Vol. 25 No. 42 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ October 31, 2013

By Ryan HunterNSAB Public Affairs

staff writer

The Warrior Games may havepassed, but for those looking to com-pete against or cheer on the bestathletes at Naval Support ActivityBethesda (NSAB), the sports seasonhasn’t ended just yet.

Next week, NSAB will host thefirst Warrior Care Month Competi-tion. This series of events will pitrecovering service members, theirchain of command and cadre againstone another in friendly competitionson even ground. Each of the fiveevents; swimming, running, cycling,sit volleyball and wheelchair bas-ketball; will be specially formatted

to place athletes, disabled or not, ona level playing field.

“The competition is [designed to]build a spirited core and unit cama-raderie through adaptive sports,”said Military Adaptive Sports Pro-gram Site Coordinator Amanda Kel-ly. “It gives our staff a better under-standing of what sports are on base,as well as encourages participationfrom our service members.”

Squad Leader of the Warrior Tran-sition Brigade Sgt. Kevin Carterbelieves sit volleyball will be the“best event to watch.” The sport isorganized similarly to standing vol-leyball, however all participantsmust remain seated during the ac-tive phases of the game. The divid-

ing net is lowered from its typical 32feet height to approximately 3.5 feetand players must keep at least onebuttock on the floor when contact ismade with the ball.

“You can hit the ball with any-thing, so if the ball goes out of reachyou can kick it to keep it in bounds,”said Kelly. “It’s really hard for me toplay sitting volleyball,” said Carter,who plans to participate. “I have legs,so it’s hard for me to stay strictly onmy bottom. It’s just as challenging asreal volleyball, if not more difficult.”

One of the more popular teamsports played during the week iswheelchair basketball. The rules arethe same as the game’s original coun-terpart with one exception; every

player’s actions must be performedwhile sitting inside of a wheelchair.

“It’s more fierce and competi-tive than regular basketball,” saidCarter. “There is a lot of contact asyou move the wheelchair, going fullspeed, while trying to get a shot orpass the ball. We played at the end ofthe summer and at least three peo-ple [were knocked] out of their chair.It’s very physical.”

While the other three events aredesigned more for individual partici-pants, they will be just as “competi-tive and entertaining for our guyswith disabilities,” said Carter.

The swimming event will take

Adaptive Sports Tournament Premieres at NSAB

Picture courtesy of Roger Wollenberg

Army Spc. John Harmon pre-pares to make a shot while prac-ticing wheelchair basketball inthe Fitness Center. Harmon willbe participating in the Six a SideRound Robin Wheelchair Bas-ketball Tournament during theWarrior Care Games. Picture courtesy of Roger Wollenberg

Staff Sgt. Tim Brown operates a handcycle bike during the Marine Corps Marathon. Brown will becompeting in multiple cycling events in the Warrior Care Games.

See SPORTS page 6

2 Thursday, October 31, 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 301-400-2488. 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. BitontiActing Public Affairs Officer NSAB: John EppersonPublic Affairs Office NSAB: 301-400-2488

Journal StaffStaff Writers MC2 John Hamilton

MC3 Brandon Williams-ChurchMASN April BeazerSarah MarshallSharon Renee TaylorCat DeBinderRyan HunterKatie MolletKatrina Skinner

Managing Editor MC2 Nathan Parde

WRNMMC Editor Bernard Little

Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterOffice of Media Relations 301-295-5727

Fleet And Family Support Center 301-319-4087WRNMMC Ombudsman VacantNSAB OmbudsmanMichelle Herrera 240-370-5421

Sexual Assault ResponseCoordinator Hotline 301-442-2053

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

Matthew 7:7 says,“Ask and it shall begiven you; Seek andyou shall find; Knockand it shall be opened.”

One Saturday whenI was just a young boy,about 8 years old, myfather tasked me withcutting the lawn. Thiswas an awesome job,as the house sat onan acre and the mow-er was an old crankypush mower I could barely start.My father took great pride in theappearance of the home. I wasproud to be seen worthy of such aresponsibility.

As the morning progressed, Ineared the end of the task. On thefront lawn was a large block ofconcrete my father had placed bythe drive way to keep visitors fromcutting the corner and driving onthe lawn. There was a healthycrop of fescue growing around thatblock. As this was before the weedeater was invented, my fatherwould just roll the block out of theway to cut the grass. When theblock was rolled back into place,the job was finished.

