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Entering a 
New Year 


RED 


Bravo Zulu 
PMR, p. 8 


Volume 3, Number l 


Naval Hospital, Oakland 94627*5000 


January 28, 1991 



Hospital ships, USNS Mercy (forefront) and USNS Comfort stand vigil in Mid Eastern waters in support of Operation Desert Shield. (Official Navy photo) 


Emergency information resources for Navy families 


COMNAVBASE SAN 
FRANCISCO, Calif. — Your 
family member is underway 
and you find yourself in the 
middle of an emergency.' Do 
you know who is there to help 
you? Do you know where tp get 
that information? 

In light of strife in the Middle 
East, area Navy agencies have 
beefed up their capabilities to 
deliver timely information to 
Navy families. As evidenced by 
the 1989 earthquake, most 
emergencies arise without no- 
tice. Therefore, it is essential 
for all of us to be aware of some 
°f the Navy emergency re- 
sources available. 


Located at most commands, 
family service centers (FSC) 
are among the most important 
sources for general informa- 
tion. FSCs offer a wide selection 
of programs and services, and 
also act as an excellent referral 
source. In the Bay Area, FSCs 
can be found at Mare Island 
Naval Shipyard, (707) 646- 
2527 ; Naval Air Station Moffett 
Field, (415) 404-4015; Naval 
Air Station Alameda, (415) 263- 
3146 and Naval Station Trea- 
sure Island, (415) 395-5176. 

FSCs also offer a myriad of 
non-emergency services and 
counseling programs year- 
round. In the case of an emer- 


gency, they increase their vol- 
unteer services and support to 
meet the needs of the Navy 
family. 

Another valuable resource 
is the American Red Cross. 
With chapters located all over 
the United States, the Red 
Cross performs the necessary 
task of notifying service mem- 
bers of serious illness, death or 
problems relating to immediate 
family. This reporting assists 
military authorities in deciding 
upon a request for emergency 
leave or extension and for for- 
warding information concern- 
ing government benefits to 
which service members or their 


Teamwork a byword at Moffett 


®y JOC Bob Hansen 

NAS MOFFETT FIELJ 
here is an old saying th 
chain* is only as strong a, 
weakest link. In the Navy 
roeans that a crew, whethc 
a ship, an airplane or at a cl 
depends on each and e 
person to do their job to ft 
the unit run smoothly an< 
ficiently. 


At the Moffett Branch Clinic, 
n °t onl y is the unit running 
smoothly, but it's doing so with 
ftew team members aboard to 
r eplace much of the staff de- 


ployed to Operation Desert 
Shield. 

HMC Ron Webb, Adminis- 
trative Chief Petty Officer at 
Moffett Clinic noted that the 
deployment of personnel was 
so sudden that, “people literally 
left work on their desks and 
were gone. At one point I was 
the only chief petty officer 
here.” 

Some of the links were gone, 
but the staffleft behi nd adapted 
and continued doing their jobs. 
The reservists came aboard and 
helped return things back to 


normal. “We can‘t really tell 
anyone is missing,” said Head 
Nurse, Lt. Cdr. Lisa Gadeleta. 
“The reservists have done an 
outstandingjob coming in here 
with only a cadre crew to orient 
them. We brought the clinic 
back up, got new programs on 
line and haven't missed a beat.” 

Gadeleta has reason to be 
proud — she is a reservist 
herself. She said there’s a spirit 
of family at the Moffett Branch 
Clinic. The reservists, who have 
been here since August, have 
Cont’d on p. 3 


family members are entitled. 
Red Cross chapters can be 
found in San Francisco, 776- 
1500; Oakland, 533-2321; 
Alameda, 522-7711; San 
Mateo, 692-7214; Concord, 687- 
3030 and San Rafael, 454-1550 
— all at area code 415. 

The Red Cross offered in- 
valuable service during the 
earthquake by providing in- 
formation on the well-being of 
Bay Area service members to 
their families living outside of 
Northern California. 

Ombudsmen are the vital 
link between service members’ 
commands and their depen- 
dents. Their role is to relay 


information from the command 
to families and vice-versa. If 
you do not know who the om- 
budsman is for your service 
member’s command, contact 
your local FSC. 

Another source of informa- 
tion is the base Public Affairs 
Office (PAO). If you are unable 
to get answers from other 
sources, PAOs may be able to 
direct you to the source you 
need. Bay Area PAOs are: 
Naval Air Station Alameda, 
263-3079; Naval Air Station 
Moffett Field, 404-4030; Naval 
Hospital Oakland, 633-5918; 
Naval Supply Oakland, 302- 
Cont’d on p. 8 



MoHeltTab^Pho^n procedure with blo °d samples In the 

■vioneit Lab. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen) 








Page 2 


Red Rover 


January 28, 1991 


From the Executive Officer 
Capt. Noel A. Hyde, 

MSC, USN 



During these days of uncertainty with the 
situation in the Middle East and our constant 
struggle to maintain hospital operations, we 
must not lose sight of the duty we owe to the 
patients we serve. 

By every measurable criteria, Naval 
Hospital Oakland provides healthcare ser- 
vices that are second to none in terms of 
quality. We must remember, however, that 
our patients do not measure the quality of 
the care that they receive in the same way 
that we do. Our patients don‘t measure our 
service based on morbidity statistics, oc- 
currence screens or established standards of 
care. They measure the quality of care they 
receive using much more subjective criteria: 
“Was I able to get an appointment in a timely 
manner? Was the appointment clerk nice to 
me on the phone? Was the staff friendly and 
considerate? Do they care?” An accurate 
diagnosis and treatment plan are only half 
of our responsibility. It is equally important 
that the patients’ perception of the care is 
positive. 

We must be sensitive to the fact that we 
often see patients at their worst. They are at 
the hospital because they don’t feel well and 
would much rather be somewhere else. By 
going out of our way to be considerate, helpful 
and compassionate, we will ensure that our 
patients’ perception of care will match our 
measurement of its quality. 

We should all be alert to problems of 
patient care and should be willing to listen 
to patients who feel they have problems. We 
have an established Patient Contact Program 
for that purpose. Our patient contact rep- 
resentatives are always ready to listen to 
every complaint. We will investigate every 
complaint and correct problems that exist. 
After all, making our patients/customers 
delighted is fundamental to our mission. 
Satisfied patients reinforce the truth that 
NHO and its branch clinics are indeed “very 
special places.” 


National Prayer 
Breakfast 

A national prayer breakfast will be 
held February 12 in Naval Hospital 
Oakland’s galley at 6 a.m. Keynote 
speaker, former Royal Air Force pilot 
Maxwell F. Meyers, will start speaking at 
7 a.m. All are invited. 


OAK KNOLL PERSPECTIVE 


From the Commanding Officer 
RADM David M. Lichtman, MC, USN 



Christmas came early this year from an unexpected source — 
the Navy Inspector General’s Office. The present they left was the 
cancellation of their scheduled IG visit for January. 

Presents come in all shapes and sizes, but this gift was one of the 
best this command could have received, for several reasons. With 
the high turnover of staff due to Operation Desert Shield , we need 
time to train and integrate new members into the Oak Knoll team. 
Preparing for a major inspection like the IG would have detracted 
from our ability to meet the current challenges we face. In addition, 
we have been extensively inspected by multiple agencies in the 
recent past; the JCAHO, NAVOSH, MAT, MAIT and procurement 
reviews are but a few major examples. In each and every instance, 
we have exceeded expectations, and the reviewers have applauded 
this command for the high quality of care and professional services 
we provide. Another rigorous inspection at this time would have 
been distracting. 

Still, the time that we spent preparing for this inspection may 
have been a blessing in disguise. With so many new staff coming on 
board at a time when our operational tempo has been so hectic, it 
would have been easy to take shortcuts and fail to learn some of the 
basic rules and procedures governing our jobs. I think the IG 
preparation caused us all to stop and take a quick look at these 
regulations and got us off to a great new start. 

I believe that 1991 is going to be a truly “special” year for Oak 
Knoll. I look forward to the return of our staff from Operation Desert 
Shield , the winding down of the P-122 construction project, the 
establishment of a new Cardiac Surgery program, the opening of a 
child care center and the beginning of a unique partnership with 
UC Davis for many of our Graduate Medical Education programs. 
When the IG team reschedules its visit, I’m certain it will be 
astounded and impressed with the progress and accomplishments 
of Naval Hospital Oakland. 


From the Command 
Master Chief HMCM (SS) i 
Michael L. Stewart, USN 



Advancement — It’s that time of year j 
again. Time when a lot of you are wondering, ]' 
“Why did someone else get selected” and you 
didn’t. Maybe you are getting ready to take 
the exam for the first time and you are 
wondering, “What can I do to make it?” 

I certainly don’t pretend to have all the 
answers or the secret formula for success, 
but I can tell you some things that I know 
worked for me. First of all, you have to be ; 
committed to what you are doing. An inter- 
view with a recent winner of the New York 
marathon was interesting in that he said, 
“the desire to win must be overshadowed by 
the desire to prepare.” 

Study, study and then, when all else fails, 
study some more. But make sure you’re 
studying the right thing. Education and 
Training has the latest bibliographies for 
advancement that spell out what you will be 
tested on. Get together with others who are 
also trying to make it, and have study ses- 
sions together. Education and Training is 
working hard for you by sponsoring ad- 
vancement classes. 

Find someone who just got advanced and - 
find out what they did. I will be happy to talk 
to anyone about advancements. Please don’t 
let the next frocking ceremony go by without 
you participating. 


Listening Box 

Q: I understand there is a problem with parking. However, it 
does not justify people creating their own parking places. My 
vehicle has been blocked by these inconsiderate people on more 
than one occasion. Security personnel have been notified of the 
problem, yet nothing was done. “We’ll take care of it” must mean 
“We don’t care.” If the commanding officer’s car is blocked, 
Security is the first one there to issue a citation. The privilege of 
driving on base goes with understanding that you will follow the 
driving rules. I regret that it had to come to a complaint in 
writing, but what else is a person to do after informing Security 
several times with no results. 

A: I can assure you that the Security Department responds as 
quickly as possible to complaints regarding improper parking. 
There is little that Security can do at this time about moving a 
parked vehicle, until the driver returns. In the future a “Wheel- 
Lock” will be applied to these vehicles so that a citation can be 
written to the driver as opposed to the vehicle. 

Our Security Department has initiated a vigorous campaign 
from 7:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Monday through Friday, to identify 
and cite improperly parked vehicles in our patient parking 
areas. During November and December, 329 citations were 
written. 

I regret that there is a perception by only some that Security 
does not care. I am very proud of the efforts of our Security 
Department during a time of reduced manning. Their energies 
are channeled to provide for the safety and well-being of patients 
and staff while contributing to keep Oak Knoll a “Special Place.” 

(S / Rear Adm. David M. Lichtman , Commanding Officer) 


Red Rover 

Named after the Navy’s 
first commissioned hospital ship. 

The Red Rover is published monthly, by and 
for employees of Naval Hospital, Oakland (NHO) and 
its branch clinics. The publication focuses on events 
and developments at NHO and other items that relate 
to the surrounding community. 

Text and photos (except any copyrighted pho- 
tos) from the RED ROVER may be reproduced in 
whole or in part. Black and white photos are 
usually available on request for republication from:' 
PAO, Naval Hospital, Oakland; 8750 Mountain 
Blvd.; Oakland, CA 94627. Please credit Naval 
Hospital, Oakland. 

Responsibility of the Red Rover contents rest pri- 
marily with the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, 
8750 Mountain Blvd., Bldg. 73C, Oakland, CA 
94627-5000. 

The Red Rover is printed commercially with 
appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P* 
35. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily 
those of the Navy Department. 

Commanding Officer RADM 

David *M*. Lichtman 

Executive Officer CAPT 

Noel A. Hyde 

Public Affairs Officer Paul Savercool 

Editor Andree Marechal-Workman 

Editorial Assistant Melinda Bernard 






Red Rover 


Page 3 


January 28, 1991 


Biomed Photography: A very busy place 




r 



* « 


By A- Marechal-Workman 

In a small, dark room in the 
basement of Naval Hospital 
Oakland ( NHO), an elite group 
of people spends many hours 
in work that is seen by many, 
but which is generally unrec- 
ognized throughout the com- 
mand. Their domain is the 
Biomedical Photography De- 
partment — part of the 
hospitals Biomedical Commu- 
nications, under the supervi- 
sion of Herb Queller, an audio- 
visual specialist. 

Headed by Hospital Corps- 
man 2nd Class Cynthia 
Malone, the department is also 
staffed by Hospital Corpsman 
3rd Class Kerry M. Barnett, an 
on-the-job trainee. Hospital 
Corpsman 2nd Class David A. 
Lynn is another staff member, 
but he’s currently on temporary 
additional duty (TAD ), serving 
aboard USNS Mercy (T- AH 19) 
in the Persian Gulf. 

Medical photography has 
been a Navy function since the 
1930s and has an interesting 
history. A Navy medical pho- 
tographer in Bethesda photo- 
graphed President Kennedy 


following his assassination; 
NHO’s medical photographers 
were invaluable to the com- 
munity during the October 89 
earthquake. In fact, the previ- 
ous leading petty officer, Philip 
F. Goodrich, was awarded the 
Navy Commendation Medal for 
his heroic efforts in this con- 
nection. 

Navy is unique 

According to Malone, the 
Navy is unique in that it is the 
only service branch that trains 
its medical personnel in this 
specialty. Prospective bio- 
medical photographers receive 
intensive training during a 
seven-month course in 
Bethesda, Md. Their assign- 
ments are varied; for example, 
one assignment may consist of 
accurately detailed photos of 
the inside of a body cavity to 
find abnormal tissue. 

Medical photographers are 
also called on to record surgi- 
cal procedures and autopsies 
and to document pre- and post- 
operations for the instruction 
of residents and interns. 

“Fifty percent of our 
workload is spent in support of 


Moffett Clinic Cont’d from p. 1 



JJJJ* Robalmo (right), physical therapy technician, helps patient 

AOAN Richard Quinn exercise his leg. Robalino is gaining valuable 
experience while at the clinic. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen) 


joined the family of regulars 
and civilians and have helped 
foster an esprit de corps which 
has had a positive effect on the 
quality of service. 

One of Gadeleta’s many 
tasks includes being patient 
contact representative for the 
clinic. “I’ve heard from people 
that things have changed for 
the better,” she said, “mainly 
due to the increased availabil- 
ity of appointments.” 

According to Officer-in- 
Charge, Cdr. Lee Tomkins, 
many factors were responsible 
for l ^ e improvement. These 
include new services in the 
P armacy as well as the success 
of the resource sharing agree- 
ments (RSA) and the new RSA 
Physicians who have brought 
new programs on line. 

ffSA s are programs de- 
T.ed to expand services to 
e igible beneficiaries through 
contractual agreements with 
outside providers. Moffett has 
wo RSA physicians in the 
1 n ma ry Care Clinic for DEERS 


and CHAMPUS-eligible de- 
pendents, as well as one in 
Pediatrics. They recently 
brought aboard three family 
practice physicians. 

“They will see the entire 
family as a unit, treat them as 
a unit and make referrals as 
needed,” Gadeleta explained. 
This is like holistic medicine 
— treating the family is a true 
speciality. The family still has 
access to all services we offer.” 

According to Gadeleta, the 
elimination of the walk-in clinic 
did not result in a significant 
reduction in services — most 
beneficiaries are scheduled for 
an appointment the same day. 
She said it did result in better 
utilization of existing assets. 

The key element was the 
positive attitude of the cadre 
and civilian staff which was 
infectious and rubbed off on 
the reservists. 

Hospital Corpsman 2nd 
Class Emma Robalino drills 
with NHO 540 in Fresno. 
Working as a physical therapy 


Graduate Medical Education,” 
said Malone. 

Medical photographers are 
also trained in forensic and 
crime-scene photography, and 
often work with the Naval In- 
vestigative Service and local 
masters-at-arm. In addition, 
they develop and print their 
own pictures and, sometimes, 
the command newspaper’s 
photos. 

According to Malone, an 
average month for NHO pho- 
tographers consists of about 
210 hours, and over 3,000 or- 
ders per year. They allow ten 
working days for each order, 
but usually process it in eight 
to nine days, she explained. 

“Medical photography is an 
‘untapped’ resource for the 
Navy,” she continued. “But al- 
though we’re a small depart- 
ment, people know we’re 
around and we’re constantly 
busy.” 

Malone added that, accord- 
ing to the school in Bethesda, 
there are only 42 hospital 
corpsmen in the Navy who have 
earned the 8472 biomedical 
photography rating. Of that 


(PT) assistant, she has put her 
college education on hold. 
However, she is using her time 
at Moffett to develop her skills 
and gain some valuable expe- 
rience. 

“I’m a PT technician on the 
outside,” she said. “Here I’m 
practically a one-person PT 
clinic. I schedule patients, treat 
them, evaluate them and refer 
them to a physician — an as- 
sistant on the outside is not 
allowed this much leeway.” 

Robalino and another re- 
servists, Hospitalman Steve 
Joyner had positive comments 
about the regular staffs atti- 
tude and willingness to help. 

“The doctors are great,” said 
Joyner. “They go out of their 
way to teach you if you have 
any questions.” 

Busiest clinic 

The Moffett clinic is the 
busiest in the Naval Hospital 
Oakland system. Acting Chief 
Pharmacist Lt. Jill Reeves, 
noted that they handle between 
500 to 800 new and refill pre- 
scriptions a day. 

Patient satisfaction is the 
focus of the clinic’s work. “I’m 
proud of the attitude we have 
toward patient satisfaction,” 
said Gadeleta. “If we do it right 
the first time, we don’t have to 
do it again.” 

Tompkins said he’s justly 
proud of his staff. “I get 50-60 
positive comments to every 
complaint,” he said. “I am im- 
pressed; we have hard workers 
interested in their job, who 
have real team spirit.” 


number, only 3 are women, and 
Malone is happy to be one of 
those three — the only one who 
has the classification at NHO 
now that Lynr is supporting 
Operation Desert Shield. 

“Medical photography is 


By Melinda S. Bernard 

“HN Anthony Gutter has 
done a lot for us since the de- 
parture of USNS Mercy (T-AH 
19),” said SKC L. Tauiliili re- 
ferring to the recently selected 
Sailor of the Month. “He is hard 
working, trustworthy and 
works long hours to get a job 
done.” 

Gutter is among the many 
reservists recalled to active 
duty in support of Operation 
Desert Shield. 

Upon the notification of his 
recall, Gutter said that he 
vowed to himself that he would 
“adjust” to this new active duty 
Navy adventure and “make it 
work for [him).” 

Since that fateful August 
day, Gutter has not only ad- 
justed, but has proven that his 


more important than many 
people realize,” Malone con- 
cluded. “There were no medical 
photographers in Vietnam; had 
there been, their work could 
have been valuable for future 
medical education.” 


“demeanor and military bear- 
ing are head and shoulder 
above contemporaries,” said T. 
L. Haley, Head of Materials 
Management Department. 
Neatly pressed dungarees and 
a satisfied expression upon his 
face exemplify his dedication 
and positive attitude toward 
his duties. 

Gutter was placed in the 
Materials Management De- 
partment and put in charge of 
the Bulk Storage Section of 
Supply, a billet that is normally 
assigned to senior storekeeper 
personnel. Haley said that 
Gutter, “played a key role in 
the reorganization of materials 
storage in the warehouse. This 
resulted in substantial im- 
provement in departmental 
efficiency.” 



HN Anthony Gutter flashes a dimpled smile in honor of hi* 
selection as Sail,, o. the Month, <&,„, 0 h, JOC Bob Hansenl 



(From left) HM3 Kerry Barnett, Herb Queller and HM2 Cynthia Malone 
share the spotlight. Taking a rest from their busy schedule, they smile 
for the camera. (Courtesy of Biomed Photo) 


HN Gutter is NHO Sailor of the Month 



Page 4 Red Rover January 28 , 1991 



Slain civil rights leader 
remembered at ceremony 


Chaplain Herman Kibble, 
Naval Hospital Oakland's 
(NHO) Director of Pastoral 
Care, was guest speaker at a 
recognition program in the 
Clinical Assembly January 16 
at 1:30 p.m. The program was 
a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther 
King who is remembered by all 
as a giant for social change. 

Kibble’s memorial focused 
upon highlights of King’s life 
and work. 


King was born on January 
15, 1929. He became involved 
in the Civil Rights struggle in 
the mid-1950s and continued 
until his tragic death in 1968 
while trying to secure better 
working conditions for garbage 
collectors. 

King fervently appealed to 
America’s conscience to resolve 
racial inequality and injustices 
non-violently. “Non-violence” 
opened the movement to mod- 




Chorus from Oakland's Olive Branch Baptist Church choir sings for a captive audience. Bobbie Off 


NHO 


s Executive Officer, Capt Noel A. Hyde gives a welcoming speech 




(From left) Cdr. Gary 
with the crowd for* 


Capt Herman L. Kibble, NHO s Director of Pastoral Care, 
pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King — Reading from the 
Scriptures. 


erate andsvmpat 
allowing them to 
blacks' peaceful, b 
demands for just 
mate. 

The passage <* 
Right Act of l9f>4 ' 
can be linked dn 
civil disobedience . 






s Food Services is at the piano. Youthful singers from Olive Branch Baptist Church Choir wait anxiously for their performance. 



national holiday in 1985, 
making him the first Afro- 
American to be honored. 
Without his life, it is difficult to 
H * ma §ine what America would 

he like today in the areas of 
civil rights, equal opportunity 
and equal employment oppor- 
s * tunity. 

a 


Kibble concluded by recom- 
mending that we continue to 
live and work toward making 
King* s dream a reality for men 
and women throughout the free 
world. 

King will be one of the hon- 
orees during Black History 
Week in February. 


Submitted by Cdr. Wayne L. Bouck , CHC y USN 

There’ll Come A Time 


By Sallie Chesham 


There will come a time 
When one will stand up, 

Turn about, 

And discover himself. 

He will weep bitterly 
For the shabby nonentity, 

The might-have-been; 

Nor cry to Heaven for help, 
for he will find Heaven 
And the Heavenly One within. 
Only this recognition will 
Let him see himself, you see. 
Then, and only then, 

Will he become a must-be. 

The grand subordination 
Will begin. 

Himself will be terribly small, 
But there. 

Indisputable fact. 

To grow, and to know. 

Loosed from all trappings 
Of fabrication, 

Ornamentation, 

Tabulation. 


And looking about 
He will see another 
Found one, 

His brother, 

And he will speed 
To him. 

Breakthrough will come; 

But not in the deed, 

Or the creed, 

Or innumerable words 
Or postures, 

Or pieces of paper. 

They are only formal invitations. 

Not so easy as that, 

Or easier. 

A related one knows 
Which blood is thicker 
Than water — 

It reveals Another 
In his brother. 

Reassured, 

Each will go on seeking. 

Later, all the brothers 
Will not struggle to build 
A brave new world. 

They will live in it. 




Page 6 


Red Rover 


January 28, 199} 



Oak Knoll up-close 


Alma L. Davis 



Current career area: Naval Drug Screening 
Laboratory. 

Your job: I receive specimens and ensure their 
integrity by evaluating the packaging, documen- 
tation and appearance. I also do a variety of tasks 
related to receiving, identifying, storing and dis- 
posing of specimens. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Rev. Jesse L. Davis. 

Children: Rev. Andrew Paul Davis, 27; Rev. 
Jesse L. Davis Jr. 28. 

Hometown: Centerville, Miss. 

Hobbies: Organizational fund-raising, collection 
of arts such as porcelain, crystal, etc. 

Likes: Deep sea fishing. 

Dislikes: The insecure economic condition of this 
country as well as the environmental problems. 
What is the most challenging part of your 
job? The absolute accuracy in responding to the 
preparation of each and every specimen. It is vital 
that one possess the ability to exercise caution as 
well as detail. 

What is your immediate goal? To be the best at 
whatever I endeavor in my life and in my career. 
What is your long-term goal? After retire- 
ment, I would like to establish a drug rehabilita- 
tion facility in the community. I would also like to 
implement a job skills program as well as provide 
support systems. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Join the U.S. 
Navy and further my education in the field of 
education or nursing. 

I wish I could stop: The infiltration of drugs into 
our country. I would also like to find a solution for 
the homeless problem. 

I respect myself for: Being a strong African 
American woman and surviving the restraints 
and prejudices of this society. 

Role models/heroes: My parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Eli Reese; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; John F. 
Kennedy; Rev. Jessie Jackson. 

Additional comments: After 24 years of service 
with the U.S. Navy, I have acquired many job 
skills that have prepared me for a successful 
career path. 


LT David R. Lesser, USNR 


SK2 Jaime M. Reyes 



Current career area: Navy Drug Screening 
Laboratory. 

Your job: Supervisory and technical responsi- 
bilities. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Barbara. 

Children: David, 6; Tyler, 3; Jared, 1. 
Hometown: Johnstown, Pa. 

Hobbies: Photography, backpacking. 

Likes: My family and my job. 

Dislikes: Chronic complainers. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? The challenge of the entire job. 

What is your immediate goal? To do the best 
job possible at work and be a good father at home. 
What is your long-term goal? A career in the 
Navy. 

If I could do it all over again, Fd: Change 
absolutely nothing. Life's too short to be con- 
stantly looking over your shoulder. 

I respect myself for: The decisions that Fve made 
during my life. 

Role models/heroes: My father. 

Comment you wish to share: This is my first 
tour with the Navy and I love it. 



Current career area: Supply Department/Navy 
Drug Screening Lab. 

Your job: I make requisitions for supplies which 
will be procured through open-purchase, Federal 
or State sources or the Government Service Ad- 
ministration, requested by various departments 
or Drug Screening Labs. I also take care of in- 
ventory, follow-up outstanding requisitions and 
re-stock supplies. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Alvina Maza Reyes. 

Children: Mark, 7; Kimberly, 5; James, 2. 
Hometown: Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines. 
Hobbies: Watching good movies, swimming. 
Likes: Honest people with a good sense of humor. 
Dislikes: Hypocrites. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? Following up on outstanding supply requi- 
sitions. 

What is your long-term goal? To be in a real- 

estate business. 

I wish I could stop: Drug pushers and users. 

I respect myself for: Being honest, responsible 
and dependable. 

Role models/heroes: My father. 




1 - 800 - 786-0901 


Family Support 
Network of 
The American Legion 


Helping families of 
service members 
deployed in 

Operation Desert Shield 



By Chaplain Steven R. 
Cakebread, CHC, USNR 

If ever the word “over- 
whelmed” had any significance, 
it does right now for Naval 
Hospital Oakland, where ev- 
eryone is feeling it — from 
families, to colleagues, to 
friends. There is so much un- 
certainty because of Operation 
Desert Shield and the waiting 
for the January 15 deadline. 
The knot in the pit of my 
stomach that I knew in my 
Vietnam days has returned, 
caused by an accumulation of 
fear, anger, courage and a 
multitude of feelings not easily 
expressed in words. But while 
we are waiting, I have some 
suggestions about what you can 
do to cope with this feeling of 
being overwhelmed. 

First, get all the rest you 
can. You party animals, knock 
it off and hit the sack earlier 
than usual! Second, for those 
of us who exercise our spiritual 


Chaplain’s Corner 

Overwhelmed 



energy through worship within 
our own faith groups, by all 
means, continue. You're going 
to need that support. Third, be 
sensitive to each other s emo- 
tional needs in the work space. 
Talking out our fears is im- 
portant whether or not we’ve 
heard it a thousand times be- 
fore. Pray together, laugh and 
cry together, play together. 
Continue participating in the 
stress seminars and support 
groups. 

In other words, stay loose, 
but stay close. We are in the 
business of taking care of 
people, so let’s make sure we 
do that for ourselves. We are 
not islands separated from the 
main. Even those of us who are 
experts in denial and can cope 
with great amounts of stress in 
our lives have limits and need 
love, need a hug. If ever the 
need for giving and receiving 
existed, it does now. God’s spirit 


and presence is best seen and 
felt in a community of people 
who help each other. 

You are loved and appreci- 
ated more than words can ex- 
press. I'll start a prayer list 
and. of course, you can add to it 
as well: Our Commanding Of- 
ficer, Rear Admiral David M* 
Lichtman, and his executive 
staff who lose sleep and work 
long hours to make the hospi- 
tal run e'ffectively, bless you 
all. 


Doctors, Nurses, Corpsmen 

To our doctors, nurses and 
corpsmen, for whom there are 
no arms on the clock, bless you 

God also bless civilian staff* 
security personnel, the clinic* 
and rehabilitation centers, our 
school commands and everyone 
else I’ve not thought to mention- 


May God’s grace, peace 


. and 


love be with all of you and your 
families. 



t 


January *8, 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 7 



People, places, events 
at Oak Knoll 



Rear Adm. (Select) Hayden comes home 


When the USS Abraham 
Lincoln ( CVN 72) arrived at its 
new homeport recently, it was 
widely touted as a “homecom- 
ing” for the Navy’s 
supercarrier. It was also a 
homecoming of sorts for the 
Lincoln’s Commanding Officer, 
Rear Adm. (Select) William B. 
Hayden, who was bom at Na- 
val Hospital Oakland (NHO) 
in the 40s. 

“It’s great to be back,” 
Hayden said in remarks made 
while introducing Rear Admi- 
ral David M. Lichtman, NHO’s 
Commanding Officer(CO). “It’s 
like a second homecoming for 

, U _ 7 * 

me. 

Lichtman welcomed Hayden 


and invited him to visit his 
birthplace at his earliest pos- 
sible opportunity. 

When Hayden came to NHO, 
he presented Lichtman with a 
framed photograph of the USS 
Abraham Lincoln passing un- 
der the Golden Gate Bridge 
and an oversized Lincoln penny 
as souvenirs of the homecom- 
ing. 

Not to be outdone, Lichtman 
presented the Abraham 
Lincoln’s skipper with copies 
of Hayden’s birth certificate 
and of his mother’s admission 
record — items NHO’s CO had 
uncovered when he researched 
the hospital archives. 




Former HM2 Pam Creighton (left) takes her oath of office as Ensign, 
Nurse Corps, USN, from Lt. Cdr. William Strand, Medical Corps, USN. 
Creighton, a former enlisted who is active in her church, took her oath 
in Saint Joseph’s Basilica in Alameda. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen) 


plaque on blai ^MiIn ^ 1 Presents Capt. June Riddell with 
reception heWlnB?L N n° " urses ‘ The Presentation was made a 
headof Nursfnn S™. S . lonor on the occasion of her transfer fr< 
Hansen) 9 Serv,ces t0 a new i° b a * SFMC. (Photo by JOC B 


Middle East spotlight 


Mercy Commander is pen pal of school children 


By Jamie S. Cackler 
Staff Writer 

CONCORD — Maybe it will 
be six months from now — or if 
there is a war, a year. 

But sometime next year, 
Cmdr. Ernie Ghent, adminis- 
trative officer of the U.S. Navy 
hospital ship Mercy, will sail 
back into his home port in the 
Bay Area. 

Waiting anxiously for him 
will be his wife, Marie Ghent, 
and about 20 children. Not all 
his, mind you. 

Most of the children will be 
the present third-grade class 
at St. Agnes Catholic School. 

The 7- and 8-year-olds have 
been exchanging letters with 
the commander, and now keep 
an eye on daily news and 
weather reports so they can 
keep track of their new friend, 
Ernie. 

On Wednesday, the St. 
Agnes students got a chance to 
get more personal when Marie 
Ghent visited the class, bring- 
ing along their fabled cat, 
“Commander.” 

She and the children shared 
stories and pictures with each 
other. 

“I’m praying for him, and I 
hope they don’t stay too long,” 
said Maggie Horn, 8. “I worry 
about him, that he won’t get 
hurt.” 

Ghent told the children her 
husband was deeply touched 
by the letters and colorful pic- 
tures they sent in early Sep- 


tember. 

He wrote a personal letter 
back to the children on Sept. 
23. 

He told the children about 
the role of his hospital ship, 
how hot it is in the Persian 
Gulf and desert area, and how 
sea snakes crowd around the 
ship during the night, eating 
little fish that are attracted to 
the ship’s lights. 

Ghent also promised to meet 
the children when he returns. 

Tour of the ship 

“I would love to visit your 
school and tell you about my 
adventures. Then if you would 
like, I will take you for a tour of 
the ship,” he said. 

Finally, the commander 
asked the students to contact 
his wife and tell her not to 
worry about him. 

“You can say that you wrote 
to Ernie and I told you about 
Commander,” he wrote. The 
cat, he said, “has a few fleas 
and they only bite me.” 

During a tea party 
Wednesday morning, Marie 
Ghent regaled the children 
with tales of how she and Ernie 
met more than 26 years ago, 
when she was a teenage girl 
growing up in Marseille, 
France, and he was a young 
American sailor visiting the 
French port city. 

“My parents were quite 
shocked. You know, being in a 
port town the last thing you 



Marie France Ghent smiles happily 
as she waits for her husband to 
come home — Cmdr. Ernie Ghent 
is serving in the Gulf, aboard USNS 
Mercy. 

(Photo by A. Marechal-Workman) 

did was go out with a sailor,” 
she said with a chuckle. 

The St. Agnes students were 
impressed that the Ghents 
have moved 19 times in their 
25-year marriage, most re- 
cently to San Leandro. 

Tabby tom cat 

But what they most wanted 
to see and hear about was 
Commander. Not the naval 
officer, but his shy orange tabby 
tomcat. 

Now that they are all 
friends, Ghent and St. Agnes 
students said they will wait 
together for their commander 
to return. 

( Courtesy of Contra Costa 
Times , Concord, CA) 


Ombudsman’s Notes 


NHO’s ombudsmen are more 
than ever ready to assist 
families of deployed personnel 
with command related con- 
cerns. As command appointed 
volunteers, we have a tremen- 
dous network of support. We 
also try to be a solid source of 


fact-based information, free of 
rumors, and invite you to call 
us for whatever reason — even 
if all you need is someone to 
talk to. 

We are compiling a phone 
tree to help communicate in- 
formation with local depen- 


Public Affairs report 


By Capt. Paul Barry, 

USNS Mercy Commanding 
Officer 

ABOARD USNS MERCY — 
On December 28, civilian re- 
porters visited USNS Mercy 
(T-AH 19). The reporters rep- 
resented the San Diego Union , 
LA Times , The Star-Ledger and 
Pacific Stars and Stripes, 

The reporters were given an 
extensive tour of the ship and 
medical treatment facility and 
were afforded the opportunity 
to interview sailors from the 
regions they represented. The 
media met with the ship psy- 
chiatrist, the CO and Master 
Chief and asked such questions 
as where the ship might go in 
the event of hostilities, and 


how the ship might protect it- 
self, etc. For obvious reasons, 
the answer to the first question 
was left unanswered. When you 
are playing a highly competi- 
tive game of chess, it is unwise 
to reveal your moves. 

During their visit, the ship 
set Condition Emergency due 
to Iraqi missile tests. The 
guests were issued gas masks 
and taken to the ship’s Hospi- 
tal Administration Conference 
Room during the emergency. 
The unanticipated free time 
was used to interview home- 
town sailors. 

The media commented that 
they were very impressed with 
the ship’s handling of the 
situation. 


dents, and will appreciate your 
contacting us if you can join in. 

Jane Timoney: 635-3667; 
Denise Allshouse: 430-8303; 
Alice Poole: 391-2799; Sandra 
Carman: 632-7604. 


NHO needs your blood 

Naval Hospital Oakland’s 
(NHO) Blood Bank is currently 
working long hours to acquire a 
designated amount of blood 
requested by Bureau of Medicine 
and Surgery. 

NHO’s Blood Bank Officer, Lt. 
Jim Thrall, Medical Service Corps, 
said that the hospital’s departments 
can help on-going blood drives by 
submitting a list of names of mili- 
tary personnel and government 
employees, here at Oak Knoll, who 
are interested in donating blood. 
The departments could, then, be 
notified at the time the blood is 
needed — speeding and simplifying 
the blood drive process. 

