Vol. 25 No. 35 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ September 12, 2013 By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Parde NSAB Public Affairs staff writer Capt. David Bitonti relieved Capt. Frederick “Fritz” Kass as command- ing officer (CO) of Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) during a change of command ceremony in Memorial Auditorium Sept. 5. Bitonti, a native of Greensburg, Pa., graduated from Saint Vincent College in 1981 with a bachelor of arts in chemistry and received a doc- tor of dental medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1985. Upon graduating, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Navy Dental Corps. His commands included Na- val Dental Center Charleston, the USS Holland (AS 32), Naval Dental Center Norfolk and the USS Enter- prise (CVN 65). In October 1997, following his second tour aboard the Enterprise, Bitonti reported to the National Naval Medical Center as staff sur- geon and associate director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program. He was then chosen to serve duty as an adviser to the Surgeon General, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and a member of the Presidential Support team. In October 2003, Bi- tonti became the head of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Dental Department at the National Naval Medical Center. In July 2009, Bitonti was named the deputy commander for Inte- gration and Transition at the Na- tional Naval Medical Center. There, he oversaw the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative, di- recting the merger of the facility with the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center to form Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). In December 2011, Bitonti was named the senior mili- tary advisor to the commander of WRNMMC, where he served until his selection as commanding officer for NSAB. “I am truly excited and honored for the opportunity to be the com- manding officer of NSAB,” said Bi- NSAB Holds Change of Command Ceremony Capt. Frederick “Fritz” Kass prepares to walk past the Naval Support Activity Bethesda Sideboys with his wife, Leslie, and family. This will be the last time he is saluted in uniform, immediately following his official release from Naval service. Capt. David Bitonti, left, salutes Rear Adm. Markham K. Rich, commandant of Naval Dis- trict Washington, as he assumes command of Naval Support Activity Bethesda from Capt. Frederick “Fritz” Kass, center, Sept. 5. See COMMAND page 5 Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Parde Capt. David Bitonti speaks to those in atten- dance after assuming command of Naval Sup- port Activity Bethesda. “I am truly excited and honored for the opportunity to be the commanding officer of NSAB,” said Bitonti.
Transcript
Vol. 25 No. 35 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ September 12, 2013
By Mass CommunicationSpecialist 2nd Class
Nathan PardeNSAB Public Affairs
staff writer
Capt. David Bitonti relieved Capt.Frederick “Fritz” Kass as command-ing officer (CO) of Naval SupportActivity Bethesda (NSAB) duringa change of command ceremony inMemorial Auditorium Sept. 5.Bitonti, a native of Greensburg,
Pa., graduated from Saint VincentCollege in 1981 with a bachelor of
arts in chemistry and received a doc-tor of dental medicine degree fromthe University of Pittsburgh Schoolof Dental Medicine in 1985. Upongraduating, he was commissionedas a lieutenant in the Navy DentalCorps. His commands included Na-val Dental Center Charleston, theUSS Holland (AS 32), Naval DentalCenter Norfolk and the USS Enter-prise (CVN 65).In October 1997, following his
second tour aboard the Enterprise,Bitonti reported to the NationalNaval Medical Center as staff sur-geon and associate director of the
Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryResidency Program. He was thenchosen to serve duty as an adviserto the Surgeon General, U.S. NavyBureau of Medicine and Surgeryand a member of the PresidentialSupport team. In October 2003, Bi-tonti became the head of the Oraland Maxillofacial Surgery/DentalDepartment at the National NavalMedical Center.In July 2009, Bitonti was named
the deputy commander for Inte-gration and Transition at the Na-tional Naval Medical Center. There,he oversaw the Base Realignment
and Closure (BRAC) initiative, di-recting the merger of the facilitywith the former Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center to form Walter ReedNational Military Medical Center(WRNMMC). In December 2011,Bitonti was named the senior mili-tary advisor to the commander ofWRNMMC, where he served untilhis selection as commanding officerfor NSAB.“I am truly excited and honored
for the opportunity to be the com-manding officer of NSAB,” said Bi-
NSAB Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Capt. Frederick “Fritz” Kass prepares to walk past the Naval Support Activity BethesdaSideboys with his wife, Leslie, and family. This will be the last time he is saluted in uniform,immediately following his official release from Naval service.
Capt. David Bitonti, left, salutes Rear Adm.Markham K. Rich, commandant of Naval Dis-trict Washington, as he assumes command ofNaval Support Activity Bethesda from Capt.Frederick “Fritz” Kass, center, Sept. 5.
See COMMAND page 5
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Parde
Capt. David Bitonti speaks to those in atten-dance after assuming command of Naval Sup-port Activity Bethesda. “I am truly excitedand honored for the opportunity to be thecommanding officer of NSAB,” said Bitonti.
2 Thursday, September 12, 2013 The Journal
Published by offset every Thurs-day by Comprint Military Publi-cations, 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a pri-vate firm in no way connectedwith the U.S. Navy, under ex-clusive written contract with theWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda, Md.This commercial enterprise news-paper is an authorized publication formembers of the military services. Contentsof The Journal are not necessarily the of-ficial views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S.Government, the Department of Defense,or the Department of Navy. The appearanceof advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constituteendorsement by the Department of De-fense or Comprint, Inc., of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made availablefor purchase, use or patronage without re-
gard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, maritalstatus, physical handicap,political affiliation, or anyother non-merit factor of thepurchaser, user, or patron.Editorial content is edited,prepared and provided bythe Public Affairs Office, Naval
Support Activity Bethesda, Md.News copy should be submitted to
the Public Affairs Office, Building 11, lowerlevel, Room 41, by noon one week pre-ceding the desired publication date. Newsitems are welcomed from all installationsources. Inquiries about news copy will beanswered by calling 301-295-1803. Com-mercial advertising should be placed withthe publisher by telephoning 301-921-2800.Publisher’s advertising offices are locatedat 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md.20877. Classified ads can be placed by call-ing 301-670-1700.
