THE EXAMINER

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Did you know?...

Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

“Serving with Pride and Professionalism since 1993”

You have the right toexpress your concernsabout patient safety and

quality of care.There are several avenues opento you:* Through the ICE website.* The Hospital CustomerRelations Officer at 760-830-2475, or any of the CustomerRelations representatives in theHospital clinics, or directly tothe Joint Commission via: E-mail at complaint@jointcommission.orgFax: 630-792-5636

The Joint CommissionOak Renaissance BoulevardOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

To report Fraud, Waste andAbuse contact one of thebelow offices by calling:

Naval Hospital: 760-830-2344Combat Center: 760-830-7749NavMedWest: 1-877-479-3832Medical IG: 1-800-637-6175DoD IG: 1-800-424-9098

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhtp/pages/default.aspx

An Award Winning Publication

NHTP Sailors Return From Pacific Partnership DeploymentFamily, friends, the NHTP leadership and Naval Medicine West Commanding Officer, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham were on hand for thereturn of the USNS Mercy from its four-month deployment for Pacific Partnership 2015, a humanitarian mission that spanned the SouthPacific. Medical and dental teams provided support to more than 3,800 patients; nearly 700 surgeries were performed aboard the ship; andNavy Seabees completed 10 construction projects. The ship visited Figi, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam. It steamed into itshomeport, pier one at Naval Base San Diego, at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Pictured clockwise from top left: Lt. Cmdr. MollyCook is greeted by NHTP Commanding Officer Capt. J.A. Lamberton; the USNS Mercy approaches Pier One; Hospitalman Kevin Lestageand Culinary Specialist Second Class Lodeja Maiden give a thumbs up; Lt. Cmdr. Jerald Cook patiently waits for wife, Lt. Cmdr. Molly Cook,to disembark; Lt. Cmdr. Marddi Rahn steps off the gangway; Hospitalman First Class Charles Mahan, NHTP Command Master Chief Carol

Merricks and Hospitalman Leoncio Garciagonzalez;Personnel Specialist Third Class Lindon Spicer andCommand Master Chief Merricks; Lt. j.g. Maureena Sosastands in the USNS Mercy operating room. “I really enjoyedthe mission,” said PS3 Spicer. “For a personnel specialist likemyself to see what the medical side does, really makes meappreciate our medical personnel back at TwentyninePalms.”

2 -- The Examiner -- October -- 2015

Published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the UnitedStates Marine Corps, United States Navy or Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, under exclusive written contract withthe Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command. The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the United States MarineCorps, the United States Navy or Hi-Desert Publishing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the pur-chaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, thepublisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is pre-pared by the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Commanding OfficerCapt. John A. Lamberton, MSC, USN

Executive OfficerCapt. Jeffrey W. Bitterman, MC, USN

Command Master Chief HMCM (FMF/AW/SW) Carol Merricks, USN

Public Affairs Officer/EditorMr. Dave Marks

Command OmbudsmanMr. J.Wesley Bassard (760) 668-1348 email: nhtpombudsman@yahoo.com

The Examiner welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning the publication. Deadline for submission of arti-cles is the 15th of each month for the following month’s edition. Any format is welcome, however, the preferredmethod of submission is by e-mail or by computer disk.

How to reach us...Commanding Officer Naval HospitalPublic Affairs OfficeBox 788250 MAGTFTCTwentynine Palms, CA 92278-8250Com: (760) 830-2362DSN: 230-2362E-mail: david.m.marks.civ@mail.milHi-Desert Publishing Company56445 Twentynine Palms HighwayYucca Valley, CA 92284Com: (760) 365-3315FAX: (760) 365-8686

Lt. j.g. Thomas Sarti is awarded a Certificate of Appreciation fromRear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, Director of Navy NurseCorps, for his poster presentation, High-Reliability OrganizationPilot Study, at the TriService Nursing Research Program in SanAntonio, Texas, Sept. 1. “We discussed the importance of incorpo-rating the concept of ‘Mindfullness’ into every day nursing practice,using a tool that can measure and enhance healthcare delivery,”Sarti said. “This poster represents the significant role of militarynurses in advancing scientific inquiry and practice based on thebest available evidence of nursing science,” Sarti’s award reads inpart.

