Vol. 24 No. 34 www.bethesda.med.navy.mil August 23, 2012 By Sharon Renee Taylor WRNMMC Journal staff writer Prosthetists and engineers at Wal- ter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) recently discov- ered new ways to create one-of-a- kind parts using 3-D technology. The process, which generates three dimensional solid objects from virtual, computer-generated images by adding materials layer by layer, enables the medical center to in- crease work quality and improve work efficiency in order to help more patients, faster. It began when Zach Harvey, chief prosthetist at WRNMMC, set out to construct a new set of shorter pros- theses for Marine Cpl. Tyler South- ern, a bilateral above the knee am- putee. Southern, a 22-year old native of Jacksonville, Fla., began swimming at age two. After being severely in- jured in 2010 while deployed in Afghanistan, he learned how to swim without legs, but said it was a chal- lenge for him to get in and out of his pool at home independently, without a right arm, and a fused wrist with a missing ring finger on his left arm. Harvey set about crafting a “shorty” set of prostheses for South- ern that would serve special purpos- es, like kayaking, walking around on uneven surfaces, hiking or working on a car, and for easy access in and out of the pool. “We call them flat bottom rockers and they’re basically just feet that attach to the bottom of his sockets, so that he can do things really close to the ground and walk on all kinds of terrain,” Harvey said. After more than 40 hours of work crafting the prostheses, Harvey, who specializes in lower extremities, hit a problem with his design. “I would either have too long of a toe lever or too long of a heel lever, but I really needed the pyramid, the attachment point, to be right in the center, and I couldn’t do it easily with the parts that we had here,” Harvey said. When Chief of Amputee Patient Care Service Chuck Scoville told Harvey the 3-D Medical Application Center (3DMAC) at Walter Reed Bethesda could create titanium parts, the prosthetist immediately wondered if the electron beam melt- ing machine, a specialized piece of equipment the 3DMAC uses to make cranial implants and maxillo- facial fixation plates, could make the unique prosthetic parts he needed. “This is a really specialized piece of equipment. There aren’t very many of them in existence,” Harvey said. “One of the main advantages of this machine is that they can rapidly prototype a part and a definite part that we can use right away.” Scoville delivered two of the parts 3-D Technology Supports Amputee Needs Photo by Sharon ReneeTaylor Marine Cpl. Tyler Southern demonstrates the new feet Zach Harvey, chief prosthetist at Walter Reed Bethesda, con- structed with engineers at the 3-D Medical Application Center using innovative technology. See 3-D page 8 By Sarah Marshall WRNMMC Journal staff writer On Tuesday morning, Walter Reed Bethesda will focus its atten- tion on its first Strategic Plan, out- lining where the medical center wants to be in the future and how it will get there. After a year in the making, com- mand leadership will announce the details of the new plan from 8 to 9 a.m., in the Memorial Auditorium. To reach as many staff and patients as possible, the rollout will also be broadcasted in the Laurel Clark Auditorium and telecast through- out the command’s TV network. "Our approach to planning is unique because we determined the effect we want the experience of our medical center to have on pa- tients, families and staff, in addi- tion to clarifying strategic priori- ties. We couldn't begin to execute our plan at a more appropriate time, as we mark our anniversary - and we certainly could not do this without your input and continued support," said Walter Reed Nation- al Military Medical Center (WRN- MMC) Commander Rear Adm. Al- ton L. Stocks. The Strategic Plan, a command- wide effort involving collaboration between leadership and staff, start- ed with the medical center defining its vision and mission. To support this vision, six main pillars were established: quality of care, service excellence, research, readiness, education and the busi- ness of health care. People and re- sources were considered the foun- dations upon which the pillars, mission and vision all rest. “Designated champions launched Pillar and Foundation Groups to manage a command-wide staff and patient input effort,” added Ann- Marie Regan, special assistant for organization development. “We de- signed Gallery Walks to encourage staff and patients at all levels to contribute to a plan that we will all implement in the coming years.” During these sessions, an esti- mated 6,200 comments were made by staff and patients, said Navy Lt. John Gardner, regional director for strategy and innovation. “We wanted to empower the staff and capture their creativity.We believe these Gallery Walks did just that,” he said. Command leaders reviewed staff and patient comments, categorizing them to ensure they were incorpo- rated into the appropriate pillar or foundation. These matters of con- cern translated into about 51 com- mand-level initiatives to be ad- dressed by the Board of Deputies over the next few years, Gardner said. On Tuesday morning, he con- Walter Reed Bethesda Rolls out Strategic Plan Vision: We are the Nation's Medical Center. We create ex- traordinary experiences for patients, families and staff while driving tomorrow's healthcare advances. Mission: Walter Reed Bethesda leads military medicine through outstanding patient-centered care, innovation, and ex- cellence in education and research. We provide comprehensive care to prevent disease, restore health and maximize readiness. See STRATEGIC page 6
Transcript
Vol. 24 No. 34 www.bethesda.med.navy.mil August 23, 2012
By Sharon Renee TaylorWRNMMC Journal staff writer
Prosthetists and engineers at Wal-ter Reed National Military MedicalCenter (WRNMMC) recently discov-ered new ways to create one-of-a-kind parts using 3-D technology.
