survivors nited for hope - university of...

November 2017

SurvivorsUnited for Hope

BAMC FOCUSNOVEMBER 2017

BG Jeffrey Johnson Commander

CSM Diamond Hough Command Sergeant Major

Elaine Sanchez Chief,

Communications Division

Lori NewmanEditor

BAMC Focus is an authorized publication for members of Brooke Army Medical Center and Regional Health Command-Central, published under the authority of AR 360-1. Contents are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed

by the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or Brooke

Army Medical Center.

BAMC Focus is published monthly by the Communications Division, 3551 Roger Brooke

Drive, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.

Questions, comments or submissions for BAMC Focus should be directed to the editor at 210-916-5166 or by email to

[email protected].

Deadline for submission is six business days before the first of the month. We reserve the right to edit submissions selected for

publication.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ...

BAMC Mobile Medics deploy in support of hurricane victims

BAMC receives national recognition for surgical quality

Workplace violence survivors unite to turn tragedy into hope

Military Retiree Appreciation Day offers on-the-spot care

BAMC Warrior Transition Battalion celebrates 10-year anniversary

Hands-free device enhances staffcommunication, safety

BAMC’s adult ECMO program receives national recognition

4 Helping in Puerto Rico

5 Exceling in Surgical Care

6 Inspiring Others

8 One Stop Healthcare

11 Caring for Warriors

12 Press the Button

10 Lifesaving mission

Photos from other events at BAMC

14 Other Happenings

NOV 2017 3

Jeffrey J. Johnson, M.D.Brigadier General, U.S. ArmyCommanding General

BROOKE ARMYMEDICAL CENTER

COMMANDING OFFICER BG Jeffrey J. Johnson POC: Ms. Carolyn Putnam (210)916-4100

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR CSM Diamond Hough POC: SGT Karrie Prescott (210)916-5061

OURCOMMITMENT

Team,

If you didn’t put your “fright” on Friday night at the BAMC, Troop Command sponsored Trunk or Treat you missed out. This was a night to remember and sets a new standard for how BAMC can take a time out and focus on coming together for fun and camaraderie.

We estimate there were over 800 individuals who attended. We had 33 vehicles decorated and spread-ing cheer to those in attendance. I am not sure who were having more fun, the children or the adults. To see photos, turn to page?

I now have a new understanding of all the current movie characters and some of the old classics which were demonstrated in the varied costumes. What talent we have. Thank you as well to the Marine Reconnaissance BN and Navy Detachment for your participation. Your haunted house was impressive.

A resilient and ready force (staff) is what we desire. Events like the Trunk or Treat go a long way to achieve this desired end state. Upcoming events centered along the same line are the BAMC Holiday Ball at the JW Marriott on 2 Dec and the BAMC Children’s Holiday Party in the medical mall on 9 Dec. Ensure you mark your calendars for these must see events.

A Team of Teams … Creating Tomorrows Today

JEFFREY J. JOHNSON DIAMOND D. HOUGHBrigadier General, U.S. Army CSM, USACommanding General Command Sergeant Major

NOV 2017For more information visit us on the web:

www.bamc.amedd.army.milwww.facebook.com/BrookeArmyMedicalCenter

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By Army Maj. Dan YourkDeputy Director of Clinical Operations, BAMC Virtual Medical Center

Two mobile medics from Brooke Army Medical Center and one nurse from Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center de-ployed to Puerto Rico to provide virtual health support to the disaster response ef-fort there.

In coordination with the BAMC Virtu-al Medical Center (V-MEDCEN), Capt. Becky Lux, Sgt. Andrea Bloom and Spc. Christian Bark along with transportable telehealth equipment were embedded with the 14th Combat Support Hospital from Fort Benning, Georgia.

Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane, hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20 causing a lev-el of devastation and hardship rarely seen in American history. Island-wide power outages, flooding, structural damage and a lack of clean drinking water and food con-tinue to plague this small island territory over one month later.

In response to the decimated infrastruc-ture and failing healthcare system, the 14th CSH was deployed to establish medical support in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

The 14th CSH established clinical op-erations in the Humacao area on Oct. 12 and started providing care to the local population. The CSH emergency room was quickly occupied with hundreds of local patients seeking care and medical support. In response to the overwhelm-ing volume of patients, in excel of 150 a day, the mobile medics coordinated with the BAMC V-MEDCEN to establish dai-ly virtual health provider support from the Internal Medicine Clinic located at BAMC in Fort Sam Houston, Texas and providers at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Georgia.

“This truly shows the versatility of vir-tual health and effectively elimi-nates the tyranny of distance that so frequently diminishes the med-

ical community’s abili-ty to leverage access to provider support from almost anywhere in the world,” said Army Lt. Col. Sean Hipp, BAMC V-MEDCEN director.