I could not move the stone. Ipushed. I pulled. I strained my8-year-old body attempting to movethat block, but it would not budge.In the midst of my struggles, myfather called for lunch. Wanting tocomplete my task, I ignored his calland continued to struggle with thestone.

About the third time he calledhis tone changed to indicate hewould not tolerate my disobedienceany longer. Frustrated to the pointof tears I walked up to him andexplained my disobedience, “Dad,

I can’t move the block.I pushed. I pulled. I dideverything I could and Isimply could not finishthe job.”

My father lookeddown gravely and said,“Son, you did not do ev-erything you could. Youdidn’t ask me.”

We went down to theoffending block and myfather easily pushed it

out of the way. I mowed the grassand my father pushed the blockback in place. Then, we went towash up and eat lunch together.Mission complete. I was fortunateto learn from my father at an earlyage a value we are still learning to-day, “It is a sign of strength to askfor help.”

September was Suicide Preven-tion Month. If you are stressedbeyond your capabilities in yourcurrent situation, I encourage youto ask for help. Your chaplain is asafe and confidential place to start.Fleet and Family Services and Be-havioral Health are great resourc-es. You can also use other agencieslike Veteran Crisis: http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ or 1-800-273-8255 and Military One Source:http://www.militaryonesource.mil/or 1-800-342-9647.

May you be blessed beyond yourwildest dreams as you continue toserve at Naval Support ActivityBethesda.

Robert PowersChaplain (Colonel),United States ArmyDepartment Chief,Pastoral CareWalter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center

Chaplain’s Corner Medical Surgical Nurse WeekMedical Surgical Nurse Week begins Monday

with a number of activities at Walter ReedBethesda. Monday, there will be the Academy ofMedical Surgical Nursing (AMSN) CertificationReview Course and opening ceremony starting at12:30 p.m. in the Quarter Deck of Building 10.Also beginning Monday and continuing throughThursday, there will be evening nursing skills fairsfrom 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. in Building 9, first floornear the GI Clinic. Tuesday’s events include theAMSN course, an opening ceremony for the nurs-ing skills fair at 9:45 a.m. in Building 9 near the GIClinic, and nursing grand rounds (Patient CaringTouch System) at noon in Memorial Auditorium.Wednesday and Thursday, the day nursing skillsfair continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridayfrom 8 a.m. to noon. The week-long observance con-cludes at noon on Friday with a closing ceremony atthe nursing skills fair. For more information, callNavy Lt. Sheron Y. Campbell at 301-295-8885 or301-295-8828.

Joint Town Hall for Wounded WarriorsNaval Support Activity Bethesda and National

Capital Region Medical Directorate will host a jointtown hall for wounded warriors and their familieson Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. in Building 62’s WarriorCafé. For more information, call Gloria Twilly at301-400-0131.

PSA Blood Test and Prostate CancerBoard certified urologist Dr. Ed Paquette will dis-

cuss “The PSA Controversy: What Patients ShouldUnderstand,” during the WRNMMC ProstateCancer Support Group meeting on Nov. 7 from 7 to8:30 p.m. in the America Building River ConferenceRoom on the third floor. The presentation willalso be available via video teleconference at FortBelvoir Community Hospital in the Oaks Pavilion,first floor, room 332. Spouses and partners of pros-tate cancer patients are welcome. Military ID isrequired for base access to Walter Reed Bethesda.Those without a military ID should call the Centerfor Prostate Disease Research at 301-319-2900 atleast 48 hours prior to the event for base access.For more information, call retired Col. Jane Hudakat 301-319-2918 or jane.l.hudak.ctr@health.mil.

Bethesda Notebook

The Journal Thursday, October 31, 2013 3

By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

“Readiness remains our core,”said Rear Adm. (Dr.) Raquel Bonoduring town halls at Walter ReedNational Military Medical Center(WRNMMC) last week.

Director of the Defense HealthAgency’s (DHA) National CapitalRegion Medical Directorate (NCR-MD), Bono discussed the changingMilitary Health System, and therole of WRNMMC in that transfor-mation, during the two meetingsshe held with Walter Reed Bethes-da staff members.