The process, which generatesthree dimensional solid objects fromvirtual, computer-generated imagesby adding materials layer by layer,enables the medical center to in-crease work quality and improvework efficiency in order to help morepatients, faster.
It began when Zach Harvey, chiefprosthetist at WRNMMC, set out toconstruct a new set of shorter pros-theses for Marine Cpl. Tyler South-ern, a bilateral above the knee am-putee.
Southern, a 22-year old native ofJacksonville, Fla., began swimmingat age two. After being severely in-jured in 2010 while deployed in
Afghanistan, he learned how to swimwithout legs, but said it was a chal-lenge for him to get in and out of hispool at home independently, withouta right arm, and a fused wrist with amissing ring finger on his left arm.
Harvey set about crafting a“shorty” set of prostheses for South-ern that would serve special purpos-es, like kayaking, walking around onuneven surfaces, hiking or workingon a car, and for easy access in andout of the pool.
“We call them flat bottom rockersand they’re basically just feet thatattach to the bottom of his sockets, sothat he can do things really close tothe ground and walk on all kinds ofterrain,” Harvey said.
After more than 40 hours of workcrafting the prostheses, Harvey, whospecializes in lower extremities, hit aproblem with his design.
“I would either have too long of atoe lever or too long of a heel lever,but I really needed the pyramid, the
attachment point, to be right in thecenter, and I couldn’t do it easily withthe parts that we had here,” Harveysaid.
When Chief of Amputee PatientCare Service Chuck Scoville toldHarvey the 3-D Medical ApplicationCenter (3DMAC) at Walter ReedBethesda could create titaniumparts, the prosthetist immediatelywondered if the electron beam melt-ing machine, a specialized piece ofequipment the 3DMAC uses tomake cranial implants and maxillo-facial fixation plates, could make theunique prosthetic parts he needed.
“This is a really specialized pieceof equipment. There aren’t verymany of them in existence,” Harveysaid. “One of the main advantages ofthis machine is that they can rapidlyprototype a part and a definite partthat we can use right away.”
Scoville delivered two of the parts
3-D Technology Supports Amputee Needs
Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor
Marine Cpl. Tyler Southerndemonstrates the new feetZach Harvey, chief prosthetistat Walter Reed Bethesda, con-structed with engineers at the3-D Medical Application Centerusing innovative technology.See 3-D page 8
By Sarah MarshallWRNMMC Journal staff writer
On Tuesday morning, WalterReed Bethesda will focus its atten-tion on its first Strategic Plan, out-lining where the medical centerwants to be in the future and howit will get there.
After a year in the making, com-mand leadership will announce thedetails of the new plan from 8 to 9a.m., in the Memorial Auditorium.To reach as many staff and patientsas possible, the rollout will also bebroadcasted in the Laurel ClarkAuditorium and telecast through-out the command’s TV network.
"Our approach to planning isunique because we determined theeffect we want the experience ofour medical center to have on pa-tients, families and staff, in addi-tion to clarifying strategic priori-ties. We couldn't begin to execute
our plan at a more appropriatetime, as we mark our anniversary -and we certainly could not do thiswithout your input and continuedsupport," said Walter Reed Nation-al Military Medical Center (WRN-MMC) Commander Rear Adm. Al-ton L. Stocks.
The Strategic Plan, a command-wide effort involving collaborationbetween leadership and staff, start-ed with the medical center definingits vision and mission.
To support this vision, six mainpillars were established: quality ofcare, service excellence, research,readiness, education and the busi-ness of health care. People and re-sources were considered the foun-dations upon which the pillars,mission and vision all rest.
“Designated champions launchedPillar and Foundation Groups tomanage a command-wide staff andpatient input effort,” added Ann-Marie Regan, special assistant for
organization development. “We de-signed Gallery Walks to encouragestaff and patients at all levels tocontribute to a plan that we will allimplement in the coming years.”
During these sessions, an esti-mated 6,200 comments were madeby staff and patients, said Navy Lt.John Gardner, regional director forstrategy and innovation. “Wewanted to empower the staff andcapture their creativity. We believethese Gallery Walks did just that,”he said.
Command leaders reviewed staffand patient comments, categorizingthem to ensure they were incorpo-rated into the appropriate pillar orfoundation. These matters of con-cern translated into about 51 com-mand-level initiatives to be ad-dressed by the Board of Deputiesover the next few years, Gardnersaid. On Tuesday morning, he con-
Walter Reed Bethesda Rolls out Strategic PlanVision: We are the Nation's Medical Center. We create ex-
traordinary experiences for patients, families and staff whiledriving tomorrow's healthcare advances.