The BAMC V-MEDCEN has also coordinated with the Naval Medical Center San Diego and the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort to provide on-demand, synchronous critical care and specialty vir-tual health support to the providers and med-ics at the 14th CSH as needed.

On Oct. 20, the mobile medics success-fully completed a synchronous virtual health encounter with Army Lt. Col. Jen-nifer Stowe, an optometrist located at the BAMC V-MEDCEN.

The initial report received indicated that the Soldier was experiencing right eye pain, redness, loss of vision and a cloudy haze over his eye. The mobile medics con-nected with Stowe and provided high-defi-nition, synchronous images of the Soldier’s eye using an optical exam camera and web-based video teleconferencing capability.

Based on her conversation with the pa-tient and the physical exam using the virtu-al health equipment, Stowe was able to es-tablish a diagnosis, prescribe a recommend course of treatment, schedule a follow-up appointment and keep the Soldier from be-ing evacuated to a higher level of care.

Stowe was extremely impressed with the audio and video quality.

“Without the ability to adequately evalu-ate the patient’s eye and discuss the symp-toms with the Soldier, I would have likely recommended immediate evacuation to a higher level of care,” she said. “Instead, he

is able to continue fulfilling his mission in support of the efforts in Puerto Rico and I’m able to virtually follow-up on his prog-ress.”

The mobile medics continued to leverage their virtual health capabilities by connect-ing with Maj. Sharen Denson, a physician assistant, at the BAMC Internal Medicine Clinic on Oct. 23 to provide on-demand synchronous support to the patients in the 14th CSH emergency room. The mobile medics presented, and Denson has treated, eight local civilian patients with various types of presenting medical issues.

All of the patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with the exam and treatment and expressed their gratitude for the sup-port.

As the mission continues to expand and evolve, the mobile medics will push further out into the community and the Area Sup-port Medical Companies to provide virtual health support in remote and rural areas throughout Puerto Rico.

Continued on page 5

Capt. Becky Lux, Sgt. Andrea Bloom and Spc. Christian Bark pose for a photo Oct. 26 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Bloom and Bark are mobile med-ics from Brooke Army Medical Center who were embedded with the 14th Combat Support Hospital to provide virtual health support to the disaster response effort there. (Courtesy Photo)

BAMC Mobile Medicsdeploy in support of

hurricane victims

NOV 2017 5

By Lori NewmanBAMC Public Affairs

Brooke Army Medical Center was recog-nized by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Pro-gram for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care.

“BAMC and 34 other military hospitals participate in NSQIP to give us accurate information on how we are doing, bench-marked against the 680 other hospitals that participate,” said Army Lt. Col. George Kall-ingal, urologic oncologist and NSQIP surgeon champion. “BAMC is the flagship of military medicine and performs the most complex sur-geries in the military.”

As a participant in ACS NSQIP, BAMC is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that directs patient safety and the quality of surgical care improvements.

The ACS NSQIP recognition program commends a select group of hospitals for achieving a composite meritorious outcome related to patient management in eight clin-ical areas: mortality, unplanned intubation, prolonged ventilator use, renal failure, cardiac

incidents including cardiac arrest and myo-cardial infarction; respiratory illness such as pneumonia; surgical site infections-superficial and deep incisional and organ-space; or uri-nary tract infection.

“Achieving meritorious recognition means that BAMC ranks in the top 10 percent of over 600 hospitals on this composite surgical qual-ity score,” said Kallingal. “This should give our patients comfort and optimism that the surgical care they receive at BAMC is among the highest quality in the nation.”

“It also underscores that the entire medical center is aligned to help patients have the best surgical experience possible, from the mo-ment they get to the parking lot, to the time they follow-up after their surgery,” Kallingal added.

Kallingal said it reflects the outstanding care of the entire system, from nursing, surgi-cal and anesthesia care to administration, fa-cilities management, information technology and others as well as demonstrating BAMC’s ability to recognize system flaws and imple-ment hospital-wide improvement.

The 66 hospitals commended achieved the distinction based on their outstanding composite quality score across the eight ar-

eas listed above. Risk-adjusted data from the July 2017 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report, which presents data from the 2016 calendar year, were used to determine which hospitals demonstrated meritorious outcomes.

ACS NSQIP is the only nationally validated quality improvement program that measures and enhances the care of surgical patients. This program measures the actual surgical re-sults 30 days postoperatively as well as risk adjusts patient characteristics to compensate for differences among patient populations and acuity levels.

The goal of ACS NSQIP is to reduce sur-gical morbidity (infection or illness related to a surgical procedure) and surgical mortality (death related to a surgical procedure) and to provide a firm foundation for surgeons to apply what is known as the “best scientific evidence” to the practice of surgery. Fur-thermore, when adverse effects from surgical procedures are reduced and/or eliminated, a reduction in health care costs follows.