During the hour-long forums onOct. 15 and 21, Bono stressed theneed for WRNMMC staff to contin-ue to provide world-class care whilebeing fiscally responsible as theMHS transforms and face a num-ber of challenges. She explainedthe DHA, NCR-MD was stood upon Oct. 1, replacing the Joint TaskForce National Capital Region Med-ical Command, and armed with newauthorities to control health costsby cutting waste and duplicationacross the region.

“The intent behind the transitionis to achieve greater integration of

our direct and purchased healthcare delivery systems so that wecan accomplish the MHS quadrupleaim: increased readiness; bettercare; better health; and lower cost,”Bono explained.

As a subordinate command of theDHA and one of its six enhancedmulti-service markets (eMSMs),NCR-MD has authority, directionand control over WRNMMC, FortBelvoir and the Joint PathologyCenter. The NCR-MD also has en-hanced multi-service market au-thorities over Naval Health Clinic

Quantico and its subordinate Wash-ington Navy Yard Branch HealthClinic; Naval Health Clinic An-napolis; Kimbrough AmbulatoryCare Center and its subordinateAndrew Rader Army Health Clinic;Fort McNair Army Health Clinic;and Malcolm Grow Medical Clinicand Surgery Center (779th MedicalGroup) and its subordinate Penta-gon Flight Clinic; and Bolling Clin-ic (579th Medical Group).

In addition to the NCR-MD,other enhance markets of DHA in-clude San Antonio, Texas; ColoradoSprings, Colo.; the Puget Sound re-gion of Washington State; the Tide-water area of Virginia, and OahuIsland in Hawaii. Bono explained“enhanced” authorities allow theeMSM managers to “implement amarket approach to advance popu-lation health; execute a five-yearbusiness performance plan to im-prove care; allocate market fund-ing where the need is greatest; anddisseminate clinic and businessbest practices across facilities toimprove effectiveness.”

The rear admiral said despitechallenges with the budget, as re-flected across the government withfurloughs and the governmentshutdown, her intent for the NCR-

MD is to “create value through ex-cellence in health-care services thatis responsive to the needs and con-venience of all patients and theirfamilies.”

In addition, she said the NCR-MD will “expand the best practicesin wounded warrior care to provideall beneficiary populations withcomprehensive, multidisciplinaryfamily-centered health servicesthat is respectful to the choices ofbeneficiaries.

“We will also lead the way in pa-tient safety and quality manage-ment and design the NCR marketso that each patient has access tocare in the market, regardless ofenrollment site,” Bono explained.

With approximately 500,000beneficiaries, the rear admiral saidthe NCR-MD is the most expensivemarket in the DHA, so “there’s in-tense interest in how we performbecause we have the biggest bud-get.” In total, there are approxi-mately 9.7 million beneficiaries inthe military health care system, ac-cording to MHS officials.

Recapturing patients for the di-rect care system from purchasedcare contractors, as well as stan-

Region Medical Director Focuses on Recapturing Beneficiaries, Quality Care, Cost

See BONO page 8

Official Navy photo

Rear Adm. (Dr.) Raquel Bono

By Sharon Renee TaylorWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

Six Soldiers and six Sailors com-pleted the year-long Clinical Psy-chology Internship Program at Wal-ter Reed National Military MedicalCenter (WRNMMC) as the secondgraduating class since the integra-tion of the former Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center and National Mili-tary Medical Center in 2011.

Base Realignment and Closurebrought the post-doctoral Army andNavy clinical psychology programs,separately accredited, to operateside-by-side at Walter Reed Bethes-da. They share the same resourcesunder one roof, according to Lt. Col.John D.A. Yeaw, who ended a five-year assignment as Clinical Psychol-ogy Program Director of the Army,earlier this year.

“It worked very well,” said Yeaw,who explained the graduates werecompletely integrated, and sharedthe same classroom, faculty, trainingrotations, and didactics. “We have anexcellent group of officers. They arereally outstanding. From day onethey were very eager to learn, andto get out there — the ambition andthe drive are there,” Yeaw added.“They’re going to be outstanding inthe field.”

The new military psychologistscompleted an intensive, 12-month

program where they conducted psy-chological testing, performed consul-tations and specialty evaluations.The group also participated in re-search.

Their studies prepared them towork in traditional settings likehospitals and mental health clinics,as well as military-unique settings,such as deploying units or combatstress control teams. The clinicalpsychologists will enter post-doctoralresidency programs like the Special

Forces Post-Doctoral Residency atFort Bragg, N.C., or the the militarytreatment facilities located there orat Navy Hospital Beaufort, S.C.;Naval Hospital Bremerton, Wash; orNaval Hospital Pensacola, Fla.