Patients seen in August -- 9,972

Appointment No Shows in August -- 757In August we had an 8.7 percent no-show rate. We need to keep trendingdownward by keeping the appointments we make, or by canceling in enoughtime for someone else to use the slot...To help patients obtain appointments, the Naval Hospital now shows thenumber of open appointment slots each day on the hospital Facebook site,check it out. On Facebook, search: Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms.

To make an appointment call -- 760-830-2752

To cancel an appointment call -- 760-830-2369

NHTP Executive Officer Capt. Jeffrey Bitterman held his first quarterly Coffee with the XO in classroomfour Sept. 8. “We’re taking up where Capt. Nimmo left off,” Capt. Bitterman said. The coffee was wellattended with the room at nearly full capacity. Branch Health Clinic China Lake was virtually presentthrough the video teleconferencing link. Mary Ellen Hogan, Dept. Head for the NHTP QualityManagement Dept., presented the idea of a mentorship program for civilian employees--met with wide-spread approval. Topics raised: Upgrading the exercise room (any physical upgrades would be dependenton budgetary considerations as well as the completion of the seismic damper project); the civilian sign-in, sign-out process (a BUMED policy not within local official’s purview); a leaking ceiling (CaptainBitterman noted, “Now I have a request for you,”and suggested notifying the Facilities MaintenanceDept.). “But if you’re hitting obstacles, that’s why I’m here,” the Executive Officer noted. Capt.Bitterman said he wants all employees to have a voice. “You are our corporate knowledge,” he said. “Butfor specific problems and issues, I encourage you to be part of the solution.”

On October 15 at 10:15 a.m., Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms willjoin the Combat Center and the state of California to Shake-Out! Thisstate-wide exercise simulates an earthquake and provides individualsand businesses a chance to exercise their Emergency Action Plansbefore an earthquake actually occurs. Take this time to look aroundyour home and your workplace for simple things you can do to keepyourself safe.

• Have you braced your bookshelves so they won’t fall over in anearthquake?• Are pictures hung with closed frame hooks?• Are valuables secured with earthquake putty?• Is your water heater properly strapped down?• Do you have an evacuation plan with two (2) routes out in case oneis blocked?• Have you placed a whistle under your desk at work in case you needassistance getting out of the debris?• Do you have a disaster supply kit at home and at work?

Remember: Staying safe in a disaster is your responsibility. By takingeasy-action steps prior to an event you can save a life.

For more information on the 2015 Great California ShakeOutExercise, please visit:http://www.shakeout.org/california/

NHTP Participates in California Shake Out

2X3Smith’s Family

Properties

Preventive Medicine CornerSubmit Questions/Concerns and Tanya Will Provide Answers

Tanya StuckeyDear Tanya,

I'm writing to you because I'msure you can help. How can Ibetter prepare myself for mymedical appointments? Toooften I'm not sure what the doc-tor or nurse is talking about, andalthough they always say Ishould speak up if I don't under-stand something, I'm usually tooembarrassed. Also, when I seea lot of other people waiting forappointments, I don't want totake too much of their time.How can I better take advantageof my time with mydoctor or nurse?

Signed,

Afraid to Speak Up

Dear Afraid,

Thank you for asking aboutpreparing for medical appoint-ments. I am sure there are manypeople who can relate to yourconcerns. Remember that yourappointments are for you. Yourhealthcare team puts your healthfirst and they want to meet yourneeds and give you the informa-tion to best prevent injury andillness. You are the leader ofyour healthcare team and yourmedical providers are not ableto meet your needs without yourguidance. Sounds empoweringdoesn't it? Once you take thisperspective, the rest is easy toimplement.