Those eligible to donate blood 
include government employees here 
at Oak Knoll, active duty military 
and their dependents. For more in- 
formation, please contact the Do- 
nor Center and ask for Ens. Chris 
Hite, Medical Service Corps, at 633- 
6851. 




Page 8 


Red Rover 


CRI News 

CHAMPUS Prime helps 
with deployment 


^ SACRAMENTO — When 
Foundation Health first 
offered CHAMPUS Prime 
under CHAMPUS Reform 
Initiative, we promised we’d 
be there when you need us. 
That promise included crisis 
times like the Operation 
Desert Shield deployment. 

The initial deployment 
affected the military treat- 
ment facilities (MTFs). To the 
credit of military reserves, 
MTF staff and the CHAM- 
PUS Prime program, it did 
not significantly affect health 
care services. 

Three programs helped 
offset impacts of the deploy- 
ment on military families: 
Health Care Finders, 
Resource Sharing, and 
External Partnerships. 

Health Care Finders are 
stationed at CHAMPUS 
Service Centers within MTFs 
throughout California and 
Hawaii. Their job is to help 
families find needed mili- 
tary or civilian health care. 
When the USNS Mercy sailed 
for the Middle East, 
Foundation was able to bring 
in more Health Care finders 
to help people whose care was 
interrupted. 

One important role for the 


Health Care finders is to 
educate families of those 
deployed about CHAMPUS 
benefits. 

Another program, Re- 
source Sharing, allowed 
Foundation to bring civil- 
ian medical staff into Naval 
Hospital Oakland (NHO) to 
replace some of the valu- 
able staff who were deployed. 
This way CHAMPUS bene- 
ficiaries continued to get 
most of the medical care they 
needed at local MTFs. 

Foundation also helped 
the military in its effort to 
arrange an External 
Partnership Agreement to 
make up for surgical sup- 
port staff deployed from 
Oakland. This agreement 
allowed NHO’s resident 
physicians to provide sur- 
gical services to military and 
CHAMPUS patients at John 
Muir Hospital in Walnut 
Creek. 

Questions about CHAM- 
PUS benefits should be 
directed to the nearest 
CHAMPUS Service Center in 
person or by phone. 
Foundation’s toll-free CHAM- 
PUS number is 1-800-242- 
6788. 


Dental Corner 

Not all holes are cavities 


By Cdr. T. J. Olinger, 

DC, USNR 

Cervical erosion is a pro- 
cess by which grooves begin 
to develop at the outside 
neck of the tooth just at the 
gumline. These grooves can 
sometimes become very deep 
and can occur close to the 
tooth’s nerve or pulp. Occa- 
sionally they can also be- 
come quite painful to the 
touch or to hot and cold tem- 
peratures. 

There are several factors 
a dentist must consider 
when deciding how to treat 
a tooth with cervical erosion. 
Sometimes the area will be 
exquisitely sensitive, but too 
small to restore. In that case 
the tooth is best treated with 
desentizing agents that fall 
into three categories: (1) 
agents that attempt to block 
the dentinal tubules in the 
root surface (desensitizing 
tooth pastes); (2) 
ionophoresis — a method of 
electrically desensitizing the 
tooth; (3) fluorides. 

Restoring an area of cer- 
vical erosion has also been a 
serious problem for dentists 
because a material that will 


seal the area in an aes- 
thetically pleasing manner 
has not been available until 
recently. The problem is that 
dentin (the root structure of 
the tooth) is microscopically 
wet because of open dentinal 
tubules that leak fluid from 
the pulp. And, because the 
surface remains wet, dental 
materials do not adhere. 

This problem may have 
been resolved by a material 
called glass ionomer cement 
— a material which, through 
the magic of chemistry, will 
adhere to dentin. By using it 
in concert with a tooth col- 
ored plastic restorative, 
dentists can produce a very 
nice looking, long lasting, 
restoration that feels good! 

So who says there’s 
nothing new in dentistry? 


National Childrens Dcntal Health mohtw 



January 28, 193, 


Civilian News 

General schedule pay increase 


By Herb Lindemann, 
Civilian Personnel 
Officer 

Civilian employees in 
General Schedule (GS) po- 
sitions at Naval Hospital 
Oakland and branch medi- 
cal clinics in the San Fran- 
cisco/Oakland/San Jose 
geographic areas will receive 
an interim geographic ad- 
justment of 8% in salary. 
This adjustment will be in 
addition to the national GS 
pay adjustment of 4.1%, and 
will be effective with the pay 
period beginning January 
13, 1991. 

On December 12, 1990, 
President Bush signed Ex- 
ecutive 12736 establishing 
the interim geographic ad- 
justments that were autho- 
rized by Section 302 of the 
Federal Employees Pay 
Comparability Act of 1990. 

According to the interim 
regulations issued by the 
Office of Personnel Man- 


agement (OPM), employees 
who receive a nationwide or 
worldwide special salary 
rate will be entitled to an 8% 
adjustment in addition to the 
special salary rate. These 
include medical officers, 
engineers, industrial hy- 
gienists and physician as- 
sistants. 

Since local special salary 
rates are set at a level rela- 
tive to the local labor market, 
the interim geographic ad- 
justment for employees re- 
ceiving such rates will be 
offset by the amount of spe- 
cial salary rate. In no case, 
however, will an employee 
receive less than 8% above 
his or her GS pay rate. 

The statute provides that 
adjusted rates of pay will be 
considered basic pay for 
purposes of computing re- 
tirement deductions and 
benefits, life insurance pre- 
miums and benefits and 
premium pay. The interim 


regulations provide that the 
adjusted rates will also be 
considered basic pay for the 
purpose of computing an 
employee’s entitlement to 
severance pay under 
Subpart G of Title 5, Code of 
Federal Regulations. . 

Finally, the interim regu- 
lations prescribe methods 
for deriving annual, hourly, 
biweekly and daily adjusted 
rates of basic pay consistent 
with the requirements for 
, computing rates ofbasicpav 
under 5 U.S.C. 5504. 

At the earliest, the pay 
' increase should be reflected 
in the leave and earning 
statement for the pay period 
ending January 26, which 
will be received on or about 
February 6. 

Bravo Zulu 
PMR 8 

By RADM Donald E. 
Shuler, MSC 
Asst. Chief of Logistics, 
BUMED 

Director, Medical Service 
Corps. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 
Congratulations to Naval 
Hospital Oakland’s Procure- 
ment staff for the successful 
completion of your recent Pro- 
curement Management Review 
(PMR). 

Staff of the Naval Regional 
Contracting Center (NRCC> 
Detachment Oakland who 
performed this PMR achieved 
a satisfactory grade. 0ut : j 
standing improvements were 
made in all areas of Procure- 
mentManagement. Inspectors 
were very impressed by the 
Procurement Department * 
positive attitude and high level 
of morale. 

In addition, special note was 
made of the leadership P r0 * 
vided by Lt. Cdr. Steven Eglcy 
Lt. j.g. Tim Rossell and KflW 

Buchanan. ,, 

Naval Hospital Oakland s 
improvement reflects dedica 
tion and hard work of the en 
staff, and is most gratifying 
Keep up the good work! 


Computer tips 


By Jim Brackman 
Senior Computer 
Specialist 

Information Resource 
Center 

Last month we talked 
about the differences between 
5-1/4” and 3-1/2” high and 
low density floppy drives. 
This month we will discuss 
the different ways to for- 
mat diskettes. 

To format either a 5-1/4” 
or 3-1/2” High Density 
diskette using the MS-DOS 
format command, place the 
diskette in the appropriate 
drive and type FORMAT A: 
or FORMAT B: and press 
the enter key. However, this 
is not the case if you are 
using low density diskettes. 
As an example, to format a 
360k diskette in your high 
density 5-1/4” drive, you 


would type FORMAT 
A:/T:40/N:9, which indicates 
a format of 40 tracks, each 
with 9 sectors. This example 
will work if you are using 
MS-DOS Version 3.2 or later 
3.x versions. For DOS 4.0 
or later version, the com- 
mand is FORMAT A:/F:360. 

To format a 3-1/2” Low 
Density diskette, the MS- 
DOS format command is 
basically issued the same 
way. You would place the 
diskette in the appropriate 
drive and type FORMAT 
B:/T:80/N:9, which indicates 
a format of 80 tracks, each 
with 9 sectors. This example 
will work if you are using 
MS-DOS Version 3.2 and 
later 3.x versions. For DOS 
4.0 or later version, the com- 
mand is FORMAT A:/F:720. 


Emergency information resources 


Cont’d from p. 1 

4967; Naval Weapons Station 
Concord, 246-5592; Western 
Division, 244-2020 and Naval 
Station Treasure Island, 395- 
5013 — all at area code 415. 
Mare Island Shipyard’s PAO 
can be reached at (707) 646- 
3537. 

If these resources are un- 
able to assist you with your 
questions or concerns, please 
call the Naval Base San 
Francisco’s PAO. Their staff 
will do their best to see that 


your questions are answered, 
or will refer you to a qualified 
source. Naval Base San 
F rancisco’s PAO can be reached 
at (415) 395-3928. 

Navy families should also 
be aware that during times of 
emergency, military-unique or 
otherwise, they may be con- 
tacted by members of the me- 
dia for interviews. Service 
members and their families can 
choose whether they wish to 
speak to the press or not. If you 
do talk to the press, it is im- 


O think about what 

lefore you say 
ery thing you 
> print or broadca- . 
lily members shotdd 
r that while goVe 
icies and operation- 

discussed, their P* 
ings are their o'* 

>s the best way W 

fyou want to*pe 

a is to decide *> 




I L ../Ml 






February 1, 1991 
Oak Knoll Naval Hospital & 
Desert Storm Day 


Bravo Zulu RADM 
Lichtman 
2 star select 




HM1 Silas Berry (left) shows the watch the Navy gave to HM3 Robert 
Emerson (right) as Capt. Richard Imes, MC, of ENT, looks on. The 
watch was a bonus for Emerson’s reenlistment. (Photo by Andree 
Marechal-Workman) 


By Andree Marechal- 
Workman 

Working with people is 
something that Hospital 
Corpsman 1st Class Silas Berry 
likes to do most, and he’s so 
good at it that it earned him 
the award of Naval Hospital 
Oakland’s (NHO) Sailor of the 
Year (SOY) for 1990. 


Berry, who has been NHO’s 
career counselor since March 
1990, was chosen from a group 
of nine petty officers and three 
junior enlisted by a Selection 
Committee who examined the 
service members’ accomplish- 
ments in terms of their contri- 
butions to the command mis- 
sion. 


“He was clearly head and 
shoulders above all the candi- 
dates,” said the Committee’s 
Chairperson, Master Chief 
Hospital Corpsman Rod Lyons, 
adding that, for him, it was 
Berry’s consistently outstand- 
ing community work that 
tipped the scale in his favor. 

He touches people 

Another committee member, 
Sr. Chief Dental Technician 
Jeri McIntosh, agreed with 
Lyons. “He touches so many 
people,” she said. u In every 
aspect of his life — wgrk and 
personal — he steps far beyond 
his role as a 1st class petty 
officer.” 

As an example, McIntosh 
cited Berry’s work with Santa 
Clara Special Olympics in 
which he sponsored a child who 
ran a race using a walker. 

“His name is Crispan Rex,” 
said the SOY. “I was his coach, 
I cheered him on, I was with 
him every step of the way be- 
fore, during and after the race.” 


The third of seven children, 
Berry joined the Navy in 1978. 
In the beginning, discipline and 
organizational conformity were 
difficult Navy facts of life for 
the native of Newark, N. J. , who 
said he had a “rocky road the 
first time through.” 

Learned to help others 

But, with the help of a role 
model — “a good chief” he said 
he had when he was very young, 
he not only overcame his diffi- 
culties, but also learned to use 
his experiences to help others 
in his subsequent managerial 
positions — first as leading 
petty officer of a company of 50 
corpsmen in Okinawa; then, as 
the career counselor he became 
at NHO after finishing No. five 
out of a class of 30 candidates. 

The compassion Berry said 
is the hallmark of his counsel- 
ing method never flagged, even 
during these trying times of 
strife and conflict. In fact, he 
considers Operation Desert 


Shield deployments as the most 
challenging aspect of his work. 

“I serve as liaison between 
the Marines in Saudia Arabia 
and the ships,” he explained. 
“Sometimes I get phone calls 
three or four times a week, and 
I have to call [Washington D.C.] 
to get answers real quick. This 
is very important because, be- 
ing 10,000 miles away, these 
[deployed service members] 
could be the forgotten people of 
the hospital.” 

Berry’s immediate goal is to 
advance to the highest 
pay grade possible in the Navy 
within the enlisted ranks be- 
cause, “enlisted need someone 
to help them out, especially 
junior people who need a role 
model” — the kind of role model 
he said he had at the beginning 
of his Navy career, someone he 
strives to emulate. 

Everyone agrees the SOY” s 
well on his way to reach his 
goals, especially Command 
(Cont’d. on page 8) 


Dear USNS Mercy families: A letter from the CO 


By Capt. Paul Barry, 

CO Med. Treatment Facility 

Hello again from the 'Ara- 
bian Gulf! I seem to be making 
a career out of apologizing for 
taking so long to write, but, 
like last time, we’ve been kind 
of busy. A lot has happened 
since my last letter so stand by 
for a lot of babbling! 

We just got through one of 
our toughest times yet — the 
holiday season. I’m sure I don’t 
have to tell you that it was very 
difficult to be away from our 
friends and families at home. 
Worse yet, we were at sea and 
couldn’t even call home to say 
Happy Holidays, I love you.” 
We did make the most of the 
season, though. Our new 
families and friends, the Mercy 
team, really came through. 
Despite wanting to be just 
about any place other than the 
Arabian Gulf, we all pulled 
together to help each other 
through the hard times. 

We celebrated Hanukkah 
with a candle-lighting cer- 
emony in the wardroom. I was 
very pleased to have the honor 
of lighting the candles and re- 


peating the holiday blessings, 
but I’m not sure my Hebrew 
pronunciation was all that 
great. It was definitely the 
thought that counted. The 
Morale, Welfare and Recre- 
ation Committee organized a 
super “Sing Along” on Christ- 
mas Eve. Lots of singing and 
laughing, a jolly good time. 
Speaking of jolly (see how we 
cleverly worked that in there?), 
we even had a visit from Santa, 
complete with his reindeer and 
elves. He landed on our flight 
deck, sleighed his way down 
our ramp to the mess decks, 
and handed out presents and 
candy to all the good boys and 
girls on board (that means all 
of us!!). You may have seen 
some of this on national TV or 
read about it in USA Today or 
some other paper because we 
had a group of reporters on 
board Christmas Eve and 
Christmas Day to cover our 
celebrations. 

Christmas religious services 
were plentiful. The chaplains 
performed a wonderful, ecu- 
menical candlelightChristmas 
Eve service on an area we 


fondly call “Steel Beach.” 
Later, there was a Catholic 
midnight mass, and on 
Christmas Day, both Catholic 
and Protestant services. The 
chaplains really worked hard 
to make it a memorable 
Christmas, and I think every- 
one would agree that they were 
incredibly successful. Even the 
media said it was a Christmas 
they would always remember, 
and they thanked us for letting 
them be a part of it. Christmas 
Day ended on an unforgettable 
gastronomic note. The Food 
Service Department went all 
out to prepare a spectacular 
Christmas dinner with turkey 
and dressing, ham, roast beef, 
shrimp, corn on the cob, several 
ty pes of pies and cakes and lots 
of other treats. It was a perfect 
ending to a unique Christmas 
Day. 

The holiday season also 
brought a (lurry of activity 
aboard the ship. The Secretary 
of Defense, the Honorable Ri- 
chard B. Cheney, came for an 
afternoon. After his tour, he 
addressed all hands on the 
mess decks and answered the 


usual questions, like “how long 
are we gonna be here?” Sadly 
enough, he doesn’t know either, 
but it sure isn’t his fault. Blame 
the turkey to the north of us. A 


couple of days after Mr. 
Cheney’s visit, the Commander 
of the Canadian Forces Middle 
East, Commodore Sommers, 

(Cont’d. on page 7) 


Black History Month 1991 


The Secretary of the Navy 
has designated the month of 
February as Black History 
Month. This year’s theme is 
“Educating America: Black 
Universities and Colleges — 
Strengths and Crises.” 

Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) officially marked the 
observance Wednesday, Feb- 
ruary 13 in the Clinical As- 
sembly. A standing-room-only 


crowd celebrated the occasion, 
with Weldon Miles, Deputy 
Equal Employment Opportu- 
nity Officer, emphasizing, 
“these observances are a time 
to learn about each other’s 
culture”, in his introduction. 

NHO’s Commanding Offi- 
cer, Rear Admiral David M. 
Lichtman, stressed his belief 
that Black History month is 
(Cont’d. on page 8) 



(From left), Rev. Dr. Leroy Johnson and guest speaker, Manuel 
Perry, Ph.D., converse with Rear Adm. Lichtman and Capt. Hyde as 
they partake of the African cuisine prepared by NHO’s Food 
Services Dept. (Photo by Andree Marechal-Workman) 




From the Executive Officer 
Capt. Noel A. Hyde, 

MSC, USN 



OAK KNOLL PERSPECTIVE 


From the Commanding Officer 
RADM David M. Lichtman, MC, USN 



% 

From the Command 
Master Chief HMCM (SS) 
Michael L. Stewart, USN 



We all look forward to resolution of the 
situation in the Middle East and to welcoming 
our friends and loved ones home. But, have 
we stopped to think about how we can best 
help them when they return? How we can 
participate in their reassimilation process? 

I don’t have all the answers, but there’s 
an organization that is working hard to aid 
and assist returned veterans regardless of 
their circumstances — the Disabled Ameri- 
can Veterans (DAV). 

I recently had the pleasure of meeting 
some members of DAY’S Oakland Chapter 
during ceremonies marking Oak Knoll Na- 
val Hospital and Desert Storm Troop Ap- 
preciation Day , and learned a lot about this 
most industrious organization. 

DAV is dedicated to helping veterans and 
their families receive all the benefits to which 
they are entitled. They provide counseling 
services about compensation, pension, edu- 
cational and job training programs, health 
care and more. They also act as legal advo- 
cates for veterans and their families and do 
volunteer work at veterans’ hospitals and 
other medical facilities. 

Many of the Oakland Chapter officers 
were hospitalized at Naval Hospital Oakland 
during the Vietnam conflict, and they are 
looking forward to reciprocating for all that 
NHO did for them in their time of need. 

What they have in mind is providing Oak 
Knoll with assistance to help it with such 
services as: (1) Giving Oak Knoll on-going 
support for deployed troops and their fami- 
lies when they return; (2) Helping any pro- 
spective hospitalized veterans with any so- 
cial and/or behavioral readjustment that 
might be necessary. 

To the DAV membership, Oakland Naval 
Hospital was a special place during their 
time of need. Today, they want to participate 
in the tradition that has made Oak Knoll a 
very special place. 


NMCRS to conduct course 

NAS ALAMEDA, Calif. — Margaret 
Kirkland, Exec.Dir.,NMRCS S.F. Bay Aux- 
iliary, will teach the military community 
about the numerous programs local NMCRS 
Auxiliary offers. NMCRS policies and pro- 
cedures will be discussed as well as budget- 
ing techniques, military pay and allow- 
ances and opportunities for volunteering. 

The course will be offered March 5-8, 9 
a.m. to 12 noon in the Naval Station build- 
ing 135. Spouses, retirees, active-duty per- 
sonnel and civilians are all encouraged to 
attend. 

Those who volunteer will be heartily 
welcomed to carry on the tradition that the 
“Navy and Marine Corps take care of their 
own.” 

Call 768-1717 for information. 


Management by walking around (MBWA) is a technique good 
managers (and leaders) use to keep in touch with their people. For 
me, MBWA occurs in many forms, including zone inspections, 
retirement ceremonies, Christmas parties, patient rounds, getting 
my flu shot, or even performing surgery every Tuesday. MBWA 
allows me to see first-hand what is happening and how I can help 
the people at Oak Knoll to do their jobs better. 

Managers at every level need to do their share of MBWA. Every 
one should take the opportunity of exploring their spaces and 
getting to know the people who really make things happen. The 
crux of MBWA is getting out and speaking with people. Every one 
should feel free to communicate their ideas with superiors and 
subordinates. That’s what occurs during MBWA. 

I’m glad to receive and respond to any input during my MBWA. 
When I ask “How are things going?” or “What can I do for you?” I 
always appreciate your candid response. But, don’t forget to also 
use your chain of command. That’s how day-to-day issues in your 
department are best handled and resolved. Also, it gives your 
supervisor the time to address your concerns, before they are 
brought to my attention. 


Listening Box 

Q: We need TV’s and telephones in the rooms. 

A: I have received several “Listening Box” inquiries regard- 
ing the removal of the televisions from the patients rooms. We 
have recently lost the contractor who had been providing our 
patient television service. I regret any inconvenience, but 
would like you to know that my staff is working diligently to 
correct the problem. Last year, we installed a cable system 
throughout the hospital and in the near future, plan to install 
a new television system which will provide patient entertain- 
ment as well as an educational network. 

The telephone issue is more complex and may not be resolved 
as easily. Our current telephone system involves portable 
phones on the wards which are heavily used and not always 
available. Last year, the hospital was the first Navy facility in 
the Bay Area to install a new telephone system, which was 
intended to expand into the patient rooms. Despite some 
administrative and financial constraints, we will continue to 
pursue this important service for our patients. 

I understand how difficult it must be for our patients not only 
to be dealing with a hospital stay, but to also feel as if their 
communication network is lacking. I assure you, our continu- 
ing efforts to improve the patient’s environment will continue 
until the above concerns are resolved. 

S / Rear Adm. David M. Lichtman , Commanding Officer 


Oak Knoll Naval Guild- 
Sponsored Scholarship 

Available to all dependents and military personnel at- 
tached to Naval Hospital Oakland and tenant commands. 

Call your career coun- 
selor for application and 
guidance. 

APPLICATION 
DEADLINE: 
APRIL 18, 1991 



It’s a thankless job — they get phone calls 
day and night from families who need help. 
I’m talking about Denise Allshouse, Jane 
Timoney, Alice Poole, and Sandy Carman — 
the command ombudsmen — selfless people 
who are there to provide a shoulder to lean 
on and an ear for listening to problems. They 
are unpaid volunteers — they’re doing it 
because they want to help. 

I talk with Denise every day. She’s a 
fantastic lady who must have two heads and 
four arms to be able to do the things she does. 
Jane, Alice and Sandy are always on the go 
too — sacrificing their personal time to as- 
sist the folks who need help. These ladies do 
a lot of great things: publish a newsletter, 
arrange for tickets for special events, orga- 
nize picnics and host the Wednesday night 
support group meetings. 

There’re many more things they would 
like to do for the people they serve. Right 
now they’re putting together a phone tree so 
that when there’s news they can pass the 
straight skinny and put to rest the scuttlebut. . 

They’re there for you and they need your 
help. As the situation in the Middle East 
drags on, the phone calls keep coming in and 
more and more things need to be done for the 
dependents. If you’d like to help them out, 
give me a call at 633-5324 or call Denise at 
430-8303. They can always use an extra 
hand. 


Red Rover 

Named after the Navy’s 
first commissioned hospital ship. 

The Red Rover is published monthly, by and 
for employees of Naval Hospital, Oakland iNHO) and 
its branch clinics. The publication focuses on events 
and developments at NHO and other items that relate 
to the surrounding community. 

Text and photos (except any copyrighted pho- 
tos) from the RED ROVER may be reproduced in 
whole or in part. Black and white photos are 
usually available on request for republication from: 
PAO, Naval Hospital, Oakland; 8750 Mountain 
Blvd.; Oakland, CA 94627. Vlease credit Naval 
Hospital, Oakland. 

Responsibility of the Red Rover contents rest pri- 
marily with the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, 
8750 Mountain Blvd., Bldg. 73C, Oakland, CA 
94627-5000. 

The Red Rover is printed commercially with 
appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P- 
35. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily 
those of the Navy Department. 

Commanding Officer RADM 

David M. Lichtman 

Executive Officer CAPX. 

Noel H. Hyde 

Public Affairs Officer Paul Savercool 

Deputy PAO Lonnie Brodie 

Editor Andree 

Marechal-Workman 

Editorial Assistant HM3 Melinda Bernard 

% 








February, 1991 


Red Rover 


PMT LPO is January Sailor of the Month 



HM1 Martinelii is January Sailor 
of the Month. (Photo by HM3 
Bernard) 


By HM3 Melinda Bernard 

January’s Sailor of the 
Month, Hospital Corpsman 
First Class Clarissa L. 
Martinelii attributes her suc- 
cess to the Navy, which she 


asserts has taught her “disci- 
pline and dedication.” Com- 
bined with her personal drive 
to set and achieve high goals, 
discipline and dedication have 
heralded numerous high re- 
wards for Martinelii. 

Martinelii, who is Leading 
Petty Officer of Preventive 
Medicine, has been selected 
Sailor of the Quarter at every 
command she has been at- 
tached to — Oak Knoll is her 
fourth command. Striving to 
be an outstanding sailor has 
been one among many of 
Martinelli’s goals. 

For the past seven years, 
she has been successfully bal- 
ancing at least five demanding 


roles every day. Besides being 
the mother of two children 
(Marissa 4, Biancha 19 
months) — with another one 
on the way; a dedicated wife to 
her husband Martin; an out- 
standing sailor and an exem- 
plary leading petty officer, 
Martinelii has been striving 
towards a Bachelor of Science 
in Environmental Health. 

“Martinelli’s enthusiasm 
and dedication are true assets 
to the Preventive Medicine 
Department and Naval Hospi- 
tal Oakland,” said Chief Hos- 
pital Corpsman Lyndale Sims. 
“She’s been real valuable to 
us.” 

Among her many responsi- 


bilities is the complex task of 
monitoring diseases, making 
recommendations for control 
procedures and preventing 
further spread of the diseases. 
“When she makes recommen- 
dations to control the diseases, 
they are very often accurate 
and effective and ultimately do 
the job,” said Sims, adding that 
one of her main specialties is 
preventing the spread of 
chicken pox. 

Martinelii explains that 
achieving Sailor of the Month 
gives her a “little bit more mo- 
tivation.” She says that she 
hopes to motivate junior people 
and show them that “the Navy 
has a lot to offer.” Martinelli’s 


superiors already feel this is a 
worthwhile goal for her to 
pursue. According to Sims, “her 
experience, knowledge and 
versatility are outstanding 
examples for her peers and 
subordinates to emulate.” 

For Martinelii, achieving 
Sailor of the Month is one step 
along the road towards her 
dream of becoming an “excel- 
lent Navy officer.” In October 
she wi 11 receive her Bachelor of 
Science degree and plans to 
apply for officer candidacy. “I 
really feel like I’ll make an 
excellent officer, that’s been my 
drive because I enjoy the Navy 
— I love the Navy so much,” 
she concluded. 


Admission clerk is Civilian of the Quarter 



Rear Adm. Lichtman reads the citation Magdaline Noe received for her 
award as Civilian of the Quarter. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen) 


By HM3 Melinda S. Ber- 
nard 

Every new day at work 
brings forth new challenges for 
Civilian of the Quarter, 
Magdeline Noe, admission 
clerk for the Admissions 
Branch at Naval Hospital 
Oakland. However, regardless 
of the seemingly impossible 
amount of work she may have 
to complete during her shift, 
she “maintains accuracy and 
attention to the smallest de- 
tails” and thrives on complet- 
ing her tasks before heading 
home, according to Joan Jack- 
son, Medical Records Techni- 
cian Supervisor. 

For the past ten years, Noe 
has managed the hospital’s 
daily and monthly census. 
“Managi ng the census requires 


patience, objectivity, judge- 
ment, the ability to interact 
and work well with others, the 
ability to work independently 
without supervision, and a 
high degree of accuracy and 
attention to the smallest de- 
tails,” said Jackson. “Noe’s 
possession of these essential 
traits and characteristics has 
allowed her to balance the daily 
and monthly hospital census 
consistently for over twelve 
years.” According to Jackson, 
this is a monumental achieve- 
ment. 

Noe’s loyalty and dedication 
for the future of Oakland Na- 
val Hospital is apparent. For 
example, if when she returns 
from vacation she finds that 
the census has been out of 
balance for a while, she stays 


and works an entire weekend 
until she can unravel the 
problem. “She has come in on a 
Saturday and stayed the entire 
weekend until Monday morn- 
ing... I’ve never known anybody 
else to do that,” said Jackson. 

In addition, Noe always 
maintains a cheerful disposi- 
tion. “Under extreme pressure 
and in the most trying times, 
Noe habitually maintains 
temperance and professional 
demeanor,” said Jackson. 
“During the admission process, 
patients normally show signs 
of impatience, fear and uncer- 
tainty; however Noe’s human- 
ness and experience always 
seems to calm the situation — 
bringing out the best in the 
patients and herself.” 


In over twenty-four years of 
service, Noe’s work has been 
described as “superior and 
sustained.” According to Jack- 
son, Noe’s perfection of the 
hospital census has allowed her 


AJthough she’s heard this 
before, Jackson would like to 
say it again, “Congratulations 
Mrs. Noe, your dedication and 
concern are impressive and 
noteworthy. Once again, you’ve 
gone beyond what is normally 
expected.” 


to receive “outstanding 
awards” for the past ten years. 


Talking about terrorism 


By HMCM Thomas C. 
Noble, USNR 

In view of the threats made 
by Saddam Hussein about 
launching terrorist attacks at 
U.S. interests both abroad and 
within the United States, the 
terrorist threat becomes more 
of a concern to all of us. Each 
individual should know about 
the efforts they can take to 
prevent being a target and 
preventing successful terrorist 
attacks. 

% 

There are more than 50 
known international groups or 
splinter groups that are con- 
sidered terrorist organizations. 
Fortunately, most of their ac- 
tivities have occurred outside 
of the United States. AJthough 
this does not rule out an inci- 
dent, you must keep in mind 
that there is a low probability 
that any one individual will be 
targeted Most terrorist attacks 
are indiscriminate attacks in- 
tended to create confusion and 


fear. Terrorists thrive on pub- 
licity and therefore usually 
advertise their successes 
loudly. 

Terrorists typically target 
large gatherings of people. 
Places such as airports, bus 
stations, restaurants and 
banks are typical of the targets 
they have hit in Europe. Some 
of their most successful attacks 
have outraged the world. The 
attack on the Olympics in 
Munich and the bombing of Pan 
Am Flight 103 are two ex- 
amples. The terrorist stock in 
trade is a quick brutal strike 
against an unsuspecting target. 

Military and government 
facilities are good publicity 
targets. If the terrorist can 
show that they can strike in- 
side a military target, they feel 
they show that they can strike 
anywhere. When there is a ter- 
rorist threat to a military in- 
stallation, that facility goes 
into a “Threat Condition” 
(THREATCON) posture. There 


are four levels of 
THREATCON. These four 
levels are progressively tighter 
of the security of the facility. 
These levels start at 
THREATCON Alpha and 
progress to THREATCON 
Delta. At each level the security 
requirement for access and 
movement on the facility get 
tighter and more restrictive. 

It is important for everyone 
to recognize that any military 
facility could be a target. Per- 
sonnel must be much more 
conscious of unusual activity 
and report such activity. It is 
your job to challenge anyone 
who is in an inappropriate area 
and report unusual activity to 
Security. 

Occasionally there have 
been individuals who have been 
targets for terrorist acts. These 
are rare, and are usually aimed 

at high government or military 
officials. Most individuals who 
are subject to terrorist acts 
make themselves targets of 
opportunity. The terrorist is 
there, the individual makes it 
known they are a military 
member or a government offi- 
cial and the terrorist takes the 


opportunity to strike. 

There are three keys to 
preventing terrorist acts. These 
are also things that each indi- 
vidual should keep in mind 
anytime there is a threat to 
your personal security. First, 
awareness: Be observant of 
people and actions around you. 
Look for suspicious behavior 
and for things that are unusual. 
Be aware of packages, luggage, 
briefcases which are unat- 
tended. Ifyou think someone is 
following you, turn and look at 
them, so that they know you 
know they are there. Be sus- 
picious of vehicles which are 
parked for a long time with 
persons just sitting in them. If 
you see a vehicle driving slowly 
without lights, be concerned. If 
a package arrives which you do 
not expect, be cautious, attempt 
to identify the sender before 
opening it. If you have a con- 
cern, call Security for help. Be 
suspicious of strangers. 

Second, report unusual ac- 
tivity. Don’t pass it off as 
paranoia” or “being jumpy.” 
Call and report suspicious ac- 
tivity. Ifyou notice a package, 
briefcase or luggage which 


seems to be abandoned, call 
Security, or the local Police if 
you are off base. Do not inves- 
tigate it yourself. Don’t think 
that you are bothering anyone 
ifyou call to report these types 
of incidents. Security and 
most Police forces would much 
rather respond to a dozen false 
alarms than not be called to a 
bonafide emergency. 

Third and probably most 
important, don’t make your- 
self a target. Don’t advertise 
that you are in the military. 
Wear a jacket or sweater over 
your uniform, don’t wear your 
hat while driving and avoid 
wearing your uniform in pub- 
lic when you are alone. While 
wearing civilian clothing, don’t 
wear military emblems or de- 
vices. When driving, use well 
lighted streets whenever pos- 
sible. When you are in your 
car, keep the doors locked and 
the windows rolled up. Never 
pick up hitchhikers. Avoid 
stopping in dark or deserted 
spots. 

Remember, help is only a 
telephone call away. Call Se- 
curity at 633-6077 ifyou have a 
concern or a question. 




Page 4 


Oakland 


Red Rover 


February, 199 1 




V 


(Photos by Lonnie Brooks 



Back during the Korean war 


Earl Norwood, amputee 
quarterback for Oakland Jun- 
ior College, chats with Oak 
Knoll patients who watched 
him lead his team to a 19-0 
victory over Modesto [in No- 
vember, 1956]. Twenty ampu- 
tees were his guests at the 
game. (From The Oak Leaf, Vol. 
19, No. 22, dated February 2, 
1956, p. 4) 

Some 40 years later 

Norwood, who lives in Oak- 
land near Oak Knoll, said that 


Charles Asbell, a prothetic de- 
signer working at the hospital’s 
Naval Prothetic Research 
Laboratory (NPRL), brought 
the disabled Korean veterans 
to the game. Capt. James Canty 
was, then, Chief of NPRL. 

According to a story dated 
February 1 in The Tribune , 
Norwood thought it was disas- 
trous when he stepped on a 
land mine in 1952. “Four years 
later,” he added, “my name was 
all over the newspapers for 


being the Marine with one leg 
who made All-American, play- 
ing football for Oakland Junior 
College.” 

Norwood told his tale on 
Friday, February 1st, when 
East Bay disabled veterans 
filmed messages of reassurance 
for the troops in the Persian 
Gulf. 

“All you grunts out there, 
keep at it, and keep safe — 
'cause I know what you’re go- 
ing through,” he said. 



" — 






VAD member Tony Williams video tapes the proclamation ceremony with his assistant. 



(From left) Leo Wurschmidt, Director, Dept, of Veterans 
Veterans Outreach Center, Oakland, applauds as Joy C 
Executive Officer, Capt. Noel Hyde. U.S. Navy’s MMC Mic 





Tap dancers from the beginning class of Debbie Cabral Dan< 
special number during the ceremony. The number was cho« 
teacher, Ann Lore, wife of VAD’s head, Stanton Lore. 







Red Rover 


Page 5 


with 




cial Proclamation 


dree Marecbal-Workman) 



lional Office, San Francisco, and Wm. Jackson, Team leader, 
Mayor of Oakland’s Office, reads the proclamation to NHO s 
i (right of the podium) joins in the applause. 