Army Capt. Daniel Good, a nativeof Exeter, Calif., will remain at WalterReed Bethesda for the post-doctoralalong with four other classmates whocompleted the internship programwith him. Good’s colleagues, teachers,and friends offered well-wishes to him

and his fellow graduates.The ceremony was a family affair

for many of the new graduates, in-cluding Navy Lt. Barbara Haskins,whose parents traveled from Suffolk,Va. The Sailor fought back tears asher father, retired Navy Chief Da-vid Haskins, and her mother Nancy,passed through the line to congratu-late her.

“These are good tears. I have a

WRNMMC Clinical Psychology Internship Program Graduates Twelve

Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center graduated six Soldiers and six Sailors from the ClinicalPsychology Internship Program in a ceremony held in Clark Auditorium Friday.

See GRADUATES page 10

4 Thursday, October 31, 2013 The Journal

By Katrina SkinnerWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

“Do you know anyone affected bybreast cancer?,” one woman askedanother at Walter Reed Bethesda’sannual Breast Cancer Center’s(BCC) open house on Friday. Bothladies had on pink, as did almosteveryone mingling in the receptionarea of the BCC.

“I think all of us here havebeen affected by breast cancer -our loved ones, our family or ourfriends, myself included — so Iwould like to have you all help mecelebrate the lives of all the la-dies — and men — who have hadto deal with breast cancer,” saidNavy Capt. (Dr.) Jeffrey Lenert,head of the Breast Section, Divi-sion of General Surgery at WalterReed National Military MedicalCenter (WRNMMC).

The open house was an oppor-tunity to learn about resourcesavailable to breast cancer patientsat WRNMMC and through otherorganizations, as tables were setup throughout the BCC receptionarea.

“It is also an opportunity to re-

flect on those who aren’t with usanymore, who we lost to breastcancer, those who are dealing withbreast cancer, who has dealt withit, been through it and unfortu-nately those who will have to gothrough it in the future,” Lenertadded. “Let’s celebrate their livesand take this afternoon to take afew minutes to reenergize our ef-forts in helping to try to treat andcure breast cancer and help thosepeople — the patients and theirfamilies — who have to deal withit.”

From behind her informationtable, Donna Adams, an oncologynurse with the BCC, explained the“Look Good Feel Better” programand how it focuses on self-healingof the body, from the inside out.

The “Look Good Feel Better”program holds monthly meetingsin the BCC, said Adams, who add-ed the American Cancer Societyassists, “[teaching] patients howto take care of their skin and of-fers educational classes on a rangeof topics that affect breast cancerpatients.”

The National Breast CancerAwareness Month event focused onsurvivors like Janet Copulos, who

has been cancer free for more thannine years. With no family his-tory of breast cancer, her diagno-sis came as a shock. Copulos saidthat having had breast cancer hasmade her more aware of health is-sues. She described her experienceas an adventure. She still doesself-exams and regularly attendssupport groups to help her cope.

“Hang in there. It gets better andbefore you know it, you are pasttreatment and living life again,”Copulos said. “It may take a while,depending on what kinds of treat-ment you have, but you come outfrom it and, I think, you become abetter person,” she added.

So while pink is synonymouswith the month of October andbreast cancer awareness, every dayis about awareness at the WalterReed Bethesda BCC, Lenert andothers at the BCC open house ex-plained to those who attended lastweek’s event. The center, locatedon the third floor of the Americabuilding, is dedicated to bringingabout breast cancer awareness ev-ery day of the year, they added.

For more information, call theclinic at 301-295-3899.

Murtha Breast Cancer Center Hosts Annual Open House Event

Photo by Katrina Skinner

Elvis tribute artist Lionel Wardgives a special performance dur-ing the Breast Cancer Center’sAnnual Open House on Friday atWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center. Ward’s wife is abreast cancer survivor who wastreated at the former WalterReed Army Medical Center.