When you are in charge of animportant project, in this caseyour health and well-being, youare going to need clarificationfrom your partners. Ask yourhealthcare partners to explainwhat they mean when it feelslike they are communicating inanother language. If you askme, medical terms should becategorized as a foreign lan-guage since there are collegecourses just to learn them. Justlike any other form of commu-nication, if we don't have aclear understanding, miscommu-nication and poor results are a

The Examiner--October 2015-- 3

Know Your Supplement Interactions

Just ask a question on any topicand you will be bombarded withopinions, particularly when itcomes to health. People arequick to recount their experi-ences and make recommenda-tions on the best providers, mosteffective treatments and bestproducts. Television commer-cials are filled with promises ofa better body, miracle illness-curing products with an awe-inspiring side effects--not tomention a smaller bank account.

True personal health knowledgecomes from know-ing yourself, yourfamily’s medicalhistory, crediblepeer-reviewedresearch and hav-ing a good rela-tionship with yourhealthcareproviders. Withthat knowledge,you become theexpert on your own health!

Prescribed medication and sup-plement use is a great exampleof how easy it is to become con-fused regarding drug interac-tions and the resulting effective-ness when combined. In studiesreviewed by the Food and DrugAdministration and the HumanPerformance Resource Center,some supplements have beenfound to cause irregular heart-beat, stroke, headaches, or otheradverse reactions. They mayincrease or decrease the effec-tiveness of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Herbalremedies are also at risk for

negatively interacting with otherforms of treatment. This is notwhat we want when we seekingbetter health. So how do weavoid these mistakes?

Inform your doctor of all med-ications and supplements(including vitamins, minerals,and herbal supplements) youtake. Keep your pharmacist inthe loop too! Be sure to requesta consultation from the pharma-cist upon receipt of a new pre-scription or before combiningany new over-the-counter medi-cines or supplements. Ask yourpharmacist for the packageinsert for each prescription drugyou take. The package insert

provides more infor-mation about poten-tial drug interactions.Read the labels onall medications, overthe counter treat-ments and supple-ments for all ingredi-ents (active and inac-tive), warnings, con-traindications andpossible side effects.

As you wade through the confu-sion of medical advice fromnon-medical personnel, com-mercials, late-night infomer-cials, gimmick counters in vari-ous shopping locations and theworld wide web of often inaccu-rate knowledge, remember thateach person is different andthere is no magic answer for itall. Your best bet is to eat well,get moving and create a supportsystem that encourages healthymind, body and spirit. Buildyour health team with all of thesubject matter experts and leadthem to victory against illnessand ignorance.

By Tanya StuckeyPublic Health SpecialistNHTP Dept. for Public Health

real concern; and in some cases,miscommunication can lead todangerous outcomes.

In order to ensure your visitbegins on a smooth note, checkyour appointment time andprovider info for accuracy. Besure to have your ID andcompliance card handy and fin-ish up any phone calls beforechecking in. Our front-deskstaff are ready to assist you andwant to be sure they have allof the information to pass alongto set your provider up for suc-cess before you are ever calledback to the exam room. Some topics are more sensitivethan others. If you are uncom-fortable vocalizing your med-ical questions, you can writethem down. As a matter of fact,writing down and prioritizingyour concerns is encouraged.Your time with your provider islimited and you don't want towalk out of your appointmentwith unanswered questions.

Appointments are scheduled for20 minutes per visit and you areyour best advocate when itcomes to your healthcare.Remember we work for YOU!

Tanya

NHTP Town Hall Offers Advice on Vaccines, Booster Shots and Sports PhysicalsThe NHTP Town Hallwith the CommandingOfficer was held Sept.18 to a full-capacityroom in Classroom 4.“The Town Hall isreally family orienta-tion,” said NHTPCommanding OfficerCapt. J.A. Lamberton.“This gives us anopportunity to sharewhat’s happening inthe hospital and inthe community.” Firstpresenter was pedia-trician, Lt. EricPasman, who gave anoverview on immu-nizations and referredbeneficiaries to thewebsite: shots-forschool.org. Thesecond presenter wasLt. Jeffrey Moore,internal medicinestaff physician on theMedical Home Blue

Lt. Eric Pasman, staff pediatrician on theMedical Home Blue Team discusses vaccines.