?rform a 
by their 






Sgt. John Vincent of the U.S. Marines (left) enjoys 
a quiet chat with U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Billy 
Daniel. Vincent was serving in Beirut at the time 
the Marine Corps barracks were bombed seven 
years ago. 


The Honorable Elihu M. 
Harris, Mayor of Oakland, 
Calif., officially proclaimed 
February 1, 1991, as Oak Knoll 
Naval Hospital and Desert 
Storm Day at a ceremony held 
at the Oakland Veteran Me- 
morial Hall, Friday, February 
2, 1991. Made on behalf of the 
citizens of Oakland and the 
members of the Oakland Dis- 
abled American Veterans, the 
proclamation said: Oak Knoll 
Naval Hospital, also known as 
Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO), has treated American 
war casualties in a superb 
manner for many years. 

Because of the current hos- 


tilities in the Persian Gulf, 
NHO may imminently be re- 
quired to receive for treatment 
another generation of Ameri- 
can service men and women 
injured by involvement in Op- 
eration Desert Storm. 

The citizens of Oakland and 
the more than 1,700 combined 
members of the Oakland Dis- 
abled American Veterans 
Chapter and its Auxiliary do 
not want Desert Storm's vet- 
erans to be shunned or de- 
graded in the city of Oakland. 

Therefore, I, Elihu M. Har- 
ris, Mayor of the City of Oak- 
land, do hereby proclaim Feb- 
ruary 1, 1991 as 


Oak Knoll Naval Hospi- 
tal and Desert 
Storm Troop Apprecia- 
tion Day 

in the city of Oakland, and urge 
its recognition and participa- 
tion. 

NHO’s Executive Officer, 
Capt. Noel Hyde, Medical 
Service Corps, was handed the 
proclamation with pomp and 
circumstances during a cer- 
emony that included — among 
other things — virtuoso drills 
by R.O.T.C. teams from Skyline 
High School and Montara 
Junior High School, under the 
direction of U.S. Army Sgt. Mjr. 
Fletcher Walker. 






R.O.T.C. drill teams from Skyline High School and Montara Jr. High ‘show off” for a captive audience. 






Page 6 


Red Rover 


Oak Knoll up-close 


HM2 Cecilia R. Fitzgerald 


HMC Lyndale Ray Sims 


ENS (“Terry”) O’Reilly, MSC 



Current career area: Preventive Medicine. 
Your job: Sanction inspection at seven bases in 
the Bay Area; several monthly reports; ship in- 
spections; infection control; immunizations and 
teaching classes. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Demian 

Hometown: Navy brat — traveled everywhere. 
Hobbies: Jazzercise; biking; camping. 

Likes: Animals; family. 

Dislikes: War. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? Know the latest instructions when inspect- 
ing facilities so as to forestall managers’ attempts 
to keep from losing face when they don’t have 
up-to-date information. 

What is your immediate goal? Get a commis- 
sion in the Navy as soon as possible. 

What is your long-term goal? Be a good naval 
officer. 

If I could do it all over again, I: Would have 
earned my degree before joining the Navy and 
come in as an officer. 

I wish I could stop: Worrying about things that 
I have no control over. 

Role models/heroes: My father. 


Current career area: Occupational Health Pre- 
ventive Medicine. 

Your job: Leading Chief Petty Officer. Respon- 
sible for fleet support of all Preventive Medicine 
programs and program reviews and support to 
clinics. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Julie Rhea Sims. 

Children: Jason Anthony 16 ; Kristopher Kevin 

11 . 

Hometown: Grass Valley, Calif. 

Hobbies: Song writer and guitarist. 

Likes: Too many to name. 

Dislikes: A few of those too. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? People. My job can’t be successful without 
productive and concerned individuals on my team. 
What is your immediate goal? To continue 
learning to write good music with spell-binding 
lyrics — but the war effort comes first! 

What is your long-term goal? Retire as soon as 
possible. Settle down in the setting of a new life 
style and firm roots. 

I wish I could stop: I can stop whatever I really 
want to. 

I respect myself for: My integrity and my per- 
sonal sense for right and wrong — no matter 
what others may think. 

Role models/heroes: Generals Patton and 
MacArthur; George Bush. 


Current career area: Preventive Medicine — 
Occupational Health. 

Your job: Administrative and technical manage- t 
ment of various Preventive Medicine programs ! 
at NHO. Provide oversight and technical support 


Chaplain* s Corner 


By Cdr A. F. Hearl, CHC, I had found a fresh water 

USNR spring hidden under the snow. 

Sand is in the news, but for Our snowmobile was perched 


up to 


right now THINK SNOW! 

It was five degrees below 
zero — cold! The sky was azure 
blue and the sun was like a big 
orange balloon in the sky. Snow 
was everywhere. It was Feb- 
ruary in Minnesota, USA. 

My six-year old son Davy 
and I were out for a snowmobile 


precariously on one side, skis 
on the slope and the back part 
underwater. 

I pushed Davy up on the 
bank. Fortunately, I could 
touch bottom, but was soaked 
up to my chest. I clambered on 
to the bank. 

Davy had his bright red 


through hardtop snow 
my thighs. 

By the time I made it, my 
feet were like blocks of ice! 

After a quick phone call to 
friends for help, I waited. 

All at once, out of the trees, 
I saw a red snowmobile suit 
coming. It was Davy. 

Clomping over to him I 


to fleet and branch medical programs. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Mary Lynn O’Reilly. 

Hometown: Spokane, Wash. 

Hobbies: Music, outdoor sports (especially hik- 
ing and camping), outdoor photography. 

Likes: Having an integral part in the growth of 
my subordinates. 

Dislikes: Poor communication and catching a 
cold. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? Daily application of the “Serenity Prayer.” 
What is your immediate goal? Learn my job 
as a Navy Environmental Health officer as effec- 
tively and as soon as possible. 

What is your long-term goal? To make a posi- 
tive impact on Navy Preventive Medicine pro- 
grams and ultimately on Navy Medicine as a 
whole via the fine personnel resources within our 
community. 

If I could do it all over again, I: Would have 
purchased IBM stock in the 1970’s. 

I wish I could stop: Iraqi aggression, so the 
troops could return. 

I respect myself for: Pursuing and accomplish- 
ing professional goals while continuing to set new 
ones. 

Role models/heroes: Service members enduring 
great sacrifices for freedom in the Gulf. 
Comment you wish to share: My thoughts and 
prayers are focused on those of our fellow service 
members in the Gulf. 1 encourage all to espe- 
cially remember those who are POW’ s and their 
(our) families. 






ride. We were in new territory, snowmobile suit on. I sent him 
Someone had blazed a trail for help while I tried to save 
through some woods and then the machine, 
straight along a row of pine The woods were tall and big, 
trees. All at once the trail “I can’t find my way out Daddy 
turned sharply to the right, he said as he came back, 
but a wide open field was I left him guarding the 
straight ahead. snowmobile. 

I left the trail and moved I took a “shortcut to the 
toward the wide expanse before nearest house, 1/4 mile away 


us, “Splash!’ 


at least, and ended up breaking 


asked, “How did you find your lowing! As you journey through 
way out? I though you couldn’t the “snows” and “sands” of life, 
remember the way.” check out the plan God has for 

“Aw Dad” he replied, “/ was those who follow in His steps, 
just following your foot - Jesus Christ, God in human 
steps." A Heavy Duty Truth! flesh, said, “Follow me! I am 
Wow! Watch what you do and the Way, the Truth and the 
where you go! There are people, Life, no one comes to the Father 
children, friends following the but by me, (John 14:6). The 
footprints of your life. Poet put it this way: 

Check upon where your feet Isn’t it strange that princes 
are leading you! Check up on and kings and clowns that ca- 
whose footprints you are fol- per in sawdust rings and com- 


mon folks like you and me are 
the builders of eternity. 

To each is given 
A bag of tools 
A shapeless mass 
and a book of rules 
and each must make ere time 
has flown 

A stumbling block or a 
stepping stone. * 

... through the sands 
snows of life. 


or 



February, 1991 


Page 


People, places, events 
at Oak Knoll 




Middle East spotlight 


A letter from the Desert 


Let me start by saying how 
pleased we are with your sup- 
port of Operation Desert Shield. 
We have a number of medical 
personnel here at the first 
Marine Corps Hospital. Our 
names are Dr. Mike O’Conner, 
HN Dave Newmark, HN Ron 
Sanchez, HN Fernando 
Guzman, HA Ernesto Villa, HA 
Waldo Roberts, HM2 
Cunningham and myself, HN 
Clint Chruma. 

We attached to Medical De- 


tachment, Echo Co, 1st FSSG 
as soon as we deployed (August 
12). We have been receiving 
the “Red Rover” every month 
and we have received Naval 
Hospital Oakland T-shirts and 
coffee mugs. I myself want to 
express my gratitude and 
thanks for showing us all of 
your support and how much 
we mean to all of you. 

And to all the reservists, we 
know it must be rough on you 
having to come in and take 


over for us on a full time basis. 
Good luck. 

If you would like to write to 
any of us here, our address is 
MED DET Echo Co, 1st FSSG, 
FPO, San Francisco, CA 96608- 
5709. Thank you again. 

S/HN Clint Chruma 

t Editor's Note: The ad- 
dresses of Oak Knoll corpsmen 
are posted on the Operation 
Desert Shield's bulletin board, 
on the third deck of the hospi- 
tal. Won’t you please take a 
moment to drop them a line?) 


Ombudsman’s Notes 


HMCM Michael Stewart (left) enjoys a playful tug of war with Rear 
Adm. (upper) select David M. Lichtman. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen) 




Rear Adm. Lichtman administers the Oath of Office to Lts. Greqor 
. °.^ SUC 0®ft)andHarpreetSingh Brar. The two officers were promote 
to the grade of Lt. Cdr. on Feb. 6. (Photo by HNO’s Biomed Photo Lat 


•a w. uepioyeo service members’ families with Adm. Lichtman. 


Drovkln^ f (° r 0a , k Kno11 b Y the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery ar 
recede ,0f ? kmg care of beneficiaries in the event the hospit 
M Urhr casualt, es were among news imparted by Rear Adm. Dav 
hospital s commanding officer, when he met wi 
amiiies of deployed personnel January 22. 

Naval H««fi? a i r rt 9 , Up ,or ,he Possibility of receiving casualties 
have e nS a K 0 , akland (NH0) ’" Lich ‘man said. "We may, or may n 
the Bau a ^ beds, so we’ve established a network of civilian beds 
ine Bay Area as a contingency. 

we’re*wo!5i in ® Care of ,ami,les ,s as important as casualties, ar 

member,! „ Pn VCry ~ ard to make sure we never have to turn awt 
we ll ha ^° f 0es f rt Sb/e/cf families. Even If we have to go CHAMPU 
He l » Superb medical care for them.’’ 

as thoinTL ed . , l he . audience 10 resource People on his staff, as w< 
were h |, c S d * he base, who can help in time of need. Among the 

Legal Denar^ Ut ^ °™ Cer ’ Capt - Noel H V de : Lt Neil Chang of tl 
Supnor* nl? u nt ’ Lt ’ James Burr - Officer-in-charge of the Personn 
c2KS22 m ^ii Capt - John Ke,, y- Dlrector of Resources, ar 
Brown SUt #ler C, l ,e, M,chael Stewart. The ombudsmen and Frj 

hand toSwrr* 2* eW / !l!. a * Fam,,y Service Cen,er - was a,so < 
answer questions. (Photo by Andree Marechal-Workman) 


Great things are brewing at 
the command folks, and now is 
the time to mark your calendars 
for a few days of fun and games. 

1. The Easter Bunny will 
visit Naval Hospital Oakland’s 
command picnic on March 23 
to take pictures of kids and 
give away prizes. A “bunny run” 
will precede the picnic at 8 a.m. 


Watch for details in the next 
issue of Red Rover. 

Hosted by Navy League and 
the 1st Class and Chief Petty 
Officers Associations, the pic- 
nic starts at 10 a.m. and is free 
to All Hands and Desert Storm s 
dependents. 

2. Warrior Basketball Team 
management is making free 


Letter from USNS Mercy’s 


stopped by to see the ship and 
the Canadian members of our 
family. That was on Christmas 
Eve. The helo that took him 
home brought the media reps I 
had mentioned — CNN, AP, 
USA Today, CBS Radio and 
Reuters. They hung around ’til 
about noon Christmas Day, and 
the helo that came to pick them 
up brought in the Navy Chief 
of Chaplains, RADM Alvin B. 
Koeneman. He also did the 
ship’s tour, then talked with 
everyone at an All Hands 
Admiral’s Call. The chopper 
that came for him (he called it 
the Holy Helo) didn’t bring in 
anybody else, so we had a brief, 
very brief rest until the next 
day. That’s when part of the 
Bob Hope USO Desert Shield 
Tour arrived. 

Just before the holidays, we 
spent about 18 days in Dubai, 
getting some maintenance 
work done. It was a good mental 
health break. We authorized 
max liberty, so everyone got a 
chance for some R & R. Dubai 
turned out to be quite a treat — 
great shopping, restaurants, 
sightseeing and beaches!! The 
best bargains were rugs (yes, 
many of you are probably the 
proud new owners of some 
Persian carpets, whether you 
know it yet or not), gold jewelry, 
electronics and fabrics. The 
Gold Souk (Souk is the Middle 
Eastern term for market place) 
was amazing. It looks like an 
endless stretch of gold shop 
after gold shop. We arranged a 
lot of short trips to see the area 
and had the chance to experi- 
ence a “Desert Safari.” 

On a more serious side, the 


ship has been staying pretty 
busy. Since we left Dubai, we’ve 
gotten lots of patients from 
units in the desert. Most of the 
injured folks have minor sports 
injuries, which is what we 
prefer. Of course, we’re ready 
to handle whatever comes our 
way. To date, we’ve seen more 
than 4,000 outpatients, per- 
formed over 230 surgeries, 
filled almost 26,000 prescrip- 
tions, treated nearly 500 in- 
patients and taken more than 
5,000 x-rays! We’ve also re- 
ceived 400 tons of mail (never 
enough, so keep those cards 
and letters coming!!). 

Training is still a very high 
priority. In November, some 
Army folks came aboard to run 
a course on the Medical Man- 
agement of Chemical Casual- 
ties. Forty Mercy people suc- 
cessfully completed the course 
which addressed the history of 
chemical and biological war- 
fare, types of agents and how 
to protect ourselves from them, 
and how to care for our patients 
who may have been exposed to 
them. The course provided in- 
valuable information. 

We also had the chance to 
really test ourselves and our 
systems during Exercise Im- 
minentThunder, a major Navy 
and Marine Corps exercise off 
the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. We 
also just had a full day training 
stand down, meaning we 
stopped all work, except for the 
absolutely necessary stuff, and 
spent the whole day doing 
training. It, too, was a huge 
success. 

Lots of people have been 


tickets available to dependents 
of Desert Storm troops for a 
game at the end of February. 
They are also planning a bas- 
ketball clinic for those same 
dependents. Anyone interested 
in either of those two events 
should contact Denise Allhouse 
as soon as possible, at 430- 
8303. 


v^Vy (Cont’d. from p. 1) 

advanced and promoted during 
the last few weeks — too many 
to list. We’ve also presented 
several good conduct medals 
as well as letters of commen- 
dation and appreciation. Many 
new members have joined our 
family, and we expect a big 
bunch shortly (we think, 
maybe, rumor has it, we’ve 
heard, any day now, etc., etc.), 
our “third wave” of personnel. 
Despite some initial concerns 
about being able to accommo- 
date so many new people, it 
looks like that won’t be a 
problem. Some of us may be 
sleeping on cots, but everyone 
will have his or her own rack!! 

Lastly, I want to talk about 
a subject near and dear to 
everyone’s heart, here and back 
home — rotation. I’m sure ev- 
eryone has heard by now that 
our rotation plans were put on 
hold; the folks back home who 
were going to relieve us are 
now scheduled to augment 
forces, not replace them. After 
the big augmentation, there 
simply won’t be enough people 
left to relieve everyone who’s 
here now. No one knows when 
rotation plans might be recon- 
sidered or when we might go 
home. Believe me, this news 
was very disappointing to ev- 
eryone, but we know our mis- 
sion and why we’re here. We’ll 
do whatever it takes! 

Happy 1991! Please take 
care ofyourselves. We miss our 
homes, our friends and most 
especially, our families. You’re 
always in our thoughts, and, 
God willing, we’ll all be home 
soon. 



Page 8 


Red Rover 


February, i<h>t 



Middle East conflict 
tax questions 


WASHINGTON D.C.— The 
signing of an Executive Order 
by President George Bush on 
January 21, 1991 changes the 
Federal income taxes and Fil- 
ing dates for service members 
deployed to the Middle East. 
Specific questions and answers 
concerning this topic and the 
designation of a combat zone 
include: 

Q: What area is desig- 
nated as the combat zone? 

A: White House officials said 
the following locations includ- 
ing the airspace above: Persian 
Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, 
Gulf of Aden, the portion of the 
Arabian Sea above ten degrees 
north latitude and west of 68 
degrees east longitude and the 
total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, 
Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, 
Qatar and the United Arab 
Emirates. Only individuals 
who are physically located in 
the combat zone are entitled to 
the F ederal tax filing extension 
and exemptions. 

Q: What military pay is 
exempt? 

A: For Federal tax purposes, 
all military pay received by 
enlisted personnel after Janu- 
ary 17, 1991, while serving in 
the combat zone. The exclusion 
is limited to $588.00 a month. 
The area was designated a 
combat zone effective January 


17. 

Q: Fve been in what’s now 
the combat zone since Au- 
gust. Is my pay tax-free for 
all of that time? I’m an en- 
listed service member. 

A: No, only the portion 
earned after January 17, 1991. 

Q: What is the automatic 
extension period granted 
for filing Federal income 
taxes? 

A: A service member has at 
least 180 days after leaving 
the Persian Gulf to file Federal 
income tax returns for 1990, 
said Internal Revenue Service 
officials. No forms need to be 
filed by the service member or 
family member to receive the 
filing extension granted under 
the Executive Order signed by 
the President on January 21. 

Q: If family members 
have questions, who should 
they contact? 

A: IRS officials said infor- 
mation is available by calling 
the IRS, toll free, 1-800-829- 
1040, or through local instal- 
lation tax officers. Individuals 
located overseas can check with 
the local embassy or consulate 
installation officer or the IRS 
International Tax Assistance 
officer at 1-202-287-4301. 

Q: What about State 
taxes? 

A: It depends on the state. 


PSD Comer 


Important information for reservists 


1. Per Diem Allowance: 

Members called to active 

duty away from home are au- 
thorized per diem when the 
call is required by unusual or 
emergency circumstances. 
Entitlement continues for re- 
serve members whose period 
of active-duty is extended, re- 
gardless of the period involved. 
This does not preclude payment 
of basic allowance for quarters 
(BAQ) and variable housing 
allowance (VHA) if otherwise 
entitled. 

2. Variable housing allow- 
ance (VHA): 

The National Defense Act 
for fiscal year 1991 authorized 
VHA for reservists called to 
active duty in connection with 
Operation Desert Shield retro- 
active to the day they were 
called. Amounts vary based on: 

• Location of member’s 
monthly drill/training 
site. 

• Place from which called to 
active duty (no monthly 

drill training site). 

The following members are 
not entitled to VHA: 

• Unmarried divorced 
members in receipt of 
BAQ with dependents 


based solely on child 
support when assigned to 
government quarters. 

• Paygrade E4 (less than 4 
years service) or lower 
when assigned to gov- 
ernment quarters. 

Documentation required: 

• Copy of rental/lease/ 
mortgage agreement, or 
a certificate from the 
landlord containing the 
member(s) name and full 
rental/lease payment for 
the residence. 

• Copies of the hazard, li- 
ability and personal 
property insurance policy 
(IES). 

• Copy (IES) of real estate 
tax statement s) (if not 
included in the mortgage 
payment). 

Point of contact for reserve 
pay issues is Disbursing Clerk 
1st Class Steve Morlin (Ext. 
3 6545). 



0 


k 


Civilian News 


Thrift Saving Plan fact sheet 


Listed below is the Thrift 
Savings Plan Fact Sheet that 
provides monthly returns for 
the 12-month period ending 
November 1990 for the three 
investment funds: Government 
Securities Investment F und (G 
Fund), the Common Stock In- 
vestment Fund (C Fund) and 
the Fixed Income Index In- 
vestment Fund (F Fund). 

The C Fund is invested in 
the Wells Fargo Equity Index 
Fund which tracks the S&P 
500 stock index. The F Fund is 
invested in the Wells Fargo 
Bond Index Fund which tracks 
the Shearson Lehman Brothers 
Government/Corporate bond 
index. The G Fund is invested 
in special issues of U.S. Trea- 
sury securities. 


The monthly C, F and G 
Fund returns represent net 
earnings for the month, after 
deduction of accrued adminis- 
trative expenses. The C and F 
Fund returns also reflect the 
deduction of trading costs and 
accrued investment manage- 
ment fees. 

The C, F and G Fund 
monthly returns are dollar- 
weighted: they reflect net 
earnings on the changing bal- 
ances invested during the 
month. The C, F and G Fund 
returns for the last twelve 
months assume, except for the 
crediting of earnings, un- 
changing balances (time- 
weighted) from month to month 
and assume earnings are 
compounded on a monthly ba- 


Months 

c 

Fund 

Wells Fargo 
Equity 
Index Fund 

F 

Fund 

Wells Fargo 
Bond 

Index Fund 

C 

Fund 

1988 (Feb.- Dec.)* 

12.06% 

11.88% 

3.70% 

3.98% 

8.06% 

1989 (Jan.. Dec.) 

31.03% 

31.61% 

13.89% 

14.37% 

8.81% 

1989 

December 

2.37% 

2.39% 

.16% 

.18% 

.67% 

1990 

January 

(6.59) 

(6.67) 

(1.38) 

(1.40) 

.68 

February 

1.26 

1.28 

.21 

.23 

.64 

March 

2.64 

2.67 

.01 

(.01) 

.72 

April 

(2.52) 

(2.50) 

(94) 

(.93) 

.71 

May 

9.44 

9.69 

2.80 

2.90 

.76 

June 

(.71) 

(.70) 

1.56 

1.61 

.71 

July 

(.36) 

(.31) 

1.24 

1.25 

.72 

August 

(8.65) 

(9.04) 

(1.42) 

(1.47) 

.72 

September 

(4.85) 

(4.89) 

.81 

.80 

.73 

October 

(-46) 

(43) 

1.32 

1.32 

.76 

November 

6.36 

6.45 

2/15 

2.19 

.70 

Last 12 Months (3.49%) 

PercrnLagc* ( ) ** c negauve. 

(3.55%) 6.61% 

*C uid F Funds commenced Jamutrv S9, 1 968 

6.77% 

8.86% 


Dental Corner 

How are your children’s teeth? 


By CDR Gregory 
Horning, DC 

How are your children’s 
teeth? Are you sure they’re 
healthy? Many times dental 
decay can occur quite rapidly 
in children and lead to 
toothaches or even dental 
abscesses unless treated 
promptly. If a baby (decidu- 
ous) tooth must be extracted 
early, it can lead to crowded 
and unsightly permanent 
teeth and even to problems 
in chewing for an entire 
lifetime. Don’t let that hap- 
pen to your youngster! 

The Dental Department 
encourages every service 
person to take advantage of 
the recently expanded den- 
tal benefits program for de- 
pendents, and February — 
National Children’s Dental 
Health Month — is a great 
time to do it. 

The Uniformed Services 
Active Duty Dependents 
Dental Plan (DDP * DELTA) 
covers the cost of basic dental 
care for the dependents of 
active-duty members of all 
seven uniformed services. It 


is a volunteer program in- 
volving a small monthly de- 
duction from pay, and is 
largely underwritten by the 
Federal Government. It pays 
for 100% of semi-annual ex- 
aminations, cleanings, rou- 
tine x-rays, sealants and 
emergency treatment to re- 
lieve pain. It also covers 80% 
of certain restorative and 
repair services, including 
silver and plastic fillings. 
Over 108,000 dental offices 
in the United States have 
agreed to participate in this 
program and even do most 
paperwork. 

See your health benefits 
advisor for further details. 
Make sure your dependents 
have healthy and happy 
mouths this month! 


MAGIC IN YOUR Sm/i^ 



sis. 

The C and F Fund return 
vary from the Wells Fargo re- 
turns because of C and F Fund 
expenses and changing bal- 
ances in. the C and F Funds. 
The Wells Fargo returns are 
time-weighted: they assume 
constant dollar balances in- 
vested during each month and 
throughout the period. 

, Future performance of the 
three funds will vary and may 
be significantly different from 
the returns shown above. See 
the “Summary of the Thrift 
Savings Plan” for detailed in- 
formation about the funds and 
their investment risks. 

Point of contact for further 
information is Sydney Santos 
at 415/633-6374. 


HM1 Berry SOY (from p. i) 

Master Chief Michael Stewart, 
who calls him “a fantastic petty 
officer and exceptional career 
counselor.” 

Berry, who is married to the 
former Kim Marie Cromartie 
is vice president of the 1st Class 
Petty Officers Association. He’s 
also very active in counseling 
junior people and in promoting 
command retention, among 
other things. 

Black History (from p. 1) 

not just about events of the 
past, but rather “about a con- 
tinuing effort to make changes 
for the better without forgetting 
the achievements of those who 
came before us.” 

Lichtman said this will 
probably be his last opportunity 
to celebrate this event at NHO 
since he will be leaving soon. 
He concluded with a quote from 
Coretta Scott- King’ s challenge, 
“First, have respect and dignity 
for every human being; second, 
end racial, religious and ethnic 
prejudice; third, deepen the 
individual commitment to so- 
cial and economic justice." 

Guest speaker, Manuel 
Perry, Ph.D., Division Leader 
of Educational Relations at 
Livermore National Labora- 
tory, emphasized the need to 
“educate all of America. v to 
prepare all kids for tomorrow, 
and said the entire country .will 
have fantastic opportunities. 

Perry’s focus was upon the 
local and global opportunities 
that will evolve over the next 
ten years. He stressed that the 
changing global economy wil 
“create new challenges* for 
businesses, needs for new jobs, 
competent workers and UP' 
dated skills.” 

In addition to the speakers. 
Rev, Dr. Leroy Johnson, a & 
medals-recipient veteran o 

WWII, Korea and Vietnam- 
conducted the invocation an 
benediction. 


Happy Easter 
March 31 



Bravo Zulu DT2 Dionne 
Smith, Sailor of the Month 

Page 11 



Register now with department heads for 
in participation in the live Bob Newheart 
“Operation Desert Star” Show April 3. 
Transportation provided. 


VER 


The Navy's i first commissioned hospital ship 







Volume 3, Number 3 


Naval Hbspital Oakland, Calif. 94627-5000 


March 1991 


Home: How Sweet it is! 


and Ms ,c„a<lc wi.e, 

(ages 6 and 7 . (Pholo by A. Mareehal-Workman). Me,Cy ' More Mefc V' s personnel on 


Paving the way: 

Progress in Women’s history 


By HM3 Melinda S. 
Bernard 

A generation from now, 
assuming the aspirations of 
social reformers come true, 
women serving in an 
American crisis will not make 
the headlines simply because 
of their gender — half the 
admirals in the Navy will be 
women and no one will take a 
second glance. In essence, the 
struggles of the last decade of 
the 20th Century will have 
rendered the freedom and 
flexibility that have been the 
driving forces of social 
reforms. 

The history of Navy women 
has been “very dramatic,” 
asserts Captain June E. 
Riddle, Nursing Consultant 
for the San Francisco Medical 
Command. Traditionally, 
women had only to choose 
from one occupation in the 
Navy — nursing, she said. But 
today, “nursing is one profes- 
sion among multiple profes- 
sions.” In fact, she said it was 
not until 1944 that Navy 
women were finally recog- 
nized as possessing rank in 
the military. 

Women have undeniably 
made significant strides. One 
measure of success of the 
women's movement is the 
ease with which it is taken for 
granted. Few military 
women today remember the 
barriers their predecessors 
encountered when they want- 
ed to join the Navy. Today’s 
young women dismiss old 
gender stereotypes and limi- 
tations. For example, when 
LT. Renee Lee, an intern here 
at Oak Knoll, decided to 
become a doctor, she didn’t 
think twice. “This is what I 
wanted to be, and my mother 
always encouraged me to be 
what I want,” said Lee. This 
belief that women can “be all 
that we can be” is perhaps the 
underlying reason for the 
four- fold increase of women 
in the military since 1973. 
Today women make up 11% 


of the nation’s 2.1 million 
active duty military person- 
nel. 

Operation Desert Shield / - 
Storm introduced a tiny but 
profound glimpse of the 
advancement of the women’s 
movement. For the first time 
in American history “moms” 
were among tfte women who 
were deployed to the war the- 
ater to assist in operations. 
Riddle explained that prior to 
the deployment, moms were 
not eligible to participate in 
wars. “Females could not 
have dependents under age 
18 and serve in the military 
until after 1973,” she said. 
“In less than 30 years, look 
how far we’ve come.” 

According to recent media 
reports, this is the first war in 
which women have served on 
such a large scale in jobs 
ranging from pilots transport- 
ing supplies and crew, to doc- 
tors, mechanics and ground 
crew chiefs. Eleven per cent 
of all military personnel who 
served in the Gulf were 
women — the same proportion 
as their overall representa- 
tion in the U.S. military. 

Although women are still 
not permitted to serve in com- 
bat positions, with each war 
women are performing 
increasingly critical roles. 
Finally, U.S. women who 
joined the armed forces for 
the same reasons as men: (ex- 
citement, travel, patriotism 
and a chance to acquire skills 
they couldn’t get elsewhere) 
are able to experience these 
ambitions. 

Captain Maria K. Carroll 
said it best during an inter- 
view prior to her deployment 
as Director of Nursing 
Services to the USNS 
MERCY (T-AH 19): ‘T ve 
never been aboard a ship and 
I’ve been waiting 27 years to 
do that... That’s why I joined 
the Navy — to be a nurse out 
at sea, an experience not 
available to civilian nurses.” 

( Continued on page 12) 





Page 2 


Red Rover 


March 1991 


From the Executive Officer 
Capt. Noel A. Hyde, 

MSC, USN 



Welcome home! That’s short, sweet, suc- 
cint and to the point. After months of uncer- 
tainty we know that our friends and loved 
ones are on their way home. Those who 
arrived recently were only the first ‘wave’ 
but they reinforced the fact that it’s finally 
over. 

I look forward to welcoming the ship and 
the rest of our family home in the near 
future. In their absence we have perse- 
vered. The reservists have done a superb job 
and pitched in with those who were left 
behind to maintain our high level of quality 
services. The team spirit displayed by 
everyone, military and civilian alike, was 
incredible. Our service never suffered. In 
fact, many of our beneficiaries commented 
on how pleased they continued to be with 
the quality of our care. 

These past months have been a unique 
chapter in the history of Oak Knoll. I’m sure 
we’ll always remember them. 

To the reservists — thanks for your help! 
We couldn’t have done it without you. It will 
be sad to see you go and we hope you’ve 
made some life-long friendships. 

To our returning heroes — it all happened 
so fast! I’m sorry I didn’t have the opportu- 
nity to meet everyone before you left. Now I 
look forward to meeting each and every one 
of you. 

To our civilians and military staff who 
stayed behind — kudos for a job well done. 
You played an integral part in the transition 
and provided the “corporate memory” which 
helped our reservists transition so efficient- 
ly* 

Now we’re looking forward to new chal- 
lenges. The Mercy homecoming may well be 
the world’s biggest party. We’ve run the 
emotional gamut these last few months but 
we have a bright future ahead of us. I’m 
confident that we’ll continue to show the 
nation that we are indeed an important part 
of the world’s greatest Navy. 


The President of 
the United States 
Proclaims April 5-7, 
1991, National Days 
of Thanksgiving — 
Watch for the Pro- 
clamation in the April 
issue. 



OAK KNOLL PERSPECTIVE 


From the Commanding Officer 
RADM David M. Lichtman, MC, USN 



Oak Knoll is world renowned for providing the highest quality 
patient care and we are very proud of that fact. One of my clinical 
department heads recently told me that he judges the quality of 
his department’s work by the low rate of post surgical infections 
and the successful number of complicated surgeries performed. 
Both “outcome” rates were better than the national 
averages. Indeed, these facts correlate well with our recent Joint 
Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations 
(JCAHO) Survey where Oak Knoll scored in the top 10th per- 
centile of all hospitals in the country. 

Patients, on the other hand, judge quality in terms other than 
“outcome”. Very few of the submariner community, for example, 
knows or cares about the JCAHO. Better than national average 
mortality and morbidity rates mean little to the Marine lance cor- 
poral, or his/her wife, who is sick in the Emergency Room. To 
them statistics are vague, mysterious, and somewhat threatening. 
For them, quality is better defined in terms of how satisfied they 
are with the entire “continuum” of care. 

The “continuum,” or process of medical care includes “out- 
come,” but it is more encompassing. “Process” involves the 
patient’s perception of the total care they receive. It starts when 
they are first referred to our facility and ends with post discharge 
follow-up. If the patient has a bad experience in scheduling an 
appointment, comes in contact with a rude staff member, or can’t 
comprehend what the doctor is going to do to them, the entire 
experience is regarded negatively - regardless of the “outcome.” 
Quality will be perceived as poor by the patient, even though they 
may have received state-of-the-art medical care. 

There are many yardsticks for measuring the quality of care 
that we provide and many inspecting organizations that we must 
satisfy. But, in the end, there is only one true judge of the quality 
of our services - and that is our patient. 


Listening Box 

Q: The elevators are few and far between, have you ever addressed 
this before? 

A; 1 have received a number of inquiries regarding the elevators. This 
issue has been addressed before and is a constant concern. Oak Knoll 
has eight elevators. Elevators one through three are passenger eleva- 
tors and face the south side of the building. Elevators four through six 
are the service elevators and face the north side of the building. 
Elevator six is a manned elevator and serves for patient transport and 
Code-4 emergencies. Elevator seven and eight serve floors one 
through four and are located in the Outpatient Administration Lobby. 

Based on the size of our facility and usage rates, the command has 
an adequate number of elevators. The problem is that, recently, some 
have broken down — resulting in a reduced number of elevators avail- 
able for passengers. They are old, and repair parts often have to be 
manufactured. This is time-consuming and expensive. 

The command is now developing a major elevator renovation pro- 
ject that will totally overhaul our system. The project will take 
approximately eighteen months, and some of the elevators will be out 
of service during the renovation. This project should begin in the sum- 
mer of 1991 . Unfortunately, this will not increase the number of ele- 
vators and will pose some inconveniences. However it will result in 
better elevator service for our facility. 

S / Rear Admiral David M. Lichtman , Commanding Officer 


Fair winds and 
following seas HMCM 
Mike Stewart 



There are times in every military per- 
sons’ life when' they must pack their bags 
and move on to new challenges. For 
Command Master Chief Mike Stewart, 
that time has come. 

Stewart, who has served with the Navy 
in the Bay Area for seven years, is taking 
up a new job as command master chief at 
Naval Hospital Bethesda. 

His last years at Naval Hospital 
Oakland (NHO) have been hectic and in a 
recent interview Stewart recalled memo- 
ries of those years. 

“To pick just one special memory would 
be impossible,” he said, stressing the 1989 
earthquake and the Persian Gulf crisiS^i 
foremost in his mind — how the hospital * 
pulled together in the former instance; how 
much it hurt to see the USNS MERCY and 
all his friends leave in the latter. 

Stewart said command master chiefs 
don’t have easy jobs. They have to act as 
advocates for the enlisted personnel and 
work closely with the senior staff. But he 
said he feels good about his tour here and 
attributed most of his success to the com- 
mand. 