Mission: Walter Reed Bethesda leads military medicinethrough outstanding patient-centered care, innovation, and ex-cellence in education and research.
We provide comprehensive care to prevent disease, restorehealth and maximize readiness.
See STRATEGIC page 6
2 Thursday, August 23, 2012 The Journal
Published by offset every Thurs-day by Comprint Military Publica-tions, 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a pri-vate firm in no way connectedwith the U.S. Navy, under exclu-sive written contract with theWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda, Md. Thiscommercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorized publication for members of the mil-itary services. Contents of The Journal are notnecessarily the official views of, nor endorsedby, the U.S. Government, the Department ofDefense, or the Department of Navy. The ap-pearance of advertising in this publication, in-cluding inserts or supplements, does not con-stitute endorsement by the Department of De-fense or Comprint, Inc., of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertised inthis publication shall be made available forpurchase, use or patronage without regard to
race, color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, age, marital status, phys-ical handicap, political affiliation,or any other non-merit factor ofthe purchaser, user, or patron.Editorial content is edited, pre-pared and provided by the
Public Affairs Office, WalterReed National Military Medical
Center, Bethesda, Md. News copyshould be submitted to the Public Affairs Of-fice, Bldg. 1, 11th Floor, by noon one weekpreceding the desired publication date.News items are welcomed from all WRN-MMC complex sources. Inquiries aboutnews copy will be answered by calling (301)295-1803. Commercial advertising shouldbe placed with the publisher by telephoning(301) 921-2800. Publisher’s advertising of-fices are located at 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, Md. 20877. Classified adscan be placed by calling (301) 670-1700.
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda
Commanding Officer: Capt. Frederick (Fritz) Kass
Public Affairs Officer NSAB: Joseph MacriPublic Affairs Office NSAB: (301) 295-1803
Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterOffice of Media Relations (301) 295-5727
Fleet And Family Support Center (301) 319-4087
WRNMMC OmbudsmanJulie Bondar (443) 854-5167
NSAB OmbudsmanJojo Lim Hector (703) 901-6730
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
Women’s Equality DayThe Women’s Equality Day program is today at
11:30 a.m., in the America Building atrium. TheArmy band Downrange will perform and food willbe provided at no cost. For more information con-tact Sgt. 1st Class Jason Zielske at 301-400-2847or Chief Hospital Corpsman Oluyinka Adefisan at301-295-6842.
Hindu Festival of JanmashtamiThe Hindu Festival of Janmashtami will be ob-
served Friday at noon in the Walter Reed BethesdaChapel. Everyone is invited to attend. For more in-formation call 301-295-1510.
Volunteers Needed for Day of RemembranceThis year's Joint Services “National Day of
Remembrance” project takes place on Sept. 8 from8:30 a.m. until noon at the Historic CongressionalCemetery in Washington, D.C. Military personnel,their family members and Department of Defensecivilians are needed as volunteers to help restoregrave markers, remove weeds, plant trees and dominor landscape around the cemetery’s roadwaysand path to the 9/11 Memorial. Volunteers will re-ceive T-shirts, water and lunch. Transportationwill be provided on an as needed basis, and willleave at 7:15 a.m., from the America Building pa-tient drop-off area. To register for the event, emailyour name and phone number to HospitalCorpsman 1st Class Elizabeth Patterson [email protected], or call 301-319-8576, or contact Hospital Corpsman 1st ClassArnel Galapir at 301-319-4654.
A year ago, wemade history, aswe integrated twoworld renownedmilitary medicalcenters, formingWalter ReedBethesda. Sincewe opened ourdoors as the Na-tion's MedicalCenter, your ef-forts have al-lowed us to con-tinue leading mil-itary medicine, offering the Bestof the Best practices under oneroof.
Last year's monumental inte-gration conjured up manythoughts and feelings by thoseleaving behind fond memories ofthe former Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center (WRAMC); thoseat the former National NavalMedical Center (NNMC) withsimilar sentiments while prepar-ing for the arrival of many newbeneficiaries and colleagues; aswell as patients and staff adjust-ing to the new construction andrenovations onboard Naval Sup-port Activity Bethesda.
Also, we cannot forget themany onlookers both inside andoutside of the beltway whosewatchful eyes where affixed tothis great institution to see if wecould continue to soar while pre-sented with this "Herculean" en-deavor. You and I both knowthat more than 15 years ago in1995 WRAMC and NNMC be-gan partnering to ensure qualitycare across the services, so it wasno surprise we were successful.