Team. “Most of my patients arebetween 60-65 years in age,”Lt. Moore noted. He discussedthe age variables for the inject-ed flu vaccine versus nasaldelivery, and talked about thepneumococcal vaccine, as wellas booster shots.

A family readiness officerbrought up the topic of back-to-school sports physicals andnoted that working familieswould like a special eveningsession for accomplishing thesephysicals.

4 -- The Examiner --October 2015

Awardees...

Senior Chief Petty Officer Edward Telles is awarded the MeritoriousService Medal “for outstanding meritorious service while serving asmedical planner and Senior Enlisted Leader, 13th MarineExpeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, from May2012 to July 2015.” Senior Chief Telles was directly responsible forthe 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s medical concept during the13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Western Pacific Deployment 2013.He successfully planned, briefed, and executed medical supportplans for seven theater security cooperation exercises, supportingover 2,500 Marines and Sailors. His expertise and keen foresightresulted in the flawless execution of the Marine ExpeditionaryUnit’s sustained combat, training and support operations ashore.Additionally, as the Marine Expeditionary Unit Navy SeniorEnlisted Leader, he was directly responsible for 120 Sailors and hismentorship and steadfast guidance resulted in the MEU havingthree Sailors selected to chief petty officer, 24 Sailors advancing tothe next paygrade, 50 Sailors earning their Fleet Marine ForceWarfare pins, 26 earning Surface Warfare Pins and 12 Sailors earn-ing Air Warfare designations. Senior Chief Telles’ exceptional pro-fessionalism, personal initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflectgreat credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest tradi-tions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States NavalService.”

Lt. Jessica Jahelka, is awarded the Navy andMarine Corps Achievement Medal “for profes-sional achievement in the superior performanceof her duties while serving as Division Officer,Medical Home, NHTP, from Feb. 2013 to Sept.2015. Lt. Jahelka supervised 22 staff membersin providing care to 2,862 Medical Home benefi-ciaries, and implemented an online tracking toolthat contributed to a seven percent improvementin the well-baby-check metric. She additionallytrained 200 staff on critical nursing topics duringthree skills fairs. Lt. Jahelka’s personal initiative,perseverance and unswerving devotion to dutyreflect great credit upon herself and are in keep-ing with the highest traditions of the UnitedStates Naval Service.”

Culinary Specialist Second Class Jeffrey Eng isawarded the Navy and Marine CorpsCommendation Medal “for meritorious service inthe superior performance of his duties whileserving as Leading Petty Officer, Combined FoodService Dept., NHTP, from Sept. 2012 to Sept.2015. Petty Officer Eng led 21 culinary special-ists and one food service civilian in providinghealthy well-balanced meals to patients, hospitalstaff and visitors. His direct leadership led to a97 percent customer service satisfaction scoreand achieved the “Best of the Best” rating. Hewas instrumental in the coordination of two cli-mate surveys that promoted a favorable workingenvironment for all staff. Petty Officer Eng’sexceptional professionalism, perseverance anddevotion to duty reflect great credit upon himselfand are in keeping with the highest traditions ofthe United States Naval Service.”

Right, top: Following his promotion to his present rank in a cere-mony Sept. 29 in NHTP classroom 4, Cmdr. Charles Dickerson, Jr.,has his new cover adjusted by wife, Brandi, while daughters Brianaand Halle look on. Cmdr. Dickerson, a Certified Registered NurseAnesthetist, has been at NHTP for one year. He’s been in the Navy21 years. Hometown is Detroit, Mich. Promoting officer was Capt.Sandra Mason.Right bottom: Following his promotion and remarks, Cmdr.Dickerson said, “My first act as a commander is to give specialacknowledgement to a certain individual in this room. That individ-ual is Capt. Mason. Capt. Mason has been an ever-present force inthis command. She’s been a force for change and a force for good.She is constantly doing her best to make sure we’re all taken care ofand that we’re all able to meet the mission and get the job done.”“We are so grateful and we wish you all the best,” Cmdr. MichelleFrench said. “You have made us step up; you’ve set the bar high;and your unrelenting work ethic has kept us marching forward. Weare better people because of you. Thank you, Capt. Mason.”