“If I’ve been successful, then the com- 
mand’s been successful,” he reflected. “Any 
credit that I might get is a direct result of - 
the entire command pulling together.” 

Stewart’s career is a long history of suc- 
cess. When asked what gave him his 
greatest sense of accomplishment, he men- 
tioned being selected for chief with only 
nine years in the Navy, for master chief, 
then command master chief as especially 
notable. 

Like any young sailor, even an old mas- 

(Continued on page 11) 


Red Rover - 

Named after the Navy’s 
first commissioned hospital ship. 

The Rod Rover is published monthly, by and 
for employees of Naval Hospital, Oakland < NHO) and 
its branch clinics. The publication focuses on events 
and developments at NHO and other items that relate 
to the surrounding community. 

Text and photos (except any copyrighted pho- 
tos) from the RED ROVER may be reproduced in 
whole or in part. Black and white photos are 
usually available on request for republication front' 
PAO, Naval Hospital. Oakland; 8750 Mountain 
Blvd.; Oakland. CA 94627. Please credit Naval 
Hospital, Oakland. 

Responsibility of the Red Rover contents rest pri- 
marily with the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, 
8750 Mountain Blvd., Bldg. 73C, Oakland. C A 
94627 - 5000 . 

The Red Rover is printed commercially 
appropriated funds in compliance with NAV SO P* 
35. Views and opinions expressed are not neces>aru> 
those of the Navy Department. 

Commanding Officer . RAl^L 

David M. Lichtman ' 

Executive Officer ( APa 

Noel H. Hyde 

Public Affairs Officer Paul Snyercool 

Deputy PAO Lonnie Brod# 

Editor All*** 

Marechal-WorkP u ' l | 

Editorial Assistant HM3 Melinda Bernin? 

Staff JOSA Kvna Kirkpatrick 









v fighter pilot flies again 

* before (full f 




years 


>larechal- 


r hospital OAK- 

, uf — Two years 

^d was shattered 
Weapon-testing acci- 
tbSgW his career 
,. v fighter pilot/- 

r was over, but after 

Leons at Naval 

Oakland..^' C0 "' 
, new right thumb 
mly back on full 


—on March 8. 


with only one set of con- 
trols... I feel on top of the 

world.” _ , 

This was like icing on the 
cake for the expert master 
pilot, who said he got his first 

thrill on January 18 1991 

when “a Naval Aeronautical 
Medical Institute Board of 
flight surgeons voted 1 him 1 
back to flight status as a 
Group I unrestricted aviator 

" signifying full recovery 

from his injury. 


before I full fledged pilots | 
are sent overseas,” he 
explained. “1 helped train all 
of them. 1 worked with them 
on the ground and I flew with 
them.” 

The 50-year old native of 
Tujunga, Calif., suffered the 
accident at his remote 
Nevada City, Calif, mountain 
home, where he was testing 
the high velocity M-16 
machine gun he “was trying 
to invent. n 


...the fast transplant 
when a fbvfrth gener- 
ation tighter pilot 
was roturnetito flight 
stat/s after\losing 
use of a thumb... 


Translated into Navy fightei 
pilot language, according to 
Satrapa, this means you 
can’t signal or work appropri- 
ate gunnery; nor grasp <>r 
maneuver the joy stic i. 
short, you simply can t lly a 
plane - a situation which he 
said spelled disaster for him. 

“1 am a l r >43, retired 
recalled as an ADO (Aviation 
Duty Officer),” s ^ l, _ apa 
explained. “If 1 couldn’t fly, 1 
would have no job in the 
Navy and would be retired. 
Far from being retired, how- 


ever, “20 months from injury 
to flight," lour operations and 
three months of hand and 
pain therapy later, the deter- 
mined aviator is back in har- 
ness — full of praise for the 

“very professional, caring 
team of energetic individuals 

who seemed tireless in their 

endeavors to give each 
patient his or her best chance 

at recovery.” 

‘ ~ v J *■■■ the 




appy Cdr. Satrapa proudly holds up his right thumb for the 
see (Photo by A. Marechal-Workman). 


his first F-14 
_-r 7 -nee the accident 
-<-queni surgery. 

V S. Navy 
F >a» rapa, a 27-year 
p i n. who according 
: had flown 162 mis- 
Vietnam — now anx- 
requalification in the 
•meat t j participate in 
on Desert Storm. 


u Now\ I w r ould like to get a 
requalification in the F-14 
Tomcat and get to the Middle 
East before the air war is 
completely over,” he said in a 
recent telephone interview 
at the Naval Strike Center in 
Fallon, Nev. where he was 
back on duty. 

Fortunately for world 
peace, but unfortunately for 


After spending several 
days at Ralph Davis Medical 
Clinic in San Francisco, 
where doctors performed 
emergency surgery to save 
two of his fingers, he was 
transferred to NHO for the 
historic toe-to-thumb trans- 
plant which-, in Satrapa s 
words, turned out to he "the 
first transplant when a 
fourth generation fighter pilot 

— or any jet pilot vva> 
returned to flight status 1 after 
losing use of a thumb) 

The surgery was performed 
bv Medical Corps l.t Cdr 
Randy Culp under the super- 
vision of Dr. Harry J Runcko 

— a plastic and reconstruc- 
tive microsurgeon at Ralph 
Davies, who has served as a 
civilian consultant at NHO 
for many years, often collabo- 
rating with the hospital s 


i<m - 









CUTLINES FOR SATRAPA STORY 


1. Navy mi crosurgeon , Lt. Cdr. Randy Culp, holds an X-ray of Cdr . Satrapa s 
right hand before the toe-to-thumb transplant. (Official Navy photo) 




Navy Dr. Randy Culp shows a weary Cdr. Satrapa "before and after" X-rays 
of his riqht hand. (Official Navy photo) 


4k Hand surgeon Rear Adm. David M. Lichtman gets ready for an examination of 
Cdr. Satrapa 's hand after the transplant. Lichtman, who was standing by 
during the surgery, is Naval Hospital Oakland's commanding officer. 

Official Navy photo) 



4. Cdr. Joseph Satrapa is getting ready to climb down from the first F-14 
Tomcat fighter plane he's flown since his transplant two years ago. tEboto 
-b y A , Mar ^ch^^PrtnTCTT) 



5. A very happy Cdr. Satrapa proudly holds up his right thumb for the world 
to see (Photo by A. Marechal -Workman - — - — — — 

'6. Cdr. Joseph Satrapa uses his right hand displaying the reconstructed 

ihumb. (Photo by A. Marechal-Workman) 

* ' 1 

7. Another close up o-f Cdr. Satrapa's right hand. (Photo by A. 

Marechal -Wor kman ) 



















LAND. Calif 



i . 



Navy fighter pilot flies again two years after tranplant 


By An dree Mar^chal- 
Workman 

NAVAL HOSPITAL OAK- 
LAND, Calif. — Two years 
ago his hand was shattered 
during a weapon-testing acci- 
at He thought his career 
as a Navy fighter pilot/- 
instructor was over, but after 
microsurgeons at Naval 
Hospital Oakland (NHO) con- 
structed a new right thumb, 
he’s not only back on full 
flight status — on March 8, 


with only one set of con- 
trols... I feel on top of the 
world.” 

This was like icing on the 
cake for the expert master 
pilot, who said he got his first 
thrill on January 18 1991 
when “a Naval Aeronautical 
Medical Institute Board of 
flight surgeons voted [him] 
back to flight status as. a 
Group I unrestricted aviator 
— ” signifying full recovery 
from his injury. 


before [full fledged pilots] 
are sent overseas,” he 
explained. “I helped train all 
of them. I worked with them 
on the ground and I flew with 
them.” 

The 50-year old native of 
Tujunga, Calif., suffered the 
accident at his remote 
Nevada City, Calif, mountain 
home, where he was testing 
v the high velocity M-16 
machine gun he “was trying 
'.to invent.” 





A very happy Cdr. Satrapa proudly holds up his right thumb for the 
world to see. (Photo by A. Marechal-Workman). 




1991 he made his first F-14 
solo flight since the accident 
and subsequent surgery. 

He’s U.S. Navy Cdr. 
Joseph F. Satrapa, a 27-year 
veteran pilot, who according 
to record, had flown 162 mis- 
sions in Vietnam — now anx- 
ious for requalification in the 
F-14 Tomcat to participate in 
Operation Desert Storm. 

“You couldn’t have caught 
me at a better time,” he said 
when he returned from -his 
March 8th flight at Miramar 
Naval Air Station. “It’s a very 
exciting day for me — to be 
the aircraft commander once 
more, to fly in the front seat 


“Now, I would like to get a 
requalification in the F-14 
Tomcat and get to the Middle 
East before the air war is 
completely over,” he said in a 
recent telephone interview 
at the Naval Strike Center in 
Fallon, Nev. where he was 
back on duty. 

Fortunately for world 
peace, but unfortunately for 
the “fourth generation” avia- 
tor, he didn’t get his wish 
entirely. But he did get a 
chance to help spawn new 
Fighter pilots — including 
those who fought in the 
Desert Storm air war. 

“Fallon is the last stop 


...the first transplant 
when a fourth gener- 
ation fighter pilot 
was returned to flight 
status after losing 
use of a thumb... 

After spending several 
days at Ralph Davis Medical 
Clinic in San Francisco, 
where doctors performed 
emergency surgery to save 
two of his fingers, he was 
transferred to NHO for the 
historic toe-to-thumb trans- 
plant which, in Satrapa’s 
words, turned out to be “the 
first transplant when a 
fourth generation fighter pilot 

— or any jet pilot — was 
returned to flight status [after 
losing use of a thumb].” 

The surgery was performed 
by Medical Corps Lt. Cdr 
Randy Culp under the super- 
vision of Dr. Harry J. Buncke 

— a plastic and reconstruc- 
tive microsurgeon at Ralph 
Davies, who has served as a 
civilian consultant at NHO 
for many years, often collabo- 
rating with the hospital’s 
commanding officer, Rear 
Adm. David M. Lichtman, 
when the latter was chief of 
the Orthopedic Department 
in the early 80’s. 

“If you lose a thumb, you’ve 
lost 50 percent of your hand 
function,” explained Culp. 


Translated into Navy fighter 
pilot language, according to 
Satrapa, this means you 
can’t signal or work appropri- 
ate gunnery; nor grasp or 
maneuver the joy stick. In 
short, you simply can’t fly a 
plane — a situation which he 
said spelled disaster for him. 

“I am a 1543, retired 
recalled as an ADO (Aviation 
Duty Officer),” Satrapa 
explained. “If I couldn’t fly, I 
would have no job in the 
Navy and would be retired.” 
Far from being retired, how- 


ever, “20 months from injury 
to flight,” four operations and 
three months of hand and 
pain therapy later, the deter- 
mined aviator is back in har- 
ness — full of praise for the 
“very professional, caring 
team of energetic individuals 
who seemed tireless in their 
endeavors to give each 
patient his or her best chance 
at recovery.” 

Satrapa is married to the 
former Pamela Jean Gula. 
The couple have one daugh- 
ter, Kasandra Jo, age 9. 



Cdr. Joseph Satrapa is getting ready to climb down from the F14 
fighter plane he’s just brought back safely home. (Photo by A. 
Marechal-Workman). 


Medical Corps birthday: Not overlooked 


By An dree Marechal- 
Workman 

The Navy Medical Corps 
(NMC) 216th anniversary 
may have seemed to go unno- 
ticed this year, falling 
through the cracks of Opera- 
tion Desert Storm and the 
excitement over the return of 
some of USNS MERCY 
deployed medical personnel. 

But for many at Naval 
Hospital Oakland (NHO) and 
its branch medical clinics, 
the historic March 3rd wasn’t 
overlooked, it was merely put 
on hold. 

u So many things were hap- 
pening with the Persian Gulf 
crisis that we put thoughts of 


the birthday aside,” said Lt. 
Cdr. Joan H. Cheng, a pedia- 
trician at Branch Medical 
Clinic Moffett Field. “We were 
all waiting to hear what was 
happening over there, and we 
didn’t think about the events 
back home.” 

This is not to say that 
Cheng isn’t enthusiastic 
about her association with 
Navy Medicine. In fact, she 
said she’s very proud of its 
accomplishments over the 
years — how far it has gone; 
the quality of its health care; 
its wealth of young, well 
trained physicians. 

“I am also very pleased 
with Navy Medicine’s support 


of women,” she added, citing 
its generous policy for preg- 
nancy and maternity leave as 
an impressive landmark in 
the Corps’ history. 

March 3, 1991 marked the 
official 120th birthday of 
NMC. According to Medical 
Historian W. Kenneth Patton 
of the Bureau of Medicine 
and Surgery (BUMED), 
although the First Navy sur- 
geon went to sea in 1775, it 
was not until March 3, 1871 
that an Appropriation Act of 
the Forty-First Congress of 
the United States officially 
recognized a “medical corps” 
and established it as a staff 
corps of the Navy. 


From an initial comple- 
ment of just over 200 male 
medical officers, in keeping 
pace with the needs of the 
Navy, NMC has grown into a 
force of several thousands of 
men and women who perform 
more complex roles than that 
of their civilian counterparts. 

Navy Medicine allows 
their people to go into areas 
not open to civilian physi- 
cians,” Cheng elaborated. 
“For example, deep sea 
medicine, tropical medicine, 
aviation medicine.” They can 
also serve aboard non-com- 
batant ships, as evidenced by 
the large contingent of 
(Continued on page 4) 



Navy Dr. Joan Cheng gets ready 
for her appointment with a 
young patient and his mother. 
(Photo by A. Marechal- 
Workman). 





Page 4 Red Rover March 19^ 

Oak Knoll up-close 


HM3 James R. Heizer 



Current Career Area: Alcohol Rehabilitation 
Department 

Your Job: Leading petty officer responsible for 
direct supervision of nursing staff; maintenance of 
safety/well being of patients. I am also quality 
assurance coordinator and liaison between nurs- 
ing staff and medical officer/department head. 
Marital status: Single 
Hometown: Morgan Hill, Calif. 

Hobbies: Sports, fishing, listening to country 
music. 

Likes: Being with family and friends. 

Dislikes: Poor leadership and lack of communi- 
cation. 

What is the most challenging part of job? 

Time management: maintaining sufficient time to 
accomplish set tasks and keeping organized. 

What is your immediate goal? Enjoying and 
completing my current enlistment, with emphasis 
on further education. 

What is your long-term goal? Continue educa- 
tion, obtain a Psychology degree and work 
towards a degree in adolescent counseling. 

If I could do it over again, I’d: Have taken bet- 
ter advantage of educational opportunities during 
my current enlistment. 

I wish I could stop: The pain of children; when 
a child suffers, as a society, we all suffer. 

I respect myself for: Being a hard charger, not 
giving up and being able to stand up for what I 
believe is right. 

Role Models/heroes: My parents, Bob and 
Barbara North. 

Special Comment: Welcome home to the crew 
of the USNS MERCY, congratulations on a job 
well done and God bless. 


Dorothy L. Laurence 



Current career area: Alcohol Rehabilitation 
Department. 

Your job: Department secretary responsible for 
administrative support to maintain standards of 
quality patient care on in-patient/residential sta- 
tus. 

Marital Status: Single. 

Children: Ron Laurence, 2. 

Hometown: Oakland, Calif. 

Hobbies: Painting, sculpture, reading, walking, 
astronomy and horseback riding. 

Likes: Mountains, sunrise, sunset, harmonious 
balance of nature, myself. 

Dislikes: Pretension — people who overstate 
their importance to humiliate others. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? Answeri ng questions in an informative 
manner, keeping the lines of communication 
open; hearing complaints and responding in an 
appropriate manner; participating in decisions 
that are made to keep the department running 
smoothly. 

What is your immediate goal? To continue to 
excel in my job performance and within my life as 
a caring person. 

What is your long-term goal? Same as above. 

If I could do it over again, I’d: Be more toler- 
ant, less bored with people or situations and trav- 
el more often. 

I wish I could stop: People who use cruelty and 
abuse to control others, either in a personal rela- 
tionship or in the role of a world leader. 

I respect myself for: Respecting others, listen- 
ing, working on self-honesty, showing apprecia- 
tion, being sincere and caring for family and 
friends. For my sense of humor. 

Special Comment: I’m grateful that the troops 
are back with their families and friends. 


HMCS Dale W. Sterner 



Current career area: Alcohol Rehabilitation 
Department 

Your job: As an alcohol counselor I assist people 
in the restoration of their productive, happy and 
fulfilled lives. 

Marital Status: Married. 

Wife: Laura Lee. 

Hometown: Sandy, Utah. 

Hobbies: Model railroads, amateur machinist, 
golf. 

Likes: Fishing and astronomy. 

Dislikes: Apathy and the phrase, u Weekend 
Warrior” 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job? Earning the trust of people who are hurting. 
What is your immediate goal? To effectively 
contribute to the mission of the Alcohol 
Rehabilitation Department. 

What is you long-term goal? To return to civil- 
ian life and publish about addictive disease. 

If I could do it over again. I’d: Take time to 
stop and smell the roses more often. 

I wish I could stop: Pain, disease and injustice. 

I respect myself for: Stopping smoking after 17 
years of one and a half packs per day. I have 
remained smoke-free for two years and one 
month. 

Role Models/heroes: B. F. Skinner, PhD 


Medical Corps birthday 

(Continued from page 3) 

women physicians who were deployed to USNS 
MERCY (T- AH 19). 

M I am very proud of our active-duty and reserve 
physicians who have been called upon to support the 
deployment,” said Rear Adm. Robert W. Higgins, 
Chief, Medical Corps at BUMED. “And constantly 
heartened by those who remained behind to carry 
out the business of our medical treatment facilities. 

“We have once again worked as a team to achieve 
a common goal: provide the very finest medical care 
for our forces in harms way, and ease their concerns 
that the loved ones they have entrusted to our care 
remain in good hands.” 


Transportation 

( Continued from page 8) 

points to me and says somethings wrong... instead, i 
seems as though they’re spoiling me.” 

According to Transportation Foreman 0 
McCole, the most challenging assignment ot * 
department is to have checked-out vehicles return 
on time, with trip tickets filled out completely. 


Chaplain's Corner 

Come meet Father Chabot 


Howdy! I am the newest 
chaplain on board, a Catholic 
priest named Father Bruce 
Chabot. Father Mattie is 
underway with many of our 
shipmates on the hospital 
ship MERCY. Like many of 
our new friends at Naval 
Hospital Oaklandf NHO), I 
come from the selected 
reserve, though I don’t really 
know how long I will be here. 
C’est la guerre. 

If you drop by my office (on 
the third deck, by the freight 


elevators) you may notice 
Jimmy Buffett music in the 
background. I’m from Corpus 
Christi, Texas (the Sparkling 
City by the Sea), specifically 
the Cathedral parish. 
Columbus Ohio was where I 
went to the Seminary My 
background includes chaplain 
training at Naval Hospital 
Great Lakes, Naval Air 
Station Keflavik, Submarine 
Base Kings Bay, Camp 
LeJeune and the USS 
Lexington. 


Here, we will continue to 
have daily Mass at noon in 
the chapel and plan for Holy 
Week and Easter. If you are 
of my faith tradition, perhaps 
I can help you with Con- 
fession or Communion, and 
please remember, Anointing 
of the Sick isn’t just for the 
dying — it’s for anyone who 
needs healing of mind and 
body! Please let us know 
(633-5561) if you need any- 
thing. Many thanks to every- 
one for being so friendly and 
welcoming. Don’t be a 
Romulan — stop in and say 
howdy! 


March 1991 Red Rover Page S 

f ■■■ .... ' 


Desert Storm Spotlight 


USNS Mercy wraps up Operation Desert Storm 




P 


By JOl W. David 
Melancon 

ABOARD THE USNS 
MERCY (TAH-19) — After 
welcoming 21 Americans and 
two Italians held as prisoners 
of war (POW) by Iraq, the 
crew of the USNS MERCY 
began wrapping up their 210- 
day deployment. 

The former POWs boarded 
the ship for medical evalua- 
tion after being released by 
the Iraqi government. For the 
many medical specialists and 
support personnel aboard the 
MERCY, it was the high point 
of the deployment after many 
months of standing by — 
ready to assist. 

“Just to be able to work 
with these guys for 24 hours 


has made seven months of 
work and training much more 
worthwhile,” said Lt. J.G. 
Kim Flinn, a Navy nurse 
deployed to the MERCY from 
Naval Hospital San Diego, 
Calif. “It was worthwhile 
before, but this is the sort of 
thing we’ve been here for.” 

“This justifies our whole 
reason for being out here,” 
agreed Petty Officer Mark 
Busam, a Radiology Technolo- 
gist based at Naval Air 
Station Moffett Field in 
California. “The ship has a 
place in history now... I felt 
really proud just to be around 
these people.” 

The more than 1,200 medi- 
cal professionals, support per- 
sonnel and Military Sealift 


; 

i 


March 12, 1991 
Good morning! 

My 6th grade classroom has been corresponding with 
the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) this year through the Adopt-A- 
Ship program of the Propeller Club of America. One of the 
crew members recently sent us a copy of Red Rover. The 
students found it very interesting because it provided them 
with a wader perspective in understanding the deployment 
of the USNS Mercy. 

My students would like to let you and the crew of the 
USNS Mercy know how thankful they are that this fine 
hospital ship did not have to be tested to its limits during 
Operation Desert Storm because of the minimal numbers 
of injuries to allied forces/ 


\0<r\ 



David Kowal, Teacher 
Chilton Elementary School 
509 School Court 
Chilton, WI 53014 


Command civilians of USNS 
MERCY spent their deploy- 
ment in the Arabian Gulf 
preparing for a massive job 
they were never called to do. 
For more than half a year, 


...preparing for a 
massive job they were 
never called to do... 


they waited for the many 
casualties that never came — 
and they’re very, very glad. 

“You won’t find a crew any- 
where that is more delighted 
to have spent so much time 
being bored,” said Navy Capt. 


Paul Barry, Commanding 
Officer of MERCY’S Medical 
Treatment Facility. “Being 
bored is a good thing for peo- 
ple in our positions. 

Throughout Operation 
Desert Storm , MERCY didn’t 
receive the large amount of 
anticipated casualties . Yet, 
the MERCY crew managed to 
stay very busy. During the 
deployment, the MERCY 
treated more than 6,000 out- 
patients from sea- and land- 
based units in the area. More 
than 280 surgeries were per- 
formed, more than 5,500 x- 
rays were taken and 21,000 
laboratory procedures were 
done. 

For many members of the 


crew, Operation Desert Storm 
was their first deployment, 
and they said it was a chance 
to learn about the Navy and 
themselves. 

“I’ve learned a lot out 
here,” said Lt. Trisha Martin, 
an emergency room nurse 
based at Naval Hospital 
Oakland, Calif. “I’ve learned 
a lot of medical and surgical 
procedures I had never seen 
before. 

“Most of all, I learned to 
start from scratch setting up 
a hospital,” the four-year 
Navy veteran continued. “We 
started with just a bunch of 
boxes and a lot of people 
working together — from that 
we got a hospital.” 


Desert stormer get more pay incentives 


WASHINGTON (NNS) — 
Recently the president and 
Congress approved separate 
legislative initiatives affect- 
ing active-duty service mem- 
bers assigned to combat 
zones. The initiatives are 
designed to help ease the 
financial burden faced by 
some military personnel 
assigned to Operation Desert 
Storm. 

The combat zones encom- 
pass the Persian Gulf, Red 
Sea, Gulf of Oman, that por- 
tion of the Arabian Sea north 
of 10 degrees North latitude 
and west of 68 degrees East 
longitude, Gulf of Aden and 
the total land areas of Iraq, 
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, 
Bahrain, Qatar and the 
United Arab Emirates. 

Enlisted personnel and 
commissioned warrant offi- 
cers serving in the designated 
combat area are exempt from 
paying federal income taxes 
on all military pay and 


allowances received sifter Jan. 
16, 1991. The first $500 per 
month of an officer’s pay is 
also exempt. 

Personnel serving in these 
zones can also participate in a 
savings deposit program that 
earns 10 percent interest on 
their money. Under the pro- 
gram, military personnel can 
deposit any portion of their 
monthly net pay and 
allowances. The savings 
account pays 10 percent per 
annum, compounded quarter- 
ly, on amounts up to $10,000. 
No interest will be paid on 
excess funds. 

Interested personnel can 
open an account with their 
local disbursing or finance 
office. Investments can be 
made by cash or check, or 
through allotment. Contri- 
butions for January can be 
paid at the same time as 
February deposits. 

Deposits will remain in the 
account until the personnel 


are permanently reassigned 
out of the combat zones. 
Withdrawals can be made in 
special circumstances. Once 
out of the combat zone, the 
depositor will have 120 days 
to close the account. 

A third provision of the leg- 
islation frees military person- 
nel from interest and penal- 
ties if they are unable to file 
federal income tax returns by 
the April 15 deadline. Con- 
gress approved legislation 
permitting Desert Storm per- 
sonnel to delay filing their 
returns for up to 180 days 
after leaving the Persian Gulf 
area. Extension requests are 
not required by the IRS for 
these delayed returns. 


Free tax service for deployed personnel 


WALNUT CREEK, Calif. 
— The CPA firm of Blanding, 
Boyer and Ryan has offered to 
prepare, free of charge, feder- 
al and California and individ- 
ual income tax returns for 
military personnel who are 
stationed in the Persian Gulf 
and are residents of Contra 
Costa, Alameda and Solono 
Counties — provided the indi- 
viduals meet all of the follow- 
ing criteria. 

• They are a member of 


the United States Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air 
Force, Coast Guard, or belong 
to any reserve unit called to 
active-duty. 

• They were stationed at a 
military base in Contra 
Costa, Alameda or Solono 
Counties at the time of depar- 
ture to serve in the Persian 
Gulf. 

• They were a resident of 
any of the same three coun- 
ties at the time they departed 


For further information- 
call (415)936-0626. 


to serve in the Persian Gulf rized officer of the appropri- 
rea, as defined in Executive ate command. 

Order 12744, January 21 
1991. 

• A spouse, a family mem- 
ber or a trusted friend 
requests the service by send- 
ing in the Tax Return Inquiry 
Request available at the 
appropriate command’s 
Public Affairs Office. 

• Service in Persian Gulf 
is substantiated by an autho- 



~r>' <s 





Page 6 


Red Rover 



text by 


Holding a candle as a symbol of peace, Rachel Chavarria (foreground) hands a bouquet of flowers and an 
American flag to HN Troy Gutierrez (left) and HN Rodney Wheless. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen). 


After months of waiting, 
they're coming back in waves. 
Yellow ribbons were tied 
around poles, colorful bal- 
loons were floating in the air, 
flags were waving, and every- 
where people were exchang- 
ing warm hugs, kisses and 
more hugs. From now until 
the last troops return, the 
eager “welcome home” mood 
will be in the air. 

The first troops to return 


from the Mercy arrived on the 
8th, 9th and 10th of March. 
“From day one, we were ready 
to come home,” said one of the 
returnees. “Oh, it’s good to be 
home!,” were the first words 
of others. According to Lt. 
Claire Brown, a staff nurse 
who returned with the first 
wave, support for the troops 
has been extraordinary from 
the beginning, “We had so 
many letters, so many ban- 


ners showing support for us . . 
. care packages from people 
we didn't even know. That 
was super ... we never lacked 
for anything to eat. We had 
lots of cookies.” 

After months of wondering 
when they would return and 
what the attitude of the 
nation would be, now their 
anxieties can subside. This 
nation is proud and eagerly 
waiting for the last of the 



The first of 14 buses carrying some 420 returning^ 1 
Gym to cheers and applause. They were the firs- * • 
(Photo by JOC Bob Hansen). 



imberly S *h 

lad to be hc J^® ed Butwe |e 










da S. Bernard 



.from USNS MERCY rounds the corner at the Oak Knoll 
ees, who had arrived earlier at Travis Air Force Base. 



, ( 2 I ! l e ! ,h ®. sio,0 9 is, ■ Cdr - Stephen A. Carlson (right 
eeted by his very happy family as he gets off a MAC fli 
iravis Air Force Base. (Photo by Robert Lichty). 



HN Troy Gutierrez gives a big hug to Rachel Chavarria. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen). 



troops to return to American 
soil. Although most of our 
crew is still aboard the hospi- 
tal ship, they will be return- 
ing home soon. For those of 
YOU who have returned, 
“Welcome home — we’re glad 
to have you back.” When that 
huge ship finally pulls into 
port with the rest of the crew, 
there will be a celebration 
that will mark the pages of 
history as clearly as the 
“Storm” itself. 



Hem Jnd 1 Adm hn Roh Bi ! 0 . ,t ’v C ?, mmander ’ Naval Base San incise 

Full* R . bert J - Ke,| y- Commander-In-Chief. U S. Pacifi 
Fleet (right), applaud as U. S. Senator John Seymour addresses 
captive audience at Oak Knoll. (Photo by J02 James Berry). 



Page 8 


Red Rover 


March 199] 


Security Department is here to help 


BY JOC Bob Hansen 

We see them everywhere 
dressed in their distinctive 
camouflage uniforms, and 


They’re part of Naval 
Hospital Oakland’s ( NHO) 
Security Department — a 
department full of the new 
faces of the reactived 
reservists who are backfill- 
ing for Security personnel 
deployed to USNS MERCY 
(T-AH 19) in August. 

Most notable among the 
reservists are Hospital 
Corpsman Master Chief 
Thomas (T.C.) Noble, Head of 
Security, and Hospital Corps- 
man Chief Mike Paterson, 
Deputy Security Officer and 
Chief of Police. The latter 
comes from the California 
Highway Patrol, and brings 
with him a wealth of knowl- 
edge and experience. 

“Security maintains law 
and order, enforces regula- 
tions and provides security 
against criminal and terror- 
ist activity on base,” said 
Paterson. “We enforce civil 
law, Navy regulations, the 
Uniform Code of Military 
Justice — all appropriate 
laws.” 

Because of the Middle East 
crisis and the threat of ter- 
rorism, Security has been 
strengthened, said Noble. 


Paterson agreed and rein- 
forced that the threat of ter- 
rorism is taken “very serious- 


— typically young sailors tak- 
ing shortcuts — have been 
caught, and when they're 
caught, they can find them- 
selves in serious trouble — in 
some cases, they have been 
sent to Mast.” 

Noble said that enforcing 
traffic laws is top priority for 
him. “Speeding and running 
stop signs will get you a 
ticket,” he said. “There are too 
many blind spots and too 
many disabled patients who 
can't move fast.” 

He added that Security 
patrolmen use radar and 
wear orange fluorescent 
vests for high visibility, but 
“even so, we could write 
speeding tickets all day long.” 

Noble signaled parking as 
one of the most common 
problems on base because 
there are just not enough 
marked spaces to accommo- 
date the vehicular traffic. 

“We average about 3,000 
cars on base every work-day, 
and have counted 1,700 by 10 
a.m.,” he said — “including 
staff, patients, vendors and 
visitors, many of whom want 
to park close to the hospital. 
Many of the close-in parking 


is reserved for outpatients 
and senior staff, he observed. 
This results in about 250 
parking tickets a month — a 
number that could be great- 
ly increased if they had the 
manpower. 

Patrolmen work 13-hour 
days and, according to Noble, 
an auxiliary security force 
made up of volunteers work- 
ing on their own time, has 
been established to augment 
the regular force. 

There are many facets to 
the Security Department. 
Although patrolmen at the 
gate are the most visible, 
many work behind the scene 

dispatchers, watch section 
supervisors, the pass and 
decal office and all the folks 
who help with problems and 
rescues such as starting cars 
with dead batteries and 
responding to calls from resi- 
dents, among others. 

In addition to his many 
duties, Paterson is also in 
charge of investigations, 
where his law and order 
enforcement background 
comes in handy. “We work 
closely with Naval Investi- 
gative Service and do all of 
the preliminary investiga- 
tions of all criminal acts and 
misdemeanors at NHO,” he 
said — “assault and theft 
cases, accident investiga- 
tions.” 


y ly. There are extra security 

often don t give them a second checkpoints around the base, 
thought until we need them he advised. “And intruders 


NHO Red Cross: Service is byword 


"ZZ 






Randy Ortega, NHO Red Cross Manager. (Photo by JOC Bob 
Hansen). 

“I am glad to be back,” he 
said. “It's good to see so 


By JOC Bob Hansen 

Randy Ortega is Naval 
Hospital Oakland’s (NHO) 
new Red Cross Station 
Manager, and he's done won- 
ders for the station since he 
reported on board on October 
1st. 

“When I got here, I inherit- 
ed 28 volunteers,” he said. 
“We are in the neighborhood 
of 96 now, but we still need 
more. Even though some 
[retired] physicians have vol- 
unteered recently, it's still not 
enough.” 

He said he’s doubling his 
recruiting efforts and did a 
needs assessment. “I went to 
each department to ask how 
many volunteers they need- 
ed, and how long they needed 
them. I got a job description 
and, based on four hours a 
week per person, determined 
we need 206 volunteers.” 

A native of the Philippines, 
Ortega joined the Red Cross 
at the Subic Bay Naval 
Station 17 years ago. He has 
also worked at Trippler Air 
Force Base in Hawaii and 
Naval Air Station Lemoore, 
as well as Letterman Army 
Medical Center and, once 
before. NHO. 


many familiar faces.” 

The Red Cross manager 
said he is the only paid staff 
member. He manages a staff 


of volunteers — many of 
whom have medical back- 
grounds — who serve as case 
workers, run information 
desks, work in the Emergency 
(Continued on page 10) 



SN Kevin Robinette issues a citation to a staff member s car parked 
in one of the outpatient parking lots. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen). 


Noble explained that, in 
many ways, NHO is like a 
small town, “with housing, a 
credit union, a gas station 
and as store.” 

According to Paterson, 
Security on base is doing a 
great job, and outsiders as 
well as command people have 
validated their performance 
— for example, a security 
courier and a couple of FBI 
agents who were challenged 
at the gate. 

Noble attributes much of 


the Department's success to 
the outstanding command 
support they’ve had. “The 
commanding officer and the 
executive officer have been 
very supportive,” he said. “Its 
often a thankless job, but 
we've put together an out- 
standing Security Depart- 
ment and have every inten- 
tion of maintaining it.” 

But the bottom line, he 
concluded, “is that Security 
is here to help.” 


Transportation: 

Civilians keep fleet going 


By HM3 Melinda S. 

Bernard 

Certainly you’ve noticed 
the shiny white Navy vehicles 
cruising around Oakland 
Naval Hospital’s base. But 
have you ever stopped to ask 
yourself, “Who is in charge of 
that great white fleet?” 
Tucked behind PSD, far 
removed from the hospital, is 
an inconspicuous little white 
building where all of these 
vehicles are kept and where 
the “care takers” go about 
their daily tasks. 

Nine Civil Service employ- 
ees keep the Transportation 
Department running. The 
“great white fleet” consists of 
60 vehicles that are loaned 
out to various departments 
throughout the command and 
14 ambulances and buses. 

The department’s main 
mission is to support the com- 
mand in transportation 
needs. This entails transport- 
ing patients, medical pick-ups 
and deliveries (x-rays, lab 
specimens) and providing 
vehicles for the various 
departments. 

Each day the five trans- 
portation drivers average 


about 15 runs to various loca- 
tions throughout the Bay 
Area (University of California 
Davis, Treasure Island, 
Cupertino, Sacramento, Na- 
val Weapons Center Concord, 
etc.) In addition, the drivers 
are on call to transport speci- 
mens during surgeries or 
other medical procedures. 

Ana Maria' Osorio. 
Transportation TypistThspat- 
cher, is responsible for orga- 
nizing the department's man) 
tasks. 

“One of my talents in 
job is my patience,” asserts 
Osorio. This is a valuable 
attribute considering S” e 
must juggle many tasks 
simultaneously. In addition 

to arranging transportation 

for patients, filling out tflp 
tickets, communicating 
drivers over the CB radio, an 
performing clerical tas 
Osorio must also interne 
with customers — somethin# 
she loves to do best. 