Naval Support Activity (NSA) BethesdaCommanding Officer: Capt. David A. BitontiPublic Affairs Officer NSAB: Joseph MacriPublic Affairs Office NSAB: 301-295-1803
Visit us on Facebook:Naval Support Activity Bethesda page:https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesda
Walter Reed National Medical Center page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-Reed-National-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107
Uniformed Services University of the HealthSciences page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-Health-Sciences/96338890888?fref=ts
cer Support Group meets twice onSept. 19, in the America BuildingRiver Conference Room, third floorof the America Building adjacentto the Center for Prostate DiseaseResearch. The day session is from1 to 2 p.m., and the evening ses-sion is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Formore information, contact retiredCol. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918or [email protected].
Healing, Recovery from TBIThe National Museum of Health
and Medicine hosts a free pro-gram, “A Visual Journey of Heal-ing and Recovery from TBI,” onSept. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Sil-ver Spring Civic Building, FentonRoom, 1 Veterans Place in SilverSpring, Md. The program includesartist Eliette Markhbein’s personalbrain injury story, told through herrevealing self-portrait and throughthe stories of 12 other brain injurysurvivors. Join Markhbein for thisreview of her experiences and herexhibit “WHACK’ed ... and theneverything was different,” which ison display at the National Museumof Health and Medicine until Sept.30. This event is free and open tothe public. For more information,call 301-319-3303 or visit http://www.medicalmuseum.mil.
Ask Your Leadership‘Ask Your Leadership’ is a new
staff communication tool for youto view and post questions or com-ments for official responses fromthe Walter Reed Bethesda com-mand leadership. The tool is on theWRB Intranet page. Click on theTown Hall/Leadership Forum icon,and then click on ‘Ask Your Leader-ship’.
Bethesda NotebookThis is my last column as Com-
mander of Walter Reed National Mili-tary Medical Center, (WRNMMC.)Words cannot express how enjoyableand rewarding these last two yearshave been for Joyce and me. We willmiss the many friends we have metand made here atWalter Reed Bethes-da.There are significant reasons why
Walter Reed Bethesda is called the“Nation’s Medical Center.” The mirac-ulous work performed here each andevery day, and the world-class careand compassion you provide our nation’s heroes andtheir families are why you are a preferred providerof our nation’s leaders. Your hard work, efforts andaccomplishments do not go unnoticed.Not long after I assumed command, we officially
became WRNMMC, bringing together the best ofArmy and Navy Medicine to create the best of Mili-tary Medicine, as inscribed on the monument in ourbeautiful Healing Plaza.As I stated in my first Com-mander’s Column, “Although it is easy to think wehave reached the goal of integration, in reality inte-gration has just begun. Together we will forge aheadwith one vision of the future of the WRNMMC.” Weaccomplish this everyday by “creating extraordinaryexperiences for our patients, families and staff whiledriving tomorrow’s healthcare advances,” which iscalled for in our Strategic Plan.During the past two years, as a joint team of ser-
vice members, civilians, contractors and volunteers,we have faced a number of challenges and excelled.We established the Strategic Plan, setting our vi-sion on continuing to provide and advance world-class care, and we’ve built this vision on the pillarsof readiness, quality of care, service excellence, thebusiness of healthcare, education and research, andon a strong foundation of people and resources. Thisplan guides our commitment to excellence atWalterReed Bethesda.As testament of this excellence, in March 2012,
we successfully completed our first Joint Commis-sion Survey as WRNMMC, achieving full accredita-tion. Of significant note, there was not one negativefinding in patient care areas, and Joint CommissionSurvey Team Leader, Dr. Marvin Kolb commented,“From every patient experience to every interactionwith staff, we felt and heard, what you do matters.We thank you for your commitment. It’s world-class.”Also within the last two years, WRNMMC
achieved the following accreditations:Annual Food and Drug AdministrationAccreditation of the Blood Bank andAdministration of Mammography 2012and 2013;AABBAccreditation of BloodBank in 2012; College of American Pa-thologists Accreditation of Laboratoryin 2012; and Annual Accreditation ofRadiation Safety Program in 2012 bythe Navy and Marine Corps PublicHealth Center.We established the only DoD Center
of Excellence in Cancer Care, dedicat-ing the John P. Murtha Cancer Center
November 2012. This modern, patient-centric, tri-service military healthcare facility is the compre-hensive core of military and civilian Oncologistsand cancer-trained clinicians and researchers whoprovide multidisciplinary cancer-care delivery andpatient-family support services, offering our valuedpatients access to cutting-edge cancer diagnosticand treatment technologies.In the area of Graduate Medical Education
(GME), you trained more than 700 GME and alliedhealth individuals and 9 of our GME programs re-ceived full accreditation and 6 received the maxi-mum accreditation possible.In research, you hosted the first WRNMMC Re-
search Summit in the spring of 2013 identifying op-portunities to leverage our research support infra-structure, promoting external partnerships and im-proving our investigators competiveness for fundingand viability as partners within the Military HealthCare System, the new way forward for research –enhancing the multi-service market.You’ve accomplished all of this despite BRAC
challenges, staffing obstacles, tighter budgets, andfurloughs. I encourage you to continue to do whatyou have admirably done for the past two years -- re-main focused on why we are here: To provide world-class care of ourWoundedWarriors and those serveour nation, have served and their families. Contin-ue to take care of those who rely on you, take care ofeach other, take care of yourselves, and never forget,“What You Do Matters.” Fair Winds and FollowingSeas.
Commander sendsRear Adm. Alton L. StocksMC, USNWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center
Commander’s Column
The Journal Thursday, September 12, 2013 3
By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Journal
staff writer
“It has been permitted tome [and] my assistants to liftthe impenetrable veil thathas surrounded the causa-tion of this most dreadfulpest of humanity, and to putit on a rational and scientif-ic basis … The prayer thathas been mine for 20 or moreyears, that I might be permit-ted in some way or sometimeto do something to alleviatehuman suffering, has beenanswered!”
Maj. Walter Reed wrotethis to his wife on New Year’sEve 1900 after the team heled in Cuba confirmed thetheory that a particular mos-quito species is the vector ofyellow fever.