“This national recognition is a testament that BAMC cares about the quality of care we provide and about quality patient outcomes,” Kallingal said.

Lt. Col. Jennifer Stowe, an optometrist located at the Brooke Army Medical Center Virtual Medical Center, talks with Sgt. Andrea Bloom Oct. 20, 2017 successfully completed a synchronous vir-tual health encounter. (Courtesy Photo)

BAMC receivesnational recognition for

surgical quality

Continued from page 4

In addition to the outstanding support provid-ed by the mobile medics, this effort marks the first time that Army Virtual Health has used the full complement of available virtual health capabilities to support a disaster response ef-fort, Hipp said.

The 14th CSH and other medical assets in PR have access to the Pacific Asynchronous TeleHealth portal and the Health Experts On-Line Portal for non-urgent asynchronous virtual heath consultation support. They also have access to the ADvanced VIrtual Support to OpeRational Forces system that provides 24/7/365 on-demand telephone and synchronous video consultations with on-call

specialty services that include critical care, emergency department, burn care, orthope-dics, general/trauma surgery, pediatrics, tox-icology, infectious disease and several other specialty providers coordinated though the BAMC V-MEDCEN.

“The ADVISOR system is a truly tri-ser-vice capability that has the potential of shap-ing future operational healthcare delivery models across the Department of Defense,” Hipp said.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the virtual health community,” Hipp add-ed. “We are looking forward to building a virtual health capability that will support operational forces anytime, anywhere around the world while bringing the full

might of Army medicine to the greatest point of need.”



6

By Elaine SanchezBAMC Public Affairs

Shortly after 5 p.m. Army 1st Lt. Katie Ann Blanchard was shutting down her com-puter for the day, eager to get home to her three young sons, when she saw him coming out of the corner of her eye. He was holding a plastic bottle filled with a brownish-tinged liquid and she felt a sudden rush of fear. Be-fore she could react, he splashed the liquid on her face and struck a match.

What happened in those moments changed the course of Blanchard’s life. The Army nurse was severely burned and attacked by a man she supervised on Sept. 7, 2016, at Munson Army Health Center on Fort Leav-enworth, Kan.

“I was consumed with anger,” said Blanchard, who is still in recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center. “I felt robbed of time with my family and my career as an Army nurse. I felt hopeless.”

A year later, Blanchard is working to turn that senseless act of violence into a message of hope, thanks to the support of her fami-ly and a new friendship with Army Capt. John Arroyo, a fellow survivor of workplace violence. With their help, she’s found the strength to share her story in the hopes of inspiring others dealing with hurt and pain.

“It’s a difficult story to share, but if I can help even one person, one Soldier, it will make all of this worth it,” she said.

Arroyo, who also recovered at BAMC, is familiar with the devastating pain and af-termath of workplace violence. Two years before the Army nurse was set on fire, the Green Beret had been shot at Fort Hood, Texas, and left to die.

In April 2014, Arroyo had just stepped out of his car at brigade headquarters when Army Spc. Ivan Lopez walked up to him and shot him in his throat at close range with a .45-caliber pistol.

Gasping for breath, Arroyo held his throat

to staunch the bleeding and managed to stumble toward some nearby Soldiers, who rushed him to the hospital. Lopez killed three people and wounded 15 others that day before turning the gun on himself. Doctors told Ar-royo his voice box and right arm were damaged beyond repair, but after months of intense rehabilitation he was talking and regained the use of his hand. He now serves as the plans and training of-ficer-in-charge of the Basic Officer Leaders Course here and shares his story to en-courage others.

He went to visit Blanchard just weeks after her arriv-al with that same intent in mind. When Arroyo entered the dimly lit hospital room, he knew the best way he could connect with the Sol-dier swathed in bandages in front of him was to show her she was not alone. He pulled down the collar of his tan T-shirt and showed her the jagged scar from when he had been shot.

“It may not seem like it now,” he told her, “but you can come back from the worst of situations and be function-al and useful again.”

In pain and despair, Blanchard had one question for Arroyo: “How do you deal with the nightmares?”

“My faith,” Arroyo responded without hesitation. Blanchard thought of her family and how they pulled her through in the early days after her attack.

Blanchard was only two years into her first tour of duty when she was stationed at Mun-

son Army Health Center. The young lieu-tenant and military wife became a first-time supervisor of 15 military and civilian staff, including then-54-year-old Clifford Currie.

“Mr. Currie was difficult from the start,” she recalled. “I kept telling myself, it will get better.”

But it got worse. “He was blowing up twice a day or not coming into work,” she said. Blanchard expressed her fear and con-cern about Currie’s erratic and aggressive behavior to her leadership, who encouraged her to stay the course despite the red flags.