When asked how she fej 
about being the only won \ e 
in the department, 
replied, “I love it! No 0 
(Continued on 












v 







I 



March 1991 


Red Rover 


Loose teeth require immediate care 


By LT Robert Bouffard, 

DC 

Among the dental condi- 
tions seen in emergency clin- 
ics, lost or loose teeth are 
among -the most common. 
Lost (or avulsed) teeth result 
frequently from accidents, 
fights or other traumatic 
events. Loose teeth, common- 
ly referred to by dentists as 
luxated teeth, can result from 
similar accidents. 

Both avulsed teeth and 
luxated teeth can be signs of 
underlying periodontal dis- 
ease, a process leading to the 
destruction of hard and soft 
tissue support of the teeth. A 
luxated tooth or group of 


teeth can suggest a more seri- 
ous fracture of the jawbone, 
either the maxilla (upper jaw) 
or mandible (lower jaw). 
Loose or lost teeth in children 
can reflect the normal exfolia- 
tive process of primary (baby) 
teeth. 

Immediate dental care is 
extremely important to 
ensure successful therapy for 
traumatically avulsed or lux- 
ated teeth. The avulsed tooth 
should be replaced immedi- 
ately into the socket from 
where it came ifthiscanbe 
performed relatively comfort- 
ably. If this is not an option, 
the two most important fac- 
tors to consider are: to keep 


the tooth moist and to trans- 
port the patient and the tooth 
immediately to a dental care 
facility where a dentist may 
replace the tooth. To elimi- 
nate the risk of being swal- 
lowed, the avulsed tooth 
should not be placed in the 
mouth during transport. 

Never place an avulsed 
tooth in tissue or gauze. 
Water and saline are more 
acceptable, but not ideal 
either. Cold, fresh milk is the 
most appropriate storage and 
transport media commonly 
available. To allow the sup- 
porting structures to heal, 
replanted avulsed teeth and 
luxated teeth will very often 
require temporary fixation or 
splinting. 


Another treatment possi- 
bility is root canal therapy. 
These decisions and treat- 
ments need to be made by a 
dentist, after a thorough clini- 
cal and radiographic exam 
that will detect more severe 
jaw fractures, underlying 
periodontal disease processes 
or other pathology. 

Children are expected to 
lose their primary teeth; how- 
ever they are also commonly 
the victims of traumatic 
injury. If it is suspected that 
a tooth has been traumatical- 
ly avulsed or luxated, a den- 
tist should be consulted. 

When such an accident 
occurs, whether child or 
adult, the patient should be 
expediently transported, 


along with the tooth (if 
avulsed) in acceptable trans- 
port media to a dental care 
facility. Also, as a courtesy 
and to insure prompt treat- 
ment, the facility should be 
notified of the incident prior 
to departure. 

As with most medical 
emergencies, prevention is 
the best treatment. Avoid sit- 
uations which may lead to 
injury and seek regular den- 
tal care to diagnose and treat 
underlying conditions. 


Test your nutritional knowledge: 



NUTRITION MONTH 



S MAQC 


By LTJG Katherine M. 
Starr, MSC 

Nutrition experts have 
long .said that eating more 
fruit, whole grains, fresh veg- 
etables and beans is impor- 
tant to maintaining a healthy 
diet. 

Along with healthy eating, 
cutting back on foods high in 
fat and cholesterol is impor- 
tant. However, when most 
people cut back on fat and 
cholesterol intake, foods rich- 
est in nutrients such as calci- 
um and iron — milk and red 
meats — are usually the first 
items dropped from the gro- 
cery list. 

The staff at the hospital's 
Nutrition Clinic want you to 
know that you don't necessar- 
ily have to give up these foods 
to eat nutritionally — you 
just need to make a few 
healthful trade offs. Here are 
a few suggestions to help bal- 


ance your nutrition: 

• Switch to skim or one 
percent milk. 

• Choose lean cuts of meat 
such as round, sirloin, chuck 
and loin. Serve moderate por- 
tions, two to three ounces, 
twice daily. 

• Use small amounts of 
cheese for flavoring instead of 
using it as a main ingredient. 
Buy lowfat cheese with no 
more than six grams of fat per 
one ounce serving. 

• Go easy on the mar- 
garine and vegetable oils. 
Although they contain health- 
ful unsaturated fats, they’re 
still fats and their calories 
can add unwanted pounds. 
Fats contain nine calories per 
gram. Carbohydrates and 
proteins contain only four 
calories per gram. This means 
fat has more than twice the 
calories as protein and carbo- 
hydrates. 


Attention Red Rover contributors 


Do yourself and your 
friendly editor a favor! Send 
us the floppy discs on which 
you type your stories in addi- 
tion to the hard copies. 
Because the editorial staff 
works under pressure of 
deadlines, this will help the 
proofreader make the appro- 
priate stylistic changes with- 
out having to retype the 
entire text. 

It will also increase the 
odds of your story being pub- 
ished in a timely manner, 
Since takes only a few min- 


utes to enter and print the 
corrected copy directly on the 
computer. 

Finally, it will save the 
Navy and taxpayers money 
by reducing typesetting cost 
at time of publication. 

We have both Enable and 
Word Perfect capability. 
Please call if you have any 
questions. Point of contact for 
further information is HM3 
Melinda Bernard or JOSA 
Kyna Kirkpatrick at AV 828- 
5918 or COMM (415) 633- 
5918. 


• For tasty snacks, choose 
these: angelfood cake, fresh 
fruit, fig bars, gingersnaps, 
plain popcorn, lightly salted 
pretzels, sherbet and lowfat 
yogurt. 

Questions: 

1. Which has more fat? 

a. 1 oz. turkey pastrami 

b. 1 oz. turkey breast 

c. 1 oz. flank steak 

2. Which has more 
cholesterol? 

a. 3 oz. beef 

b. 1/12 piece of 10 inch 
sponge cake 

c. 1/8 slice of nine inch 
lemon meringue pie 

3. Which contains 
cholesterol? 

a. peanut butter 


b. fish 

c. vegetable oil 

4. Which contains the most 
fat? 

a. chicken nuggets 

b. plain baked potato 

c. small plain hamburger 

5. Which fat is the most fat 
(saturated fats raise blood 
cholesterol levels)? 

a. butter 

b. lard 

c. coconut oil 

d. palm kernel oil 

Answers 

1. (a) Depending on the 

brand, turkey pastrami can 
contain up to 60% fat calories. 
Turkey breast is 18% fat calo- 
ries and frank steak is 30% 
fat calories. 


2. (b) Sponge cake has the 
highest amount of choles- 
terol — 164 milligrams. Fol- 
lowed by lemon meringue pie, 
98 milligrams and lean beef, 
77 milligrams. 

3. (b) Only animal products 
(including fish) contain cho- 
lesterol. Plant products do 
not contain cholesterol (i.e. 
peanut butter, vegetable oils). 

4. (a) Chicken nuggets that 
are fried contain about 59% 
fat calories. A plain baked 
potato is virtually fat-free and 
a small hamburger has about 
35% fat calories. 

5. (c) Coconut oil is the most 
saturated fat — 92%, followed 
by palm kernel oil — 86%, but- 
ter — 66%, and lard 41 — 41%. 


PSD Comer 

What every servicemember should know 


• Single BAQ/VHA for 
reservists. 

Reservists in paygrade 
E4 or above with over four 
years service, with no 
dependents, who reside in 
the BEQ/BOQ are entitled 
to single BAQ/VHA for the 
first 90 days of active duty. 
This entitlement stops on 
the 91st day of active-duty. 

• Dependent ID card 
information. 

Q: What documentation 
is required? A: Normally, 
the sponsor must obtain a 
verified application (DD 


Form 1172) from the ser- 
vicing personnel office. 
This form is then present- 
ed to the ID issuing office 
by the dependent seeking a 
card. 


Q: What if my sponsor is 
deployed? A: The issuing 
office will verify previous 
DEERS enrollment and 
issue a replacement ID 
card based on the sponsor’s 
recorded expiration of 
enlistment, four years, or 
other ending date, which- 
ever comes first. 


Q: What if my spouse is 
deployed and the informa- 
tion is not reflected in 
DEERS? A: The dependent 
may present a copy of the 
Marriage Certificate/Birth 
Certificate proving the 
spouse/child relationship 
and any document identify- 
ing the sponsor’s name and 
social security number. 
The issuing office will then 
verify the sponsor’s status, 
issue the appropriate card, 
and update the DEERS 
data base accordingly. 


Red Rover 



Page 10 

Civilian news 

Vacancy announcements 

Position Title/Service grade f 

Physical Science Technician 
Medical Technologist 
Health Technician 
Clerk-Typist 
Medical Technologist 
Secretary (Typing) 

Medical Clerk 
Clerk-Typist 
Medical Clerk (Typing) 

File Clerk 
Industrial Hygenist 
Housekeeping Aid 
(2 Positions, Temp NTE 1 Year) 

Chemist 

Vocational Nurse 
Firefighter (Structural) 

Supply Clerk 
Respiratory Therapist 
Physicians Assistant 
Orthotist or Orthotist Prothetist 
Supvy Word Processing System Operator 
Communications Specialist 
Contact Representative (Typ) 

Medical Record Technician 
Housekeeping Aid Foreman 
Motor Vehicle Operator 
Budget Assistant 
Purchasing Agent 
Medical Records Technologist 
Contact Representative 
Budget Assistant 
Supvy Financial Assistant 
Secretary (Typ) 

Clerk-Typist 
L>ead Civilian Pay Tech 
Facilities Engineer 
Nurse Practitioner (Family) 

Physicians Assistant 
Education Specialist 
Staffing Assistant 
Budget Assistant 
Purchasing Agent (Temp/2 Pos) 

Occupational Therapist 
Clincial Dietitian 
Nurse Consultant 
Social Worker 

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 
Optometrist 
Clerk-Stenographer 
Housekeeping Aid 
Food Service Worker 
Social Service Representative 
Community Health Nurse 
Auditor 

Supvy. Computer Systems Analyst 
Procurement Clerk (Typ) 

Voucher Examiner (Typ) 

Medical Officer (OccupMed) 

Medical Officer (Gen. Prac.) 

Occupational Health Nurse 
Nurse Practioner 
Clincial nurse 
Chemist 

Closing Date: 

OC-Open Continuously 

Applicants should refer to the individual vacancy announcements for complete information and qualifications. Announcements may be 
obtained by calling (415) 633-6372 or Autovon 828-6372, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., or by visiting the Civilian 
Personnel Office at 8750 Mountain Boulevard, they will also give you a complete listing of vacancies. Filling of these positions may be 
delayed due to the DoD hiring freeze. 


March 


GS- 13 11 -4/5/6 

Navy Drug Screening Lab 

OC 

GS-644-7/9 

Laboratory 

oc 

GS-640-4/5 

Various Locations 

OC 

GS-322-3/4 

Navy Drug Screening Lab 

oc 

GS-644-7/9 

Navy Drug Screening Lab 

oc 

GS-3 18-4/5 

Various Locations 

oc 

GS-679-3/4 

Various Locations 

oc 

GS-322-3/4 

Various Locations 

oc 

GS-679-3/4 

Various Locations 

oc 

GS-305-3/4 

Various Locations 

oc 

GS-690- 7/9/1 1 

Various Locations 

oc 

WG-3566-0 1 

Operation Management 

OUF 

GS- 1320-7/9 

Navy Drug Screening Lab 

oc 

GS-620-05 

Nursing Services 

oc 

GS-081-05 

Operations Dept. 

oc 

GS-2005-6 

Material Management 

OUF 

GS-651-7 

Respiratory Therapy 

OUF 

GS-603-11 

Mare Island 

OUF 

GS-667-9 

Orthapedic Dept. 

OUF 

GS-303-7/8 

Patient Admin. 

OUF 

GS-393- 1 1 

Management Information 

OUF 

GS-962-5/6 

Patient Admin. 

OUF 

GS-675-7/8 

Patient Admin. 

OUF 

WS-3566-2 

Operations Management 

OUF 

WG-5703-5 

Operations Management 

OUF 

GS-56 1-6/7 

Clinical Investigation 

OUF 

GS- 1105-6/7 

Purchasing Division 

OUF 

GS-675-5 

Patient Admin. 

OUF 

GS-962-07 

Patient Admin. 

OUF 

GS-56 1-07 

Fiscal Dept. 

OUF 

GS-503-8/9 

Fiscal Dept. 

OUF 

GS-3 18-3/4/5 

Naval School Hlth Sri. 

OUF 

GS-322-03 

Facilities Mgmt. 

OUF 

GS-544-6 

Fiscal Dept. 

OUF 

GS-801-11 

Facilities Management 

OUF 

GS-6 10-9/1 1 

BMC Moffett Field 

OUF 

GS-603-11 

Internal Medicine 

OUF 

GS-1710-11 

Naval School Hlth Sri 

OUT' 

GS-203-6 

Civilian Personnel 

OUF 

GS-56 1-7 

Nursing Service 

OUF 

GS- 1105-6 

Contracting Dept. 

OUF 

GS-63 1-7/9 

Phy/Occ Therapy 

OUF 

GS-630-09 

Food Management Dept. 

OUF 

GS-6 10- 11 

Nursing Service 

OUF 

GS-185-1 1 

BMC Mare Island 

OUF 

GS-647-5/6/7/8 

Radilogy Dept. 

OUF 

GS-662-12 

BMC Alameda 

OUF 

GS-3 12-5 

Psychiatric Dept. 

OUF 

WG-3566-2 

Operations Management 

OUF 

WG-7408-02 

Food Service Dept. 

OUF 

GS-187-7 

Social Service Dept. 

OUF 

GS-6 10- 11 

Social Service Dept. 

OUF 

GS-511-11 

Command Evauiation 

OUF 

GM-334-13 

Management Information 

OUF 

GS-1 106-4/5 (2) 

Material Management 

OUF 

GS-540-4/5 (2) 

Material Management 

OUF 

GS-602-13 

Various Locations 

OC 

GS-602-13 

Various Locations 

OC 

GS-6 10-9 

Various Locations 

OC 

GS-6 10-9/11 

Various Locations 

OC 

GS-6 10-9 

Various Locations 

OC 

GS-1 320-5/7 

Navy Drug Screening Lab 

OC 

OUF-Open until filled 





=*S 


633-6000 will soon be the number to call for an appointment 


A system that will improve patients’ access to appointments will soon be in 
place at Oak Knoll. Watch Red Rovers next issue for full details. 


=rf5 


Central Pacific Sports Conference (CPSC) 


CPSC Racquetball 
Championships. 

Racquetball Champion- 
ships will be held March 28 - 
31 commencing at 9 a.m. 
There will be three categories: 
Men’s Senior Singles and 
Women’s Singles will both be 
held at Naval Air Station 
Moffett Field; Men’s Open 
Singles will be held at Naval 
Air Station Alameda. To com- 
pete in the Senior Division, 
participants must have 
reached their 35th birthday 
on or before March 28. 

Official IRA Rules and 
RSFSO SFRAN INST 1710.1 
will govern. Participants are 
required to wear suitable eye 
protection. Commands may 
enter unlimited entries for 
the Women’s Singles tourna- 
ment and a maximum num- 
ber of four singles entries for 
both the Men’s Senior Singles 
and Men’s Open Singles tour- 
naments. Athletic/Recreation 
Directors are asked to list 
their entries in order of seed. 
This will give the tournament 
director an approximate num- 
ber of “expected” participants. 

Team scoring will be on the 
basis of one point for each 
match won in the winners 
bracket and one-half point for 
each match won in the losers 
bracket. Awards will be pre- 
sented to the top four place 
winners. 

CPSC Track and Field 
Championships 

On Saturday, April 6 the 
CPSC Track and Field 
Championships will be held 
at Vallejo High School at 1 
p.m. 

Each command may enter 
three participants in each 
event except the relays which 
are limited to one entry per 
command. A participant may 
enter any three events plus 
the relays. 

Participants must provide 
their own equipment such as 
shot put, javelin, discus, pole 



vault, relay baton, etc. Track 
spikes may not exceed l/$jj 
inch in length. 

Men’s events include ttal j 
100,200, 400, 800; 1500 an# I 
5000 meters; 110-meter log j 
hurdles and the 400- an| ■ 
1600-meter relays. Fieltf I 
events for men include 
javelin, high jump, shot pu 
long jump, triple jump, di 
and pole vault. 

Women’s events inclu_ 
100,200,400,800, 1500 an*. 
5000 meters; 400 meter rela 
shot put, long jump and di 
cus. 

'CPSC Golf League. 

Provided sufficient ent 
are received the league wi 
commence on or about Ma 
20. 

A meeting of command! 
team representatives will 
held Friday, April 26 at Id 
a.m. at Naval Air Statio 
Moffett Field Golf Com 
Snack Bar. It is important 
that a representative from 
each participating team beii 
attendance. League struc 
ture, schedule and by-laws 
will be determined at this 
meeting. Participating 
teams/commands are respoi* 
sible for all hosting expen 
(i.e. green fees). 

For all three events, qu 
tions, berthing requests 
tournament inquiries mayfc 
referred to Mr. Jim Ga»* 
Athletic Director, Centitl 
Pacific Sports conference 
Telephone (707) 646- 

3301/4289 or Autovon 253- 
3301/4289. 

(Editor’s Note: The /Vary 
Track and Field Training 
Camp for men and womci 
will be held May 1 1 - Junet. 
at Naval Station Long Beach ; 
California . Athletes who meet 
the required performance 
standards and wish to submit 
their application for consider 
ation should contact their 
local Athletic Director for 
more information .) 


Red Cross 


Computer tigs 

How to set your clock forward 


By Jim Brackman 
Senior Computer 
Specialist 

Now that spring is upon us 
and we will soon be moving 
our clocks forward for day- 
light saving time, let’s refresh 
our memory on how to set our 
computer’s internal clock for- 
ward one hour. 

Turn on your Zenith 
Computer. Once the main 


menu appears or your C: 
prompt, hold down the Crtl 
Alt and Ins keys together and 
then release them. When the 
following information appears 
in the upper left corner: 
Monitor, Version 

Memory, Size 
Enter “?” for help 
— >SETUP 

type the word SETUP and 
then press the ENTER key. 
Use the cursor keys to move 


to the time option. Just type 
over the displayed time with 
the new time and then press 
the ENTER key. To save the 
new time permanently, press 
the ESC key, then press the Y 
key, and finally press the 
ENTER key. 

If your computer is not a 
Zenith, please call the folks in 
the Information Resource 
Center at 633-5385 and they 
will help you change the time. 


(Continued from page 8) 

Room and in the clinics and 
wards. 

“They’re everywhere in the 
hospital,” he said, adding 
that they visit patients, take 
vital signs, distribute reading 
materials and cookies as well 
as provide health and safety 
services and instruction. 

The secret of the dynamic 
manager’s success is that he 
doesn’t confine himself to the 
status quo and directs his 
energy to creating new pro- 
grams. 

“We are planning a ‘volun- 
teen’ program,”’ he said, 
explaining the teens will be 
orientated by the Nursing 
Department before they start 


work. “Six are already lined 
up.” 

Ortega said the Red Cro>* 
workload has increased 44fc 
“We’re getting more requests 
for financial assistance, veri- 
fication of illness, counseling 
and emergency help. I f re ~ 
quentlv work 14 hours a day. 
come in on Saturdays and 
bring work home.” 

Because “everything off 
base” is the responsibility °* 
the Oakland area manager, 
Ortega’s case load does not 
take him beyond the con- 
fines of NHO. But he doesnt 
mind because “[he’s] always 
loved hospital assignment, 
where the people are spe* 
cial.” 


t« 



; - 


I 





March 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 11 


People, places, events 


Urologist wins resident competition 


at Oak Knoll 



Brig. Gen. Leslie M. Burger (left), Commander, Letterman Army 
Medical Center, and Radm. David. M. Lichtman, pose with Dr. Jack 
Lanier, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health 
Affairs during the latter’s recent visit to San Francisco Medical 
Command (SFMC). Dr. Lanier came to SFMC to be briefed on the 
multi-service organization’s coordinated care initiatives with 
Foundation Health Plan. Foudation Health is the Champus Reform 
Initiative (CRI) subcontractor for Northern California. (Photo by JOC 
Bob Hansen). 



HM1 Silas Berry and wife Kim accept a $100 check and plaque from 
Hadwick Thompson, President, Oakland Council of the Navy 
League, while RADM Lichtman looks on. Berry was NHO’s sailor of 
the year for 1990. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen). 



r!S! C ^. QU P' Capt ’ John Rowe - left > representing Naval Hosp 
M a . and > and Capl ' Ray Adico,t > (second from right), Commodore 
MihOry Sealift Command Pacific, accept a quilt from Aleta Silves 
bi vestri, who makes quilts to raise funds for the El Crystal Sclv 
st f<? dC . d by o er chi,dren - coordinated a group of fifteen mothers 
at San Bruno p ark School District to make the quilt 
Brun ° Ci, V Councilman Larry Franzella.The quilt w 

(Ph ® py pothers in honor of the crew of the USNS Men 
(Photo by PHC Tom Howser). 


Lt. John Kelzur (2nd from 
left) receives a plaque from Lt. 

Cdr. Ray Leidich (to his right), 

Chairman of NHO Urology Dept, 
for winning second prize in the 
1990 Annual Northern California 
Urology Resident Competition. 

Also shown are Capt. N. V. 

Bulusu (extreme left), a recalled 
reservist serving in the Urology 
Department and Norwich-Eaton 
representative, Dona Bergin. 

Sponsored by Norwich-Eaton 
Laboratories, the competition 
was held at the University of 
California, San Francisco 
(UCSF). It involved Urology resi- 
dents from Stanford University, 

University of California, Davis, 

UCSF and Naval Hospital x _ _ 

Oakland. Urology, won the prize for a Management of Fungal Pye- 

Keisur, a junior resident in paper entitled, “Diagnosis and lonephritis in the Neonate. 



DT2 Smith is February Sailor of the Month 

According to Dental Technician 
Second Class Dione Smith a philoso- 
phy of consistent hard work, a good 
disposition, and respect for his ship- 
mates were critical to his being 
selected February Sailor of the 
Month. Smith, pictured here show- 
ing off his award plaque and gift 
wrist watch to his wife Renee, said 
that, “I would never give patients 
something I wouldn’t use myself.” 

According to the citation, Smith was 
cited for his outstanding perfor- 
mance and contributions which 
“greatly enhanced the Command’s 
Quality Assurance Program by 
trouble shooting problem areas 
related to significant streamlining of 
fabrication procedures.” The citation 
also noted that his individualized 
instruction to laboratory personnel 
resulted in the delivery of removable 
prosthetics of the highest quality 
and reduction of production cost.” 

Dental Technician First Class 
Michael Kent, Smith’s Leading 
Petty Officer at the Dental Annex, 
said of Smith, “He’s one outstanding 
sailor — I’m thrilled to have him 
aboard.” 


Farewell to HMCM Mike Stewart 

(Continued from page 2) 



ter chief looks forward to growing old and 
advancing in his career. 

“I’m looking forward to my next job at 
Bethesda,” he said. “What I really want to 
do is stay on active-duty for a few more 
years and continue to work with junior 
enlisted.” 

Before he left, Stewart had some final 
thoughts: “The entire command here is 
unbelievable and I encourage everyone to 
take time to get to know its people— The 
many civilians who are taken for granted 
and do such a great job for us. 

“I would like to thank the directors for 
the amazing support of the enlisted staff; 
the chiefs who have been my right arm. 

Thanks also to our ombudsmen for the 
amount of work they have done simply 
because they care and to my many secre- 
taries. 

“I leave knowing that the enlisted are in 
the very capable hands of Senior Chief 



HMCM Stewart and wife Diane cut the cake at 
his farewell party. (Photo by JOC Bob Hansen). 


Dental Technician Jeri McIntosh until 
Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Thomas 
Grieb checks aboard,” he concluded. 

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Mike, — 
good luck to you your old shipmates will 
miss you. 



Page 12 


Reel Business 


Red Rover 


March 1991 


Guilty by Suspicion 



Against a dark and com- 
plex chapter of American 
history — the Hollywood 
communist witch hunts 
conducted by the House 
Unamerican Activities 
Committee (HUAC) during 
the 40s and 50s — IRWIN 
WINKLER, himself one of 
the industry's most distin- 
guished filmmakers, has 
set his powerful screenplay 
for “Guilty By Suspicion,” 
with which he makes his 
directorial debut. 

Two-time Academy 


Award-winner ROBERT 
DE NIRO stars as David 
Merrill, a gifted director 
who falls victim to studio 
blacklisting while he is at 
the peak of his career. 

David can save himself 
if he is willing to testify 
before HUAC and, most 
important, if he will name 
the friends and associates 
with whom he attended 
those few, scattered leftist 
meetings so many years 
ago. 

Starring as MerrilTs 


wife is Oscar nominee 
ANNETTE BENING, 
while GEORGE WENDT 
plays Merrill's longtime 
friend, screenwriter Bunny 
Baxter, who is also called 
before HUAC. Emmy win- 
ner PATRICIA WETTIG 
portrays a distraught star 
whose husband is subpoe- 
naed, and veteran actor 
SAM WANAMAKER, a 
real-life blacklist victim, is 
seen in the role of a prag- 
matic defense attorney. 


Mid-career teacher program for 
retired Navy personnel 


COMNAVBASE SAN 
FRANCISCO, Calif. — On 
February 13, representatives 
from California State Univer- 
sity San Francisco (CSUSF), 
California State Department 
of Education, California 
Commission on Teacher 
Credentialing and Comman- 
der Naval Base (COM- 
NAVBASE) San Francisco 
Personal Excellence Depart- 
ment hosted an orientation 
session at the Admiral Nimitz 
Club on Treasure Island to 
explain a special program cre- 
ated for the benefit of retired, 
or about-to-retire Navy ser- 
vice members. 

Teaching is a viable career 
option for retired Navy per- 
sonnel and for those who are 
nearing retirement. Many of 
these individuals already 
have significant “podium” 
experience from serving as 
instructors while at Navy 
schools. 


In addition, they have 
highly developed leadership 
and technical skills, as well 
as real-world experience, and 
they are usually young 
enough at retirement to look 
forward to a fully rewarding 
post-service career. For all 
these reasons, retiring Navy 
personnel are a significant 
resource for the community, 
the classroom and the educa- 
tion profession. 


ment in a specially designed 
teacher credential program. 

The idea germinated into a 
financially assisted mid- 
career preparation program 
for the military leading to a 
teaching credential and a 
Master's degree. 


Second career 


Math and science 


Recognizing the critical 
shortage of math and science 
teachers facing our nation's 
public schools in the near 
future, CSUSF and the 
California Department of 
Education, in cooperation 
with the San Francisco 
Unified School District and 
COMNAVBASE San Fran- 
cisco conceived the idea of 
retraining Bachelor degrees- 
bearing sailors nearing retire- 


The Navy is encouraging 
those sailors already retired 
and those nearing retirement 
to seriously consider teaching 
as a second career — a career 
that will enable them to posi- 
tively influence the nation’s 
youth and help build a 
strong America for the future. 

Naval personnel who meet 
the requirements are encour- 
aged to contact Bruce 
Robinson, COMNAVBASE 
Personal Excellence Depart- 
ment Director, for more infor- 
mation. He can be reached at 
(Commercial ) 415/395-3919 or 
(Autovon) 8/475-3919. 


? aving the way 

Continued from page 1) 
Although there are still 
tany complexities that need 
> be ironed out, women are 
stting closer to their ulti- 


mate dreams. Women have ( Editor’s note: Out of 258 


come a long way, but a few admirals, today's Navy num- 
more years must pass before bers three women (plus one 
half of the admirals in the select), or 0.015%.) 

Navy are women. 


Recycling update 




The recycling program for 
Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) is underway. Initially, 
only computer paper and 
white paper such as bond 
paper and copier paper can be 
recycled. In order to realize 
maximum benefit, everyone 
is reminded to separate com- 
puter paper from white paper. 
These paper products will be 
collected in the blue contain- 
ers located in Bldgs. 500, 
505, 131,67 and 63B. Classi- 
fied materials are not to be 
collected in these containers. 
Office collection containers 
are on order to ease sorting 
and collection of waste 
papers. 

NHO had originally plan- 
ned for a comprehensive recy- 
cling program that would 
include aluminum cans, plas- 
tic containers, corrugated 
cardboard, wooden pallets 


and curbside (Housing) recyJ 
cling as well. Ideally, all recy.l’’ 
cled products would have* 
been collected and processed! 
with one vendor, but we were 
urlable to locate a vendor who/' 
would take all of our producta| 
as a turn key operation. 


Because of the way ora 
proposal was phrased, we vri\]t 
probably receive bids for cor-J 
rugated paper, but will hav^/ ( 
to pursue alternatives forthe$ 
other materials. 


Meanwhile, collecting con- 
tainers for aluminum cans 
have been ordered for all 35 
NHO soda machines. Look for 
them by April 15th. Proceeds 
from recycling will be used by 
Morale, Welfare and Recrea- 
tion Department, and each 
command member is encour- 
aged to participate and help 
in the recycling program. 




Oak Knoll viewpoint 
How do you feel now that the war is 
over and the Mercy’s on her way back? 






HM3 Anthony Marcum, coordinator for 
the Mobile Medical Augmentation 
Readiness Team (MMART) 

“It’s great that the war is over and the 
Mercy crew is back, but I feel that some of 
my fellow 8404's have been forgotten and 
when they get back they won't get the same 
welcome.” 




HM3 Deborah Taormina, 
Administrative Assistant, Surgical 
Division 

“I feel very relieved that the war is over 
and I can’t wait to see all my friends who 
have been deployed to the Mercy. I'm glad 
that the number of casualties was very lim- 


ited.' 


Lt. Bill Clawson, Head of Nursing 
Contracts Office 

“I feel relieved!” 




Lt Cdr. Marie E. Kelly, 

Risk Management Coordinator 

“I think they’ve experienced a lot of things 
that we will never really be able to identify 
with. I think also that those .wjio stayed 
behind went through tremendous ordeals 
that deployed people’ll never be able to iden- 
tify with either.” 


Trudy Silva, GS-6, Secretary to Director 
of Community Health Care, Director of 
Nursing Services and Director Branch 
Medical Clinics 

“It’s great that the war is over and it’s 
wonderful that they’ll be coming back. I’m 
looking forward to seeing them.” 






Robert Woodford, GM-13, Occupational 
Safety and Health Manager. 

“It’s fantastic that our NHO folks ai? 
coming back to this special place. All I can 
say is, ‘Welcome’, from the bottom of naj 
heart.” 


Welcome Home Oak 
Knoll Desert 
Stormers 


Change in appointment 
scheduling 

Page 3 


Bravo Zulu HM3 Silva and 
Occupational Health Nurse 
Jeanine Clarke 
Page 7 



RED ROVER 

The Navy's i first commissioned hospital ship 




sXaa/vvUa/v-/v^ 



Volume 3, Number 4 

Naval Hospital Oakland, Calif. 94627*5000 

April, 1991 




A corpsman guards Iraqi EPWs who are being treated by US medical personnel at Al Khanjar. (Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Richard Koehler) 


Oak Knoll medical Desert Stormers 


coming out of the sand 


casualties,” Koehler stressed, 
explaining that the wound- 


By Andree Marechal- 
Workman 

It was 3 a.m. on January 
17 when the air raid sirens 
screamed an urgent, warning, 
piercing the silence over the 
Saudi desert. It wasn’t a drill. 
The waiting was over. Desert 
Storm had begun its mighty 
raging, and for Oak Knoll 
medical personnel deployed 
with the Marines, it was an 
experience they will never 
forget. 

The air raid alarm went 
off and we ran to our fox 
* hote? said Lt. Cmdr. Richard 
Koehler. “There [had been] 
two or three every night but, 
at that time, we wondered if 
Jt was the real thing, so we 
turned on our radios and 
a lound the air war had start- 
ed It was a moment that I 
: Wl11 ^member forever.” 


Koehler, a general sur- 
geon attached to Marine 
Brigade Services Support 
Group 1 (BSSGl) since Sep- 
tember 1, is one of the many 
Oak Knoll physicians and 
corpsmen deployed to vari- 
ous Marine Corps units in 
Saudi Arabia, who are 
returning home quietly and 
without fanfare, every day, 
two and three at a time. 

Anesthetist Lt. Cmdr. 
Michael O’Connor, also with 
BSSGl, was glad the war 
was over because he wanted 
to go home and “would have 
gone through the gates of 
hell to do that — a senti- 
ment shared by neuro sur- 
geon Lt. Cmdr. John Atkin- 
son, assigned to BSSGG7, 
who said that “although we 
were all anxious about the 
casualties we might see, I 


think most people were 
relieved that something was 
finally getting underway.” 

Hospital Corpsman 3rd 
Class David Newmark, also 
with BSSG7, remembers a lot 
of FROG rockets jumping 
around the hospital they had 
set up at Al Mishaib and 
taking care of Navy corpsman 
Clerence Conner of Hemet, 
Calif., who, according to a 
Navy Medicine news clip, 
was the first Desert Stormer 
to get a Purple Heart. “We 
removed shrapnel the size of 
a quarter from his right 
shoulder, Newmark ex- 
plained. “We also had casu- 
alties coming from an oil 
platform [coalition forces] 
blew up and took care of 
wounded Iraqis, Kuwaitis, 
and Saudis.” 

According to Koehler, the 


corpsmen attached to the 
Marines merit a lot of recog- 
nition. “They were living in 
the sand, and when the 
ground war started, they 
went right up to the front line 
with Army personnel carri- 
ers and were being shot at. 
I think they deserve a lot 
of credit.” 

Koehler, O’Connor, Atkin- 
son and Newmark had been 
gone since mid to late August 
and were deployed to various 
Marine companies. But when 
the ground war started, they 
joined what Koehler called “a 
kind of giant size surgical 
hospital with 12 operating 
rooms set up at Al Khanjar, 
about ten miles from the bor- 
der and 25 miles from the 
Iraqi front line. 

“We were the first stop 
for major surgical care for 


ed were first brought by 
corpsmen to a battalion aide 
station (BAS) for immedi- 
ate treatment by a general 
medical officer, then to Al 
Khanjar for resuscitative 
surgery and, if another oper- 
ation was needed, the 
patients were sent to Fleet 
Hospital 5. 

According to Newmark, 
about 700 cases were seen at 
Marine Corps Trauma 
Hospital Al Khanjar — a 
number confirmed by 
Atkinson, who said that they 
“probably saw 90% of all 
allied casualties in the the- 
ater, plus 350 to 400 wound- 
ed Iraqi enemy prisoners of 
war (EPW).” * 

All medical personnel 
(Continued on page 4) 





Page 2 


Red Rover 


April I99j 


From the Executive Officer 
Capt. Noel A. Hyde, 

MSC, USN 



The joy we’ve been sharing with our ship- 
mates the last few weeks is tinged with a 
touch of melancholy. While our old fam- 
ily members are coming back, many of 
our new family must leave. 

I’m talking about our activated 
reservists. Approximately 500 have passed 
through Naval Hospital Oakland since 
the current Middle East crisis started. 
Many have been here so long that we 
think of them as permanent staff members. 
But leave they must, and it is with a sin- 
cere sense of regret that I bid them good- 
bye. 

The reservists were true profession- 
als who, in our time of need, provided 
us with the strength, determination and 
manpower we needed to go on with our mis- 
sion. Many were old friends who had 
either been stationed here on active-duty 
or had performed reserve training here in 
the past. Many were new faces who came 
from all over the United States to pitch in 
and do their part. Some were volunteers 
who willingly gave up a part of their per- 
sonal lives to come to Oak Knoll. Most were 
involuntarily recalled from their com- 
fortable civilian lives, who came here 
without knowing for how long or what 
their jobs would be. All made personal sac- 
rifices to answer the call and all per- 
formed their assigned tasks efficiently 
and competently. They were an integral 
part of our NHO team and we are truly sad 
to see them leave. 