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The Journal Thursday, October 31, 2013 5

By Sharon Renee TaylorWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center(WRNMMC) highlighted thework of healthcare chaplainsand pastoral counselors dur-ing an annual, week-long cel-ebration, Oct. 21-24.This year’s theme, “Pro-

phetic Voice,” highlights thevoices in our midst — theinternal wisdom that findspurpose, trust and new di-rection, according to theNetwork on Ministry in Spe-cialized Settings, which ap-points a committee to deter-mine the focus for PastoralCare Week, celebratedinter-nationally each year.

“Chaplains use the ‘pro-phetic voice’ to deliver a mes-sage of divine truth reveal-ing God’s will for those theyminister to each day. Here atWalter Reed Bethesda, wedeliver [God’s] messages ofhope, love, peace, comfort,reconciliation, forgivenessand joy - that hold promises

of healing and reassurancefor our patients, their fami-lies, and our medical centerstaff,” explained Chaplain(Lt. Cmdr.) Leslie Sias.A chaplain clinician in the

Department of Pastoral Carewho has served in the Navyfor 22 years, Sias returnedfrom deployment to NATORole 3 Multinational Medi-cal Unit at Kandahar AirField, Afghanistan in March.For Pastoral Care Week,

chaplains, religious programspecialists and chaplain as-sistants distributed dailydevotionals, rosaries, prayerbooks and giveaways to pa-tients and staff that stoppedby pastoral care booths locat-ed on Main Street and in theAmerica Building atrium.Also during the week, ben-eficiaries and staff at WalterReed Bethesda were encour-aged to navigate the indoorlabyrinth set up in Building9 for self-reflection, healingand inner peace. The weekended with a concert by the

Observance Celebrates Pastoral Care, Staff

Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

Rabbi Risa Weinstein visits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center(WRNMMC) patient Neil Meiselman. Each WRNMMC chaplain is assigned tovisit patients on a specific ward or department in the medical center, each day.

See PASTORAL page 8

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place in the fitness centerpool, whose 50 meter lengthremoves the potential forflip turns, a maneuver whichfavors swimmers who canpush off the back wall for amid-swim boost of speed.Participating cyclists will

utilize a variety of cyclingequipment including up-right, recumbent and handcycle bikes.According to Carter, run-

ners with and without pros-thetics should expect steepcompetition.“We’ve got a guy, an am-

putee, competing in the racethat just ran two miles in 15minutes during a physicaltraining test,” said Carter.“That’s just the level thatthese guys can get to.”Warrior Care Month

events bare similarities tothose found in the WarriorGames, an annual nation-wide athletic competitionfor wounded warriors anddisabled veterans from allfive branches of the military.Since the Warrior Gameswon’t be held again untilnext September, the CareMonth Competition was de-signed partially to promoteand excite participationfrom NSAB service membersuntil then.“We strive for these types

of games, because we knowservice members haven’t lostthat competitive edge. That’snot something they will everlose,” said Carter. “It getsour guys out of their rooms.It lights that fire that makesthem want to succeed. It letsthem know that even thoughthey’re injured, they can stilldo all the things they want.”The schedule of Warrior

Care Month events is as fol-lows:

Running & Cycling: Nov.4 from 1 - 3 p.m., Location:Starting outside Bulding 226Swimming: Nov. 5 from

1 - 3 p.m., Location: FitnessCenter Swimming Pool

Sit Volleyball: Nov. 6 from1 - 3 p.m., Fitness CenterGymnasiumWheelchair Basketball:

Nov. 7 from 1 - 3 p.m., Fit-ness Center Gymnasium

To find out more aboutWarrior Care Month andother on-going adaptivesports on base, contact Kel-ly at Amanda.K.Kelly.ctr@health.mil or 301-919-4340.

Picture courtesy of Warrior Games Competition

Retired Sgt. Sean Karpf swims freestyle in the 2013 Warrior Games. Karpf willbe competing in the 50 meter singles events and 200 meter relay race during theWarrior Care Games.