Army Capt. John Arroyo and 1st Lt. Katie Ann Blanchard pose out-side of Brooke Army Medical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. The officers are both workplace violence survivors hoping to share a story of hope with other service members and civilians. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Workplace violencesurvivors unite to turn

tragedy into hope

NOV 2017 7

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2016, Blanchard noticed the light on in Currie’s office. Afraid to go on her own, she asked a physician to accompany her and told Currie it was time to go home.

She returned to her office alone and be-gan to shut down her computer. She had just texted her husband that she was on her way when she saw Currie approach.

“He’s going to try to kill me,” she thought. Before she could react, he splashed the liq-uid on her face, mostly dousing the right side. As she stood up to run, he tossed two lit matches at her and there was a burst of flames.

Her vision obstructed by flames, she stumbled out of the room and ran down the hall screaming. She banged on the first of-fice to no response but heard her co-workers down the hall. “Katie! Katie!” her co-worker yelled as she grabbed a blanket and smoth-ered the flames.

Blanchard was still on the floor when Currie reappeared, this time brandishing a large pair of scissors and a straight-edge ra-

zor blade. “He put his foot on my neck and started stabbing at me, trying to stomp on me. I put my hand and foot up trying to protect myself, to get away,” she recalled. A sergeant approached and grabbed Currie in a bear hug and he finally dropped the weapons.

Blanchard struggled for breath and as the adrenaline abated, the pain set in. “It was ex-cruciating pain,” she said. “I thought I was going to die and I didn’t want to die alone.”

Blanchard was rushed to the hospital and later transferred to the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at BAMC.

Currie stood trial in August and faces up to 20 years in prison after being convicted of assault with attempt to commit murder. His sentencing takes place next month.

As she heals from the physical wounds, Blanchard struggles with the invisible ones -- severe post-traumatic stress and anger about the incident and the circumstances that led up to it.

Shortly after her arrival at BAMC, Arroyo met Blanchard and assured her that her jour-ney was not at an end. Like Arroyo, she had

survived for a purpose. The captain shares his story around the nation, speak-ing to groups on the impor-tance of making the most of second chances.

Last month, Arroyo was invited to speak to students attending the Na-tional Registry Paramedic Recertification Course at Army Medical Department Center and School here and he immediately thought of Blanchard. “We can make a difference for these Sol-diers,” he told her. She re-luctantly agreed.

The experience was in-

credibly healing, she said. “I realized that day that I can do something. I can share my story and the warning signs of workplace vi-olence so what happened to me won’t hap-pen to someone else.”

Blanchard has continued her quest to com-bat workplace violence. She’s a key member of the newly formed Regional Health Com-mand-Central Workplace Violence Working Group, which is taking swift action to add more security to military healthcare facil-ities, drafting a workplace violence guide, and working to institute violence prevention education and training for supervisors and employees.

“My anger has turned to passion,” she said. “I want to figure out how we can make the system better. I’m hoping Capt. Arroyo and I have future opportunities to speak to service members and civilians.”

Anyone can make a tremendous impact, whether in a combat zone or back home, Ar-royo added. “We can help service members understand their skills are needed now,” he said. “There’s a perception that these skills are only needed overseas, but Lt. Blanchard and I are living proof that’s not the case. We must be vigilant and ready at all times and not grow complacent.”

A year ago, Arroyo had entered Blanchard’s hospital room and told her not to give up hope. He predicted the young lieutenant would have a bright future; one she now believes is possible.

As Blanchard talked with Arroyo about the officers’ aspirations to speak to and in-spire service members around the world, he smiled.

“This is what tomorrow looks like,” he said.

(Note: This is the first in a two-part series on the prevention of workplace violence.)Army Capt. John Arroyo attends a therapy session with Melissa Ja-

cob, occupational therapist at the Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center’s outpatient rehabilitation facility. (Courtesy photo)

Army 1st Lt. Katie Ann Blanchard enjoys a day at the beach with her family one year after she was attacked in a work-place violence incident. (Courtesy photo)



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Military RetireeAppreciation Day

Know your BenefitsBy Maria GallegosBAMC Public Affairs

Brooke Army Medical Center and 502nd Joint Base San Antonio hosted its 2nd an-nual Military Retiree Appreciation Day at BAMC Medical Mall Oct 14.

More than 2,500 military retirees and their families participated to receive health and retiree information, medical checkups, and in some cases made specialty care fol-low-up appointments at the event.

BAMC hosted more than 70 specialty care clinics and 40 informational tables from community organizations and agen-cies to serve our veterans and retirees.

BAMC Commander Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson opened the event by sharing the importance of the day and the new enroll-ment initiative for beneficiaries 65 years and older.

“From a Brooke Army Medical Center perspective, really what we want to do to-day is give you the opportunity to try to find areas where you can improve your health,” he said. “Most of the specialty care clinics are open and I have asked my staff to be here (BAMC) so we can help you to influ-ence your health. That is what all is about.”