I hope our reserve colleagues will trea- 
sure their time here and enjoy the many 
new friends they’ve made. They may be 
going but they’ll never be forgotten. I’d like 
to encourage all the activated reservists 
to come back and visit us again. If you live 
in the area, I hope you will remain a part 
of our extended family and will continue 
to participate in our command picnics 
and other special events. 

The traditional wish to a departing 
shipmate is “fair winds and a following sea.” 

I offer this wish to each one of you. As you 
return to your civilian jobs, I hope you will 
remember your time spent at NHO with 
great pride for you have served the Navy 
and your nation in a manner without 
equal. 


Jean Lee Porter, a novelist conducting research 
for a new book, has contacted the Public Affairs 
Office requesting assistance in obtaining 
interviews with medical personnel who served 
aboard hospital ships during World War II. People 
able to assist her can contact her at (415) 656- 
6516. Or, you can write her at the following 
address: Jean Lee Porter, 4894 Regents Park Lane, 
Fremont, CA 94538. 


OAK KNOLL PERSPECTIVE 


From the Commanding Officer 
RADM David M. Lichtman, MC, USN 



After seven months in the Middle East, our troops are 
coming home. American military forces returning from the Gulf 
are heroes in the hearts and minds of people all over the world. 
Our fighting forces, with superior technology and in concert 
with the Allied coalition, dealt a decisive defeat to the Iraqi 
aggressors. Yet, the cost of victory was not without a personal 
price - lives were lost, families were separated, sacrifices were 
made. Just ask the Oak Knoll staff who deployed with the 
MERCY or the Marines. The price they paid was enormous. 
Unlike Vietnam, they return to this country with a heroes’ wel- 
come, for very good reason. But, let’s also recognize the 
unsung heroes who helped make this campaign successful, the 
people who stayed behind and kept the home fires burning - 
Oak Knoll staff, reservists and families. 

Finest staff 

Oak Knoll staff is the finest that I’ve ever seen. When our 
troops deployed on a moment’s notice, you were the ones 
who worked double and triple shifts, round the clock, for months 
at a time - military and civilian alike. You not only kept 
essential medical services going, but you provided continu- 
ity to the reservists coming aboard. In the chaos and confusion, 
you were beacons to which others turned for light. You had 
to do more with much less - people, money and materials. The 
job you did was magnificent and spectacular. I am proud to 
be in your service. 

Reservists are heroes 

Reservists are the other heroes in this war. Over night, you 
packed bags and flew to this facility, literally and figuratively. 
You left families, friends and jobs behind to answer the call 
to your country. Without your help, the doors to health 
care at this facility would have closed. The wealth of knowl- 
edge and experience you brought to Oak Knoll has made 
this a richer place to work. I am deeply indebted to you and 
hope many of you will continue on active-duty at Oak Knoll 
or in the Navy. It would be my privilege to serve with you in 
the future. To those of you returning to civilian life, I offer 
my most profound appreciation for your herculean efforts in 
behalf of our country and my command. 

True heroes are families 

The true heroes in this war are the families and friends of 
our deployed troops. In spite of the uncertainty, your courage, 
determination and perseverance were an inspiration to us all. 
The lines of communication you established through let- 
ters and packages kept troop morale high. The feedback I 
received from Town Hall meetings and the Ombudsman 
Program helped me address and resolve system problems that 
many troops were experiencing. The assistance provided 
by family service centers, Navy Leagues, Navy Relief, Desert 
Shield support groups, chaplains and the American Red 
Cross got us all through some troubled times. Desert 
Shield/Storm success is directly attributable to your patri- 
otic efforts and unselfish support - this country and I are grate- 
ful for your contributions. 

A welcome they deserve 

Home is where our heroes belong; nowhere is this more evi- 
dent than at Oak Knoll. As our shipmates return from the Middle 
East, let’s give them the welcome they deserve. At the same 
time, let’s remember the heroes who successfully fought 
the war from the home front. We have a family of the finest 
heroes this country has ever seen, here at Oak Knoll. 


Letter to the Editor 

The percentage of women admirals 
in today’s Navy is 1.2% (3 of 258/, a 
significant difference from ‘0,0157, 
reported in the March 1991 edition of 
Red Rover. 

Although 1.2% is much less than 
the 11% women comprise overall, 
the admirals of today joined the Navy 
some 25-30 years ago. So the per- 
centage of women admirals today 
should approximate the percent- 
age of women commissioned 25- 
30 years ago. Perhaps that per- 
centage is closer to 1.2% than to 
11 %. 

Raw numbers and percentages 
serve no useful purpose without some 
accompanying logical and rational 
thinking. 

P. M. CARLSON 
ENS MSC USNR 
QA DEPT., NHO 

(Editor's note: Ens. Carlson is cor- 
rect in pointing out our percentage mis - 
calculation.) 


Navy-Marine Corps 
relief defers repayment 

WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy- 
Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS 
has suspended repayment action of future 
loans made to families of sailors and 
Marines deployed in support of Operation 
Desert Storm. 

Normally servicemembers are required 
to register an allotment promptly when a 
NMCRS loan is made. Timely repayment 
insures the society has funds available ter 
meet emergency needs of others. 

In making this policy change, the soci- 
ety balanced the need for repayments. 


Red Rover 

Named after the Navy’s 
first commissioned hospital ship. 

The Red Rover is published monthly, by and 
for employees of Naval Hospital, Oakland NHO) and 
its branch clinics. The publication focuses on events 
and developments at NHO and other items that relate 
to the surrounding community. 

Text and photos (except any copyrighted pho- 
tos) from the RED ROVER may be reproduced in 
whole or in part. Black and white photos are 
usually available on request for republication from: 
PAO, Naval Hospital, Oakland; 8750 Mountain 
Blvd.; Oakland, CA 94627. Please credit Naval 
Hospital, Oakland. 

Responsibility of the Red Rover contents rest p r >' 
marily with the Public AiTairs Office, Naval Hospital* 
8750 Mountain Blvd , Bl3g. 73C, Oakland: CA 
94627-5000. 

The Red Rover is printed commercially .' rith 
appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSOi-r 
35. Views and opinions expressed are not necessan ) 
those of the Navy Department 


Commanding Officer. 

Executive Officer 

Public Affairs Officer 

Deputy PAO 

Editor 

Editorial Assistant. .. 
Staff 


RAJDM 

David M. Lichtman 

capt 

Noel H Hy*jj 

Paul Savercoot 
Lonnie Brodie 
Andrea 

Marechal-Workmi'-j 

... HM3 Melinda Bernard 
,IOSA Kvna KirkpatriA 







April 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 3 


Oak Knoll has a new appointment system 



LI. Sheryl Washington takes a call from a patient. (Photo by HM3 
Melinda Bernard) 


By JOSA Kyna 
Kirkpatrick 

A change in appointment 
scheduling — a new call dis- 
tribution system — has been 
installed at Naval Hospital 
Oakland (NHO) to give 
patients better access to each 
individual clinic. 


“The appointment num- 
ber (633-6000) used to be 
answered at Central Appoint- 
ments, where six clerks made 
appointments eight hours 
a day.” said Fred Perea, 
Head, Communications 
Department. “After Central 
Appointments was decen- 


tralized, the 633-6000 calls 
were forwarded to the hos- 
pital's two telephone oper- 
ators. Patients then expe- 
rienced a lot of busy signals 
when calling because they 
had to compete with all the 
other calls the hospital nor- 
mally receives.” 

According to NHO Instruc- 
tion 6320.1, the automated 
system was installed in 
response to the problems 
found by a Process Action 
Team (PAT), who evaluated 
the current outpatient 
appointment policy by look- 
ing at both patients and hos- 
pital staffs problems. 

The PAT's investigation 
found patients' complaints to 
be: busy telephone lines; 
month-long lead times 
between appointments; non- 
notification of cancelled 
appointments and difference 
with the way each clinic 
made appointments. 

Problems with the staff 
included: inadequate train- 
ing for appointment clerks; 
squeezed-in follow-up care 
due to unavailable appoint- 
ments and clinics’ high no- 
show rates. The latter was 


due to lack of patient 
reminders or advance can- 
cellation. 

According to Medical 
Service Corps, Lt. Sheryl L. 
Washington, Head of 
Outpatient Administration 
Division and Project Officer 
for the appointment sys- 
tem, certain steps were taken 
in response to the PAT'S find- 
ings. Called the Tri-Service 
Patient Appointment Sche- 
duling System (TRIPAS), 
this computer system has 
been in use for over five 
years. 

“We had to train and 
retrain all TRIPAS users 
on scheduling appointments 
because there was no for- 
mal training accomplished 
when the clinics decentral- 
ized, ”she said, adding that 
other steps were taken: a 
drafted instruction that gave 
guidance for scheduling 
appointments; a message 
and Plan-of-the-Day com- 
munication system to local 
commands. Finally, the auto- 
mated call distribution sys- 
tem that transfers calls 
directly to each clinic using 
the main appointment tele- 


phone number was also 
installed. 

“The call distribution sys- 
tem and other changes were 
recommended by the PAT 
after they concluded their 
evaluation,” said Perea. 

Washington said that the 
hospital’s executive staff 
essentially adopted the Total 
Quality Management (TQM) 
principle and made it a real- 
ity of customer satisfaction. 

“We’ve taken a virtually 
deficient system, turned it 
around with what little we 
had and made it an effec- 
tive ‘quality tool,’” she 
explained. 

Patients can now call the 
automated appointment sys- 
tem using the main appoint- 
ment number, 633-6000, 
Monday through Friday, 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. She added 
that a 30-day rotation sched- 
ule for appointments is also 
in place allowing 30 days 
after the current month to be 
open for appointments. This, 
along with the new appoint- 
ment system, will give 
patients better access to each 
clinic and help the patients 
get timely appointments. 


Zero tolerance for 


By HM3 Melinda S. 
Bernard 

Each year in the United 
States there are as many 
as one million cases of repeat- 
ed mistreatment or neglect 
of children by parents, or 
other guardians, resulting in 
injury or harm — otherwise 
i nown as child abuse. Child 
abuse is a symptom of 
parental problems. Raising 
a family is a more chal- 
lenging feat today than it 
was for earlier generations 
— the stress level has risen 
many-fold and unfortunately, 
the stressful problems are 
occasionally translated into 
child abuse. 

The Navy is an especial- 
ly challenging environment 
in which to raise a family. It 
is continually testing its abil- 
ity to adapt to the evolving 
environment and to support 
new missions. In addition, 
families are also faced with 
unexpected changes and 
encounter new obstacles 
everyday. For these rea- 
sons, the Navy has been 
involved in supporting fam- 
ilies for a long time. 
According to Gloria Grace, 
Head of the Social Work 
Department, “the Navy has 
made a real big commitment 
to families — protecting the 
families supports the mission 
of the Navy.” 

According to Grace, child 
abuse is a constant Navy 


concern and the Navy is con- 
tinually attempting to 
improve upon its preven- 
tive measures. Recently, it 
created a new program — the 
Child Abuse Prevention 
Team. This team works at a 
local level and strives to be 
proactive. “The aim is to 
catch the problem before it 
develops,” said Grace. She 
said the team includes two 
home visitors who work with 
“high risk families” (families 
that might have a severely 
handicapped child or a child 
with a chronic illness, fam- 
ilies with a few small chil- 
dren). 

While the local team has 
been recently established, 
another team was created 
in 1988 by the Department of 
Defense (DoD). That team 
responds to multiple victim 
child abuse cases and sexu- 
al abuse. Known as the 
Family Advocacy Command 
Assistance Team (FACAT), 
the team is dedicated to pre- 
venting extrafamilial child 
abuse and to promoting early 
identification and inter- 
vention in allegations of 
extrafamilial child sexual 
abuse. Grace is a FACAT 
member. “They have a lot 
of experience in dealing with 
child sexual abuse — they are 
a team of experts,” she said, 
explaining they are respon- 
sible for training, main- 
taining and supporting indi- 


child abuse in U.S. Navy 


viduals from various disci- 
plines to respond to child 
sexual abuse in DoD “out-of- 
home” care settings and 
assisting the local people to 
ensure the victims' abuser 
will be prosecuted. 

Compared to the civilian 
community, the Navy has 
“a better way of reporting 
child abuse,” said Grace. “We 
know where our people are 
all the time. ..this is a closed 
culture.” She also elabo- 
rated upon the fact that Navy 
child abuse statistics are 
influenced by many factors. 
For example, “separation is 
a big problem in the Navy — 
one spouse is left for long 
periods of time to care for the 
children while the other is 
out at sea; parents are gone 
for long periods of time, and 
when they return they don't 
know their children.” 

When a child abuse case 
surfaces, the Social Service 
Department “tries to be sup- 
portive and work with the 
family,” said Grace. “There 
is no program to compare 
with what the Navy has.” 
She added that all of the 
military hospitals have pro- 
tocols to deal with child 
abuse. Navy division officers 
and the legal authority of 
the chain of command pro- 
vide the social workers with 
an effective mechanism for 
working with the families 
to cure the problem of child 



abuse. Child abuse used to be 
blamed on the family, Grace 
said. “Today it is under- 
stood that certain family 
dynamics exist that lead to 
this abuse,” she added. She 
said that most civilian com- 
munity and military pro- 
grams assess the treatable. 
“It's like a suspended bust, 
what happens is that they 
are required to participate in 
treatment.” 

“Being a social worker in 
the Navy is less frustrating 
because all commanders are 


obligated to follow Navy 
instructions and cooperate 
with us,” said Grace, adding 
that the whole system sup- 
ports the idea of prevent- 
ing child abuse. The Navy is 
honest about the existing 
problems of child abuse and 
from this honesty stems an 
ability and commitment to 
find solutions. 


Page 4 


Red Rover 


April 19 91 


Oak Knoll Desert Stormers — dug in the sand . . . 


— 


— 


— 


— 




(From left) Desert Stormers, Drs. Michael O’Connor, John Atkinson, Richard Koehler and Nurse 
Anesthesiologist Stephen Stewart form a happy group in front of Marine Corps Trauma 
Hospital Al Khanjar while HM3 David Newmark (inset) smiles for another camera. (Photo by Lt. 
Cmdr. Richard Koehler) 


(Continued from page 1) 
interviewed have memories 
that stand out — poignant 
moments etched on their 
minds forever. 

For Koehler, the anguish 
of an Iraqi mother with her 
four wounded children, is 
something he’ll never for- 
get. “The misery you could 
see on that woman’s face 
made me reflect on the real 
cost of warfare,” he asserted. 

Atkinson remembers a 
helicopter trip he made to a 
Saudi Corvette (a small ship) 


hit by a missile during the air 
war. “They had two head 
injuries and asked for a 
neuro surgeon to evaluate 
them,” he said. “I flew out on 
a Saudi helicopter over the 
burning oil wells in the Gulf 
and was lowered by winch 
into the Corvette. We mede- 
vaced one person and the 
other died. I was, then, taken 
back to shore and we drove 
very fast, violently swerving 
to avoid mines.” 

Above all, Newmark re- 
calls the camaraderie. “I have 


never had friends like I have 
now,” he said, adding that the 
way the officers treated 
enlisted personnel was also 
“pretty memorable.” 

But for all, homecoming 
and the reception they 
received, in one short sweep 
of the clock, erased memories 
of arduous life in the desert: 
sand blowing all the time, no 
water to bathe for months on 
end, the “hideous hot chow” 
and MREs (meals ready to 
eat), the “horrible mail ser- 



A helicopter bringing casualties is about to land at Al Khanjar while an ambulance is standing 
by. (Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Richard Koehler) 



Livina tents dug into the sand dot the desert landscape at Al Khanjar. In the background, CH 
53 helicopters are posed for flight to the front line. (Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Richard Koehler) 



Lt. Cmdr. Richard Koehler (left) and Lt. Cmdr. James Hazlehurst 
perform a surgical procedure on an Iraqi EPW. Hazlehurst is 
attached to Naval Hospital San Diego. (Official Navy photo) 



Mail call at Al Khanjar. (Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Michael O’Connor) 


vice” and, above all, no lib- 
erty for eight months and 
the lack of opportunities for 
training at Navy facilities. 

“We were flown back and 
arrived at an Air Force base 
in Massachusetts,” O’Connor 
said. “Two thousand people 
were waiting for us in a 


hangar with a big red carp* 
a big flag, cookies, yel 
ribbons — singing the nation 
al anthem . . that was tne 
most moving moment o( a 

And the most remarkable 

factor, he added, is 
quickly we readjust.^ s 1 
it never happened. 




April 1991 

leanwhile, back at Oak Knoll . . . 

- ... it was a wintery, blustery day at the command pic- 

nic on March 23rd when reservists, families of deployed per- 
sonnel and the entire hospital staff gathered at the recre- 
ational field for a morning of fun. . . 


' Photos by A. Marechal-Workman) 


Red Rover 


Page S 



Rear Adm. David Lichtman (far right) takes a morning off to share 
in the festivities. Ron Ratto (left) and his wife, Lt. Cmdr. Catherine 
Ratto, a reserve nurse in the Outpatient Department, are keep- 
ing him company. Capt. John Rowe, NHO Director of Community 
health, can also be seen in the background (far left). 



Clown Scott Alcalay ties a balloon for Amanda Rae Linn, as her father, HM2 Christopher 
Linn of NHO Pharmacy smiles on. 




Reservist Chief Oscar Fernandez (right), of Command Education & Training, mans the grill with 
another reservist, Chief Richard Florente of MWR. 



Lt. Michael Higgins, Education & Training, gets ready to load his 
P^e up with picnic goodies. 


Between showers, Oak Knoll children line up for the Easter egg hunt. Eggs, baskets, food and 
drink were provided by Navy League, Oakland Council. (Photo by Bob Pinson, Oakland 
Council, Navy League). 






Page 6 


Red Rover 


April 



Moffett Field Branch Clinic 


HMl Rene L. Can las, USN 


up-close 


Janice B. Kaplan-Klein 


Lt.j.g. Eric S. Johnson. MSC 



Current career area: Pharmacy Division. 
Your job: Leading Petty Officer, patient con- 
tact representative, controlled drug custodian, 
division watchbill coordinator. I also stand 
chief of the day watch. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Rosario M. Canlas. 

Children: Reese John Canlas, 5; Robynne 
Canlas, 4. 

Hometown: Mexico, Philippines. 

Hobbies: Fishing and camping. 

Likes: Friendly people, Chinese food, warm 
weather. 

Dislikes: Insensible individual, disorganization 
and ginger. 

What is the most challenging part of your 

job?: Making everyone happy. 

What is your immediate goal?: To make chief. 
What is your long-term goal?: To retire 
from the Navy as a master chief petty offi- 
cer. 

1 wish I could stop: Hunger and crime. 

I respect myself for: Taking care of my 
family. 


Nominate a 
Super Star! 


Make sure one of your 
co-workers get credit when credit 
is due! 

Nominations are now being accepted for 
the Federal Employee of the Year Award. 
Now an employee can nominate a deserv- 
ing co-worker for recognition in one of 
the following categories: 

Clerical Disabled 

Equal Employment Management 


Scientific 

Technical 

Uniformed 

Military 


Opportunity 
Law Enforcement 
Services to the 
Community 
Trades & Crafts 

To qualify, the employee you nominate 
must have demonstrated exceptional per- 
formance and results in his/her present 
position, leadership, suggestions, inven- 
tions during the last 24 months. 

Nomination forms are available from the 
Civilian Personnel Department at 633-6374 
or from your supervisor. 


Current career area: Occupational Health 
Division, Branch Medical Clinic. 

Your job: Provide medical surveillance and job 
related physical exams for active-duty and 
civilian employees at NAS Moffett Field and 
other federal agencies (between San Bruno 
and San Jose areas). I also provide education 
on asbestos, hearing conservation and other pro- 
grams. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Capt. Leslie Klein, USAF 
Hometown: Seattle, Wash. 

Hobbies: Folk dancing. 

Likes: Travel. 

Dislikes: Standing in line behind people who 
smoke. 

What is the most challenging part of your 

job?: To provide high quality care and exams 
for personnel, even when the demand exceeds 
our resources. 

What is your long-term goal?: Hope to 
transfer jobs to clinic at NAS Seattle when my 
husband retires from active-duty in two years. 
If I could do it all over again, I’d: Not wait 
20 years between getting my Bachelor and 
Master’s degrees. 

I wish I could stop: Inability to drive on free- 
way. 

I respect myself for: Perseverance. 

Role models/heroes: Golda Meir. 
Additional comments: Although most of 
our clinic staff have returned from the MERCY, 
some are still with Marines in Saudi. Our 
prayers are with them to return home soon. It 
is a privilege to work with so many fine per- 
sonnel at our clinic. 


Current Career area: Industrial Hygiene/- 
Occupational Health. 

Your job: To identify health-related occu- 
pational exposures and recommend controls to j 
reduce them at Moffett Field and Navy post- 
graduate school. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Maria L. Johnson. 

Hometow n: Alexandria, Minn. 

Hobbies: Weight lifting, scuba diving, bicy- ^ 
cling. 

Likes: A bright smile in the morning coming 
at me. f 

Dislikes: Incompetence, inflexibility. 

What is the most challenging part of your 
job?: Definitely dealing with diversities of the 
type of departments we survey. They range from 
administrative to satellite systems development 
What is your immediate goal?: To receive 
certification as an industrial hygienist (CIH). 
What is your long-term goal?: To help 
reduce occupational exposures to military and 
civilians while making our Navy a safer place. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Only do j 
it with more vigor. 

I wish I could stop: All the needless blood- 
shed and bring down the dictators of this 
world. 

I respect myself for: Sticking up for my 

values. 

Role models/heroes: There is only one per- 
son, Jesus Christ (Our Lord). 

Additional comments: Occupational safety 
is not just implemented at work , it also applies |j 
during recreation and home life. 


Chaplain’s Corner 


By Lt. Bruce B. Chabot, 
CHC, USNR 

Call me a liar. Call me a 
writer. In the Exchange a few 
days ago I came across vitamins 
with a picture of Superman 
on the front of the package. 
Maybe they are “Superman- 
Brand” vitamins. (I hope that’s 
not a registered trademark or 
something.) I guess somebody 
finally came along with enough 
clout to give the Flintstones 
a run for their money in the 
children’s vitamin business. 

They make lots of vitamins 


for adults too: big sections in 
all the supermarkets. But don’t 
doctors say that if you eat a well 
balanced diet, you don’t need to 
take vitamins? Of course, they 
are overlooking the obvious: 
I take vitamins precisely so 
that I won’t have to eat a well 
balanced diet. I think I'll take 
the Superman vitamins. Like 
you, perhaps, Fve always want- 
ed to pin on the red cape and do 
some good. Use your imagi- 
nation. It’s good to have a pos- 
itive self-image, isn’t it? It’s 
good to be healthy. 


Same thing for spiritual! 
y. You need to grow. Maybe 
'ou need vithmins. Read the 
3 i bl e ; pray sometimes. Goto 
hurch. We are all just children 
vho have grown up, so ma>be 
ve should look back. Help the 
►thers. If we show the chi 
Iren that people can be kin 
ind loving, then in a few yeai> 
he world will be full of kind a 
oving people. If you know * * 
ou believe in, it becomes t * 
>asis for the things you ^ 
he way you act tow ard peop * 
> ass the vitamins. 


Red Rover 


Page 7 


People, places and events at Oak Knoll 



Rear Adm. David Lichtman takes time out from a busy surgical 
schedule to congratulate Lt. Cmdr. Randi Labar, MC, a resident 
in the Orthopedic Dept., (left) for winning the annual academ- 
ic research competition, resident section. Labar’s research 
is entitled, "Multidirectional Shoulder Instability: Clinical 
Results of Inferior Capsular Shift in an Active-Duty Population.” 
(Photo by A. Marechal-Workman) 



Pediatrician, Capt. Quentin Van Meter, MC, proudly displays the 
plaque he was handed by Rear Adm. David Lichtman for taking 
first place in the staff section of the research competition. 
Van Meter’s paper is entitled, "Evaluation of the Pituitary- 
Adrenal Axis in Patients Treated with Nasal Beclomethasone.” 
(Photo by A. Marechal-Workman) 



Commanding Officer, Rear Adm. David Uchlman. (left) signs En 

Letler of Promollon ,o Lt.J.g. (Olticl 


HM3 Kurt Silva is top sailor for March 



By HM3 Melinda S. 
Bernard 

With a “Letter of Commen- 
dation” and a “Good Conduct 
Medal” already in his hands, 
HM3 Kurt Silva recently 
acquired one more achieve- 
ment to add to his collec- 
tion — he was named Naval 
Hospital Oakland's (NHO) 
March Sailor of the Month. 

Cdr. Robert E. Taylor, 
Department Chairman of 
Otolaryngology (head and 
neck surgery), is probably 
not the first to recognize 
Silva’s past performance as 
consistently exemplary. 
According to Taylor, Silva is 
currently involved in train- 
ing “which assures his con- 
tinued improvement to fur- 
ther supplement his duties 
in the Department of 
Otolaryngology.” 

Taylor asserts that Silva’s 
“tireless efforts have made 
significant contributions to 
the efficient functioning of 
this department.” In addition 
to fulfilling the requirements 
as a third class petty officer, 
Silva has undertaken con- 
siderable responsibility for 
conducting sleep apnea stud- 
ies which are required in 
the pre-operative evalua- 
tion of many patients. “He 
has supplemented his train- 
ing by enrolling in the 
California Department of 
Sleep Disorders Course at 
Providence Hospital,” con- 
tinued Taylor, noting that 
“prior to HM3 Silva’s 
assumption of this respon- 


sibility, required sleep stud- 
ies were referred to the civil- 
ian community at consider- 
able expense to this com- 
mand.” 

Silva also strives to 
improve himself. He has 
completed General Education 
courses at Los Positas College 
and is working towards a 
Bachelor’s Degree in Public 
Administration. In addi- 
tion, Taylor said, “he is also 
an active and guiding mem- 
ber of the Morale, Welfare 
and Recreation Committee.” 
Silva also shares his artistic 
talents with the command — 
he has contributed art work 
that brightens the patients’ 
waiting areas throughout 
the hospital. 

Participating in commu- 


nity affairs is also part of 
Silva’s agenda. He is an 
Alameda County reserve 
deputy sheriff. He also 
attends the Neighborhood 
Church in Castro Valley, and 
supports the Girl and Boy 
Scouts or America, as well as 
the St. Judes Children’s 
Research Hospital. 

“Silva has consistently 
demonstrated outstanding 
performance in a variety of 
capacities and this has result- 
ed in considerable benefit 
to our patients here at NHO,” 
Taylor said proudly. Noting 
that he is also “an exem- 
plary citizen in his local com- 
munity,” he added that “this 
contributes to the favorable 
opinion of the Navy in this 
area.” 


Jeanine Clarke is Civilian of the Quarter 


By JOSA Kyna 
Kirkpatrick 

Jeanine Clarke, a civil- 
ian occupational health 
nurse in the Occupational 
Health/Preventive 
Medicine Clinic, has a 
clear-cut philosophy 
regarding her job. “I try 
hard to treat everyone 
with whom I come into 
contact with the consid- 
eration and concern I 
would appreciate from oth- 
ers.” 

As the occupational 
health nurse, Clarke said 
she has the opportunity to 
meet almost everyone who 
checks on board. Clarke 
plays many key roles at 
Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO): She is part of the 
check-in and check-out of 
hospital staff. She also 
checks immunization 
records and encourages 
personnel to receive 


required immunizations. 
She added that she is able 
to keep in contact with 
many of these staff mem- 
bers because of these var- 
ious surveillance pro- 
grams. 

According to Civilian 
Personnel, Clarke was rec- 
ommended for Civilian of 
the Quarter for April-June 
1991 because of her cour- 
tesy, kindness and the sin- 
cerity shown in her work. 
She is said to cheerfully 
encourage the participa- 
tion of hospital employ- 
ees in a variety of medical 
programs. Clarke is also 
noted for being a strong 
advocate of the Navy 
Occupational Safety and 
Health programs and for 
showing a true dedication 
to her duties at the hos- 
pital. 

Clarke said that she has 
enjoyed NHO for the more 



than four years she has 
worked here — “the 
warmth and friendliness 
I have experienced have 
made this a very special 
place for me.” 






Page 8 

Reel Business 


Red Rover 


The Marrying Man 



April I99i 

Dental Corner 


New hope for 
cold sore sufferers 


“The Marrying Man” stars 
Alec Baldwin (“Married to the 
Mob”, “Working Girl”) as 
cocky and charming tooth- 
paste-heir Charley Pearl. 
He is happily-engaged to the 
daughter of a powerful 
Hollywood studio mogul until 
he meets Vicki Anderson 
(Kim Basinger of “Batman” 
and “9-1/2 Weeks”). Vicki 
is a sultry Las Vegas lounge 


singer and is well-known to 
be the “private property’ of 
mobster Bugsy Siegal. Sparks 
fly between Charlie and 
Vicki, and when Bugsy dis- 
covers their flaming love, 
he ‘helps’ their relationship 
along with a wedding cere- 
mony — ‘shot gun’ style. 
What to do about Charley’s 
jilted fiance is just the first 
of numerous problems they 


confront over the course of 
four marriages and divorces 
together. 

From a screenplay written 
by Neil Simon, “The Marry- 
ing Man” is directed by Jerry 
Rees and produced by David 
Permut. The film also stars 
Robert Loggia, Paul Reiser, 
Fisher Stevens, Steve Hytner 
and Armand Assante as 
Bugsy Siegal. 


By Lt. Ngoc-Nhung 
Tran, DC 

Recently, a group of re- 
searchers back East inves- 
tigated a new approach to 
inactivate the virus that 
causes common cold sores. 

When the Herpes simplex 
I virus infects a person, it can 
migrate up the nerve and 
remain dormant in the spinal 
cord, only to reactivate and 
cause another cold sore in the 
same spot weeks or even 
months later. Many treat- 
ments have been used to 
treat cold sores with only 
moderate success. 

The technique being inves- 
tigated would inactivate the 
virus by breaking down the 
protective envelope, or mem- 
brane, that surrounds it. 
Without that protective mem- 
brane, the Herpes virus can- 
not survive and, therefore, 
cannot infect living cells. 

If proven effective, this 
treatment would kill the 
virus that is free in the blood. 
However, since the virus 
would still be present in 
already infected cells, the 


treatment could be an effec- 
tive preventive measure. It 
could help to control an out- 
break, but could not eradicate 
the virus from the body. 

... the agent used , LPCs, 
are usually found in liv- 
ing cells . 

The agent used in this 
study is lysophosphatidyl- 
cholines, or LPCs. These 
are normally found in small 
amounts in living tissues 
and are less harmful to liv- 
ing cells than any other 
chemicals that inactivate 
the virus. By varying the 
lengths of the components 
within this molecule, one 
can selectively kill the virus 
without injuring other living 
cells. 

This study is still in its 
developing stages, but it may 
not be long before conclu- 
sive results can be drawn 
for the technique to be 
applied. It definitely offers 
new hope to those suffering 
from annoying recurrent cold 
sores. 


Civilian Netvs 

More on civilian drug-free workplace 


By Herb Linderman 

In previous issues of Red 
Rover, questions and answers 
were published, explaining 
how the Navy DFWP plans to 
reach the goal for civilian 
employees. Since that time 
we have been publishing fur- 
ther questions and answers 
that bring DFWP into focus. 
Following, are the final ques- 
tions and answers. 

What is the test (Drug 
test conducted by the 
Department of the Navy) 
like? Will the employees 
privacy be protected? 

Yes. Any individual sub- 
ject to testing will be per- 
mitted to provide a urine 
specimen in private, in a 
rest room stall or similar 
enclosure, so that the employ- 
ee is not observed. The 
employee will be accompa- 
nied into the rest room by an 
individual of the same sex 
who will wait outside the 
stall while the sample is pro- 
vided to detect any attempts 
at adulteration. 

An exception to unob- 
served collection will be made 
only where collection site 
personnel have reason to 
believe the individual may 
alter or substitute the spec- 
imen to be provided or when 
the basis for conducting the 


test is reasonable suspicion 
or follow-up. In such cases, 
collection site personnel, of 
the same gender as the indi- 
vidual being tested, would 
directly observe the employ- 
ee provide the sample. A 
higher level supervisor shall 
review and concur in advance 
with any decision to obtain 
a specimen under direct 
observation except in cases 
of follow-up testing. 

What if an employee or 
applicant refuses to 
appear for testing? 

An employee who fails to 
appear for testing without a 
deferral will be subject to 
disciplinary action. If an 
applicant for employment 
refuses to participate in test- 
ing, the tentative offer of 
employment will be cancelled. 

How can I be sure the 
test results are actually 
mine? 

The Department of the 
Navy Program, as required 
by Health and Human 
Services (HHS), mandates a 
strict “chain of custody” to 
ensure no specimen mix-ups. 
Chain of custody procedures 
in Department of the Navy’s 
testing program ensure that 
the urine sample taken from 
an employee is properly iden- 
tified and is not accidental- 


ly confused with any other 
sample. These procedures 
apply when collecting, trans- 
ferring, analyzing and stor- 
ing the sample. Each 
employee will be required 
to sign or initial the bottle 
used to transfer the sample 
to the testing laboratory to 
certify that it contains his or 
her sample. The bottle will 
then be sealed. With each 
subsequent transfer pos- 
session of a specimen, a chain 
of custody form will be dated, 
signed, and annotated as to 
the purpose of the transfer. 
This provides for control and 
accountability from the point 
of collection to the final dis- 
position of the sample. 

How reliable is the test 
itself? 

At the laboratory, any 
specimen identified as pos- 
itive on the initial screening 
test will be subject to a sec- 
ond screening test and if pos- 
itive, then subject to con- 
firmatory test using gas chro- 
matography/mass spec- 
trometry (GC/MS) tech- 
niques. This is regarded as 
the most accurate confir- 
mation process by both the 
scientific and legal commu- 
nities. GC/MS technology 
has been used for many years 
by forensic toxicologists and 


medical examiners for police, 
legal and court work. These 
tests will be conducted by 
the Navy drug screening lab- 
oratories which have estab- 
lished a record as being 
among the best, most accu- 
rate laboratories in the coun- 
try. 

Do drug tests reveal the 
recency or frequency of 
drug usage, the quanti- 
ty of the drugs used, or 
the degree of impairment 
caused by drugs? 

No. A drug test can indi- 
cate only that an illegal drug 
was used based on the drug 
metabolites that show up 
in the urine. 

If an employee tests 
positive, who will be noti- 
fied by the laboratory? 

The drug testing labora- 
tory may only disclose con- 
firmed laboratory test results 
to the medical review officer 
(MRO) for the employee’s 
activity. 

What does the Medical 
Review Officer do? 

The MRO is a physician, 
designated by the activity 
to receive test results, who 
must be knowledgeable in 
the medical use of pre- 
scription drugs and the phar- 
mocology and toxicology of 
illicit drugs. The MRO will 


(DFWP) 

afford an individual who has 
tested positive the oppor- - 
tunity to discuss the test 
result. The employee will be 
given the opportunity to med- 
ically justify the result by 
identifying and documenting 
the use of over-the-counter 
or prescription medications 
which might have caused 
the positive test. An employ- 
ee may present any infor- 
mation which he or she 
believes is relevant to the 
MRO. Also, an. employee 
will have the right to rep- 
resentation during his/her 
interview with the MRO 

What happens if the lab- 
oratory test is positive? 

It is important to remem- 
ber that a positive test result 
does not automatically iden- 
tify an employee or appli' 
cant as an illegal drug user. 
The MRO will assess whether 
a positive urine test may 
have resulted from legiti- 
mate medical treatment or 
from some error in the chain 
of custody or laboratory anal- 
ysis. 

