0.01 percent. He stream-lined the methacholine compounding procedures, decreasing thecompounding time from 60 minutes to 30 minutes. Petty OfficerYeon’s personal initiative, perseverance, and unswerving devotion toduty reflect credit upon himself and are in keeping the highest tradi-tions of the United States Naval Service.”

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

NHTP celebrated Hispanic Heritage with style highlighting the accomplishments of hospital personnelOct. 9. Top: Hospitalman Thomas Catelo demonstrates break dancing. Bottom left and right: HN JoseOrtiz and Sabrina and Seth Kyle perform traditional Hispanic folk music. Guest speaker (not pictured)was Pastor Al Perez, USMC Gunny Sgt. (Ret.). Following the performances, attendees enjoyed a fiestaof traditional foods.

HM2 Anna Kapustina-Munoz gives an 96-hourliberty certificate to HNJack Douglas uponKapustina-Munoz’ reen-listment for four moreyears Oct. 29. Kapustina-Munoz, originally fromMoscow, Russia, enlistedfrom Memphis, Tenn. Shehas PCSed to the SanDiego Training Commandwhere she will be aninstructor in theIndependent DutyCorpsman School.

Lt. Marie Chiong, Emergency MedicineDepartment, receives help with hershoulder boards from Capt. EveQuatronne (left) and from her brother,HMC Mathew Chiong during her pro-motion ceremony Oct. 16. HMC Chiongis assigned to the Los AngelesRecruiting Command.

6 -- The Examiner -- November 2014

Sub Offer5X3

Introducing New Staff -- Welcome Aboard!

Mesha Morrow Lt. Steffanie OwensHM3 Regina Davis Lt. Cmdr. Tauseef BadarLt. j.g. Glenda Palomino-NufloTomesha Morrow is NHTP’Snew Financial Technician forSLDCADA. She arrives fromthe Combat Center’s G4,Logistics Division where sheworked for the past four years.Originally from the Bay area,Ms. Morrow lives in Twenty-nine Palms with her two teen-age children, a son, Travaun, ajunior at the Twentynine PalmsHigh School, and a daughter,Moniqlache, who will soonturn 19. Travaun is active onthe high school football andbasketball teams and momnever misses a game. Ms.Morrow graduated fromTwentynine Palms High Schoolin 1995 when her dad was anactive-duty Marine at theCombat Center. In addition tofootball and basketball, Meshaenjoys dance. “I cheered for sixyears and was a semi-procheerleader for two years,” shesaid. Ms. Morrow brings yearsof expertise and a great deal ofenthusiasm to her new position.

Lt. Stefanie Owens arrivedfrom a four-year stint at NavyMedical Center, San Diego,where she was an ObGyn resi-dent. At NHTP, she’s an ObGynstaff physician. Owens earnedher medical degree fromFlorida State University. Herhusband, Lt. Derek Owens, isan NHTP nurse anesthetistassigned to the post-anesthesiacare unit (PACU). She likes theCommand for its “small townfeel” and the high desert for itsbeauty, “the sunsets and sunrises, the open sky and expan-sive vistas are just incredible,”she said. Hometown would beSouth Florida, but notes familyis spread far and wide. Sheearned her undergraduatedegree from a small school inWest Palm Beach, Florida.Hobbies include “anythingactive and outdoors.” She’sconsidering returning to triath-lete training. Musical tasteruns the gamut.

HM3 Regina Davis arrivedfrom her first duty station atBalboa Naval Hospital whereshe worked in Nursing Admin-istration and Labor and Del-ivery. At Balboa, she enjoyedworking in the NurseResidency Program. “I likedhelping the nurses and show-ing them what Corpsmen do,”Davis said. Originally fromCorona, Calif., she’s again infairly close proximity to herfamily, which she enjoys; butshe’s looking forward todeploying and “seeing whatelse the Navy has to offer.”Davis attended RiversideCommunity College prior toenlisting and looks forward tofinishing her Associate’s de-gree. Her goal is to earn herResidential Nursing degree andbecome a commissioned offi-cer. Davis enjoys working out,hiking and outdoor activities.She’s here with her husband,also a Corpsman, assigned to3rd Bn, 7th Marine Regiment.

Medical Service Corps officer,Lt. Cmdr. Tauseef Badar, is thenew Department head forIndustrial Hygiene andPreventive Medicine in thePublic Health Directorate. He’sbeen in the Navy 18 years andarrived from Surface ForcesPacific, San Diego, where hewas the Medical Readiness/Industrial Hygiene Officer,conducting shipboard inspec-tions--considered a shore-sideassignment with much of thework performed on sea-goingvessels. His team performedBoard of Inspection Surveys(INSURV) on ships in thePacific fleet ranging fromJapan to Bahrain. Badar’swife, Tabby, just completed herMaster’s degree in social work.They have three sons, ages, 13,15 and 17. Lt. Cmdr. Badar hasdegrees from Texas A&MUniversity, and he earned hisMaster’s from the University ofHouston. Badar enjoys hunt-ing, hiking and motorcycles.