Editor’s note: Capt. Mason will retire in November after serving 41years in her nation’s service, first in the U.S. Marine Corps, achiev-ing the rank of Gunny Sgt., and then as a Navy nurse, achieving thelevel of executive leadership. Capt. Mason, you will be missed. Fairwinds and following seas!

Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Locke shows off his plaqueand Twentynine Palms bottle opener at his goingaway dinner at Moe’s in Twentynine Palms. Lt.Cmdr. Locke, former Department Head forDeployment Health, has PCSed to Yokusuka,Japan.

The Examiner --October 2015-- 5

Lt. Jessica Jahelka was promoted to her present rank Sept. 3 in a ceremony outside of Clinic D.Promoting officer was Capt. Sandra Mason. Originally from Madison, Wis., Lt. Jahelka was clinic nurseand division officer on the Home Port Blue Team. She has since PCSed to Okinawa where she will joinforces with husband, USMC Maj. Richard Jahelka.

Lt. Derek Witkowski was promoted to his presentrank Sept. 22 in a ceremony on the NHTPQuarterdeck. Lt. Witkowski, currently Asst. Dept.Head for the Material Management Dept., hasorders for the 2nd Medical Battalion at CampLejeune, N.C. He’s been at NHTP since October2013.

Lt. Cmdr. Hannah Hooten with son, Gunner, 4,and Zaley, 2, following her promotion ceremony toher present rank Sept. 2. Husband and USMCCapt. Jason Hooten watched on Facetime fromQuantico as Lt. Cao held the phone. Promotingofficer was Cmdr. Gray Dawson. Lt. Cmdr. Hootenhas PCSed to Naval Air Station Cherry Point.

Hospitalman SecondClass Tam Chu,NHTP Patient AdminDept., reenlists forseven more yearsSept. 28. HM2 Chuhas been at NHTPfor two years.Reenlisting officer isLt. Tony Henry. Chuhas already servedseven years in theNavy. Originallyfrom Orange County,Calif., HM2 Chuplans to attendRadiology TechnicianSchool.

Culinary Specialist Second Class Jeffrey Eng holds the CombinedFederal Campaign plaque that was presented to NHTP at the kick-off to the 2015 CFC campaign Sept. 1. NHTP received the BronzeAward for raising $23,000 from NHTP staff. Coordinators for the2015 campaign are HM1 Tugman and Lt. j.g. Witkowski. Pictured(L-R): HM3 Morgan Neumeister, Hospitalman Travis Youngren,MA1 Steven Adams, NHTP Commanding Officer Captain J.A.Lamberton, CS2 Jeffrey Eng, HM2 Mario Acosta, HM3 DranrebVillegas, YN2 Fa’afiloto Nador.

Culinary Specialist Second Class Darius Joseph, Lt. Rachel Smith,NHTP Combined Food Services Dept. Head, and CulinarySpecialist Second Class Stephen Fuqua won 2nd place in thejudge’s round and 1st place in the People’s Choice Award in theMCAGCC Culinary Team of the Quarter competition. “It was likebeing a judge on Chopped,” said NHTP Commanding OfficerCaptain J.A. Lamberton.

NHTP Health Promotions spon-sored a Health Fair Sept. 17 outsidethe clinic areas and in the foyerbetween the Ship’s store and theChaplain’s office. Among activitieswith tables were: Family Advocacy;SACC/DAPA; SAPR; SingleMarine/Sailor Program; Red Cross;Breast Health; Nutrition/Dietician;Commissary; Navy Marine CorpsRelief Society; Boy Scouts; MentalHealth; CgOSC; Baby FriendlyHospital Task Force; NHTPChaplain.

6 -- The Examiner --October 2015

Sub Offer5X3

Introducing New Staff -- Welcome Aboard!