Tomorrow marks the162nd birthday of Maj. Wal-ter Reed, the U.S. Armyphysician after whom Wal-ter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center (WRNMMC)is named.
“He was a doctor, a teach-er, a scientist and a gentle,courteous man,” accordingto retired Col. (Dr.) John R.Pierce, co-author of the book“Yellow Jack: How YellowFever Ravaged America andWalter Reed Discovered ItsDeadly Secrets.”
“Highly motivated,” is howPierce describes Reed in thePBS American Experiencedocumentary, “The Great Fe-ver.” “He worked most of hislife with the idea that therewas going to be an opportuni-ty for him to make a big dif-ference,” Pierce said of Reed.
Born in Belroi, Va., onSept. 13, 1851, Reed becameone of the youngest studentsto earn a medical degree fromthe University of Virginiawhen he received it in 1869,five months before turning19. He earned a second medi-cal degree in 1870 from NewYork University’s BellevueHospital Medical Center, in-terned at several New YorkCity hospitals, worked for theNew York Board of Healthand then joined the U.S.Army Medical Corps, spend-ing most of his service in theAmerican West.
“Reed is a frontier doc-tor basically,” explained Jim
Writer, Pierce’s co-author.“Most of his career [was]spent out on the frontier:Indian country in Arizona,Kansas [and] Nebraska. Hetakes a class in bacteriol-ogy [at] Johns Hopkins, andit begins to transform him,brings him into contact withthe new science of medicine.He moves from this fron-tier doctor, working in smallArmy posts, and becomes ascientist.”
Reed joined the facultyof the George WashingtonUniversity School of Medi-cine and the Army MedicalSchool in Washington, D.C.in 1893, where he held theprofessorship of bacteriol-ogy and clinical microscopy.In addition to his teaching,he pursued medical researchprojects and served as thecurator of the Army MedicalMuseum, now the NationalMuseum of Health and Medi-cine (NMHM) located at FortDetrick’s Forest Glen Annexin Silver Spring, Md., aboutfive miles from Walter ReedBethesda. The museum stillhas Maj.Walter Reed’s micro-scope as part of its collection.“It’s currently on display inone of our galleries,” said Me-lissa Brachfeld, public affairsspecialist at NMHM.
In 1896, Reed helped proveyellow fever among enlistedmen stationed near the Po-tomac River wasn’t fromdrinking river water. Heshowed civilians drinkingfrom the river did not fall illas Soldiers did drinking fromthe same water. He foundthat the enlisted men whogot yellow fever were thosewho took trails through theswampy woods at night.
Reed traveled to Cuba aspart of the typhoid boardin 1898. There, he helpeddiscover that typhoid wasspread by contact betweenpeople and flies soiled withfecal matter. Then in 1900,he was appointed head ofthe Army board charged toexamine tropical diseases in-cluding yellow fever.
In Cuba with the U.S.Army Yellow Fever Commis-sion, Reed and his team con-ducted a series of controlledexperiments. Later in 1900,he announced his team hadproved a certain mosquito,
Aedes aegypti, served as theintermediate host for the yel-low fever parasite.
Although Reed receivedmuch of the credit, he oftenrecognized Cuban physicianDr. Carlos Finlay for thediscovery and how yellow fe-ver might be controlled, andAmerican physician Dr. JesseWilliam Lazear, who allowedhimself to be bitten by a yel-low fever-infected mosquitoduring the experiments, fromwhich he died at age 34.
Reed returned from Cubain 1901, and in November1902, died from complicationof an appendectomy. He was51. Buried in Arlington Na-tional Cemetery in his homestate of Virginia, Reed’s head-stone includes a plaque withthe words, “He Gave To ManControl Over that Dreadful
Scourge Yellow Fever.”During the 160th birthday
celebration for Maj. WalterReed at WRNMMC in 2011,Pierce said the Walter Reedmedical center is what madethe man famous.
Walter Reed General Hos-pital first opened its doors onMay 1, 1909, eight years af-ter the death of the physicianafter whom it was named.The name was changed toWalter Reed Army MedicalCenter (WRAMC) in Sep-tember 1951, at the centen-nial of Reed’s birth. In 2011,WRAMC and the NationalNaval Medical Center be-came Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center.
“[Maj. Walter Reed] isknown because of the hospi-tal,” Pierce said. “The name isnow here and so Walter Reed
will continue to be knownbecause of the work done atthis institution.”
Though a cure for yellowfever has not been found, northe virus eradicated, in theUnited States, there has notbeen a yellow fever epidemicfor more than 100 years, ac-cording to the World HealthOrganization, whose officialsestimate there are annually,200,000 cases of the disease,and 30,000 deaths globallybecause of yellow fever. Mostof those are in tropical andsubtropical areas of SouthAmerica and Africa.
For more about yellow fe-ver and the vaccine, visit theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention website athttp://www.dcd.gov/yellowfe-ver/index.html.
Celebrating the Birthday of Maj. Walter Reed
Photo by Bernard S. Little
Leaders and former leaders of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB), the former Walter Reed Army Medi-cal Center, U.S. Army Medical Command and Army medicine, unveil the Maj.Walter Reed memorial during the dedication of the Healing Plaza at NSAB onJune 28.