Lt. j.g. Glenda Palomino-Nuflois freshly arrived from OfficerDevelopment School inNewport, Virginia. She has adegree in HealthcareAdministration and a Master’sof Business Administration,both earned at MarymountUniversity, Arlington, Virginia.Hometown is Andahuaylas,Peru. She’s lived in the USAfor 12 years, moving with herfamily when they relocated tonorthern Virginia. Palomino-Nuflo was just about to finishher Physical Therapy degree inLima when her family moved.So she learned English, tookprerequisites at a communitycollege, and transferred toMarymount. She finished herPeruvian Physical Therapydegree through online courses.She worked as a rehabilitationspecialist in northern Virginiafor four years. “There aregreat people I met who arefrom the Navy, and I wanted tobe like them,” she said.

The Examiner -- November 2014 -- 7

MBTA2X8

Staff members of the Director-ate for Surgical Services (DSS)honed team building whileenjoying a three-mile naturehike on the 49 Palms Oasis trail,one of the many trails inside theJoshua Tree National Park.While the Main OperatingRoom was under constructionfor an upgrade involving theCentral Processing Department,Cmdr. Kristina V. Morocco,DSS Director, seized the oppor-tunity to increase the alreadyhigh team spirit within thedirectorate by planning andcoordinating team buildingexercises. Officer and enlistedleaders within the directoratetook ideas and molded them toutilize trust, team effort, andfriendly competition. “This gaveus a chance to get to know eachother outside of our work envi-ronment,” said HM2 Roman R.Olivera, General Surgery/Orthopedics Leading PettyOfficer.

The 35 DSS staff members wereorganized into six teams thatengaged in team-building exer-cises. They fed each otherapplesauce while blindfolded,guided each other through amaze of cones, and tested per-sonal agility by ending the exer-cise with a combination ofjump-rope drills led by Cmdr.Katrina Pellegrin, GeneralSurgeon. HM2 ShaneSummers, Main OperatingRoom Leading Petty Officer,coordinated a mock land mineexercise that relied on verbaldirection and the full confidenceof the team focused on one indi-vidual to navigate through animprovised field of mock landmines.

After the team building events,DSS staff hiked 1.5 miles to the49 Palms Oasis, located deep inthe canyons of Joshua Tree. Thedirectorate took a breather whileposing for a photo before begin-ning the 1.5 mile trek back.“The trail was pretty impressiveand challenging, I would defi-nitely come back,” said Lt.Cmdr. Micheal D. Vanmanen,Orthopedic Surgeon. The DSSstaff then had lunch at the local-ly renowned pizzeria, Pie forthe People in Joshua Tree.

By HM1 Raul Cervantes,NHTP, DSS Leading PettyOfficer

Directorate of Surgical Service staff members take a breather and agroup photo at the 49 Palms Oasis deep in the canyons of JoshuaTree National Park.

Left: Lt. Amanda Jack, Division Officer, Obstetrics and GynecologyClinic, carefully traverses through a maze of cones while balancingan egg on a spoon. Right: HN Cole Harris and HM2 RomanOlivera feed each other applesauce.

DSS Staff Bolster Morale, Fitness

NHTP Directors and key personnel pose outside the Helen GrayEducation Center at the High Desert Medical Center Oct. 28. Thegroup met for two days for the Fiscal Year 2015 Strategic PlanningOffsite Conference for team-building exercises and reaching a con-sensus regarding mission statements. Lt. Gabriel Forrey led thegroup during a Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results(SOAR) analysis; and Capt. Angela Nimmo, NHTP ExecutiveOfficer, led the group in a discussion of “Our Iceberg Is Melting,” aparable for consensus building in any organization.

CS2 Jarred Martin reen-lists for six more yearsOct. 22. Originally fromMt. Zion, Ill., Martin hasbeen in the Navy for sevenyears, the past three atNHTP as Diet-SideSupervisor. Martin enjoysthe Navy for the sense ofadventure and the oppor-tunities to be assigned“almost anywhere.” CS2Martin has orders for theUSS Chancellorsville, aTiconderoga-class guidedmissile cruiser.

8 -- The Examiner -- November-- 2014

NHTPNHTP Halloween 2014Halloween 2014

NHTP Deployment Health Personnel await their next patient following a costume contest and pot-luckluncheon Oct. 31.

NHTP Executive Officer (“The Quick Draw Angel-- She’ll speed you to your final resting place”) Capt.Angela Nimmo (left), pulls a fast one on western re-enactors who stacked the deck, to their ultimate regret.

And the winner is...William Belt wins 1st Place in the cos-tume competition, showing off hislethal moves with a light saber in hisimpersonation of Darth Vader.