(Editor's note: The remain * 
ing questions will be pub 
lished in a future issue of 
Red Rover. For information 
call Penny Becchio at Civilian 
Personnel , ext. 3-6374.) 


Welcome Aboard Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 





rm» 


The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 


~J 

Naval Hospital Oakland's Change of Command 


Volume 3-Number.^ S 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


May 27, 1991 



Rear Admiral John BitofT 
Commander 

Naval Base San Francisco 


Hear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Mercy 


Commander, San Francisco Medical Command 
CO, Naval Hospital, Oakland 


near /vumirai uavia M. Licntman 


former Commander, S.F. Medical Command 
CO, Naval Hospital, Oakland 



By Andree Marechal-Workman 


NHO - USNS MERCY (T- 
AH 19) and its crew received 
a star-spangled welcome from 
thousands of exuberant Bay 
Area fans, as it moored at 
Oakland Supply Center's Pier 
5 the morning of April 23. 
The 894-foot floating hospi- 
tal ship, escorted by a flotilla 
of smaller boats crowded with 
cheering family members and 
friends, steamed under the 
Golden Gate Bridge at around 
8 a.m. and sailed into a down- 
fall ot yellow flower petals. 

More than 650 members 
of the crew - many of them 
from Oak Knoll - had been 
flown back from Bahrain in 
early March and were already 


Hundreds ( . <-<uiy iviarcn ana were already 

thei/s/VS v! relat ' ves ' frient, s an d fellow military service members were on hand to greet back at their duty stations. 
Persian Culf ^ ' ^ crewmembers returning from a eight-month deployment to the Left with more than 500 

; Photo by josrKy^S.K^r't *• °k> DeSert ° eSert ( ° fficial US * Nav y Nav y and civilian personnel 

P a nc aboard, the big white ship 


returned home after standing 
by for eight months in the 
Persian Gulf, always ready to 
handle whatever might come 
her way. In a few breaths of 
time — with the welcoming 
handshake of the Navy's 30th 
Surgeon General, Vice Ad- 
miral James A. Zimble and 
then Naval Hospital, 
Oakland's (NHO) command- 
ing officer. Rear Admiral 
David M. Lichtman, depart- 
ing crewmembers seemed to 
forget the danger, the bore- 
dom, the stress many said they 
had experienced. But, what 
they probably will not soon 
forget are the memories. 

For many, the highlight of 
their deployment was wel- 
coming the 21 Americans and 
two Italian former prisoners 

See Homecoming (centerfold) 





Page 2 


Red Rover 





The Executive Officer 





NHO professionals 


Welcome aboard Rear Admiral Buckendorf; 
"fair winds..." Rear Admiral Lichtman 

Captain Noel A. Hyde, MSC, DSN 


Spring is always a pleasant and joyful time of 
year at Naval Hospital, Oakland. However, this 
year it will be tinged with sadness as we say 
goodbye to our admiral and respected Command- 
ing Officer Rear Admiral David M. Lichtman. 

We all wish him, Frankie and Betsy, "fair winds, 
following seas and Godspeed," as they leave our 
"Special Place." 

We would also like to wish him the very best in 
his new assignment as Commander, National Na- 
val Medical Center Bethesda, Md. 

There is no doubt that his vision and infectious 
energy will have many positive effects at NHO, 
long after his departure. 

While we are sad at the leaving of Rear Adm. 
Lichtman and his family, we are pleased to wel- 
come our new Commanding Officer Rear Adm. 
William A. Buckendorf, MC, USN to Naval Hos- 
pital, Oakland. 

We look forward to his inspiration and guidance, 
and are eager to show him our professionalism, 
dedication and enthusiasm. 

We are confident that he will recognize our 
ability to provide high-quality health care to our 
beneficiaries and will witness our outstanding sup- 
port for him, as our new commanding officer. 

I believe change is one of the strengths of the 
military system. New people bring new ideas, 
experiences, training and opinions to the organiza- 
tion. 

We acquire new knowledge and perspective and 
benefit by learning new ways of completing old 
tasks more efficiently and effectively. 



In addition to our change of commanding offic- 
ers, we are approaching a peak Permanent-Change- 
of-Station (PCS) season. As a result, we will be 
seeing many more new faces. 

As the "old-timers," we have a responsibility to 
warmly welcome them to our community and al- 
low them to utilize their knowledge to the fullest. 

As our current friends and colleagues leave us 
for other assignments or, perhaps, are released 
from active duty, they must know that their contri- 
butions to the care of our active-duty men and 
women and their families in the Bay Area have 
been outstanding, and have certainly held with the 
highest traditions of the Naval Hospital, Oakland. 




Listening Box 


Q: What can the hospital do to improve patient parking and transportation from the 
parking lots to the main hospital? 


A: I receive numerous inquiries regarding our parking 
tant steps are being taken to improve the present 
requested the Bay Area Seebee Contruction 
shuttle waiting areas at four different loca- 
well as a new parking area. In addition, a 
reinstituted until a dedicated patient trol- 
mented. We continually strive to recog- 
and value your input. 



situation. Presently, several impor- 
parking situation at Oak Knoll. I have 
Detachment to construct patient 
tions next to existing parking areas as 
van used as a patient shuttle will be 
ley system arrives and can be imple- 
nize the needs of palients/customers. 


D.M. Lichtman, former commanding officer, Naval Hospital, Oakland 



Editor's Note: This was the last CO's column by 
then NHO Commanding Officer Rear Adm, D.M 
Lichtman. 

Home is where our heroes and heroines belong. 
Nowhere is this more evident than at Oak KnoJl. 

In four short days in August, you — over 600 
people responded to the call of your country and 
mobilized to the decks of the Mercy and the sands 
of Saudi Arabia. In addition to coping with a 
myriad of last-minute military requirements, you 
contended with family separations, financial obli- 
gations, social responsibilities and conflicting pro- 
fessional commitment's. 

It wasn't easy, but you accomplished miracles in 
record-breaking time. While demonstrating what 
could be done under adverse circumstances, you 
succeeded where others might have failed. 

Most certainly. Oak Knoll has people second to 
none. During your deployment. Oak Knoll survived. 
We learned how to do things differently, and with 
less people. We got by with a lot of help from our 
friends — the activated reservists. 

They were the command's lifeblood in your 
absence; we couldn't have done it without them. 

Yet, they too are leaving us soon. Their departure 
will further test Oak Knoll's ability to adapt. The 
imminent vacuum can only be filled with the best 
and most highly trained professionals in the Naval 
Medical Department — you, the people who make 
Oak Knoll a special place. As you return to a 
heroes' welcome, enjoy - you deserve it. 

You are military and professional heroes. We’re 
proud to honor you for your sacrifices in making 
Operation Desert Storm so successful. Welcome . j 
back to your Oak Knoll family. We missed you. 

- “Rear Admiral 'Dairid fM. Lichtman 


Red Rover 

The Red Rover is published monthly by and for the employees of Naval Hospital 
Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commercially with 
appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. V tews and opinions 
expressed arc not necessarily those of the Navy Department. 

Responsibility of the Red Rover contents rest primarily with the Public \ftair* 
Office, Naval Hospital, 8750 Moutain Blvd., Oakland. CA 94627-5000 (415) 
633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted material t may be 
reproduced in w hole or in part. Views expressed are not necessarily those of 
Department of Defense, Navy Department or of the Commanding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 

Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 




Deputy Public Affairs Officer 
Lonnie Brodie 

Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 

Editoral Assistants 
HM3 Melinda S. Bernard 
JOSA Kyna Kirkpatrick 



Red Rover 


Page 3 


(ir. 




OAK KNOLL 

1VFWS 


U.S. Savings Bond Drive 

In 1991 we will celebrate an American 
tradition — 50 years of U.S. Savings Bonds. 

During the past 50 years, savings bonds 
have made it possible for millions of 
Americans to meet many of their personal 
goals, and fulfill their dreams. 

While savings bonds have had a long 
history of success, they are now geared 
towards the future - the next 50 years. U.S. 
Savings Bonds are no longer a fixed rate 
security. 

Today’s bonds enjoy the advantages of 
variable rates in achanging market, freedom 
from state and local income tax, ease of 
purchase and guaranteed safety. 

In addition, bonds purchased in 1990 or 
later offer the benefit to qualified buyers of 
tax free interest, if used for educational 
purposes. 

The Navy will conduct its Savings Bond 
campaign from April 1 to May 30, 1991. 
All military personnel are encouraged to 
invest in America, while at the same time, 
saving for themselves and their families. 

For more information, call Lt. Jennifer 
Abasalo or Petty Officer 3rd Class Tim 
Huizar at 633-5070. 


Korean War Memorial 
Coin Available 

In honor of the 38th anniversary of the 
conclusion of the Korean War and the 1 .5 
million Americans who served from 1950 
to 1953, a commemorative silver dollar 
was minted. 

U.S. Treasurer Catalina Vasquez 
Villalpando announced on April 17, the 
sale of the 1991 Korean War Memorial 
Coin, a limited edition silver dollar. The 
coins will be available to the public through 
May 31, 1991 — while supplies last. 

A portion of the proceeds will be con- 
tributed to the Korean War Veterans Me- 
morial to be built in Washington, D.C. 


Navy women get "Chance of a Lifetime" 

By Melinda S. Bernard 


NHO — Some people spend their lives waiting to 
win the lottery; others anticipate the day they will 
meet the president or some other VIP. 

For most women in the Navy , their "seemingly 
endless wait," has been to experience life out at sea 
and directly assist in defending the interests of the 
United States — at peace or in war. 

That wait finally ended for the Navy women 
deployed aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), which 
recently returned from the Persian Gulf in support 
of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm 

"Going to sea and going to war has long been a 
male-dominated adventure and education," said Lt. 
Cmdr. Carol Bohn, who was Head of Education 
and Training aboard Mercy. "I now know what it's 
all about. Some of it is painful and hurts -- but, I 
have a right to know how that feels. Now, I do. I 
have waited for almost 30 years to serve in a war 
zone and on a hospital ship." 

"...I felt this was 
the only chance I 
would get to go. - 
Lt. Cmdr. Carol 
Bohn” 

Bohn was a Navy nurse during Vietnam, but she 
was "reluctantly" discharged in 1969 because she 
became pregnant. In 1 977, when the law barring 
women with dependents from pursuing careers in 
the military was revised, Bohn was recommissioned. 
She said that for years she has continued to prepare 
lor the inevitability of war. She optimistically 
believed that, like her male colleagues, she too, 
would one day be permitted to perform a vital role 
during war and get the chance to use her critical 
skills and do her "fair share." 

Alter three years in the Navy and the realization 
that for female Medical Service Corps (MSC) 
officers it was virtually impossible to serve aboard 
ship, when Lt j.g. Finley first discovered that 
Mercy was pulling out to sea and that women were 
going to be part of the crew, she did everything in 
her power to get her name on the list of people to be 
deployed. "I’m a health care administrator, and I 
felt this was the only chance I would have to go," 
she said, adding that male MSC officers can go on 
large ships with medical companies, but that there 
are virtually no billets for females. 

Although the "circumstances weren't the best," 
Finley said she would do it again. "I'm glad I was on 
the Mercy and think that we were lucky. I don't 

think I II ever be that close to being a part of history 
again." 

For Vietnam veteran, Hospital Corpsman Mas- 
ter Chief Petty Officer Clifton Carter, it was the 
first time he experienced working with military 
women in a hostile environment. 

He was not aboard Mercy but served with the 
Marines in the desert during Operation Desert 
Shield/Storm. He said that although women have 


always fought in wars, this was the first war in 
whicn women have played such a large role. 

"This is going to affect how we look at war and 
having females involved in it," he said. "They 
pulled their own, there's no doubt about that." 
Serving in war with women forced "reality to hit in 
a strong way." 



Lt. Cmdr. Carol Bohn, points to her name on 
Command Education and Training "welcoming 
wall" for returning USNS Mercy staff members. 
(Official U.S. Navy photo by JOSA Kyna S. 
Kirkpatrick) 

He reflected that once, looking at a female Ma- 
rine in the field, he thought to himself, "God, that 
woman must be miserable not being able to do all 
the things they usually do with their hair. And then 
I realized, hey, I cant shave like I want to shave 
either; I can't go to the barber shop. So I said to 
myself, poor me too, eh, no big deal. I figured, she 
doesn't have to worry about it either, and she looks 
pretty cooi about it." 

Although this was the first war mothers were 
permitted to fight in, it was not the first war in 
which women have fought. As Bohn points out. 
Women have always been in wars and died. It just 
wasn't highly publicized." 

American society has had a difficult time ac- 
cepting so many women (including moms) in this 
war. Mass media made this quite clear by focusing 
upon this dimension since the deployment of the 
first women to the Gulf in late August. 

Perhaps it is now time for society to "face squarely 

the tact that women do not need to be protected." 
said Bohn. 

The military cannot continue to relegate 50 
percent ol its population to noncombatant billets if 
it wants to have the numbers to get the job done " 

Admiral James B. Kelso II summarized the issue 
best in his message regarding the progress of women 
in the Navy. 

"I am committed to eliminating any circum- 
stance that would undermine their ability to con- 
tribute to our collective reputation as the world's 
finest Navy," he wrote. 
















Homecoming 


of war (POWs) after they 
were released by the govern- 
ment of Iraq. 

"They came in two groups," 
said Capt. Richard Osborne, 
Medical Corps. 

"The first group had about 
six POWs who made up an 
interesting mixture. Lt. Zaun 
was a nonstop talker; a sort of 
bubbly guy, who wanted to 
talk immediately. His pilot, 
Bob Wetzel, was just the op- 
posite. He was quiet, and it 
was important to let him have 
time." 

In fact, Osborne, who was 
Mercy's head of the Depart- 
ment of Medicine and medi- 
cal coordinator for the POWs, 
said that it was essential to let 
the former prisoners set their 
own pace -- "...to let them 
unwind and realize that they 
were safe in their own way." 

This was especially impor- 
tant, Osborne added, because 
some had been beaten and 
even tortured — for example, 
"the Air Force captain whose 
ears were hooked up to elec- 
trodes when he refused to 
make a statement on TV." 

Although most of the 
people interviewed agreed 
that the reception of the POW s 


(continued from Page 1) 

was indeed an especially poi- 
gnant moment of the deploy- 
ment, the time when Mercy 
pulled alongside USS Inde- 
pendence (CV-62) also stands 
out in their minds. 

"I think it was September 
14," said Cmdr. Deborah 
Wear, Medical Corps, who 
was head of the ship's Psy- 
chiatry Division. 

" I think the 
world will 
remember how 
effectively we did 
our jobs. 

HM1 Raphael 
Sanchez” 

"The Independence came 
beside us and it was one of the 
most amazing things to be 
able to shout greetings back 
and forth." 

In the words of Osborne, 
"It was like a piece of home 
was near us. After weeks of 
being all alone in the Gulf, it 
was really moving to be right 
beside them, to know that 
someone was actually out 
there." The friends he's made, 




Hundreds of friends, family and Bay Area servicemembers wereonty 
Navy photo by JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick) 

! 




i 



Cmdr. Ernest Ghent received a rousing homecoming from school c 
during USNS Mercy's deployment. (Official U.S. Navy photo by f 









Capt. Ray Addicott, commanding officer, Military Sealift Command, 
Pacific and Rear Admiral David M. Lichtman, MC, former command- 
ing officer, Naval Hospital, Oakland were on hand to greet returning 
crewmembers from USNS Mercy. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Andree 
Marechal- W orkman) 


the experiences he's shared exactly what was going to 
and the support of the Ameri- happen—" a sentiment echoed 
can public are foremost in the by the ship's Administration 
mind of Hospital Corpsman Officer, Cmdr. Ernest Ghent, 
1 st Class Raphael Sanchez, who added incertainty as a 
Intensive Care Unit Leading factor of anxiety difficult to 
Petty Officer. forget. 

"1 think the world will "In Vietnam, at least you 
probably remember how ef- knew what was happening 
fectively we all did our job," day-by-day," said the Viet- 
he declared proudly. nam veteran Ghent. 

Then there was "the terror" "You knew pretty much 
which Yeoman 3rd Class where you were going; what 
Daren Holt, of Education and to do under certain circum- 
Training, said that he felt at stances, 
the thought ol the casualties But with this operation, we 
they might receive; added to never knew what was hap- 
the stress ol never knowing pening the following day and 


that was very frustrating." 

The ship's executive offi- 
cer, Capt. Michael Roman, 
Medical Service Corps, 
spelled it out best in the last 
issue of The Pulse, the ship's 
newspaper: 

"Wog night and the 
shellback ceremony; a young 
lady telling me that before the 
missile scare, 'I thought I’d 
die,' meaning she was embar- 
rassed; lobster and roast beef 
at the celebrity dinner; the 
reservists arriving; getting 
mail from people I haven’t 
heard from in years." 


I 



I’age 6 


Red Rover 



fA (avaCMospitaC Oakland 
Staff ‘Members 

Up - Cfose 


Naval Hospital, Oakland 
holds National Disaster 
Medical System meeting 


Cmdr. Roberta L. Price, NC, USN 


( urrent career area: Surgical/Psychology Alcohol Rehabilitation Depart- 
ment. 

Job: Department head responsible for patient care on surgical wards. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia. 

Hobbies: Running, watching classic films and collecting model cars. 

Likes: Privacy, honesty and a sense of humor. 

Dislikes: Deceit and inflexibility. 

What was the most challenging part of your job on the Mercy ? Keeping the 
staff busy and stimulated. 

What is your immediate goal? To improve my Spanish; and "get back to 
normal” a/ter the deployment. 

W hat is your long-term goal? To eventually retire from the Navy and begin 
a new career. 

Role models/heroes: Capt. DePrima, Bo Jackson and our reserve Nurse Corps 
officers. 



HMC Cipriano F. Mata 



Current career area: Alcohol Rehabilitation Department. 

Job: Manage the supervision of junior enlisted staff, conduct sick call and 
safety supervisor. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Elizabeth Cipriano. 

Children: Ian-Cip Cipriano,7; Rhea Beth Cipriano, 4. 

Hometown: Zambales, Philippines. 

Hobbies: Playing chess, basketball and bowling. 

Likes: 4.0 sailors. 

Dislikes: Hypocrites, chronic complainers and manipulators. 

What was the most challenging part of your job on the Mercyl Keeping 
coworkers and subordinates in line. 

What is your immediate goal? To make senior chief. 

What is your long-term goal? Getting my children to complete college. 
Role models/heroes: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Ferdinand E. 
Marcos. 

Special Comment: Let me join a lot of people in expressing great appre- 
ciation to the reservists who made tremendous sacrifices as a result of their 
activation. "Thank you very much for being a part of Desert Shield/Desert 
Storm." 


HN Scott A. Spaulding 


Current career area: Main Operating Room. 

Job: Operating room technician - the care of patients during surgery. 
Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Tina Louise Spaulding. 

Children: Brian Scott Spaulding, 14 months. 

Hometown: Morris, New York. 

Hobbies: Swimming, running, biking and hiking. 

Likes: Honest people, a clean environment and time alone with my family. 
Dislikes: People who abuse rank; and the waste and abuse of the outdoors. 
What is your immediate goal?: To finish my nursing degree, move to Oregon 
within the next year and spend more time at home. 

What is your long-term goal?: To get my bachelor of arts degree in nursing and 
to move to Washington State. 

Role models/heroes: Greg Lemond. 



V 


y 


NHO — At 12:30 p.m. on April 17, 1991 , a major 
earthquake of 7.5 magnitude on the Richter Scale hit 
the Hayward Fault, devastating the Bay Area and 
leaving Naval Hospital, Oakland (NHO) with on!, 
partial power and lights and virtually no communi- 
cation with the outside community. 

(JSNS Mercy (T-AH 19) was still five days away from 
port — too far away to lend a hand. 

This wasn't the real thing. It was a scenario presented 
by Michael Ragone. director; and Laura Phelps, as- 
sistant director, of Alameda County Regional Ambu- 
lance Service, when they met with then NHO Com- 
manding Officer Rear Adm. David M. Lichtman.and 
his staff to test the command's disaster preparedness 

The scenario was in several acts, and included a 
numberof calamitous mishaps requiring quick thinking 
on the part of NHO's key players. 

But. whether the plot leaked gas in the Laboratory 
broke water mains in Bldg. 500. or brought a bus load 
of critically injured 10- and 1 1 -year-old blind children 
to the gates, command control had a ready answer. 

"This is a problem-solving exercise," said Ragone. 
complimenting the command for its organizational 
skills. "You are a lot more structured than other 
hospitals. Most [civilian] hospitals just don't seem to 
have the answers. It seems like it was a lot easier for 
you to deal with disasters than [it was for] civilian 
health care organizations." 

Chaplain's Corner 


By Cmdr. Allen S. Kaplan, CHC, USNR 


As a reservist performing my annual training at 
Naval Hospital, Oakland (NHO), 1 have the opportu- 
nity to observe the operation of this medical facilit) 
with a certain amount of objectivity. I have no hidden 
agenda, nor do I have "an axe to grind." 

From the very beginning of my tour of duty. I have 
been impressed by the manner in which this hospital 
functions. This is especially impressive because of 
the fact that a significant number of the milit 21 ) 
personnel on board are reservists who were recalled to 
temporary active duty. In my opinion, all of the®, 
active duty and reservists, perfonft their duties with® 


high degree of professionalism. 

During the course of my duty I have seen the 
outstanding way in which physicians, nurses 
technicians have responded to medical crises. Then 
skills, coupled with their dedication, testify to the high 
quality of medical care at this facility. 

As 1 prepare to leave NHO, I want to share with } 0 ^ 
the respect for the outstanding manner in which on- 
department functions. You should be very P roUl 1 
yourselves. 


Red Rover 


Page 7 






How they lived through Persian Gulf crisis 


By HM3 Melinda S. Bernard 


USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) recently returned from an eight- 
month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Opera- 
tion Desert Shield/Desert Storm. 


NHO -- For most Desert 
Stormers, the Gulf crisis was 
primarily an intense mental 
strain — a military exercise 
-in a hostile environment on 
the brink of erupting into war. 
The long. Seemingly endless 
days were full of drills and 
psychological preparation for 
the anticipated worse case 
scenarios: the expectation of 
thousands of casualties, days 
of working 24-hour shifts, 


anticipated chemical, bio- 
logical and radiological gas 
attacks, or SCUD missile at- 
tacks. “We were bored to 
death — hated not to do any- 
thing, but of course we didn’t 
want to do anything either, 
because that would mean 
people were suffering. That 
was the underlying tension 
between those two realities,” 
said Capt. Richard Osborne, 
See Marines (Back Page) 


HM2 Perez (1.) and HMC Carter, both from Camp Pendleton, take a moment to relax while 
in the Persian Gulf participating in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 

(Official U.S. Navy Photo) 


After a Job Well Done! 


Oak Knoll reservists going home 

By Andree Marechal-Workman 
HM3 R.E. Quines 


NHO —As Oak Knoll Desert Stormers, one-by- 
one or several at a time, return to their former duty 
. stations, the stalwart reservists who kept the 
command's services going during the military cri- 
sis are beginning to see the light at the end of a 
tunnel of sacrifices. Not that they resent the sacri- 
fices, they're happy to have been able to do their 
share in helping the country in its time of need. 

1 4 

"...without the resersists, the care that 
NHO normally provides... would have 
been drastically reduced...” 

- Capt. Stephen Veach 


have been drastically reduced because of the exo- 
dus of medical personnel to the Persian Gulf. 

One of the many reservists who helped NHO 
maintain medical care is Capt. Daniel Benson, 
Medical Corps, a spine surgeon at the University of 
California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento. 

"I feel good that I was able to help my fellow 
servicemen during the crisis," said Benson. 

"The experience has served me well, and I can 
now resume my position as professor of orthopedic 
surgery at the [Medical Center]." 

Benson, who assumed the leadership of Oak 
Knoll's Orthopedic Department after deployment 
of its physicians to USNS Mercy last Summer, said 
he provided the necessary training for interns and 
technicians. 


I don t know if anybody other than the reservists 
who worked here will ever fully appreciate how 
difficult it was for all of us," said Capt. Carole 
Jewett, Nurse Corps, Associate Director of Inpatient 
ervices. We have our own casualties — mental 
health, physical well being - but we helped each 
odier and we managed to accomplish a lot in spite 
of the situation." 

* ,n the f,nal analysis, Jewett added, she came out 
Wlth roemorable experiences and new friends she 
. ma de from among coworkers at the hospital. 

According to Capt. Stephen Veach, Medical 
t ' or P\ Director of Medical Services, without the 
;^ Sts - the care that Naval Hospital, Oakland 
ID) normally provides the beneficiaries would 


"I have nothing but good feelings about the 
support we got [from the command]," Benson 
continued, adding that this very positive experi- 
ence contributed to his decision to remain in the 
reserves. 

Another reservist who came to the rescue is Lt. 
Cmdr. David Doyle, Medical Service Corps, who 
took over the Manpower Department after it was 
decimated in the wake of Operation Desert Shield 
deployments. 

Most of his Navy training had focused on pa- 
tient administration and he said that, at first, he had 
"a lot of anxiety" about the Manpower job. 

But with people like Senior Chief Petty Officer 
Anthony 1 rujillo and Hospital Corpsman Petty 
Of ficer 1st Class Alan Buchholtz showing him the 


ropes, Doyle added that he was able to get the job 
done competently within weeks of his takeover. 

"Now I feel that I can do anything I am tasked to 
do," he said confidently, emphasizing that he was 
also able to bring new energy and new ideas from 
civilian life to the position. 

In a nutshell, Doyle said with conviction, "We 
really have shown our color in this conflict." 

Hospitalman Barbara Katz is "ready to go home 
and very happy" about the idea. Recalled to active 
duty in August, Katz is currently working as deliv- 
ery corpsman in NHO's Nursery. 


”We made it work. We did 
our best! ” 

— Capt. Carole Jewett 


Like many of her fellow reservists, she is looking 
forward to going back to her civilian job, being 
together again with her family and friends, and 
going back home and pursuing her dreams. 

But she can also look forward to sharing her 
pride lor the sacrifices she made in taking part in 

her country's historic effort to secure peace in the 
Middle East. 

And as Jewett aptly concluded, "We did a great 
job. Now that people from USNS Mercy are back 
they can see what we did. They can take it from 
there, and we'll be right here when we're needed. 
We made it work. We did our best!" 




Page 8 


Red Rover 


Navy Achievement Medals 
Third Award 

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Donald Keen 


Second Award 

Lt.Cmdr. Christian Egly 
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Danette Weller 
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Cynthia Malone 


First Award 

Lt. Glenn Conte 


Marines 


(continued from page 7) 


head of the Department of 
Medicine aboard USNS 
Mercy (T-AH 19). 

According to Osborne, al- 
though these drills and men- 
tal preparations continued 
throughout the long months 
far away from home, stress 
was heightened by the knowl- 
edge that they would not know 
how they would react if the 
hellish realities of war actu- 
ally occurred. 

As hostilities heightened, 
“reality” inched closer and 
closer each day. 

Other Stormers — those 
who were attached to the 
Marine units in the desert — 
viewed the events of war as 
participants. 

“It definitely kept my nerves 
on edge,” said Hospital 
Corpsman Master Chief Petty 


Clifton Carter, “because I 
was watching the Iraqis and 
they were watching me, and if 
you could see them, that meant 
that you were in gunfire range. 
So, at all times my senses 
were extremely sharp, and I 
stayed somewhat on edge with 
excitement.” 

Carter, who served as the 
senior enlisted in charge of 
the Battalion Aid Station for 
the 3rd Marine Reconnais- 
sance Division, said that the 
junior corpsmen had to deal 
with the nervous anxiety on a 
daily basis: 

“They had to be extremely 
aware of safety, flack jackets 
and helmets. They had to be 
aware of the soldiers who were 
around them at all times. They 
performed fantastically." 
Whether the Stormers were 


in the desert or on the Mercy 
, they all endured experiences 
that will remain a part of them 
forever.” 

One of the things that 1 think 
of most,” said Carter, “is that 
I really appreciated — and I 
don’t think a lot of sailors and 
Marines have had the chance 
to say it, yet — knowing how 
much we were appreciated 
from this end.. .the encour- 
agement that was in the let- 
ters." 

"That was the kingpin foralot 
of our successes." 

Carter continued, "A lot of 
times it kept us going- 
knowing that somebody back 
home appreciated what we 
were doing. It kept us push- 
ing, and that's what makes 
me so proud to be from Oak 
Knoll.” 


Lt (.j.g.) Geralyn Haradon 
HMC John Calderon 
HMC Daniel Sweeney 
HM1 Cirilo Biascan, Jr. 
HM 1 Douglas Gadeberg 
HM 1 George McNamee 
HM1 Martin Millage 
HM1 Mario Tanguilig 
ET2 Steven Althaus 
HM2 Lori Cava 
HM2 Dren Hankins 
HM2 Pablo Lopez 
HM2 Anthony Schroeder 
HM2 Seleaina Thomas 
HM3 Robert Bagley 
HM3 Class Michael Harris 
HM3 RossOsten 


YNSN Charles Brooks 






Civilian News 


Civilian Drug Free Workplace 

By Herb Linderman 




NHO — In previous issues 
of Red Rover, questions and 
answers were published, ex- 
plaining how the Navy 's Drug 
Free Work Place(DFWP) 
plans to reach the goal for 
civilian employees. Since that 
time, we have been publish- 
ing further questions and an- 
swers that bring DFWP into 
focus. Following, are the fi- 
nal questions and answers. 
What records are being kept 
of the testing? Will the test 
results be part of an 
employee's OPF? 

Test results will not be- 
come a part of the employee’s 
Official Personnel File (OPF), 
but will become part of the 
"Employee Medical File Sys- 
tem of Records." There are 
legal safeguards against inap- 


propriate disclosure of test 
.results. What if an em- 
ployee is found to use ille- 
gal drugs? 

The Department of the 
Navy is committed to pro- 
viding employees with drug 
problems assistance in over- 
coming the problem. 

Therefore, if an employee 
has used illegal drugs, he or 
she will be referred to the 
Civilian Assistance Program 
and given the opportunity 
for counseling and rehabili- 
tation. Will an employee 
be fired for illegal druguse? 

The severity of the disci- 
plinary action taken against 
an employee found to use 
illegal drugs will depend on 
the circumstances of each 
case and may range from 


reprimand to removal. 

In any case, the activity 
must initiate disciplinary 
action against any em- 
ployee found to use illegal 
drugs, except for an em- 
ployee who voluntarily 
admits to illegal drug use 
under the "safe harbor” 
provision. 

For a second finding of 
illegal drug use, removal 
action must be initiated. 
Who can 1 contact for 
more information? Hal 
Heibert is the drug program 
coordinator. 

Gloria Grace is the Ci- 
vilian Assistance Program 

Manager at ext. 3-5380 and 
Penny Beech io is the Ci- 
vilian Personnel Depart- _ 
ment contact, at ext. 3-6374. 


Incentive Awards Program 


NHO —With the success- 
ful conclusion of Operation 
Desert Storm and the return 
of the USNS Mercy (T-AH 
19) and troops deployed to 
the Marines, we begin to fo- 
cus on our return to normal 
operations. 


As we do this, keep in 
mind that now is the time to 
recognize and honor the 
contributions of our civilian 
employees. 

The Incentive Awards Pro- 
gram is the best way to re- 
cognize civilian employees 


who provided essential 
support to Operation Desert 
Shield and Desert Storm. 

If you need assistance in 
preparing an award nomi- 
nation, contact Sydney 
Santos at 633-6374. 





Flag Day June 14 

■ M .ii i .1 ■■■■-■■ 




Happy Father's Day 
June 16 







The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 


Volume 3-Number 6 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 



June 14, 1991 ^ 



» a " d '«> '» Set. Maj. Richard Avalos and CWO Orville Gannon treats the 
P^lo b, A. NfTrchah Workmanj* 1 ' '' ? ^ "' her Am " k ' : ‘" 'omposers. (Oflkial U.S. Nav, 


Letterman Army Medical Center 


retires colors - June 8, 1991 




On June 8 , the Presidio of San Francisco and Letterman Army Medical Center (LAMC) retired 
•ts colors and raised a new flag to reflect downsizing to a 100-bed Army community hospital. 

own in front of the hospital is the Letterman Color Guard presenting LAMCs old colors to U.S. 
^rmy Lt. Gen. Frank Ledford Jr., Surgeon General of the Army, Brig. Gen. Leslie M. Burger, 
Commander, LAMC, and a distinguished audience of Army personnel and civilians from the San 
rrancisco Bay Area. (Official U.S. Navy photo by A. Marchal- Workman) 


Corpsmen excel during 
Operation Desert Storm 

By Andree Marechal-Workman 

NHO — Dedication and compassionate service have been 
hallmarks of the Navy Hospital Corps since its creation was 
officially approved by an Act of Congress June 17, 1898. And 
as the sun rises over the Corps* 93rd birthday, recent events of 
Desert Storm thread their own motifs of valor into the rich 
tapestry of its history. 

This is especially true of Naval Hospital Oakland, who 
deployed 127 corpsmen to Fleet Marine Force, spicing the 
annals of the Corps with both a Purple Heart and a recom- 
mendation for a Navy Commandation Medal with Combat 
"V" (valor). 

"... [Dayrit] came to epito- 
mize the true spirit of the 
Hospital Corps." 

- HMCM Clifton Carter 

On Feb. 26, Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 2nd Class 
Robert Carr said he was moving into Kuwait International 
Airport when a firefight broke out between his Marine unit 
and Iraqi troops. 

"The vehicle in which I was riding was hit by a grenade," 
he recalled, "injuring me and the gunner," although he said he 
hadn’t realized at the time that he’d been hit. "I rendered first 
aid to the gunner, medevaced him out, then continued with the 
mission. 

"Two days later, I went to the Batallion Aid Station (BAS) 

because my scalp hurt, and discovered I had shrapnel in mv 
head." y 

On March 23, in Saudi Arabia's Manifah Bay, Carr said he 
was awarded a Purple Heart by the Marine Batallion Com- 
mander, Lt. Col. M. M. Kcphart, 1st Tank Batallion, 1st 
Marine Division, for his "personal sacrifice in combat for 
country and corps [that] contributed markedly to our victory 
in Operation Desert Storm and in the foundation and hallmark 
of the fighting spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps.” 

According to Hospital Corpsman Master Chief Petty Of- 
ficer Clifton Carter, Hospitalman Carlos Dayrit "came to 
epitomize the true spirit of the Hospital Corps." 

C arter, who served as the senior enlisted in charge of BAS 
lor the 3rd Marine Reconnaissance Division, explained that 
Dayrit was not as well trained as his counterparts, but em- 
phasized he had "a thirst for knowledge and the guts and 
strength to request, (and eventually) become part of a special 
Marine reconnaissance team as their Doc" - a strength that 
eventually earned him the recommendation for a Navy Com- 
mendation Medal with Combat "V." 

Dayrit remembered that, at the end of January, along with 
six Marines trom Alpha Company of the Third Marine 
Division, he volunteered to stay behind in the town of Khafji 
to observe Iraqi troops’ movements and radio information to 

die commanding officer (CO) of the 3rd Reconnaissance 
Company at the rear." 


i 


(See Hospital Corps Backi 




Page 2 


Red Rover 


Perspectives 


Jun«14, 1 )., 


DESERT 

STORM 


Organizations offer Desert Storm 



specials for military personnel 


Red Rover 


The Red Rover is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commercially 
with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility of the Red Rover contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office, Naval Hospital, 8750 Moutain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94627-5000, Telephone: 
(4 1 5) 633-59 1 8. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted material) may be 
reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is given. Views 
expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, Navy Depart- 
ment Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Commanding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Deputy Public Affairs Officer 
Lonnie Brodie 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Kditoral Assistants 
Nicole A. Rodrigue/ 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 


By JOl Bill Miles 
Naval Base San Francisco Public Affairs 


TREASURE ISLAND- If you're a sailor who just re- 
turned after spending eight months away from home aboard 
USNS Mercy or Marine ground forces in the desert, you 
would like people to appreciate all the hard work you expe- 
rienced. That sacrifice is not being missed by many Bay Area 
merchants or by organizations and corporations across Cali- 
fornia and the nation. 