Medical Center CarriesOn Legacy of Namesake
RentalTownhomes
Less than 3 miles to WRNMMC
01040035
Featuring: Oversized 2 & 3 Story Townhomes21/2 & 31/2 Baths
• Defense You Deserve• When It’s You Against the System• MEB Downloadable PDF(Medical Evaluation Board)
Schedule PhoneAppointment
1-800-651-5950
www.militarydef.net01040794
Retired Senior Military Judge
4 Thursday, September 12, 2013 The Journal
ByMass CommunicationSpecialist 2nd ClassJohn K. Hamilton
NSAB Public Affairsstaff writer
The newly forming Wal-ter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center (WRNMMC)Chorus is currently seekingmembers to add to its ranks.The chorus is being or-
ganized and directed byCapt. Paul Andreason, at-tending psychiatrist of theTrauma Recovery Program,and Cmdr. Moira McGuire,whom both have more than12 years experience direct-ing the United States PublicHealth Service Vocal Ensem-ble, together.“Both of us come from
musical backgrounds,” saidAndreason. “In the PublicHealth Service we didn’thave any musical billets, soanything we provided forceremonies was on a volun-teer basis. We organized itand that group now performson a regular basis.“Here at Walter Reed we
want to put together a group
not only so we can sing andhave a group for the em-ployees, but so we can alsosupport awards, functions,retirement ceremonies andspecial programs like theCancer Arts festival. Wewant to make a group thatcan meet once a week so wecan rehearse and build a rep-ertoire of songs that wouldbe performed at the typesof functions that are held atWalter Reed, free of charge.”Andreason is hoping to
add members who have orhad a singing backgroundand can commit to weekly re-hearsals. Anyone who is in-terested, but has not sung ina while will have the oppor-tunity to refresh their skills.“Music is like any other
endeavor – there is alwayslearning involved,” said An-dreason. “Since we are askedto put programs together on afairly short basis, we do wantpeople to be able to read mu-sic and have at least a highschool chorus background,because it makes it so mucheasier to put things together.People need to be able to singwell enough so that if they are
the only people singing theirpart they will be comfortablein a small group in front of alarge number of people whomay be their peers or super-visors.“It is a group where adults
can get together and havethe same musical experiencethat they had in high schoolor college, but with a mini-mum time commitment.”
Some of the music that thechorus will perform include,“This is My Country,” “StarSpangled Banner,” “NavyHymn” and the “West PointAlma Mater.” However, thereis also an opportunity formembers to bring in theirown music selections.“There will be a lot of per-
formance opportunities withpieces of music that I think
are fairly well known,” saidAndreason. “People can alsobring their own music to thegroup and have the grouplearn things that they wouldbe able to sing with otherpeople. But the bottom lineis, we want to be a perfor-mance and service-orientedgroup here at Walter Reed
New Acapella Chorus Group Forms at WRB
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton
Led by Cmdr. Moira McGuire (far right), a group from the United States PublicHealth Service Vocal Ensemble perform during an event held at the NationalIntrepid Center of Excellence.
See CHORUS page 10
01040670
The Journal Thursday, September 12, 2013 5
tonti. “Our mission is simple, to take care of thevisitors, active duty and the civilian employeeswho serve on a daily basis. Support is in ourname and we are here to do that for you.”Rear Adm. Markham K. Rich, commandant
of Naval District Washington, presided over thechange of command ceremony. In his remarks,Rich praised Kass for his ability to lead theinstallation in a period of transition. Kass as-sumed command as NSAB’s second CO on Oct.18, 2011, only one month after BRAC.“It has been a privilege, a true once-in-a-life-
time honor, to have been the commanding officerof Naval Support Activity Bethesda,” said Kass.
“The effort put forth every day to make this aspecial place for staff, visitors and guests nev-er stopped impressing and amazing me. I willmiss being a part of something so important andmeaningful. Thank you for all you have done andcontinue to do.”Kass will be retiring with his family – his wife,
Leslie, and daughters Sophie, Margo and Elise.Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s mission
statement is to create an environment that en-ables patients to heal, help staff to thrive andmake guests feel at home. The NSAB vision is toprovide customer-focused installation manage-ment and base operating support to its tenantactivities in their pursuit of excellence, whilepartnering in healing, wellness, research andeducation.For more news from NSAB, visit www.cnic.
navy.mil/bethesda or www.facebook.com/NSA-Bethesda.
COMMANDContinued from 1
By Cheryl HostetlerRegistered Dietitian
Nutrition Services Department
Do you more often than not find yourself in a“rut” as you pack your children’s school lunches?Also, do you wonder if they really do eat what youlovingly pack for them? Here are some ways tomake those lunches more enjoyable to pack andmore fun for your children to eat.• Start with the lunch box. Make sure it’s clean
by having more than one lunchbox for your child.Overtime, mold and bacteria easily get into the“nooks and crannies” and can contaminate food.With two lunchboxes, you can rotate using them—send one on Monday and then the other on Tues-day, allowing time to wash them in-between use.• Be safe when packing the lunch. Keep cold
foods cold by using a reusable ice-pack. Pack thelunch the night before and put it in the refrigera-tor overnight. This step chills the lunchbox itselfto help keep the foods cold. You also need to keephot foods hot. You can do this by using a thermos.Remember to fill it with boiling water and let itsit for a couple of minutes before filling the ther-mos. This step helps to heat the thermos itself.• Try a Japanese bento box.With separate com-
partments, you can fill your child’s lunchbox witha variety of different foods—carbohydrates, pro-tein, veggies, fruits and sometimes, a small treat.The compartments help with portion control andlead to a healthy variety of foods. Select foods thatprovide a balance of colors, flavors and textures,all arranged in a fun way.• Involve your children in what they want for
lunch. Remember it’s not your lunch. Let yourchildren help pack their lunches the night before,giving them some control over what they chooseto take. If you pack celery sticks and your childrenhate them, they won’t eat them.• Make your life easier on hectic mornings.
Brainstorm with your children on the foods theylike that can be eaten cold or at room tempera-ture. Write them down and post them on yourfridge for instant inspiration when you’re pack-ing their lunches.• Forget the rule that lunch has to include a
sandwich, chips and a cookie. Try an assortmentof cold strips of grilled chicken and raw veggies
Dietition Offers HealthyLunch Box Ideas
See LUNCH page 8
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Parde
Guests and participants from the change ofcommand ceremony stop by the Building 1Rotunda for refreshments after the ceremony.
