Navy Surgeon General visits NavHosp Jax

The SG spoke at the DCMS dinner meeting hosted by the hospital at the NAS Jacksonville Officers' Club Oct. 19. Addressing 125 civilian and military physicians, Arthur discussed the Navy medical experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lauded the tremendous response times and high resuscitation rates by military medical personnel, which greatly improve troop survival rates in the field. He recognized the great job our hospital corpsmen are doing under difficult conditions. Additionally, he discussed the hospital ship, USNS Mercy's recent humanitarian mission to Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines.

He also addressed a breakfast for civilian specialty physicians. Partnering with Humana Military Healthcare System (HMHS), Naval Hospital Jacksonville hosted the TRICARE Network Collaboration Breakfast Meeting Oct. 20. More than 80 network physicians, HMHS and hospital staff attended the breakfast and observed colors followed by an awards ceremony where he presented several commendations to staff.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville personnel join their guest TRICARE Network providers at Quarters Oct. 20. The providers were here for a special breakfast hosted by the hospital to enhance the partnership between hospital and civilian doctors. From left, Capt. Patricia Underdahl, acting executive officer, Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Donald Arthur, Naval Hospital Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. (Dr.) Raquel Bono and Command Master Chief CMDCM Dennis Green salute the colors.

Arthur amplified Naval Hospital Commanding Officer Capt. (Dr.) Raquel Bono's gratitude to the TRICARE Network physicians for their ongoing support and service to the Navy. He said, ''This is one of the hospitals that Navy medicine is most proud of. During times of increased operational tempo when our medical personnel deploy, you provide one of the most important services to our spouses and children. When we are at sea or on foreign shores, we need to be sure our families are well cared for.''

Cmdr. Lisa Kelty, an emergency medicine physician and Emergency Medicine Department head, gave a moving presentation on her recent tour of duty in Iraq as a combat physician. Kelty described herself as the female version of Col. Potter on the old television series M.A.S.H. and painted a vivid picture of the STP4/FRSS2, the surgical shock trauma platoon's daily activities in the desert. She expressed her pride in the Sailors and Marines who courageously and tirelessly service in the face of so much adversity in Iraq. Kelty said, ''It was an honor serving the Marines and the surgical team did a really outstanding job serving in the desert.''

Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Donald Arthur addresses area physicians at the annual Duval County Medical Society Dinner at NAS Jacksonville Oct. 19.

At a working luncheon with the hospital's Executive Steering Council, Arthur reiterated his full confidence and that of Navy medicine, with Bono and Naval Hospital Jacksonville leadership.