SPORTSContinued from 1

By Katrina SkinnerWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

People lose their hearingfor many reasons but theOccupational Audiology —Hearing Conservation Clin-ic at Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center(WRNMMC) is concernedwith only one type — NoiseInduced Hearing Loss.According to the Ameri-

can Academy of Audiology,approximately 36 millionAmericans have hearingloss. In addition, nearly 30million workers are exposedto hazardous levels of noiseon the job, and one in threedeveloped their hearing lossas a result of exposure tonoise.The Hearing Conservation

Program is all about the pre-vention and management ofnoise induced hearing loss.“We see active duty servicemembers and civilian De-partment of Defense (DOD)hazardous noise exposed em-ployees for routine medicalsurveillance hearing tests,”said Margaret Jylkka, Au-diologist and Service Chieffor Occupational Audiol-ogy - Hearing Conservation.“People get a baseline testand then we monitor theirhearing to make sure theyare safe for what they do.Hearing is essential for good

situational awareness andgood communication abil-ity. Hearing is 24/7, it is analerting system that keepsus safe,” he added.According to Roselyn Thi-

bou, health technician, whena patient comes in, an initialhearing test is administered.Seated inside of a metalsemi-sound proof hearingbooth, the patient listensand responds to a series of

tones that determine theirreadiness. If further testingis needed, the computer willautomatically generate a pa-tient referral to the audiolo-gist.Shoshannah Russell, one

of the audiologists who seesmany of the patient refer-rals, went on to state, “Wesee a lot of follow-up pa-tients and people who havehad changes in their hear-

ing or who do not meet theirhearing standard. We alsodo a lot of research,” she ex-plained.Capt. Stephanie Smith,

service chief of MedicalReadiness Clinic, said thather clinic works in concertwith the Occupational Au-diology Clinic by performingperiodic health assessmentson service members and tomake sure they are medical-

ly fit. Soldiers and Marinesare required to have theirhearing assessed each year,and Sailors when they en-ter the service and then on asituational basis.Smith also added that

hearing challenges can be aservice disqualifier and theresults of a hearing examcan mean that a servicemember can either be re-moved from duty or put intoa specific role. The MedicalReadiness Clinic makes a de-cision based on recommenda-tions from the OccupationalAudiology Clinic.The Walter Reed Bethes-

da Occupational Audiology- Hearing Conservation Pro-gram is committed to theeducation, counseling, andfitting of hearing protection,Jylkka added. The office islocated in Building 7, secondfloor, room 2143, adjacentto the Occupational HealthClinic. All active duty, civil-ian employees in the noisemedical surveillance pro-gram can schedule routinehearing exams Mondaythrough Wednesday from 7to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.,Thursday from 7 to 11 a.m.,and Fridays from 7 to 10:45a.m., and from 1 to 2 p.m.For more information, call

Margaret M. Jylkka at 301-295-4665.

Clinic Focuses on Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Photo by Katrina Skinner

Audiologist Shoshannah Russell examines the ears of a patient before administer-ing a follow-up hearing exam. Russell sees patient referrals and those who are apart of a research protocol.

The Journal Thursday, October 31, 2013 7

photos by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class John Hamilton

8 Thursday, October 31, 2013 The Journal

dardizing health care businesspractices, are other goals of Assis-tant Secretary of Defense for HealthAffairs Dr. Jonathan Woodson in thetransformation of the military healthcare system. Woodson is also directorof the TRICARE Management Au-thority.In a recent interview, Woodson ex-

plained there have been numerousstudies of the military health systemexploring the benefits of greater inte-gration of services to increase accessto care and cut cost.More than $16 million of the De-

fense Health Program budget is paidannually for care of beneficiaries inthe private sector, while approximate-ly $8 million is allocated to directcare, according to Bono and the DHA.She explained usage of base medicalfacilities by beneficiaries has droppedin recent years, but not because of thequality of military health care, whichremains world-class, said Bono, a gen-eral surgeon.The use of base medical facilities

by beneficiaries declined recently fora number of factors, including theimpact of Base Realignment and Clo-sure (BRAC), and the war, which haveresulted in the move and deploymentof many military medical personnelto provide care in Iraq and Afghani-stan, DHA officials explained.Many of those beneficiaries who

stopped using base medical facilitiesfor their care sought services withinthe TRICARE network of civilianproviders or from private sector doc-

tors who accepted patients using TRI-CARE fee-for-service option, Bonoadded.DHA’s goal is to recapture those

beneficiaries as the war winds downand BRAC changes gain clarity, evenif it means “moving resources andpatients within markets to meet theneeds of patients,” Bono said.Woodson explained care in the

military system costs the defense de-partment about a third less than TRI-CARE-purchased care. He added theintent is to “optimize dollars investedinto the direct care system.”Emphasizing the quality of mili-

tary health care is top priority, Bonosaid, “[Our] patients go elsewherewith our fingerprints on them, [but]we need to look at what’s valuable toour patients [to bring them back],” sheadded. “I don’t think there’s anybodywho can give the quality of care wedo to our military members. Throughenhanced service markets, we can di-rectly impact how dollars are spent.“We have an opportunity to make a

really big difference,” the rear admi-ral continued. “Our legacy is going tobe defined by how we move forwardfrom the integration,” she said.DHA’s first director, Air Force Lt.