6 Thursday, September 12, 2013 The Journal
By Ryan HunterNSAB Public Affairs
staff writer
Brigade ChaplainLt. Col. Frank O’Gradyand Staff Sgt. RicardoW. Cortez held theStrong Bonds FamilySeminar at the HiltonGarden Inn on August2.Started during the
beginning stages ofthe Gulf War in 1919,Strong Bonds wasoriginally created tosupport the familiesof deployed Soldiers.Over time the programgrew and expandedinto a multimilliondollar operation in ef-fect throughout theentire Army. Today,the program is “builtto strengthen the re-siliency of familieswhether down rangeor those left home,”explained Cortez. “Wehave guidelines, but weshape the programs towhat suits the peoplein our area.”Of the Soldiers, wives
and family memberswho approach O’Grady,85 percent have prob-lems relating to oth-
ers and relationships.“When folks get mar-ried they have specificneeds initially. Fiveyears down the roadthose needs change.Unless couples workon a year by year basisit’s going to eventuallycreate a problem,” ex-plained O’Grady. Hehighly recommends theworkshop to familiesto assess growth andchange in any familydynamic. “It’s for good
marriages, not so goodmarriages and perfectmarriages.”The focus of the pro-
gram is not just onwounded warriors butcadre as well. “Thewounded warriors focusis more about coping ona day to day basis, andhaving your spouse un-derstand what you’regoing through as well,”said Cortez. “For thecadre we really believein caring for the care-
giver, and showing howto effectively work hereas well as being a goodfather or mother.”The workshop is led
mainly by the chap-lain, but much of thetalking occurs directlybetween couples in at-tendance. Topics dis-cussed include givingand receiving affection,dealing with stress,conflict resolution, per-sonality cohesion andforgiveness. After thecouples speak in pri-vate, common issuesare shared with thegroup. O’Grady stress-es that even if familiesare reluctant to talkto others about theirproblems, they shouldstill be addressed. “No,you don’t have to talkabout your marriage[in a public forum]; butyou do have to talk toeach other.”The seminar is main-
ly designed for mar-ried couples, but catersto children as well. Aseparate conferenceroom and professionalchildcare services areprovided for youngerchildren, while olderteenage family mem-
bers are encouraged toattend and participatein group discussions.“They need to comeas a family,” stressedO’Grady.Families of all faiths
are encouraged to at-tend. “It’s not a reli-gious retreat. We tellthem that upfront,”explained O’Grady.“Sometimes we use ex-amples from the Biblebut we’re very carefulnot to push our own re-ligious ethic.”Preference goes to
Soldiers, but otherservice members arewelcome to apply. “It’san Army funded pro-gram, but if anyonewants to come we don’tturn them down,” saidO’Grady.In the past, the pro-
gram lasted for twodays and frequentedpopular tourist loca-tions like Ocean Cityand Williamsburg. Dueto budget cuts, the pro-gram only lasts oneday, but provides freetransportation, break-fast and lunch. “Theone day retreat is ob-viously a bigger chal-lenge to us, because
we don’t have as muchtime, so we’re going togive them a couple ofsessions in the morn-ing and then givethem time in the after-noon to reflect,” saidO’Grady. The programis planning to returnto its weekend lengthin October.The chaplain advises
all families that can’tattend the seminarto take time and opendialogues with eachother. “If you can’t re-solve conflicts aftertalking to each other,talk to someone else,”said O’Grady. “We’vegot 10 social workersin the brigade and allof them are good coun-selors. The last thingyou need to do is breakup. Breaking up is aneasy way out.”The next Strong
Bonds Family Seminarwill be held Sept. 20.at the Hilton GardenHotel in Bethesda. Tofind out more aboutthe seminar, contactO’Grady at 301-400-0292 or Cortez at 301-400-3593.
Seminar Strengthens Family Bonds
Photo by Ryan Hunter
Chaplain Lt. Col. Frank O’Grady and StaffSgt. Ricardo W. Cortez teach couples howto manage stress.
By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Journal
staff writer
Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.)Jeffrey B. Clark willassume command ofWalter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Cen-ter (WRNMMC) duringa ceremony at 2 p.m. onSept. 19 in front of theTower (Building 1) onNaval Support ActivityBethesda.He will assume com-
mand from Rear Adm.(Dr.) Alton L. Stocks,the first commanderof WRNMMC, the na-tion’s largest joint mil-itary medical center.The rear admiral is re-tiring after 34 years ofactive duty service. Hebecame commander of
WRNMMC on Sept. 28,2011.A family medicine
physician, Clark mostrecently held the Ar-my’s top medical postin Europe, as com-mander of U.S. ArmyEurope Regional Medi-cal Command and com-mand surgeon of U.S.Army Europe. He be-gan that leadershipposition in May 2012.When he takes thehelm of WRNMMC,the brigadier generalwill become the firstArmy officer to leadWRNMMC.Clark, a graduate
of Davidson College(N.C.), East CarolinaUniversity School ofMedicine, the U.S.Army Command andGeneral Staff College,
and the Army War Col-lege, earned a Masterof Public Health at theUniversity of Wash-ington and a Masterof Strategic Studies atthe Army War College.The general complet-
ed his family medicineresidency at Silas B.Hays Army Communi-ty Hospital at Fort Ord,Calif., and served as afamily physician andflight surgeon in Koreaand at Fort Bragg, N.C.He also served as fac-ulty and clinic directorof the Womack ArmyCommunity HospitalFamily Medicine Resi-dency at Fort Bragg, aswell as senior medicalofficer of C Company,307th Medical Bat-talion, 82nd AirborneDivision during Op-
eration Desert Shield/Storm. He went on toserve as the 82nd Air-borne Division surgeonfrom 1993 to 1995, andcommanded the 168thArea Support MedicalBattalion, Korea from1997 to 1999. He wasalso chief of primarycare and family medi-
cine at Womack from1999 to 2001.While assigned to
Wuerzburg MedicalDepartment Activity/67th Combat SupportHospital (CSH) from2001 to 2004, Clarkserved as deputy com-mander for clinical ser-vices, and commanderof Task Force Medi-cal Falcon, Kosovo. Healso commanded the21st CSH from 2005to 2007, leading unitdeployments to NewOrleans in support ofthe Hurricane KatrinaRelief Operation andduring Operation IraqiFreedom, providinghealth care in the Iraqitheater of operation.From 2008 to 2010,
Clark was chief of pre-ventive medicine at
Darnall Army Medi-cal Center at FortHood, Texas, and com-mander, 65th MedicalBrigade/U. S. ArmyMedical DepartmentActivity-Korea, andas U.S. Forces Korea/United Nations Com-mand/Combined Forc-es Command (USFK/UNC/CFC) surgeon. Hethen served as chief ofMedical Corps Branch,Human ResourcesCommand, Fort Knox,Ky., prior to command-ing Landstuhl Region-al Medical Center from2011 to 2012, and be-coming the Army’s topmedical officer in Eu-rope in May 2012.Stocks, in addi-
tion to commanding
Clark to Assume Command of Walter Reed Bethesda
U.S. Army photo
Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Jef-frey B. Clark
See CLARK page 8
The Journal Thursday, September 12, 2013 7
By Ryan HunterNSAB Public Affairs
staff writer
There are dozens of ser-vices and resources aimed atsupporting families suffer-ing from the loss of a servicemember, however very littleis known about how thesefamilies deal with loss. TheNational Military Family Be-reavement study, headed byretired Army Col. and Uni-formed Services Universityof the Health Sciences (USU)Professor of Psychiatry (Dr.)Stephen Cozza, aims to cor-rect this.
