Preventative medicine: Assuring healthful force protection

"We're the leading edge of medical support for clinical and field preventive medicine, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, and disease surveillance," explained HMC Vernon Stiles, leading chief petty officer, from his office at the Branch Medical Clinic.

"Our team supports readiness by keeping soldiers fit to fight, while also promoting wellness among their families and the civilian workforce," said HM1 Jolando Lightner. "Our team of hospital corpsmen are certified as Preventive Medicine Technicians. We manage any health-related activities that affect our base populationæfrom water quality and food service to berthing, recreation and childcare facilities inspections."

As for communicable diseases, they not only track and treat, but also educate patients about disease avoidance."

"Preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is a constant battle in both military and civilian populations. We regularly communicate with county health departments in Northeast Florida. We also deal with education, testing and treatment of salmonella, tuberculosis and hepatitis," said Stiles.

Galley Watch Captain CS2 Linda Ostler and HM3 Delvalle discuss sanitary guidelines for refrigerated foood items.

According to DoD instructions, the PMD recently developed a pandemic influenza plan. As viruses such as bird (avian) flu evolve in different parts of the world, the plan is continuously updated to incorporate new potential treatments and pharmaceuticals.

"Immunizations are some of our more visible activities," said Lightner. "Prior to flu season, we visit tenant commands to administer mass immunizations. We also provide smallpox shots to personnel deploying to central Asia."

PMD is also the front line of vector control. "A vector can be any animal or insect that causes discomfort or transmits a disease to humans. Rats, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and wild animals are common vectors. Lyme disease, mosquito-borne encephalitis, West Nile virus are the most widely known vector-borne diseases. The best vector programs combine elimination of breeding sources, using biological and chemical controls, with education and surveillance to prevent future infestations," said Lightner.

Purview of Preventive Medicine Department Provides health inspections of: Food service facilities Berthing spaces Barber & beauty shops Child Development Center Parks & recreational facilities NAS Gym Potable & wastewater systems Part of NAS Disaster Preparedness Team Conduct disease vector control program Interview & counsel patients with STD & other communicable diseases Conduct food safety courses

NAS Jacksonville currently has 10 preventive medicine technicians on board, some of whom deploy to support operational forces. "Our primary job is to keep combat troops healthy. We make sure their berths, food and water quality support their mission readiness. Safe food, potable water and waste disposal make a world of difference for Sailors and Marines. When we do our job right, nobody notices," said Lightner.

Preventive medicine technicians are specially qualified hospital corpsmen (HM) who assist medical department officers in the performance of preventive medicine and occupational health programs for Navy and Marine Corps forcesæboth ashore and afloat. They instruct medical and non-medical personnel in preventive medicine, industrial hygiene, environmental health and occupational health matters.

Disaster preparedness and relief is another PMD specialty. "After Hurricane Ivan struck the Florida panhandle, our preventive medicine team was on the ground at Pensacola in less than 48 hours. We helped assessed potential health problems from lack of utilities, water-borne vectors, and infectious or sanitation-related diseases. And when Pensacola's PMD responded to Hurricane Katrina, we back-filled their mission in western Florida and Cuba," said Chief Stiles.