Johnson also announced the new enroll-ment initiative for beneficiaries over 65 years old at the Capt. Jennifer Moreno clin-ic and the Westover Medical Home.

“We are now accepting individuals over 65 to enroll them in primary care either here on Fort Sam Houston (Capt. Jennifer Moreno Clinic) or at Westover Medical Home. Those are the two places we have room right now but we will probably have room in Schertz in December and on,” the general said. “This will not only help you get back to a military health system but also gives back to us. Taking care of our retirees also generates our readiness in or-der to deploy and to fulfill the requirements

of our nation. Thank you all for being here, for your service and for what you have done for our country.”

A recent military retiree, Sheila Hamil-ton and a first time customer expressed her experience as very informational and en-lightening.

“This is my first time coming to this event,” she said as she was scheduling her follow-up appointment in specialty care. “I received great information on the benefits I didn’t know existed until I came here. This is great.”

Maria Guerrero, Customer Experience chief and the RAD coordinator, summa-rized the event as a “walk in service.”

“This event is very important to our re-tirees and their family members because

many of them don’t know their health care benefits or they don’t know they are eligi-ble to receive care in the medical facility,” she said. “Many who are here today are so grateful of the information they received and excited they were able to set up spe-cialty care right on the spot. I had patients tell me they are in heaven because they were able to get their healthcare updated all in one day.”

Joe Silva, Fort Sam Houston Retirement Service officer, said relocating the event from Army Medical Department Center & School has afforded all attendees a venue that is easily accessible and most impor-tantly provides same day services.

Continued on page 9

Graciela Alfano, licensed vocational nurse, shows Joann Dick, a regular attendee, different insects that can cause various allergy reactions during the Military Retiree Appreciation Day at Brooke Army Medical Center Medical Mall Oct. 14. BAMC had more than 70 specialty care clinics and 40 informa-tional tables consisting of representatives from medical clinics at Fort Sam Houston, organizations and agencies serving veterans and retirees. At the health fair, free flu shots and immunizations and walk-in mammograms were also provided and prescription eyeglasses were ordered for retirees who had less than a year old prescriptions. (Photo by Esperanza Alatorre)

NOV 2017 9

Continued from page 8

“Relocating the RAD to BAMC, it has allowed all attendees a venue that is eas-ily accessible. Most importantly, it has allowed for BAMC staff and clinics to provide same day services, i.e. checkups, on the spot care, scheduling, and reenroll-ments to the BAMC clinics,” said Silva. “In the previous years, we only averaged about 900 attendees and now we are over 2,500 in attendance.”

“The importance is very clear,” said Pe-dro Lucero, deputy commander for Medi-cal Services. “Our Dermatology clinic saw 62 retirees and performed 19 biopsies from RAD. And from the biopsies they diag-nosed 5 skin cancers. Wow!”

Alan Schroeder and his wife Arlene were all smiles as they journeyed through the halls of the medical center to partake in most of the healthcare services offered at the event.

“I am thrilled to be here,” she said. “I went to walk-in mammograms, got my flu shot, stopped at the bone marrow transplant booth, had a dermatology biopsy done and now I’m going to optometry booth. Thank you BAMC for putting this on.”

The event was free and open to military retirees of all branches, whether active duty Guard or Reserve; their family members; widows or widowers; and surviving family members.

Registered Nurse Gloria Camacho performs a cheek swab on Monica Perez at a Bone Marrow booth during the Military Retiree Appreciation Day at Brooke Army Medical Center Medical Mall Oct. 14. BAMC had more than 70 specialty care clinics and 40 informational tables consisting of representa-tives from medical clinics at Fort Sam Houston, organizations and agencies serving veterans and retir-ees. At the health fair, free flu shots and immunizations and walk-in mammograms were also provided and prescription eyeglasses were ordered for retirees who had less than a year old prescriptions. (Photo by Esperanza Alatorre)

Airman 1st Class Salen Orange gives a flu shot to Craig Bernard during the Mili-tary Retiree Appreciation Day at Brooke Army Medical Center Medical Mall Oct. 14. (Photo by Esperanza Alatorre)



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BAMC’s adult ECMOprogram receives

national recognitionBy Elaine SanchezBAMC Public Affairs

Brooke Army Medical Center has re-ceived national recognition for its lifesaving heart-lung bypass program.

BAMC’s adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, program has re-ceived the Award for Excellence in Life Sup-port from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. The recognition designates BAMC as a National ECMO Center of Ex-cellence.

Established in October 2012, BAMC has the only ECMO center in the Department of Defense and remains one of the few centers with global air transportable ECMO capabil-ity.

ECMO is a heart-lung bypass system that replaces the natural functions of the heart and lungs while treatments and natural heal-ing of the affected organs take place. While the technology has been used to aid ill infants and pediatric patients for over 30 years, it has more recently been shown to have lifesaving capabilities for adults.