Organized by the USUCenter for the Study of Trau-matic Stress, the study wasdesigned to create policy tobetter provide services andsupport for surviving mili-tary families.
“If you look at Americansociety today, the averageage people die is over 65, andtypically of chronic medicalconditions. We [in the servic-es] have an extraordinarilyyoung population that die asadolescents. The majority ofservice members that die doso typically between the agesof 18-40 and leave behindyoung families,” said Dr. Jill
Harrington-LaMorie, seniorfield researcher for the study.
The occurrence of suchyoung deaths creates an un-usual situation for survivingfamily members. Accordingto Conner, this “puts certainfamily members in greaterrisk for having more dif-ficulty in coping due to theviolent nature of the death,”but, also “can create a senseof meaning that helps themcope because of the meaningof their service.”
The study is historic, thefirst ever of its kind fundedby the Department of De-fense with such a broadscope. “A lot of [studies] lookat dependents and spouses.[We are focusing on] the im-pact, not only of an individu-al in the family, but also thefamily as a unit,” said Har-rington-LaMorie. “We lookat families of procreation,which are spouses and chil-dren, ex-spouses, adult part-ners and children as well asfamilies of origin or parentsand siblings.”
The various causes of ser-vice member death are alsotaken into account. Accord-ing to Cozza, only about 30to 40 percent of the familiesinterviewed in the studywere surviving members of a
combat related casualty. Themajority of their study so farinvolves deaths related to ac-cidents, medical illness, sui-cide and homicide. In orderto be eligible for the study,the family must be related toa service member who diedwhile on active duty afterSept. 11, 2001.
Conducted in a number ofincremental steps, designedto respect the privacy ofmilitary families, the studydiscovers their unique andvaried experiences. The firstphase of the study is a short15 to 20 minute online ques-tionnaire, focusing mainly onhow the individuals are doing.
The second phase involvesface to face conferences overthe course of two years, whichmeasures the change in emo-tions the families experienceover time. This phase also al-lows participants of all ages,giving researches “an oppor-tunity to understand, wherethere’s very little information,the impact of service death onchildren,” said Cozza. Laterphases gleam more in-depthinformation, such as groupsessions designed to creatediscussions of familial rolesand experiences, as well assaliva tests which pinpointgenetic markers for grief re-sponses.
While useful for gather-ing information, the studyhas also had a profound ef-fect on the researchers andtheir subjects. “I am con-tinually humbled by thefact that they give so muchof their time and we prettymuch give them nothing inreturn,” said Harrington-LaMorie, who conducts 40focus groups for the studyaround the country. “This isnot an intervention study,but I’ve had people tell methey find participating canbe therapeutic. “
Dr. Cozza encouragesthose who can to participate.“We know so little aboutthe needs of this particularpopulation of military familysurvivors. The willingnessfor all or as many individualswho can to participate in thestudy will ensure that theirexperiences and voices areheard. In the future, peoplewho have experiences simi-lar to theirs will benefit fromwhat we learn. What they doand say and how they par-ticipate makes a difference.”
If you wish to take part orlearn more, visit the Nation-al Military Family Bereave-ment study website at mili-tarysurivorstudy.org.
New Study Seeks to Help Families Suffering From Loss
By Amaani LyleAmerican Forces
Press Service
On a sprawling, tree-framed landscape, the vicechairman of the Joint Chiefsof Staff joined about 400guests Friday for the officialgrand opening of BoulderCrest Retreat in Bluemont,Va., for seriously woundedservice members, veteransand their families.
Navy Adm. James A. Win-nefeld Jr. commended retiredNavy Master Chief Petty Of-ficer Ken Falke and his wife,Julia, who donated the landand realized their vision ofproviding free use of a lodge,cabins, activities and pro-grams that provide respiteand aid in reconnection, re-covery and rehabilitation.
“As more than 12 years ofwar come to a close for themagnificent men and womenwho have been fighting it,our collective obligation totake care of them will notend,” Winnefeld said. “Themajority of the seen and un-
seen injuries our warriorshave endured from Iraq, …Afghanistan and other plac-es are scars they’ll bear forlife.”
With medical facilitiessuch as the Walter Reed Na-tional Military Medical Cen-ter and others just a roadtrip away, Boulder Crest Re-treat, Winnefeld said, goesthe extra mile to not onlybe a home away from home,but a home away from clinicsand hospitals.
“The severity of manyveterans’ physical and emo-tional trauma suggests long-term care needs that willsurpass our publicly avail-able medical capacity wellinto the future,” the admiralsaid.
The 37-acre, AmericansWith Disabilities Act-acces-sible retreat already hasproven popular, with book-ings in each of its four pri-vate cabins through 2013and projected recreation andresources for 250 to 500 fam-ilies each year.
Each cabin accommodates
up to six people and is avail-able for two- to 14-day stays,and guests also can gather inthe 6,000-square-foot, two-story lodge to connect with
other families and partici-pate in programs.