Built upon the many previ-
ously estab-lished partner-ships in patientcare, GraduateMedical Educa-tion and re-search, it's nowonder that wesoared. Passingthe Joint Com-mission surveywith zero directpatient defi-ciencies, just sixmonths after
integration, adding numerousaccreditations and certifications,winning research competitions,successful in vitro procedures,kidney transplants, all the whilehonoring our diverse rich histo-ries and traditions, are some ofwhat we have accomplished dur-ing this monumental year. Thelist goes on and on, but I musttell you these prestigious accom-plishments are due to yoursteadfast dedication and com-mitment to quality patient care.I applaud each and everyone'sefforts that made this year agreat success.
As we continue to maneuverthrough our bright future, thatwill rest upon the pillars of ourStrategic Plan that you helpedforge, please take pride in know-ing you are part of a team of peo-ple who are setting the coursefor military medicine that willimpact the entire medical com-munity for years to come.
Commander sends,Rear Adm. Alton L. StocksMC, USNWalter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center
The Journal CorrectionIn the article titled "Students Experience Military Health
Care" published on Aug. 16, Chief Hospital Corpsman Al-bert Hance was identified as "assistant command diversityofficer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center."His correct title is "assistant command diversity officer atthe Navy Medicine Professional Development Center." TheJournal regrets the error.
The Journal Thursday, August 23, 2012 3Thursday, August 23, 2012 3
By Mass CommunicationSpecialist 3rd Class
Nathan PardeNSAB Public Affairs
staff writer
Secretary of Defense Leon E.Panetta recently announced a $40million grant to Montgomery County,Md., to fund construction projects toimprove traffic and pedestrian safetyat Walter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda.
"This program will greatly im-prove access to this important andgrowing facility, and is a tangiblesign of our commitment to workingwith communities impacted byBRAC (Base Realignment and Clo-sure)," said Panetta.
When added to the $28 million infunds that the Department of De-fense (DoD) had already allocated,the construction projects will be fullyfunded, said Navy Support ActivityBethesda Transportation ProgramManager Jeff Miller.
"The Metro Crossing project hastwo primary functions," said Miller."One is an ADA (Americans withDisabilities Act) underground tunnelthat will provide a crossing betweenthe east and west side of MarylandRoute 355 (MD-355). It will be justsouth of the south gate, providingsafer direct access to the medicalcenter Metro bus station area and ul-
timately the escalators too. Therewill also be three high-speed eleva-tors on the east side of 355, close tosouth gate, which will connect direct-ly to the mezzanine of the Metro."
Miller said the escalators and ele-vators introduced with this construc-tion project will take pedestrians offof the crosswalk on the roadway.
"There are safety concerns associ-
ated with utilizing the crosswalk to-day from the east to west side, giventhat the vehicular side streets re-ceive green time from the traffic sig-nals at the same time that pedestri-ans are crossing the crosswalk," hesaid.
Construction for the Metro Cross-ing project is expected to begin nextyear and last for approximately two
years, said Miller. In the meantime,the crosswalks have been restored toincrease pedestrian safety.
"As a short-term measure to ad-dress pedestrian safety crossing toand from the medical center Metro,the Navy has worked very closelywith the State Highway Associationto mill, repave and repaint the cur-rent crosswalk connecting the med-ical center Metro to the installation,"said Miller.
The next step for the constructionproject is to draft detailed engineer-ing plans for the tunnel, said Miller.
"The county will be workingthrough preliminary engineering de-signs, taking basic concepts and ren-derings to investigate what needs tooccur in order to safely construct theproject. There are a lot of factorsthat come into play, and they willhave to take great care to make surethey have the right plan to constructthe project in a safe and efficientmanner."
Funding for these grants is pro-vided under the $300 million pro-gram authorized by the DoD andFull-Year Continuing AppropriationsAct, 2011, which enabled the DoD tofinance projects for transportationinfrastructure improvements asso-ciated with medical facilities relat-ed to the 2005 round of the BRACprocess.
DoD grant to build new tunnel, high-speed elevators
By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Journal staff writer
While state-of-the-art renova-tions take place to expand spaceand capabilities of the Sterile Pro-cessing Department (SPD) at Wal-ter Reed Bethesda, crews have in-stalled a Mobile Central SterileProcessing Unit (MCSPU) to en-sure continued sterilization.
The unit erected in front of theTower (Building 1) will providetemporary on-site sterile process-ing services to meet some of theneeds of the medical center whilethe SPD undergoes its renovations,Walter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center (WRNMMC) offi-cials explained.
"The unit will be there approxi-mately 60 to 90 days, depending onhow quickly certain portions of therenovations are completed," said NavyCapt. Lisa Mulligan, deputy com-mander for surgery at WRNMMC.
"When completed, the renovationproject will dramatically improve ourprocessing capacity and modernizeour entire department enabling us toefficiently supply instruments to ourexpanded main operating room,"Mulligan added.