“ECMO is not a treatment for any spe-cific disease. It works by keeping critically ill patients alive and buying time for us to address their underlying condition,” said Air Force Col. Phillip Mason, medical direc-tor for BAMC’s adult ECMO program. “In some cases, we can reduce a patient’s chance of dying from 80 to 90 percent down to 30 to 40 percent. While 30 to 40 percent is still high, it represents a significant improvement and translates into many lives saved.”

The military’s ECMO program started at the Air Force’s Wilford Hall Medical Center in the 1980s and was exclusive to neonatal care. The mission moved to BAMC in 2011 and expanded to include adult patients. To-day, the team is able to provide round-the-clock care to four patients simultaneously.

BAMC has a designated ECMO team that includes Army, Air Force and Navy physi-

cians, nurses, technicians and program man-agers; however, the program involves the efforts of most inpatient services. “It takes a joint team to be successful,” Mason not-ed. “Each service and specialty brings something to the table.”

BAMC first treated an adult with ECMO in December 2012. The patient was suffering from Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, an autoimmune reaction to medication, resulting in severe lung damage. The young mother of two was on ECMO for 23 days, but survived due to the lifesaving treatment and “an amazing team effort,” Mason said. The program has now treated over 60 inpa-tients and conducted 38 ECMO trans-ports.

In July 2013, the ECMO team com-pleted the military’s first trans-Atlantic movement of an adult on external lung support. The team treated a patient during a nonstop C-17 Globemaster III flight from Germany to San Antonio – a

5,000-mile, 11-and-a-half hour trek.

As part of the BAMC trauma pro-gram, the ECMO program aids military and civilian patients throughout Southwest Texas.

“We’re glad we can serve as a safety net for the community, particularly when it involves a lifesaving procedure,” said Ma-son.

ECMO skills not only benefit the com-munity, but will keep the team’s skills sharp for combat casualty care, including trans-

port ability. EC- MO-trained teams successfully transported 10 U.S. service members from the battlefield to Germany between 2005 and 2012.

Members of the 59th Medical Wing Aeromedical Staging Facility transfer a patient being treated with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation sys-tem into a C-17 Globemaster III, Jan. 16, 2013 at Joint Base San Anto-nio-Lackland, Texas. ECMO is a heart-lung bypass system that circulates blood through an external artificial lung and sends it back into the patient’s bloodstream. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

BAMC providers place a patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, in September 2012. ECMO is a heart-lung bypass system that circulates blood through an external artificial lung and sends it back into the patient’s bloodstream. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research)

NOV 2017 11

BAMC Warrior Transition Battalion celebrates its

10-year anniversaryBy Robert ShieldsBAMC Public Affairs

The Brooke Army Medical Center War-rior Transition Battalion marked its 10-year anniversary Oct. 20 during a celebration at the Liberty Field Barracks on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Over the past 10 years the BAMC WTB has cared for more than 5,500 Soldiers, many of them injured in support of combat operations around the globe.

BAMC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson said he was proud to help celebrate the milestone.

For the past 10 years, the WTB has been serving Soldiers who are at a point in their military career where they need the most support possible from the Army, their leaders and their family members, the general said.

“Caring for our Soldiers is not just

about healing their wounds medically,” Johnson said. “It’s about supporting them -- physically, emotionally, spiri-tually, and socially. That includes the service member’s family as well.”

Johnson thanked the leaders and sup-port staff for making it their mission to care for “our na-tion’s greatest assets -- America’s sons and daughters.”

The event includ-ed remarks from the WTB Commander Lt. Col. James Mitchell

and past WTB Sol-diers as well as a cake cutting, refresh-ments and displays.

The mission of the WTB is to provide competent and com-passionate leader-ship through mission command, complex case management, comprehensive tran-sition planning, and primary care in a safe environment promot-ing optimum healing for our wounded, ill, or injured Soldiers returning to the force or transitioning to ci-vilian life as produc-tive Veterans.

WTB Battalion Transition Coordi-nator, retired Master

Sgt. Pamela Mandell, a former Soldier in Transition, says her job within the WTB is rewarding.

“It’s truly a wonderful experience to be able to help Soldiers who have gone through what I’ve gone through or experiencing what I’ve felt,” Mandell said. “I love my job. I love seeing the smiles on their faces as they succeed and to see there is life after what they’ve been through and that they are still productive members of society.”

Retired Sgt. Jared Werner, who was wounded by a gunshot in 2013, spent 15 months in recovery. During his time at the WTB, he benefited from one of the many programs offered to Soldiers. Werner accept-ed an internship with the Defense Military Pay Office on Fort Sam Houston. He is now employed there.