Lt. Laura Bartlett Lt. Cmdr. Charles StehmanLt. Cmdr. Josephine Fajardo Lt. Cmdr. Leah SagLt. j.g. Theo Cunningham

Lt. Laura Bartlett recentlyreported to NHTP’s multi-serv-ice ward as a staff registerednurse. She arrived from NavalStation Great Lakes where shewas division officer of theinternal medicine and familypractice clinics. Hometown isWest Bend, Wis. Lt. Bartlett hasbeen in the Navy six years. Sheearned her registered nursingdegree from MarquetteUniversity in Milwaukee, Wis.Bartlett worked in the cardiolo-gy and APU (ambulatory pro-cedure unit) at Walter ReedNational Medical Center,Bethesda, Md., and APU atFort Belvoir. She’s here withher fiance and three dogs, andhaving arrived in August, findsit “hot.” For off-duty activities,“We do a lot of running. I am agamer. I play World ofWarcraft, Starcraft II; and Ienjoy reading.” She enjoys sci-ence fiction and urban fan-tasies.

Lt. j.g. Theo Cunningham isNHTP’s newest laboratory offi-cer. He’s been in the Navy justa few months and comes to usfrom a medical technologyposition in Chicago where heworked the previous six years.He’s fresh from OfficerDevelopment School. “It’s beenreally great and exciting,”Cunningham said. “I’m look-ing forward to doing great stuffand being a part of the UnitedStates Navy.” Originally fromJamaica, Lt. j.g. Cunninghamwent to school at NorthernCaribbean University inMandeville, Jamaica, and com-pleted his university training atAndrews University inMichigan. Cunningham saysthe high desert is similar to thetropical conditions in Jamaica,so, despite the lack of sea, hefeels at home. He lives off basein military housing as a bache-lor. Cunningham enjoys goingto the gym, movies, socializing,“and generally fun stuff.”

Lt. Cmdr. Josephine Fajardorecently arrived from NavalMedical Center Portsmouthwhere she was Lab Manager.She’s been in the Navy 22years. Fajardo is a mustangofficer, having been a corps-man for her first four years ofservice. As a corpsman, shewas originally assigned toAmphibious ConstructionBattalion Two in Little Creek,Va.. She then spent a year inLab School, after which shewas assigned to NMC Ports-mouth, where she received herofficer commission. Hometownis San Diego. She lives withher mother who just retiredfrom a private humanresources position. Lt. Cmdr.Fajardo earned her undergrad-uate degree in humanresources from the Universityof Washington and herMaster’s degree (medical tech-nology) from the University ofOklahoma. For hobbies sheenjoys reading and hiking.

Lt. Cmdr. Charles Stehman isNHTP’s newest anesthesiolo-gist. He just completed histhree-year anesthesiology resi-dency at Naval Medical CenterSan Diego. Prior to that, hewas a flight surgeon for threeyears at Marine Corps AirStation Miramar. Hometown isLancaster, Pa. He’s here withhis wife, Quyen, who is expect-ing a baby boy in November.Stehman was commissioned in2004 when he started medicalschool and was recommis-sioned as a lieutenant in 2008after he earned his medicaldegree from Drexel Universityin Philadelphia, Pa. He washere in 2010 for the large-scaleexercise, Mojave Viper. “We’repretty outdoorsy people, so mywife was excited about livingclose to Joshua Tree,”Stehman said. The Stehmansenjoy being outside, off-road-ing, and enjoying nature.

Lt. Cmdr. Leah Sag arrivedfrom Naval Medical CenterPortsmouth following her four-year radiology residency. Priorto that, she was a flight sur-geon in Jacksonville, Fla. Lt.Cmdr. Sag has been in theNavy nine years. Hometown isLongwood, Fla., near Orlando.Having never before been tothe West Coast, Lt. Cmdr. Sagfinds the desert, “hot, but pret-ty.” She’s here with husband,Timothy, a master mechanic,and children Natasha, 4, andAmelia, 6. The Sags drovecross country fromPortsmouth, Va., and made anadventure out of the journey,stopping at various points ofinterest. Lt. Cmdr. Sag enjoysphotography and hanging outwith the kids. She earned herundergraduate degree fromGeorge Washington University,in Washington, D.C. and hermedical degree from New YorkMedical College.