Gen. (Dr.) Douglas J. Robb, said in arecent interview, “In the future, wewill build our hospitals and clinicsusing the same analytics. We’ll buysupplies, equipment and servicesfrom common contracts. We’ll trainin even more common ways. Army,Navy and Air Force personnel will beable to work in any medical facilityin the world without needing to learna whole new way of doing business.”

BONOContinued from 3

Arcadia High School Chorus of OakHill, Va., who sang for patients, staffand visitors in the America Buildingatrium.Chaplains are available 24 hours

a day, seven days a week at WalterReed Bethesda to perform or providecomprehensive religious supportand care to patients, their familiesand the staff, according to Sias. Thedepartment maintains a staff ofmore than 20 personnel, includingArmy and Navy chaplains, contractclergy and board certified pastoralcounselors representing many re-ligious faiths such as Protestant,Catholic, Hindu, Islam, and Juda-ism.Pastoral care is to “assist in the

spiritual and mental health of pa-tients [at WRNMMC] and take careof their spiritual needs,” regardlessof faith traditions, explained Reli-gious Programs Specialist 2nd ClassRice Croft with the Department ofPastoral Care. Croft is one of nineenlisted service members who workalongside the department’s chap-

lains to provide administrative,technical and logistical support tocomplete the pastoral “team,” ac-cording to Sias. Religious ProgramSpecialist Seaman Jamalica Taylorworked with Croft to plan the de-partment’s Pastoral Week activities.“The main thing we do here is vis-

it patients on the floors,” Sias said.He explained each chaplain is as-signed to visit patients on a specificward or department in the medicalcenter, each day. He said the depart-ment maintains an open-door policyfor staff members who would like tospeak with a chaplain.The Pastoral Department pro-

vides prayer, encouragement, endof life support, crisis interventionalong with marriage and familycounseling.Roman Catholic Mass, Protes-

tant Worship, Jewish, Hindu andIslamic worship services are held atWRNMMC, along with Daily ZuhrPrayer, two Bible study groups, aTorah study, as well as Hindu Yoga/Meditation Class. Services arebroadcast throughout the medicalcenter on Channel 14. For servicetimes and locations, contact theWRNMMC Department of PastoralCare at 301-295-1510.

PASTORALContinued from 5

01041098

The Journal Thursday, October 31, 2013 9

By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

October is National Dis-ability Employment Aware-ness Month, and WalterReed Bethesda celebrat-ed with an informationalevent in Building 62. Thisyear’s theme for the obser-vance is “Because We AreEQUAL to the Task.”“The U.S. Department

of Labor’s Office of Dis-ability Employment Policytheme reflects the realitythat people with disabili-ties have the education,training, experience, anddesire to be successful inthe workplace,” said Sgt.1st Class Jason Zielske,Equal Opportunity advisorand command advisor forthe Bethesda MulticulturalCommittee at Walter ReedBethesda.“Some people are born

with a disability, others

acquire theirs as a resultof an illness or injury, andsome people develop theirdisability as they age,” Ziel-ske continued. “Around theworld, 650 million peoplelive with a disability. To-day, one in five people inthe United States has adisability. Their triumphsover adversity serve as anexample to all of us, and af-firm that they were, indeed,EQUAL to the Task.”The Bethesda Multicul-

tural Committee hostedlast week’s observancefor National DisabilityEmployment AwarenessMonth, which included in-formational tables set upin Building 62 to informwounded warriors, theirfamilies and staff of theservices available here toassist those with disabili-ties and their family mem-bers while here or who maybe transitioning. Those ser-vices are available through

Fleet and Family SupportCenter, Army Career andAlumni Program, AssistiveTechnology Department,Recreational Therapy andAdaptive Sports Program,and other activities.In 1990, President

George H.W. Bush signedthe Americans with Dis-abilities Act (AD) into law.The law guaranteed equalopportunities for peoplewith disabilities in publicaccommodations, commer-cial facilities, employment,transportation, state andlocal government servicesand telecommunications.The Rehabilitation Act of1973 was the first majorlegislative effort to securean equal playing field forindividuals with disabili-ties, according to the U.S.Department of Labor’s Of-fice of Disability Employ-ment Policy. This legisla-

Walter Reed Bethesda Celebrates NationalDisability Employment Awareness Month Daylight Savings Time

Naval Support Activity Bethesda and WalterReed Bethesda staff and clientele are remindedto turn your clocks back one hour at 2 Sundaymorning.