Werner offers this advice to other Soldiers who are about to transition from the military. “Have a plan. Have a backup plan to your back up plan,” he said. “Make sure you take advantage of your education opportunities and continue to look for employment oppor-tunities.”

Brooke Army Medical Center Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jeffrey John-son talks about the accomplishments of the Warrior Transition Battalion at the WTB 10-year anniversary celebration at Liberty Field Barracks on Fort Sam Houston Oct. 20. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Brook Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Battalion Commander Lt. Col. James Mitchell (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Karen Hinckson (right) present certificates of appreciation and coins to retired Master Sgt. Pamela Mandell and retired Sgt. Jared Werner Oct. 20 during the WTB 10-year anniversary celebration. Mandell and Werner were the guest speakers for the event. (Photo by Robert Shields)



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The wireless hands-free integrated com-munications system (WHICS) worn by many staff members throughout Brooke Army Medical Center may not be able to teleport them to another location, but it allows a fast-er, more efficient way for staff members to communicate.

BAMC Information Management Divi-sion implemented the WHICS last October, but the system was fully employed Oct. 5 to allow alarms from patient monitors to auto-matically contact the appropriate personnel through the device.

“This communication between the servers allows staff to get immediate notification of the life threatening rhythms that their patients may be experiencing,” explained Army Col. Mike Ludwig, deputy commander for Inpa-tient Services.

“This direct communication augments current processes and monitoring assets in place, which includes the telemetry tech who monitors the patient’s rhythm and communi-cates with staff,” Ludwig said.

The $4.3 million project deployed 1,650 badge devices throughout multiple depart-ments within the hospital. These badges were integrated with the nurse call, telemetry and telephone systems. Nurse call and telem-etry integration allows patient alarms to be routed directly to nursing staff via the badge.

“The badge allows for direct communica-tion to a member of the care team,” he said. “The tool reduces the time it takes to contact a patient’s nurse and increases the ease and speed of communication between healthcare providers to include nurse to physician com-munication and other interdisciplinary com-munication with dietary, radiology, house-keeping, etc.”

The wireless device also allows staff mem-bers to place internal and external telephone

calls using the badge, which is worn around the person’s neck. With the touch of a button, the caller can speak another staff member’s first and last name or their job ti-tle, such as 3E charge nurse.

“The badge allows for in-stantaneous communication that is secure and at the staff’s fingertips,” Ludwig said.

If a patient presses the Call Bell in their room, an alarm is sent through the WHICS badge to the nurse assigned to that patient’s room. The room nurse has the option of ac-cepting the call or escalating it to the charge nurse who has the option of accepting the call or escalating it to clinical nurse officer in charge of the unit. The WHICS is a sec-ondary notification system. The nurse must also reset the alarm on the nurse call or telemetry system console.

“The staff loves the device because it’s easier to contact physicians and other staff members,” said Air Force Col. Deborah Jones, chief, Medical Nursing Services. “It’s hands-free, saves time and allows more work productivity throughout the day.”

The Provost Marshall Office also uses the WHICS badge for security personnel.

“When I need to talk to one of the officers, I can contact them directly, even in the out-lying clinics,” said Chuck Bielling, security guard supervisor. “It helps cut down on radio transmissions when the traffic is only for one specific officer.”

Another added benefit is that a BAMC staff member can use the WHICS badge to contact security directly. All they have to do is push the button and say “Security.”

“By calling security through the badge,

staff members can reach the BAMC securi-ty dispatcher directly,” Bielling said. “This saves time and enhances the safety of our staff and patients.”

Currently 4,324 personnel are using the WHICS system throughout BAMC includ-ing all the inpatient wards, intensive care units, emergency department staff, outpa-tient clinic staff, housekeeping, information management and many others.

“This tool enhances communication not only in the inpatient clinical settings but the outpatient settings such as the ED and the clinics,” Ludwig said. “This tool also en-hances and streamlines communication with senior leaders at BAMC, allowing commu-nication to a wide range of staff located in the various locations of BAMC’s large foot-print.”

Gina Brown uses a wireless hands-free integrated communications system to contact another staff member Nov. 1. BAMC Information Management Division implemented the WHICS last October, but the system was fully employed Oct. 5 to allow alarms from patient monitors to automatically contact the appropriate personnel through the device. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Hand-free deviceenhances staff

communication, safety

NOV 2017 13


Brooke Army Medical Center welcomed its newest non-commissioned officers into the ranks of the professional NCO Corps during a formal induction ceremony held Oct. 4 in the auditorium.

BAMC Command Sgt. Maj. Diamond Hough welcomed the inductees, their family members and fellow NCO’s.

“It is a great day to observe a valued tradi-tion like this,” he said. “I am proud to bring you here today for this ceremony.”

Hough introduced the guest speaker for the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Napoleon Noguerapayan saying, “[Noguerapayan] is the embodiment of the non-commissioned officer -- his character is above reproach.”