Renovations in the SPD will be to
the decontamination, prep andpack, and instrument assembly ar-eas, according to Cmdr. Peter D.Charest, SPD head. There will alsobe renovations to office spaces, ster-ile storage, elevators, washer/steril-izers, cart washers and turbo wash-ers. A classroom for surgical techstudents, conference room, newlocker rooms and vendor drop offarea, will also be included in therenovations. In addition, the water,electrical and communication sys-tems will also be upgraded.
"When completed, this [SPD] willbe a state-of-the-art, modern work-space," Charest said.
During the renovations, Mulligansaid vehicles will transport medicalinstrument sets from the hospital tothe MCSPU for sterilization. Theunit has washer/disinfecters, fullvacuum steam sterilizers and a lowtemperature sterilizer for surgicaldevices requiring special sterile pro-cessing at lower temperatures, suchas endoscopes.
Once washed and sterilized, in-strument sets will be transportedback to the medical center in a differ-ent vehicle, Mulligan continued.Sterilized instruments and thosenot, will be kept on separate vehicles,she added.
Mulligan explained the area infront of the Tower was selected as thesite for the MCSPU because of its"access to utilities, paved surface forset up, and ample space for vehiclesthat will transport the instruments[to and from the MCSPU]."
Charest added all staff of SPD willbe trained on equipment in the MC-SPU. He said four to six staff mem-
bers will work inside the trailer anddrive the transport truck. "The trail-er will be in operation 24/7 duringthe SPD remodeling projection until[its] completion in late fall.
"This SPD staff has met chal-lenges during this phase of construc-tion, [and] we are determined to pro-vide the best care for our patients,"Charest added.
Mobile Central Sterilization Unit Creates Modern Workspace
Photo by Bernard S. Little
A Mobile Central Sterile Processing Unit has been set up in frontof theTower atWalter Reed Bethesda for the next 60 to 90 days toaugment the medical center's sterile processing capacity while ren-ovations take place in the Sterile Processing Department.
DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
Secretary of Defense Leon E.Panetta addresses audience membersat the Association of Defense Communities annual conference inMonterey, Calif.,Aug. 1.
4 Thursday, August 23, 2012 The Journal4 Thursday, August 23, 2012
By Bill TurcanBlood Bank Fellowship
Program Director
Two historic graduation cere-monies took place in the Departmentof Pathology this summer. The BloodBank Fellowship (BBF) and the Clin-ical Laboratory Officer Course(CLOC) had their first graduatingclasses at Walter Reed National Mil-itary Medical Center (WRNMMC).
Both laboratory officer trainingclasses began at the former WalterReedArmy Medical Center (WRAMC)in the summer of 2011.WRAMC inte-grated with the former NationalNaval Medical Center in Bethesda,Md., last September because of the2005 Base Realignment and Closure(BRAC) law. The officers continuedtheir training without interruptionand assisted with the BRAC integra-tion between the two facilities.
The BBF, founded in 1958, is a tri-service officer training program. Of-ficers from the Army, Navy and AirForce train together in the operationof blood donor centers and transfu-sion services throughout the world.The graduating class of four officers,Air Force Capt. Nicole Ferguson,Navy Lt. Stephanie Golla, ArmyCapt. Ronnie Hill, and Navy Lt. Joel
Valdez, brought the total number ofgraduates to 215 in the program’s54-year history.
Upon completion of the program,the officers are eligible to sit for theSpecialist in Blood Banking certifica-tion examination through the Amer-ican Society for Clinical Pathology(ASCP). In the six months followingthe graduation, the officers will com-plete a research project manuscriptto obtain a master’s degree from TheGeorge Washington University.
The CLOC, founded in 1965, iscurrently an Army only officer train-ing program.The officers train to op-erate all clinical laboratoriesthroughout the world. The graduat-ing class of three officers includedCapts. Chewanda Lathan, ScottMiller and Devon Riley. Theybrought the total of graduates to 153from the 47-year-old program. Uponcompletion of the program, the offi-cers are eligible to sit for the MedicalLaboratory Scientist certification ex-amination, also through ASCP.
The BBF graduation held onJune 26, and the CLOC graduationon Aug. 2, both took place in theBRAC and Integration Journeyroom in Building 9 at Walter ReedBethesda. In addition to keynotespeakers, graduates presented their
research projects, and instructor ofthe year awards were presented bythe classes. The highlight of eachceremony was the presentation ofthe graduation certificates to the of-ficers. The officer in each class withthe highest academic average wasrecognized with the DistinguishedHonor Graduate award. Hill earned
the BBF award, and Riley earnedthe CLOC award.
William Turcan directs the BBFprogram, and Patricia Jarrett directsthe CLOC program. The new BBFclass includes six officers—threeArmy, two Air Force and one Navy.The new CLOC class includes threeArmy officers.
Department of Pathology Graduates Two Historic Classes
Courtesy photo
The Blood Bank Fellowship program director atWalter Reed Bethes-da,WilliamTurcan (center) stands with recent graduates of the pro-gram (from left) Navy Lt. Joel Valdez,Army Capt. Ronnie Hill, NavyLt. Stephanie Golla and Air Force Capt. Nicole Ferguson.