For more news from other basesaround the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.See EQUAL page 10

01040179

Joseph W. KastlAttorney

Military Law in BethesdaFREE Initial Consultation

• Defense You Deserve• When It’s You Against the System• MEB Downloadable PDF(Medical Evaluation Board)

Schedule PhoneAppointment

1-800-651-5950

www.militarydef.net1038138

Retired Senior Military Judge

10 Thursday, October 31, 2013 The Journal

lot of pride, being here,” said Haskins, who knewshe wanted to become a clinical psychologist asa high school student. The Sailor said she enjoysher work. Haskins will head to her first assign-ment at Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Va.

Her eyes welled once again when her father,who served 24 years as a hospital corpsman, sa-luted his daughter with a smile. The proud fatherof four said he never imagined Haskins wouldjoin the military. He described how he felt to seehis daughter in a Navy officer’s uniform.

“It is astounding — it is beyond speech to seeher, not only giving service, but wearing the uni-form that I wore. That’s outstanding,” he said.

Family members weren’t the only ones withwords of praise for the 12 clinical psychologyinternship program graduates. Yeaw, who nowserves as the chief of operations for the behav-ioral health division in the Office of the SurgeonGeneral of the Army located in Falls Church, Va.,praised the diverse personalities, talents andunique abilities of the program’s newest gradu-ates, and touted the confidence, direct determina-tion and professionalism of the class.

“I really look forward to seeing you out in thefield,” Yeaw told them. Dr. Marvin Dodd, served asclinical psychology program director of the Navyand concluded his 44-year civilian career with theprogram’s 2013 graduates. He named each of the12 residents individually, acknowledging theirstrengths and describing their progress in theinternship.

“I would like to thank all of you for makingmy last year as training director a very fulfillingone,” Dodd told them.

GRADUATESContinued from 3

tion provided a wide range of ser-vices for people with physical andcognitive disabilities.

In noting the accomplishmentsof those with disabilities, the U.S.Department of Labor trumpetedthe tenacity of the late Sailor, CarlMaxie Brashear, the first AfricanAmerican to become a U.S. Navymaster diver. In 1966, Brashear losthis left leg as a result of an accidentwhile supporting the retrieval ofatomic bombs from two submergedU.S. Air Force planes. After gruelingphysical rehabilitation, he becamethe first Navy diver to be restoredto full active duty as an amputee in1968. In 1970, he became the firstAfrican-American U.S. Navy mas-ter diver and served nearly 10 moreyears beyond that on active duty. Hethen served as a civilian employee

for the Navy until retiring in 1993.“It is not a sin to get knocked

down; it’s a sin to stay down,” and“I ain’t going to let nobody steal mydream,” Brashear said. The movie“Men of Honor,” made in 2000, wasinspired by his life. He died in 2006.WRNMMC Director, Brig. Gen. (Dr.)Jeffrey B. Clark, has said, “It’s veryimportant we recognize and paytribute to our diversity becausethere’s a tremendous amount ofstrength in diversity. We need tounderstand each other and revel inthe goodness that each of us brings[to the workforce].”

For information about AssistiveTechnology services, call AmandaReinsfelder at 202-257-5756 orMark Lindholm at 301-295-1518.For information about WRNMMCAdaptive Sports Program, call 301-319-8663. To reach the Fleet andFamily Support Center, call 301-319-4087. For information about theArmy Career and Alumni Programat WRNMMC, call 301-400-1992.

EQUALContinued from 9

Photo by Katrina Skinner

Col. Donna Rojas, service chief for the Discharge Planning Nurs-ing Service, and Hospitalman Joel Smith of Pediatrics PrimaryCare cut a cake during a ceremony celebrating National Disabil-ity Employment Awareness Month recently.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

The Journal Thursday, October 31, 2013 11

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12 Thursday, October 31, 2013 The Journal