The Examiner -- October 2015 -- 7Seismic Dampers DispelEnergy From Earth Quakes

The seismic damper project is well under way and employees andhospital visitors may be wondering what it’s all about. The project isdesigned to install 57 seismic dampers throughout the NHTP struc-ture. The seismic dampers are similar in design to giant shockabsorbers. They dissipate the kinetic energy of seismic waves pene-trating a structure from earth-quake activity. Without them, the build-ing would absorb the full force of the quake. In the above picture,walls and insulation have been stripped away, exposing a primaryhorizontal support beam to which a coupling has been welded. Thedampers are then attached to the coupling and extend down to anothercoupling attached to a vertical support beam (see below). Thesedampers extend from the bottom deck near the NHTP Fiscal Dept.Forming a giant X, they are attached to two more dampers that extendup to the third deck. Below: Project Superintendent Todd Berg ofPeter Vander Werf Construction briefs NHTP Commanding OfficerCaptain J.A. Lamberton and NHTP Executive Officer Captain JeffreyBitterman on the project’s progress. The seismic damper project isscheduled to be completed by April 2016.

Sponsorship Program Eases Transition Between Commands

“Hey, Shipmate! It’s good to have you in the command. Welcome aboard!” Those words, followed upwith arrival and relocation assistance, create a welcoming atmosphere for the arriving Sailor, saidNHTP Commanding Officer Captain J.A. Lamberton at a sponsorship meeting in classroom 4 Sept. 15.The Sponsorship and Indoctrination Program provides incoming personnel with meaningful pre-arrivalcommunication, adequate support upon arrival and relocation assistance to meet the Sailor’s needs.Meet your NHTP sponsors: Back row (L-R): HMC Danilo Buenaflor, Culinary Specialist First ClassRichard Foster, Hospitalman First Class Joshua Lossius; Yeoman Second Class Fa’afiloto Nador;Hospitalman Second Class Sergio Lopez; Command Master Chief Carol Merricks; Captain J.A.Lamberton; Captain Jeffrey Bitterman; Hospitalman Second Class Daniel Dobrick; Hospitalman SecondClass Ashleigh O’Connell; Logistics Specialist Second Class Eric Valadez; Hospitalman Second ClassShawn Keene; Hospitalman Second Class Nicholas Kirsch; Hospitalman First Class Duncan Stewart;Hospitalman Third Class Eric Mosey. First row (L-R): Hospitalman First Class Chrisbert Barbon;Hospitalman Third Class Matthew Ford; Hospitalman Second Class Earlston Defoe; HospitalmanSecond Class Mario Acosta Morales; Hospitalman Second Class Ruben Sanchez; Culinary SpecialistSecond Class Javonnie Beall; Culinary Specialist Second Class Josemario Decastro.

HMC (FMF/AW) Danell Dumas HMC (FMF/SW) James Frymire HMC (SW) Madonna MacKnight

Three New Chiefs Pinned at Sunset Cinema

Three Petty Officers First Class smartly marched into the Marine Air Ground Combat Center SunsetCinema Sept. 16 and exited as Chief Petty Officers. HMC Danell Dumas, NHTP Staff Education andTraining; HMC James Frymire, 23rd Dental Company; and HMC Madonna MacKnight, NHTPPharmacy, joined the Chief’s Mess and confirmed their new positions as technical experts and Navyleaders. HMC Roberto Gaona was Master of Ceremonies. According to the Navy Live website, “Chiefpetty officers act as the unique lynchpin between officers and enlisted personnel who execute daily oper-ations, and also take a leading role in the career development of junior petty officers.” Need an answerfast? Ask a chief.

8 -- The Examiner -- October-- 2015

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