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The Journal Thursday, August 23, 2012 5
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rdClass Dion Dawson
NSAB Public Affairs staff writer
In an effort to boost morale and camaraderie,Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s (NSAB) Morale,Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program plans tobring a day of Hawaiian fun to the installation witha costume run and walk, luau and pool partyAug.30.
“The day starts at 11 a.m. in front of Building 17with the Aloha Run and Walk,” said John Rauck-horst, liberty program manager for NSAB.“Walkersand runners are invited to show their aloha spiritand wear their funniest aloha attire, with prizes forthe best male and female costumes.The luau, locatedon the Building 17 lanai,will follow the run and walk,and the day will conclude with a pool party and moviein the pool from 5:30 to 7 p.m.,” he said.
Just like they did last year, Rauckhorst says theluau will kick off with a grand entrance from an im-portant part of the food platter.
He continued,“Before the luau begins,the ceremo-nial pig is scheduled to be paraded in.Afterwards,wewill begin serving food.We will have pineapple chick-en on a stick,Kailua pork,wild coconut rice,cole slaw,tropical vegetables,cookies and assorted tropical bev-erages.”
Rauckhorst added there will be more than justfood at the luau, noting that there will be dancers,games, contests and prize giveaways of music play-ers, gift cards, gaming systems and more.
“We want to give everyone as much as we can and
everything is free,except the food.Tickets for the foodare five dollars now and eight dollars on the day ofthe event,” he said.
Rauckhorst said with thousands of patients, serv-ice members and staff members on the installationat any given time, cohesion and having a good timeis important.
“There are a lot of people looking forward to thefood, but I just want everyone to enjoy themselves.Events like this builds camaraderie,morale and rap-port throughout the installation. There are a lot oftenant commands on this base and we want everyoneto come out and enjoy the luau with each other.”
Organizers have planned for a lot of people to par-ticipate and said they want the atmosphere to be asinviting as possible.
Kat Pettaway, MWR corporate sponsorship man-
ager with NSAB said,“The plan is for people to walkinto the atrium of Building 17 and see coconut juicedrinks and leis being made, and hear the sweetsound of Hawaii as the smell of the food draws themto the lanai behind the building,” she said.
She continued, “This is our end-of-summer blastand we hope everyone comes out so that we can con-tinue to have events like this on the installation.Without the support of everyone here, programs likethis will go away and nobody wants that.Everythingwill be a blast; you wouldn’t want to miss it.”
To purchase tickets for the luau, contact Rauck-horst at 301-319-8431.
Thursday, August 23, 2012 5
MWR 'Leis' Down the Fun with Hawaiian-Themed Festivities
Courtesy photo
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6 Thursday, August 23, 2012 The Journal6 Thursday, August 23, 2012
said. On Tuesday morning, he con-tinued, the entire command is en-couraged to learn about the strate-gic plan and initiatives that will beimplemented.
“The command’s vision for thenext five to 10 years is to create ex-traordinary experiences for patients,families and staff, while driving to-
morrow’s healthcare advances,” Re-gan continued. “So, we have to focuson the future.”
In the following weeks, staff willbe notified as to how they can contin-ue to be involved in implementingthese initiatives.
Gardner noted the strategic plannot only addresses the needs of thepopulation it serves, patients andstaff – it allows those affected by theplan to be directly involved each stepof the way.
“Staff and patient input is vital,
because if we don’t ask the peopleit’s affecting, we could come up withsolutions, but those solutions maynot meet the true need of our organ-ization,” he explained. “By usingthis method, patients and staff gainownership in the future of WalterReed Bethesda.”
It’s also important to note, thatthis intricate strategic planning isunderway at the nation’s largestmilitary medical center. Using thistactical approach, breaking upthese initiatives into phases, pro-
vides that roadmap to guide ourmedical center on its path to suc-cess, said Gardner.
Expanding on Gardner’s state-ment, Regan said, “We want peopleto understand, Walter Reed Bethes-da belongs to them. They’re theshareholders, patients and staff. Wewant patients to know they are partof the finest military medical centerin the world. We want the staff toknow that at Walter Reed Bethes-da, what they do matters.”
STRATEGICSTRATEGICContinued from 1
By Sarah MarshallWRNMMC Journal staff writer
With increasing reports of “bathsalts” raising concern across thecountry, Walter Reed National Mil-itary Medical Center (WRNMMC)wants staff and service members tounderstand the hidden, and poten-tially deadly, dangers of this syn-thetic drug.