Noguerapayan spoke to the 27 inductees about their role as leaders.

“NCOs have been part of a strong Army for over 240 years,” he said. “You name the conflict and we were there.”

Many things have changed over the years including the uniform, the environment, the enemy and technology Nogu-erapayan said, “but what hasn’t changed is the determi-nation of NCOs to fight and to win.”

He advised the new NCOs to engage with their Soldiers, but more importantly to listen to them.

“The Army and the nation demands that you be a leader who is agile, flexible, adapt-able; a critical thinker who can make decisions,” Noguer-apayan said. “Because, make no mistake … the enemies of freedom are watching.

“You need to be that leader

who remains technically and tactically pro-ficient, physically and mentally ready,” he said.

Noguerapayan also stressed the impor-tance of resiliency and teamwork.

“Greatness happens when we work to-gether and we defend each other,” he con-cluded.

The ceremony steeped in tradition fea-tured the reading of the NCO history, a pre-sentation by fellow NCOs and the lighting of the three candles representing the NCO spirit: A red candle for courage and blood; a white candle representing purity and commitment; and a blue candle for valor and pride.

The ceremony concluded with the new inductees reciting the NCO charge led by Hough followed by the inductees walking through the NCO arch as a ceremonial rite of passage.

Brooke Army Medical Center Command Sgt. Maj. Diamond Hough issues the charge to 27 non-com-missioned officers during an NCO Induction Ceremony Oct. 4 at BAMC. (Photo by Garron Webster)

Soldiers participate in a non-commissioned officer induction cere-mony Oct. 4, 2017 at Brooke Army Medical Center. Twenty-sev-en Soldiers recited the NCO charge led by BAMC Command Sgt. Maj. Diamond Hough before walking through the NCO arch. (Photo by Lori Newman)

BAMC celebratesnewest NCOs

during ceremony



14

Calvin Vaught and his daughters play during the Brooke Army Medical Center Trunk or Treat event Oct. 27. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Sgt. Misti Chan and Staff Sgt. Dara Chan, part of BAMC’s new undead department, showcase their talents Oct. 27 during the Brooke Army Medi-cal Center Trunk or Treat event. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Pat Brown shows her fruity side Oct.

27 during the Brooke Army Medical Center Trunk or Treat event.

(Photo by Robert Shields)

William Gates and Eric Tobin (Mario and Luigi) hang with Josh-ua Sanchez and Nicco Pestana during the Brooke Army Medical Center Trunk or Treat event Oct. 27. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Brooke Army Med-ical Center Warrior Transition Battalion

Command Sgt. Maj. Roderick Batiste poses

with a “not so mean” Pirate, Sgt. 1st Class

Tisha Anderson Oct. 27 during the Brooke Army

Medical Center Trunk or Treat event. (Photo

by Robert Shields)

Alfredo and Mary Paez spend the evening clowning around at the Brooke Army Medical Center Trunk or Treat event Oct. 27. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Trunk or Treat

NOV 2017 15

Other Happenings ...at Brooke Army Medical Center

Brooke Army Medical Cen-

ter Pediatric Care Unit staff

poses with Sparky the

Fire Dog. Sparky along

with Fort Sam Houston’s Fire

Emergency Services

Truck 76 vis-ited children and staff for Fire Preven-

tion week Oct 13. (Photo by Robert

Shields)

Brooke Army Medical Center Registered Nurse Yasmine Saucedo plays the patient as BAMC nurses and medical technicians learn how to prop-erly restrain a struggling patient during the BAMC Nursing Skills Validation Oct. 25. (Photo by Robert Shields)

The Austin Spurs of the National Basketball Association’s G League visit the Center for the Intrepid Oct. 26 to tour the facility and play a game of wheelchair basketball with wounded warriors. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Brooke Army Medical Center Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson presents Army Lt. Col. Steven Hu-dak the Army Achievement Medal Oct. 19. Hudak was se-lected as BAMC’s Scholarship in Action award recipient for the 4th quarter for his paper “Epidemiology of Genitouri-nary Injuries among male U.S Service Members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan: Early Findings from the Trauma Outcomes and Urogenital Health (TOUCH) Project.” (Pho-to by Robert Shields)

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Brooke Army Medical Center JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-4141

Center for the Intrepid Bldg 3634JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-6100

Moreno Clinic Bldg 1179JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-4141

McWethy Troop Medical Clinic 3051 Garden Ave, Bldg 1279JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-4141 or (210) 916-4141

Schertz Medical HomeHorizon Center6051 FM 3009, Suite 210Schertz, TX 78154(210) 916-0055

Taylor Burk ClinicBldg 5026Camp Bullis, TX 78257(210) 916-3000

Westover Medical Home10010 Rogers CrossingSan Antonio, TX 78251(210) 539-0916

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