Visitors also can enjoyoutdoor amenities such as anarchery range, nature trails,
a playground, an organicgarden, a bird sanctuary anda fishing pond, while rec-
Vice Chairman Joins in Opening Wounded Warrior Retreat
Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admira James A. Winnefeld spoke atthe official grand opening of Boulder Crest Retreat for seriously wounded servicemembers, veterans and their families in Bluemont, Va. Friday.
See RETREAT page 10
01040366
8 Thursday, September 12, 2013 The Journal
WRNMMC, commanded theNavy Medicine NationalCapital Area for the pasttwo years. A Baltimore na-tive and 1972 graduate ofthe U.S. Naval Academywith a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Mathematics, theadmiral completed the Na-vy’s Nuclear Power Trainingand Submarine School priorto serving on USS AndrewJackson (SSBN 619) andUSS Long Beach (CGN 9)before transferring his com-mission to the Navy MedicalCorps. He received his medi-cal degree from GeorgetownUniversity School of Medi-cine.As WRNMMC’s first com-
mander, Stocks was respon-sible for the daily opera-tional control of the largestacademic medical center inthe Military Health System(MHS). Leading a staff of ap-proximately 7,000 members,he oversaw the medical cen-ter’s first Joint Commissionsurvey in May 2012, whichresulted in full accredita-
tion for WRNMMC. Whilecommanding WRNMMC,the admiral also command-ed Navy Medicine NationalCapital Area, which includ-ed Naval Health Clinic An-napolis, Navy Health ClinicPatuxent River and NavalHealth Clinic Quantico. Healso served as advisor to theBoard of Regents of the Uni-formed Services Universityof the Health Sciences, andpresided over the first everNational Initiative for Artsand Health in the Militaryat Walter Reed Bethesda.He also worked closelywith medical leadershipand staffs at civilian andmilitary medical facilitieswithin the National CapitalRegion, including DeWittArmy Community Hospitalat Fort Belvoir; MalcolmGrow Medical Center atJoint Base Andrews, Md.;Kimbrough AmbulatoryCare Center at Fort Meade,Md.; and the DiLorenzoTRICARE Health Clinic,sub-command and sub-clinicof WRNMMC.In the case of inclement
weather, the retirement andchange of command ceremo-ny will be moved into theMemorial Auditorium.
CLARKContinued from 6
served with honey mustardsauce for dipping. Or howabout hummus or blackbean dip (both full of fillingfiber and protein) servedwith baked pita chips andraw veggies? Instead ofchips, try air-popped pop-corn with a sprinkling ofgrated Parmesan cheese.• Add some variety to
your child’s lunch. You caneasily do this by changingsomething as simple asthe bread. The next timeyou make a sandwich, trysubstituting a bagel, ham-burger bun, or pita bread.How about brown-ricecakes with peanut butter,all-fruit spread or low fatcream cheese? Even theclassic PB&J (peanut but-ter and jelly) is more funto eat in a whole-wheatwrap. When selectingthese, choose whole-grainor whole-wheat productsfor their nutritional value.• Skip the packaged
drinks. Have your childrenbuy milk at school so it’s
fresh and cold. If your childwill only drink chocolatemilk, allow it. It’s betterthan drinking no milk atall. Dietitians recommendmilk or water over juice,but if you do send juice, itshould be 100 percent fruitjuice. The sugar-laden juic-es can increase the risk ofobesity.• Make a fruit smoothie.
Send it in a thermos ormake the smoothie the daybefore and freeze it over-night. By lunchtime, it willbe nice and slushy. Blendskim milk, vanilla low-fatyogurt, pineapple-orangejuice, frozen strawberries,and banana together for agood source of protein andvitamin C.• Pass on using pre-
packaged, processed foods.Although convenient touse, they’re expensive andoften loaded with sodium.The Dietary Guidelines forAmericans, 2010 recom-mend that Americans aged2 and up reduce sodium in-take to less than 2,300 mil-ligrams (mg) per day. Forexample, one product withnachos, cheese dip andsalsa contains 1,160 mgsodium. Another one with
crackers, bologna, cheese,and candy provides 1,210mg sodium. Both provide50 percent of the day’s rec-ommended amount for so-dium!• Never forget des-
sert! Just be sure to offersomething that is health-ful. Pudding cups or yo-gurt cups both offer goodsources of calcium. Or tryair-popped popcorn dustedwith cinnamon and sugarfor a good source of fiber.Also, don’t forget the nu-tritional value of fresh orcanned fruit — always agood choice for dessert.Packing lunches for your
children can be a chal-lenge, but before you knowit, they’ll be high schoolseniors and you’re gettingready to send them off tocollege. Until then, start-ing them off right by pack-ing healthy school lunchesis important, as each lunchoffers an opportunity to im-prove your child’s diet.If you have more ques-
tions or wish to speak to aregistered dietitian aboutyour child’s diet, make anappointment in the Out-patient Nutrition Clinic bycalling 301-295-4065.
LUNCHContinued from 5
01040756
FISHER HOUSE - ANDREWS AFBGOLF TOURNAMENTSEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Register Now!!!
ENTRY FORMANDREWS AFB FISHER HOUSE
“CAPTAIN’S CHOICE” GOLF TOURNAMENTThe Courses at Andrews AFB www.aafbgc.com
Member Entry Fee – $75.00, Authorized User Entry Fee – $85.00,Civilian Guest Entry Fee – $95.00 per person
RANK/NAME PHONEAMOUNT PD MEMBER #*E-MAIL
RANK/NAME PHONEAMOUNT PD MEMBER #*E-MAIL
RANK/NAME PHONEAMOUNT PD MEMBER #*E-MAIL
RANK/NAME PHONEAMOUNT PD MEMBER #*E-MAILPLEASE RETURN THIS FORM AND PAYMENT TO THE ANDREWS AFB FISHERHOUSE ASAP TO AVOID MISSING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATEMake checks payable to Andrews AFB Fisher House, Inc. and mail them to:Andrews AFB Fisher House 1076 W. Perimeter Rd, Andrews AFB, MD 20762Team Members: Please list all names if you have a pre-selected foursome. If not, we will behappy to pair you up with a great team.*e-mail used to send confirmation and directions only, not solicitation.