Not to be confused with scentedsuds used in the tub, bath salts areunregulated, psychoactive sub-stances that can cause kidney fail-ure, seizures and death, accordingto Dr. Cathleen Clancy, an attend-ing physician in WRNMMC’sEmergency Department and asso-ciate medical director for the Na-tional Capital Poison Center. Othereffects include aggression, confu-sion, hallucinations, increasedblood pressure, increased heartrate, suicidal thoughts and psy-chotic delusions.
The primary ingredients used inthis designer drug are derived fromcathinone, a central nervous sys-tem stimulant found in the leavesof the “khat” bush, exported fromoverseas and marketed in the U.S.as bath salts, Clancy explained.She added the synthetic narcoticproduces an effect similar to am-phetamines, such as cocaine ormethamphetamine, causing stimu-lation, then euphoria, followed bydepression. They are often pack-aged in bags and snorted, smoked,swallowed or intravenously inject-ed, and are being purchased onlineand in specialty shops.
Often, bath salts are labeled “notfor human consumption” to try andescape existing drug laws, Clancycontinued. To “stay ahead” of feder-al regulations and avoid prosecu-tion, manufacturers are constantlychanging the compounds in thesedrugs, using chemicals that havebeen synthesized with the basicstructure of the cathinone, she ex-plained. These substances, made on
the “street,” could contain the samechemicals in plant food, pond scumcleaner and insecticide.
“We don’t really know exactlyhow they’re going to act on the hu-man body,” said Clancy, who alsoserves as an associate professor atGeorge Washington University.“They’re all different. Even the peo-ple who are making them aren’tsure exactly what they made, oreven if they knew what they made,what it would do to a person. It isquite a risk.”
Clancy suspects the number ofbath salt exposures is highly underreported, since people using bathsalts may often not admit to it. Shealso noted, they are not in theirnormal frame of mind – the syn-thetic drug puts them in an agitat-ed, paranoid state. “Even if theywanted to tell you what they took,they couldn’t,” she said. Mean-while, bath salts are still not trace-able in a urinalysis, she added.
Recent statistics from nationalpoison control centers, however,have indicated an upswing acrossthe country over the last two years.As of July 2011, the American As-sociation of Poison Control Centershad more than 4,000 reports of
bath salt exposures for the year –significantly higher than the 302total reports made in 2010.
“Nobody knows the effects [bathsalts] are going to have, nobodyknows if they’re going to perma-nently destroy neurons, nobodyknows the permanent effects ofthese drugs,” said Clancy. “Anybodywho’s using them, they’re really us-ing themselves as a guinea pig.”
WRNMMC’s Deputy Staff JudgeAdvocate Lt. Cmdr. Tamara O’Neilagreed. “It’s a very dangerous drug,dangerous to the people who takeit, dangerous to the people aroundthem, [and] it’s addictive,” she said.“When you have these street madedrugs, they’re unpredictable.”
Not only are synthetic drug usersgambling with their health andlivelihood, they’re also risking theircareer, O’Neil added. The syntheticdrug is taken just as seriously asany other illegal substance, still con-sidered a crime, and a person couldbe charged under the UniformedCode of Military Justice (UCMJ).
“It is what we call a mandatoryprocessing offense,” O’Neil ex-plained. The individual faces eithera court marshal or an administra-tive separation board, receiving
disciplinary action and possible dis-charge from the military under theUCMJ. The Army prosecutes underArticle 92 of the UCMJ, and theNavy prosecutes under SECNAVinstruction 5300.28D. “If there is areasonable suspicion that someonehas been doing drugs, they mustface separation,” she said.
All reports of these syntheticnarcotics are taken seriously andare reported to the Naval CriminalInvestigative Service (NCIS),O’Neil said.
To combat the use of bath salts,as well as other synthetic drugslike “spice” that mimic the effects ofmarijuana, officials are working toexpand their capabilities in screen-ing for synthetic chemical com-pounds. In March, a Navy instruc-tion, NAVADMIN 082/12, an-nounced its testing for syntheticcompounds such as spice, statingthe “Navy has zero tolerance fordrug abuse, including the use of de-signer and synthetic compounds.”
Law enforcement officials acrossthe country are also taking a standagainst these designer drugs. Atleast 38 states have taken action tocontrol the substances used tomanufacture these synthetic stim-ulants, according to a recent WhiteHouse report. Health warningshave also been issued by a numberof state and local public health au-thorities and poison control cen-ters, outlining the adverse healthrisks associated with these drugs.
Suspected use of drugs, syntheticor otherwise, should be reported tothe Naval Support Activity Bethes-da Security/Criminal InvestigationDivision (CID), or NCIS, via theanonymous NCIS tip line, 1-800-264-6485, or 1-877-579-3648, ortext “NCIS,” plus your tip informa-tion, to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipscan also be submitted online, atwww.ncis.navy.mil. If an individualis in immediate danger, call 911, or777 on base, and get the personmedical treatment immediately.