PLAYERCONTRIBUTION
COVERS• GREEN FEES
• CART• RANGE BALLS
•DINNER• BEVERAGES• PRIZES• FUN
Hole-In-One Tournaments sponsored byHarley Davidson of Washington DC
on the East Courseand by Toyota of Waldorfon the South Course
“Dedicated to our greatestnational treasure – ourmilitary service men andwomen and their lovedones.”
Zachary Fisher
01040740
The Journal Thursday, September 12, 2013 9
By NatalieHedrick
DiLorenzo TRICAREHealth Clinic
DiLorenzo TRICAREHealth Clinic (DTHC)staff at the Pentagon par-ticipated in an emergencyoperations command cen-ter exercise Aug. 13. Theexercise, Gallant Fox,involved several leadersfrom military, medical andforce protection agencieslocated in and around thePentagon grounds.Based on a hypotheti-
cal situation that wouldhave the potential tocause mass casualtiesand damage, leadershipfrom DTHC, PentagonForce Protection Agency,Washington Headquar-ters Service, and the Ar-lington County Office ofEmergency Managementreacted quickly to set upand sustain a function-ing emergency operationscommand center in theirrespective locations.The Emergency Op-
erations Center (EOC)is one element of an op-eration involving several
moving pieces to includeemergency responseteams and public rela-tions. If a catastrophicevent were to take place
on the Pentagon grounds,these moving pieceswould come together inan attempt to control thesituation.
Pentagon Clinic Participates in Emergency Exercise
Photo by Natalie Hedrick
Capt. Scott Gaught, Chief of Clinical Oper-ations for the DiLorenzo TRICARE HealthClinic works with Mr. Cosmos Williamson,budget analyst, on the events log during theemergency operations command center ex-ercise Aug. 13, at the Pentagon. The log iscreated to track every relevant event thatunfolds during the exercise.
01040448
10 Thursday, September 12, 2013 The Journal
so that we can provide live music forceremonial events that otherwisewould not be able to get live musicbudgeted.”
Mary Ann Fitzpatrick, healthtechnician of executive medicine atWRNMMC and current chorus mem-ber, said being able to unite staff andpatients using the universal lan-guage of music and just the chanceto brighten someone’s day, is whatmade her join the ensemble.
“I had fun participating in WRB’s“Holiday Chorus” in 2012 and en-joyed meeting fellow medical cen-ter employees while entertainingstaff and patients,” said Fitzpatrick.“I love the idea of singing patriotictunes in honor of our active duty ser-vicemen and women, wounded war-riors and retirees.”
The WRNMMC Chorus gathersevery Thursday from noon to 12:50p.m. at Pastoral Care Department’sstudy room located on the secondfloor hallway between Buildings 7and 8. For more information aboutthe chorus or detailed instruction onhow to get to the rehearsal site con-tact Andreason at 301-400-2107 orat [email protected].
CHORUSContinued from 4
reational activities include naturewalks, Shenandoah River kayakingand swimming, golf and tennis.
In addition to the retreat’s heal-ing offerings of yoga, meditation,massage therapy, journaling, artand music therapy, Winnefeld alsonoted featured assistance therapywith dogs and horses, which reso-nates well with wounded warriorswho may be weary of sudden noisesand movements.
Winnefeld directly addressedwounded warriors, lauding themfor their courage and buoyancy. “I’mcontinually amazed by your grit andresilience [and] your commitment toability over disability.”
Julia Falke admired the couragenot only of her husband, an explo-sive ordnance disposal technician,but also of fellow military families,which she said ultimately inspiredher journey to Boulder Crest Re-treat.
The Falkes lived in military fam-ily housing in both Scotland andher native England. “We’d alwaysinvite the young families stationedthere to come and have dinner andfeel the comforts of home,” she said.
“You could really see the differenceit made.”
Thirty years later, the Falkesbought 200 acres of land in ruralVirginia, where they took residencein a large, stone farmhouse atop thehilly grass and briar. The couple be-gan visiting wounded warriors andtheir families at nearby militaryhospitals, and soon resumed thetradition of inviting guests over forhome-cooked meals and relaxation.
But sending the troops back, Ju-lia said, became less and less prac-tical. So when a friend suggested awriter’s retreat for the Falkes’ coun-tryside, Julia thought of somethingmore meaningful.
“The more we started talkingabout [Boulder Crest Retreat], themore other people would come to usand say, ‘If you start it, we will helpyou,’” Julia said.
The Falkes soon secured a 501c3charitable foundation status, andin less than a year, various donorspoured more than $5 million intothe organization.
Julia said contributors rangedfrom the Boy Scouts of America tomulti-billion-dollar corporations.“There has been every kind of in-volvement, the outcome has beenunbelievable,” she said.
But the nascent project will con-tinue to grow with the ideas anddonations of those who support it,
Julia said. “I’ve been crying all daylong,” she added. “To see it in realityis so amazing.”
Perhaps the most interestingstyle of arrival to the grand openingwas that of wounded warrior DanaBowman, who parachuted in by wayof tandem jump with an Americanflag in tow.
In 1994, Bowman, a former spe-cial operations troop who onceserved with Falke, lost both of hislegs after being injured while serv-ing on the Army’s Golden Knightsparachute team.
Standing tall on legs of steel,Bowman didn’t lose his courage, andhe became the first double amputeeto re-enlist in the U.S. military. Sowhen Ken Falke asked him to attendthe Boulder Crest Retreat grandopening, Bowman said, the decisionto help his former comrade was easy.
“Absolutely, I said I’d be there tobring the American flag in … andto land on target, and that’s exactlywhat we did,” Bowman said. “We’reable to come back, bring the wholeteam and tandem jump a warrior infor this special event and day.”
Bowman said the retreat, at is es-sence, is about giving back.
“At the end of the day,” he added,“we all bleed the same way, so wehave to rally our troops from thedifferent services to come out andmake a difference.”