Bath Salts you should resist
Courtesy photo
The Journal Thursday, August 23, 2012 7Thursday, August 23, 2012 7
By Helen HocknellNSAB Public Affairs
staff writer
Friday is the volunteersignup deadline for the an-nual mass casualty exercisehosted by Walter Reed Na-tional Military MedicalCenter (WRNMMC) in part-nership with Naval SupportActivity Bethesda (NSAB)Security and Fire & Emer-gency Medical Services.
The exercise is a require-ment of the Joint Commis-sion, an organization thataccredits hospitals andhealthcare providers acrossthe country. It provides im-portant training for hospi-tal and base personnel,testing their ability to re-spond to a surge of patientsas a result of a catastrophicevent, such as a terroristattack or natural disaster.
The hospital has con-ducted a large-scale masscasualty exercise calledCMAX (Collaborative Mul-ti-Agency Exercise), annu-ally since 2004 with theBethesda Hospitals’ Emer-gency Preparedness Part-nership. This partnershipconsists of Walter ReedBethesda, Suburban Hospi-tal/Johns Hopkins Medi-cine, the National Insti-tutes of Health ClinicalCenter and the NationalLibrary of Medicine.
This year’s event, sched-uled for Oct. 5, is named“Hekla” after an active andoften unpredictable volcanoin the south of Iceland, ex-plained WRNMMC Emer-gency Management Pro-gram Manager MelissaKnapp.
“We typically have about75 volunteers to act asmass casualty victims andthey have a range of in-juries from scrapes andabrasions to impalementsand open fractures,” saidKnapp. “Moulage,” a the-atrical makeup technique,is used to simulate woundsand traumatic injuries onvolunteers pretending to bepatients.
“If you’ve ever wanted tobe on stage, here’s yourchance,” said Ron Kunz,emergency manager forNaval Support ActivityBethesda (NSAB). “It’s agreat experience, especiallyfor providers to be on thereceiving end of care.” Kunz
said many medicalproviders become moreaware of the importance ofcommunicating with pa-tients through their partic-ipation as volunteers. “In-stead of you putting some-one on a spine board, you’rethe one being strappeddown. It gives you a totallydifferent perspective.”
Kunz said the best vol-unteers are the ones whoare enthusiastic and readyto “ham it up” to make thesituation feel more real.“We want actors – peoplewith personality,” saidKunz. But it’s not all justfor fun, he said. “The exer-cise is a prime opportunityto test our responseplans.”
“Working together totrain and exercise beforean actual event makes theteams and responsestronger,” explained Knapp.“Personnel get a chance towork in a stressful environ-ment, make mistakes, and
find ways to do things bet-ter in a no-fault environ-ment.”
For more information orto sign up as a volunteer,contact Mark Miller at theWRNMMC Office of Emer-gency Management by call-ing 301-319-8739, or sendan email to: [email protected]. Be sureto include your directorate,department, email addressand work number. Volun-teers will need to be avail-able all day, starting ataround 6 a.m., and shouldwear clothes they don’tmind getting dirty. Snackswill be provided.
Volunteers needed for Mass Casualty Exercise
courtesy photos
"Moulage," a theatrical makeup technique, is used to simulate injuries on volunteers playing the role of pa-tients during an annual mass casualty exercise.The exercise tests the ability of hospital and base personnelto respond to a sudden influx of patients resulting from a catastrophic event such as a terrorist attack ornatural disaster.
Harvey was working on to Peter Li-acouras, a biomedical engineer whoserves as director of services for the3DMAC.
“Within two days we had the plas-tic part and made the recommendedchanges,” Harvey said. “Within a dayor two, we had the actual titaniumdevices.”
It was an exciting first-time collab-orative effort for both departmentsthat found the project rewarding.
“They were really eager and will-ing to help out,” explained Harvey,who worked with the engineers tomake additional design changes tomake the pieces lighter, more stream-line and smooth the finish.
The group assembled to watchSouthern take his first steps on thepiece they all helped create. Lia-couras and his colleague KevinWurth, a metallurgical engineer whodirects operations for the 3DMAC,were thrilled.
“We don’t normally see the pa-tients a lot of times. We’re kind of inthe background,” Liacouras said. “Itfelt great.” Wurth agreed. “That’swhat we’re here for - [to] support any-one here and help anyway we can,” hesaid. “It’s rewarding when you see asmile on their faces.”
Southern said he was amazedwhen he saw the actual prosthesis hehad first imagined in his head. “Thiswill make swimming in my pool lessof a hassle,” explained the amputee,who spends a couple of hours in thepool, daily. He said the “shorties” al-low him to stand with his head abovethe water on the shallow end and pre-vent him from scratching his nubswhen climbing in and out of the pool.
3-D3-DContinued from 1
Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor
Prosthetists and engineers atWRNMMC used new, 3-D tech-nology to create flat bottomrockers, which gives a bilateral,above the knee amputee moreindependence in his backyardpool.
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