There are many great deals and specials available to Desert 
Storm wamors and their family members, and also for all 
military, including those who provided support to 
servicemembers in the Gulf and those who filled in for 
personnel deployed to the Middle East. The following is a list 
of many of those great deals, though it is not conclusive. For 
more information and additional specials, contact your local 
Family Service Center (FSC) or Morale, Welfare and Recre- 
ation (MWR) office. 

* Through July 7, all Carrows restaurants are offering a 20 
percent discount on their entire menu for military members. 
Just present a current military ID card at time of payment. 
Bullwinkles in Santa Clara is also offering 20 percent off. 

* The San Francisco Giants allow free admission for all active 
duty military into their home games at Candlestick Park. Just 
present your ID card at gates C or E. Family members of 
personnel who were deployed to Desert Shield or Desert 
Storm may pick up free Giants passes at their local FSCs. The 
Oakland Athletics are giving away four free tickets to Desert 
Storm families for their Aug. 5 game. For more information, 
phone (415) 638-0500. 

* The Napa Valley Wine Train is giving a free train ride to 
military members who purchase a dinner ticket. 

* Sonoma County is offering a special R & R invitation. This 
offer includes two nights (Monday-Tuesday) lodging, a Mon- 
day complimentary banquet and a Tuesday night complimen- 
tary dinner for two, all as their guests. 

Hotel and restaurant selections will be made on a random 


basis, and will be available for only the following specific 
dates: June 24-25, July 8-9 and 15-16. There are only a 
limited number of reservations available, and the invitation is 
being extended to all returning Desert Storm service people 
and their spouse/guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. For 
more information contact the Sonoma County Convention 
and Visitors Bureau, (707) 575-1 191. 

* The USO of Northern California (headquartered on Naval 
Station Treasure Island) has secured and is distributing prod- 
ucts and certificates from Lever Brothers, Mars Corporation, 
Tupperware and MacDonalds. Their phone number is (415) 
391-1657. 

* The Willits, Calif. Frontier Days (up north near the red- 
woods) would like members of the Navy and Marine Corps 
from the Bay Area to participate in their celebration June 29 
through July 7. This probably will include marching as a unit 
and "showing the flag." Willits will provide food, lodging 
and fuel or will reimburse participants for fuel to transport 
them to and from their home port. All participants will be 
hosted by Willits and be their guests during the celebration. 
Any command or interested individuals should contact Lt. 
Murphy at Naval Base San Francisco, (415) 395-3925. 

* Many theme parks are offering free tickets or admission for 
active-duty military personnel. These include Disneyland, 
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Anheuser-Busch 
theme parks (all Busch Gardens and Sea Worlds). 
Servicemembers can pick up free Disney tickets at their local 
MWR office. Just present your military or dependent ID for 
admission to the other theme parks mentioned. These great 
deals are offered throughout the summer. 

* Through March 8, 1992, and with an announcement cer- 
tificate printed in many publications and magazines, troops 
are offered a free weekend night at any Sheraton Hotel in the 
U.S. For more information/reservations, call 1 -800-WAR- 
OVER. In addition, many other hotels and motels are offering 



special rates for military, including: Hilton Hotels! 
percent discount on certain rates); Choice Hotels Intc^ 
tional; Hyatt Newporter, Newport Beach, Calif., (714)|j 
1234; Gateway Plaza Holiday Inn, La Mirada, Calif., (f 
739-8500; Newport Beach Mariott Suites, Newport Bev 
Calif., (714) 854-4500; Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, Calif., (4t , ! 
426-4330; Crown Sterling Suites, Burlingame, Calif., (41: 
342-4600; Conestoga' Hotel, Anaheim, Calif., (714) 5- r 
0300; Sheraton Hotel, San Francisco International Airp* 
(415)342-9200. 

* Many airlines are offering 70 percent off their fares fri! 
military members, most through the month of September i 
some through Dec. 1 5. A round-trip fare from San Francis 
to Hawaii is as low as $249 per person. 

* Dolphin Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Ocet< 
Cruise Lines are offering special military fares. 

* Alamo Rent-A-Car is offering active-duty military aiv 
family members the first day free on a three-day or long* 
rental, and National Car Rental is offering discount milit jj - 
rates. 

* The Outboard Marine Corporation is offering rebates ot 
Johnson and Evinrude outboard engines and electric post 
tioning motors to all military troops on active duty after Aug 
2, 1990, and for products purchased between March 15 am 
Dec. 31, 1991. Rebates of up to $400 are available. Formon 
information: (708) 689-5422. 

* The visitor industry of Hawaii has invited active-duty an< 
active-reserve military members to visit their state. Signifi 
cant discounts of up to 50 percent and more are being offeret 
through Dec. 15 by participating airlines, hotels, car-renta 
companies and many visitor attractions. A list of companies 
is available at your nearest Scheduled Airline Ticketing 
Office (SATO) or travel agent (this list has 23 pages o 
discounts). 

The special program is known as "Aloha R & R. M 




Dear Sir: 


Oak Knoll Mail Bag 


I am attempting to write every Naval and Marine Corps shore base throughout the world asking for any 
item that I can put towards my nephew’s already extensive collection. 

My nephew, Robert Coates, is 1 6 years old and when he left school he wanted to join any one ot our forces, 
but sadly, after his 14th birthday he suffered a severe stroke which left him partially paralyzed and without 
speech. Despite his disabilities, Robert has re-/ mained cheerful and is always willing to 

help those who are less fortunate than himself. X. 

He was recognized for his efforts to over- - “ L 
ties by being presented with the British Child of 


Award in the presence of her Royal Highness 
Wales at a ceremony in the Guildhall in Lon- 
1991. Robert will attempt any sporting event, 
swimming in which he excels. He has already 
merous gold and silver medals, and we are always 
basis. 



come his disabili- 
Achievement 
the Princess of 
don on Feb. 6, 
but his favorite is 
brought home nu- 
addmg to them on a regular 


i 


Since his illness, I have written over 700 letters to all the regiments in the British Army and ever) ship, 
submarine and shore base of the Royal Navy, all of whom have sent some kind of collectable item. 


1 remain yours sincerely. 


‘Mafcofm 0-Carper 




i 




Editor's Note: The staff of Naval Hospital Oakland was deeply touched by Mr. Harper’s letw 
In response, they sent a command plaque which Robert can add to his collection of military 
memorabilia. The staff of Red Rover, as well as all members of NHO, hope that this small gift 
will bring him some enjoyment. 






Red Rover 


Page 3 


June-1 4, 1991 






OAK KNOLL 
NEWS 




Electronic Tandem Network 

Effective May 17, 1991 at 5 p.m. the Electronic Tandem 
Network (ETN) was activated. This network provides 
interconnectivity between all bases currently being serviced 
by Public Works Center, San Francisco Bay. By dialing 7, 
plus the three -digit code assigned to the specific base being 
called, followed by the last four digits of the called station, the 
call will be processed with no toll charges incurred. 

The following is a List of the bases and the dial plan to be used 
to access these bases: 


SITE 


DIAL PLAN 


NAS Alameda 
PWCSFB-Cato 
WPNSTA Concord 
SUPSHIPS Hunter s Point 
NAS Moffett Field 
DODHF Novato 
NAVHOSP Oakland 
NSC Oakland 
NSC Point Molate 
NAVFACWNGCOM San Bruno 
NAVSECGRU ACT Skaggs Island 
NA VST A Treasure Island 


7+263-XXXX 

7+869-XXXX 

7+246-XXXX 

7+475-XXXX 

7+494-XXXX 

7+382-XXXX 

7+633-XXXX 

7+672-XXXX 

7+231-XXXX 

7+244-XXXX 

7+533-XXXX 

7+395-XXXX 


GTE offers special payment arrangements 

To show support for all the Armed Forces men and women, 
GTE California is doing something special for those who 
served in the Persian Gulf. They are helping those families 
who had, or continue to have, heads of family or dependents 
in the Gulf. 

The telephone company will assist those families who are 
faced with large unpaid phone bills they can’t pay because 
their incomes were curtailed during the Gulf War. 

Because of regulatory restrictions, GTE California cannot 
forgive the phone bills, but they will allow their customers 
to set up special payment arrangements. These arrangements 
will allow payment of outstanding bills over time, without 
phone service disconnection or a negative credit report. 
Point of contact for eligible servicemembers is GTE Public 
Affairs Department at 1-800-227-5556. 

Volunteers needed for Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help serve their 
senior citizens on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, from 1 1 
4 ni. to l p. m . a( their silvercrest Residence Dining Room, 
Shipley Street in San Francisco. Those interested in 
volunteering should contact Donna Loughran at (415) 777- 

Special invitations for military personnel 

The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco has extended its 
'pecial ‘Armed Forces" dining program and special room 
Wes for members of the military and their dependents through 
u > 4 For more information contact the USO on Naval 
Matton Treasure Island. (415) 391-1657 

Sears is offering a 10 percent discount card to military 

‘ n “ trs ’ frec family portraits and auto inspections. The 

ft ii department of any store will validate when shown a 
military I.D. 



San Francisco Medical Command 

Bridging gaps in military health care 


Editor s note: We've all heard a great deal about the San 
Francisco Medical Command (SFMC), a multi-service orga- 
nization located on top of one of Oak KnolT s many picturesque 
hillocks in Bldg. 62-B. Several articles were published in Red 
Rover and elsewhere , attempting to explain SFMCs mission 
and activities , but for many of us, SFMCs raison d'etre 
remains unclear. The following summary brings into focus 
the functions of SFMC as they affect (1) Bay Area Depart- 
ment of Defense (DoD ) health care professionals; (2) eligible 
Bay Area beneficiaries and (3) DoD itself. 

By JOl Kay Lorentz 
Naval Hospital Public Affairs 

NHO — Army and Navy medical personnel involved in 
providing direct, hands-on health care perform an opera- 
tional mission. They work arduous shifts, are required to 
keep current in an ever-changing field and, if military, stand 
extra duties and watches. They don’t have the time or energy 
to devote to endless meetings and/or to the time-consuming 
task of identifying a need for a particular piece of equipment 
and purchase it at a cost that their branch of the military 
service and DoD can afford. 

- Everyone wins by 
sharing knowledge 
and experience -- 

This is where SFMC comes in. SFMC is what is known in 
the military as a “purple suit outfit” -- an outfit composed of 
more than one branch of the military service. Its key players 
are Letterman Army Medical Center (LAMC) and Naval 
Hospital Oakland (NHO). However, other organizations 
including Foundation Health, a CH AMPUS Reform Initiative 
(CRI) Advisory Board, the U.S. Air Force and Bay Area 
Veterans Affairs medical centers are welcome participants in 
meetings and conferences where experience and knowledge 
are pooled to the mutual benefit of all parties present. 

With such a variety of participants, problem-solving often 
involves solutions being offered by members who have 
experienced a particular problem. For example, Naval 
Hospital “A” needs a medical service at its location. Its staff 
has checked around, but no commercial outlet can provide it 
at a cost the naval hospital can afford. Purchasing and 
maintaining the equipment or supplies involved is not an 
option. This means added paperwork for health care provid- 
ers and additional inconvenience to eligible beneficiaries. 

The problem is cited at an SFMC meeting. A Veterans 
Affairs (VA) hospital administrator attending the session 
says that his facility has a contract for the needed service and 
suggests that V A and Navy Logistics people get together with 
the contractor and work a deal. Perhaps the contractor will 
allow the Navy facility to “piggy-back” on the VA contract 
or maybe the Navy can share the service at the VA facility at 
a more moderate cost. 

-- Specialized training 
made available - 

In this instance, the sharing of knowledge and experience 
has resulted in a win-win situation for the beneficiaries, the 
health care professionals and DoDs medical departments. 
The beneficiaries receive additional service at a convenient 
location with a minimum waiting time. The health care 
providers spend less time filling out forms and completing the 
necessary paperwork required if the service is to be provided 
outside the naval hospilal. Finally, DoDcan provide additional 
quality health care service at a reasonable cost. This is 
especially important in these days of shrinking defense bud- 
gets and intense media attention on procurement disasters. 



Cmdr. Janet L. Peterson, SFMC director for Health 
Care Planning and chair, Catchment Area Manage- 
ment Committee (CAMC). The CAMC meets once 
a month to discuss ways of improving health care 
accessibility to military beneficiaries. (Official Navy 
photo by J02 Stephen Brown) 

SFMC also assists in insuring that doctors training in DoD 
hospitals can receive a variety of graduate specialized train- 
ing through its participation in the fledgling University of 
California Davis School of Medicine— sponsored East Bay 
Consortium of Hospitals. Through the Consortium, gradu- 
ate- level training in surgery, radiology and other specialty 
areas is made available to residents in the Bay Area. If a 
member hospital is not sufficiently staffed or does not offer 
a specific residency, staff doctors interested in that specialty 
can acquire skills they need at another participating member 
hospital that does offer the specialized education required 
for board certification. 

In this way the hospital in question retains their services 
and gains the advantage of having someone able to assist with 
diagnoses and treatment requiring specialized training. 

- High quality health 
care at a minimal cost - 

In an effort to expand access to direct health care for 
CHAMPUS-eligible beneficiaries, SFMC has developed re- 
source-sharing agreements in the areas of primary care, 
dermatology and pediatric cardiology - to name a few. These 
agreements reduce CHAMPUS expenditures while improv- 
ing access to outpatient appointments for CHAMPUS-eli- 
gible beneficiaries. For instance, a unique agreement be- 
tween NHO and Foundation Health shares the cost for civil- 
ian registered nurses holiday coverage. A direct result of the 
agreement was evident during 1989, when NHO was able to 
admit an additional 476 patients while avoiding $235,000 in 
CHAMPUS costs. Additional resource-sharing agreements 
in a variety of specialty areas are continually being developed 
and evaluated by the SFMC staff. 

To summarize: SFMC s efforts mean that Bay Area 
beneficiaries can get high quality health care for lower (or 
even no) cost and do not have to wait as long for non- 
emergency medical procedures. 

Health care professionals benefit by being able to concen- 
trate their time and energy on direct patient health care 

Last but certainly not least. DoD and American taxpayers 

hcnelit from defense budget dollars for health care being 

spent prudently and wisely with DoD getting the best buy for 
its money. 


1 


Junior Nurse of the Year 



Lt. j. g. Kenneth E. Demott 

Command: NAS, Naval Hospital Lemoore — Ward B 

Your job: General nursing care on a multi-purpose ward. 

Marital status: Married 

Spouse: Maria Demott 

Children: Justina, 3 

Hometown: Unadilla, N.Y. 

Likes: Family and self-improvement. 

Dislikes: Smoking and pomposity. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Instructing 
corpsmen and getting them to see the vast opportunities offered by 
the Navy. 

What is your immediate goal as a nurse: To complete my cer- 
tified emergency nurse credentials and prepare my presentation for 
the Emergency Nursing Association's Symposium in September. 

What is you long-term goal: To obtain a doctorate degree in 
education and teach nursing at the Baccalaureate level. 

What does being a member of the Navy Nurse Corps mean to 
you: Having gone from Hospitalman to Hospital Corpsman 1st 
Class, then obtaining my commission through the Navy Enlisted 
Commissioning Program (NECP), being a Navy nurse means 
feelings of accomplishment and renewed purpose. The challenges 
of patient care and educating staff, as well as the pride ot being a 
member of today’s Navy - all of which combine to afford a 
rewarding profession. 

What advice would you provide to individuals interested in 
joining the Navy Nurse Corps: Keep your mind focused on 
growth, both personal and educational, and don’t lose sight of the 
Navy Nurse Corps purpose — to support the fleet. 


Junior and Seni 


Photos by j 



The Oakland Council of the Navy League Junior Num 
Year Lt. Cmdr. Nancy Jo Erickson (r.) holding the pla # 
Services at Naval Hospital Oakland. 



The "Ceremonial" cutting of the cake is a long-standing tradition ^ ^ 


this ceremony, the youngest nurse and the most senior nurse 





s Nurse of the Year 

vna S. Kirkpatrick 

w 


Senior Nurse of the Year 



tear Ensign Kenneth Demott (1.), and Senior Nurse of the 
esented to them by Capt. Anne Gartner (c.), Head of Nursing 



J S. Nurse Corps; in 
, h y c ake together. 



Hadwick A. Thompson, president of the Oakland 
Council of the Navy League, was on hand to present 
plaques with Naval Hospital Oakland Head of 
Nursing Services, Capt. Anne Gartner. 


r 



Lt. Cmdr. Nancy Jo Erickson 


Command: NHO Reserve Detachment 
Your job: Department Head 
Marital status: Married 
Spouse: Dane Ericksen 
Children: Emily, 15 and Sarah, 6 
Hometown: Alameda, CA 

What has been the most challenging part of your job: Revital- 
izing a department that was severely short staffed, while continuing 
to provide services to high-risk perinatal patients. 

What is your immediate goal as a nurse: To continue to be an 
effective leader and to be a role model for other Nurse Corps officers. 

What is your long-term goal: Once released from active duty, 1 
would like to return to my unit as XO, and then next year, apply for 

a CO position; to effectively represent the Nurse Corps in Reserve 
Affairs. 

What does being a member of the Navy Nurse Corps mean to 
you: A few words canpot describe what being in the Nurse Corps 
lor almost 21 years means to me. Family, professional growth, 
leadership, opportunities, horizons expanded, mentors of high caliber 

and service to my country are just a few words which describe these 
years. 


What advice would you provide to individuals interested in 
joining the Navy Nurse Corps: It is a chance of a lifetime to get 
to know people and places only imagined. The Nurse Corps 
provides an opportunity for growth both clinically and as a leader 
that tew civilian Registered Nurses ever have available. You also 
have a chance to serve your country in a most special capacity. 

Career highlights: In 1973, 1 helped to care for returning POWs 
from Vietnam. I was recently selected for promotion to commander! 


Page 6 


Red Rover 


June 14, 1991 



From 

the 

Chaplain 


The “still, small voices” 
of Naval Hospital Oakland 


By Lt. Cmdr. Scott J. Jurgens, CHC 

NHO - Patients who come to the hospital experi- 
ence a variety of feelings. Anxiety and fear are a 
couple of those feelings, especially if they are facing 
major surgery. 

In dealing with their anxiety and fear, many people 
turn to God for strength. 

The reason for this is obvious. Christians, Jews and 
those of other faiths, have learned of a God who is 
powerful, grand, glorious, magnificent and able to 
work miracles. Yet their experience with God during 
their hospital stay is usually far from grand, glorious 
or magnificent. 

There is an interesting story in I Kings 19 about 
Elijah the prophet. He flees to Mount Horeb because 
Queen Jezebel is out to kill him. While he hides out, 
God tells him that “the Lord is about to pass by,” so 
that Ejijah can see him and get further instruction. He 
expects to see a grand and glorious God, but God does 
not appear in the strong wind or the earthquake or the 
fire as expected. Instead God comes to him in a most 
unimpressive way -- in a still, small voice. This still, 
small voice, as insignificant as it appears, gives di- 
rection to Elijah in the tasks that he is to perform. 

As patients lie in their beds, they are not visited by 
a powerful supernatural being who comes rushing 
down from the heavens. They are visited by all kinds 
of people — regular human beings who walk through 
the door. 

These people are doctors, nurses, corpsmen, chap- 
lains, relatives, friends and people from their units. 
Often it is from these visits that the patients draw their 
strength. 

Our jobs in the hospital community may often 
become mundane and boring to us, but all the little 
things like: the changing of an IV; the delivery of a 
meal; the talking over of a procedure with a patient; 
the greeting of a chaplain or relative; and rendering of 
important services can bring brightness and strentgh 
to a patient. 

Suprisingly, this is where a patient can experience 
God — not just in the word of the chaplain or the 
miracles of the Bible , but in all the large and small 
things we do in service to them. 

All of us who work at Naval Hospital Oakland are 
truly the “still, small voices” that make a difference 
and bring meaning to those who look to us for service. 

It is my prayer that in the hussle and bustle or in the 
dullness of our tasks, we never forget that many times 
others see God active in us. 

May we be blessed as we bring blessing to the 

patient! 


r 


9{avaf SkospitaC Oakland 
- VuBCic ‘Worths Center, San ‘ Trancisco 

Up -C Cose 


Job: I work as a staff engineer. I handle work coordination with Public 
Works Center, San Francisco; oversee the environmental program and the 
move coordinator for Mi Icon P-122. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Wells, Minn. 

Hobbies: Travelling and outdoor activities. 

Likes: Honest, straightforward people and Italian food. 

Dislikes: Stupidity, selfishness and non-motivated individuals. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Convincing department 
heads that moving out of their spaces and being miserable is actually good 
for them. 

What is your immediate goal: The successful completion of Milcon P- 
122 and restoration of order in the hospital. 

What is your long-term goal: To achieve successful development, both 
militarily and professionally, as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Have slept less during calculus. 

I respect myself for: Not being afraid to take the tough jobs that no one 
else wants. 

Role models/heroes: Commodore R. E. Peary, Admiral B. E. Moreell 



Lt John J. Nesius, 
Civil Engineer Corps 



H fet'U.’rt 



HN Kenneth R. Kramer 


Your job: The trouble desk. I receive trouble calls from the base, log 
them in the computer and track them through to completion. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Pensacola, Fla. 

Hobbies: Flying, surfing, fishing and boxing. 

Likes: Camping, fresh air, fast cars and going to the beach. 

Dislikes: Traffic, smog and fake people. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Trying to keep track 
of all of the engineers, phone calls, messages and paperwork. 

What is your immediate goal: To make Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class. 
What is your long-term goal: To finish my degree in computer science. 
If I could do it all over again, I’d: Finish college before 1 joined the 
military. 

Role models/heroes: My family 


Your job: Take calls from all over the base for work to be done. 
Marital Status: Married. 

Spouse: Brenda Brown. 

Hometown: Oakland, Calif. 

Hobbies: Biking, camping and anything that moves fast. 
Dislikes: Pushy people. 

What is your immediate goal: To finish school. 



Johnnie L. Brown 





Red Rover 


Page 7 


June 14, 1991 

May 1991 
NHO Awards 

Meritorious Service Medal 

Capt. Richard Osborne 

Civilian Awards 

10 years — Iris Morris 
20 years — June Reichmann 

Navy Commendation Medal 

Lt. Craig Anderson 

ti 

Navy Achievement Medal 

Lt. William Edgar Graves Jr. 
SKC Lauifi Paopao Tauiliili 
HM 1 Alan W. Goodson 
HM 1 Olen Kitchens, III 
HM 1 Kevin Lautenschlager 
HM1 Kim M. Ross 
HM2 Jeffrey D. Ehrman 
SK2 Edward William Hazen 
HM2 Camella Maile Herrmann 
SH2 Billie Jo Kribbs 
HM3 Franklin Kribbs, III 

Good Conduct 

HM3 Leroy Hetrick 


Sailor of the Month 



April 1991 


AN Patrick J. Ventrello 

Airman Patrick J. Ventrello was nominated 
for the April ‘Sailor of the Month’ for his 
pride and professionalism as a sailor. He 
assists in the conducting of physical exams 
in the Aviation Medicine Department of the 
Branch Medical Clinic, NAS Moffett Field. 
Bravo Zulu for his outstanding dedication 
to the Navy and Naval Hospital Oakland. 


May 1991 


DTI Thomas P. Calimlim 

Dental Technician First Class Thomas P. 
Calimlim was nominated for the May ‘Sailor 
of the Month ’ for his excellent management 
as Leading Petty Officer in the Dental De- 
partment. There he directly supervised 22 
enlisted personnel with dedication and sup- 
port. Bravo Zulu for his outstanding per- 
formance at Naval Hospital Oakland. 



= Civilian Corner 


Thrift Savings Plan Open Season is approaching; 
Now is the time to start making your contrubutions 


NHO — It s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) season time again. 
Daring the period May 1 5 - July 3 1 , civilian employees may 
begin contributing to TSP, change the amount of TSP contri- 
utions, or allocate their contributions to their account among 
the three investment funds. 

Any portion of an employee's contribution can be invested 
in any of the three TSP investment funds: the Government 
Securities Investment (G) Fund, the Common Stock Index 
ln\ estment (C) Fund and the Fixed Income Index Investment 
1 ) fund, regardless of whether the employee is covered by 
die Federal Employees' Retirement System ( FERS ) or the Civil 
Service Retirement System (CSRS). 

* Who is eligible - Those employees whose latest appoint- 
ment to a position covered by FERS or CSRS was made 

oreJan.l, 1991, OR if their latest appointment was made 

T«;p r< i JUly *’ *"* “ d they were eligible t° participate in the 
^ during a prior open season. 

1 1 ihc 1 SP contributions were stopped before Feb. 1 , 1991 

• >ey may be resumed during this open season. 


If, however, the contributions v,?re stopped after Jan. 3 1 , 
1991, they may not be started again until the next open season 
starting Nov. 15, 1991. 

* How this allocation opportunity affects FERS employees , 
even those who are not making employee contributions may 
still make a TSP election to invest all or any portion of their 

Agency automatic ( 1 %) contributions in any of the three 
funds. 

This is true even of those employees who are not able to 
make an election to contribute during this open season because 
they stopped contributing after Jan. 3 1 , 1991. 

For those individuals making employee contributions, 
their investment election applies to all contributions to their 
TSP account; i.e, employee. Agency automatic (1%) and 
Agency matching contributions. 

* How to make an open season election - Submit a completed 
elecuon form. TSP- 1 (dated 2/91 or 9/90, available from 
Civilian Personnel in Bldg. 73-B) to that same department 


When do open season elections become effective — If 
Civilian Personnel accepts employees' elections before July 
13. 1991, it will be effective July 14, 1991, and their pay 
checks dated Aug. 6, 1991 will reflect the elections. If the 
election is made after that date, it will be effective on the first 

day of the first full pay period after it has been accepted by 
Civilian Personnel. 

Where to get more information about the TSP — The 
booklet, "Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal 
Employees." dated September 1990. describes the TSP in 
detail. The booklet can be obtained by contacting Sydney 

antos at 633-6374 , and should be read before making a TSP 
election. 


Employees should have already received the pamphlet 
entitled Open Season Update, May 15- July 3 1 , 1991. "This 
update contains general information about majorTSP features 
and investment options. Point of contact for further informa- 
tion is Sydney Santos at the above number. 



Page 8 

SAFETY CORNER: 


Red Rover 




CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME 

Preventing Repetitive Motion Problems 


NHO —Your wrist aches, your fingers feel numb, you 
have difficulty doing even the most simple task like opening 
a juice jar. 

What's going on? It may be that you suffer from carpal 
tunnel syndrome— a hand disorder resulting from repetitious, 
forceful motion of the hands and wrists. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is quite common and affects those 
of us who use the same hand motions over and over again at 
work or at home-painters, textile workers, cashiers, word 
processors, electronics assemblers and many others. 

Fortunately, you don’t need to "grin and bear it." Carpal 
tunnel syndrome is often preventable through proper hand 
positioning and regular hand exercises. 

Why Your Hand Hurts 

The carpal tunnel is the bony cavity in your wrist through 
which your nerves and tendons extend to the hand. 

When you repeat the same hand and wrist movements day 
in and day out, the excess strain causes tendons to swell and 
press on the main nerve of the hand. This persistent irritation 
of the nerve can result in pain, numbness and dysfunction not 


only in the hand and wrist, but also may extend up to the 
forearm and elbow as well. 

What You Can Do About It 

If you are at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, 
why not try to prevent the condition before it occurs? 

By learning how to position your hands properly and by 
exercising your hands regularly, you can relieve excess 
pressure on your tendons and nerves and prevent unnecessary 
pain and disability. 

Hand Positioning 

When you keep your wrists and elbows straight, you place 
less pressure on the tendons and nerves in your hands. 

Try adjusting your work so that you can keep your forearm 
and hand straight. 

Use hand tools with the appropriate width, size and shape 
— that is, make sure that you can grip the tool comfortably, 
that the tool can absorb vibration and that handles are posi- 
tioned to keep your wrists and hands in alignment. 


June 14, 1991 


Hospital Corps (continued) 

"We were surrounded by hostile Iraqis for 38 hours in a 
house [fenced in] by an eight-foot wall," he recalled. "They 
couldn't see us, and I was able to use the radio language I had 
learned to relay enemy troop movement information to the 
rear." As a result, the CO was able to call in the artillery 
missions that eventually "stopped the. Iraqis from invading 
Saudi Arabia." 

"When Dayrit returned, you could tell that he was a 
different person," Carter continued. "He had a real glow...a 
little more serious about duty, yet it didn't take away from the 
intensity of his commitment to the team. I am proud to say he 
is one of ours: He is from OaR Knoll." 

These are but two among the many stories of heroism that 
make up the saga of the Navy Hospital Corps - not only 
during Operation Desert Storm, but since 1 778, when the first 
corpsman (then called a loblolly boy) was recruited for the 
crew of the revolutionary war frigate "Constellation." 


& 





Computer Tips 

By Jim Brackman 
Senior Computer Specialist 
Information Resource Center 








Did you know the most commonly selected printer codes used with Lotus 123 and the HP 
Laser Printer? 


Page 

Page 

Paper 

Lines 

Characters 

Printer Codes 

Size 

orientation 

feed 

per 

page 

per inch 


Letter 

Landscape 

Normal 

45 

12 

\027E\027& 10\027 (sOpl2H 

Letter 

Landscape 

Normal 

66 

12 

\027E\027&lo5.45C\027 (012H 

Letter 

Landscape 

Normal 

45 

16.66 

\027E\027& IO\027(sOp 1 6.66H 

Letter 

Portrait 

Normal 

60 

12 

\027E\027(sOpl2H 

Letter 

Portrait 

Normal 

66 

12 

\027E\027& 17.27C\027 (sOpl2H 

Letter 

Portrait 

Normal 

60 

16.66 

\027E\027 (sOpl6.66H 

Legal 

Landscape 

Manual 

45 

12 

\027E\027& 184p2h 1 (>\0279 (sOp 1 2H 

Legal 

Landscape 

Manual 

45 

16.66 

\027E\027& 184p2hl(>\027 
(sOpl6.66H 

Legal 

Portrait 

Manual 

78 

12 

\027E\027& I84p2h\027 (sOpl2H 

Legal 

Portrait 

Manual 

78 

16.66 

\027E\027&184p2h\027 (s()pl6.66H 

Legal 

Landscape 

Legal Tray 

45 

12 

\027E\027& 184plO\027 (sOp 1 2H 

Legal 

Portrait 

Legal 

78 

12 

\027E\027& 184P\027 (sOp!2H 


To input these codes into your Spreadsheet, select the following menu options: /Print Printer 
Options Setup, then enter one of the Printer codes listed above. 

NOTE: If using other than a HP Laser Printer, you may have to adjust your printer setup for 
compatibility. Review owners manual for setup instructions. If you have any questions 
please call the " Computer Hotline" 633-5835 for further information. 



HM2 Robert Carr, who was assigned to a Marine 
unit while in Saudi Arabia, displays his shrapenel- 
riddled helmet. (Official U.S. Navy photo by JOSA 
Kyna S. Kirkpatrick) 

Since then, corpsmen have faced many challenges, in both 
peace and war time. "Out of all the aimed services, the most 
decorated servicemembers are Navy docs," said Carter proudly 
in an earlier interview, emphasizing that medals and com- 
mendations are, in no way, restricted to combat veterans. "I’ve 
never seen so many decorations and awards given to corps- 
men during the October 1989 [Bay Area] earthquake," he 
said, explaining that he was not here at the time, but he’d seen 
movies, he’d heard civilians in the community comment on 
the expert dedication of Oak Knoll’s servicemembers — all of 
which testify that, "when corpsmen arc called upon to do a 
job, they do it magnificiently." 

(Editor’s Note: Although the Hospital Corps was offi- 
cially designated as a unit of the Medical Department by an 
Act of Congress in 1898, at the onset of the Spanish • 
American War, it is actually much older. According to art 
article in Oak Leaf, (Vol. 37, No. 1 1 , dated June 6, 1975), tht 
activities of the first loblolly boys predate the establishment 
of the Corps by more than a century. "John Wall," the artu le 
says, "enjoyed the distinction of being the first enlist c 
hospital corpsman of record. He apparently was shipped foK 
the specific duties of a loblolly boy, and obtained his initio 
experience in caring for the wounded aboard the frignti- 
"Constellation" in her victorious encounter with a Freru 
frigate during an undeclared war against France in 17 ^ 



— r 

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July! 

— 

The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 




Volume 3-Number 7 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


July 2,1991 J 


Letterman commander 
advocates armed forces 
coordinated health care 

By Andree Marechal-Workman 

NHO -- During the 20 months since he’s been a member of the San 
Francisco Medical Command’s (SFMC) Executive Committee, Brig. 
Gen. Leslie M. Burger has been an advocate of multiple-service health 
care providing. 

This personal credo has led the 5 1 -year-old commander of Letterman 
Army Medical Center (LAMC) to develop a recommendation for the 
establishment of an Armed Forces Coordinating Care Agency for Northern 
California for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. 
Enrique Mendez, Jr. 



Brig. Gen. Leslie M. Burger sits at his desk at LAMC. (Official U.S. 
N avy photo by A. Marechal-Workman) 


According to Burger, who joined SFMC’s Executive Committee at the 
same time he assumed LAMC’s command on Aug. 21, 1989, “SFMC is 
a model for cooperative military health care providing. However, he’s 
quick to point out that “SFMC’s key players, Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NH °) and LAMC, should be augmented to include all Navy and Air 
Force facilities in the region." 

Given the limited resources that the military has, and will continue to 
ave, we will need to “consolidate and regionalize, both within the 
military system and with our civilian counterparts,’* he explained, adding 
{ at SFMC can provide the infracstructure, the model on which an all- 
inclusive multi-service/civilian organization could be established to 
orchestrate all Northern California health care needs.’* 

This is especially critical in these days of severe budget cuts, Burger 
* w ^ en military bases are being closed and Congress is mandating 
e apartment of Defense to cost-contain its activities. 

Although SFMC was commissioned on Dec. 19, 1988, it didn't become 
wi> operative until October 1989, when the Naval Medical Command 
Northwest Region was disestablished. It is a joint, collaborative Army- 
J^y^nture designed to oversee Bay Area military health and dental 

con dWery Under Nav y leadership. The command’s mission was, and 
ntinues to be, to seek avenues of providing cost-effective, quality health 

peL iCntal ^ l ° Bay Area bener,ciaries * t0 plan for all facets of 
tim- CUme miUtary medical Preparedness and education, as well as war- 
Mi/r "■|- n ^ u,remcnU » anci t0 provide for the orderly transition from a 
t0 minimal Army medical presence in the Bay Area - 
<md p. W| H dose all but two of its residency programs (Ophthamology 

>^hjatry)on July 1, 1991 ; then will continue downsizing until 1995, 

(See Burger- back) 



NHO staff, led by Director of Surgical Services, Capt. John Bartlett (middle) extends a hand of 
welcome to a Philippine evacuee medevaced from Naval Hospital Subic Bay. (Official U.S. Navy 
photo by Andree Marechal-Workman) 


NHO greets Philippine evacuees 

NHO - Exhausted from their narrow escape from Philippine earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic 
eruptions, 31 active-duty personnel and military dependents from Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay 
Naval Station arrived at Naval Hospital Oakland on June 22. 

"They had a disaster," said Capt. John Bartlett, NHO's director for Surgical Services. "Volcanic ash blew 
onto buildings and they had to be evacuated. They lost everything, and they have been under tremendous 
stress." 

But every cloud has its silver lining, and for Bay Area resident and former Naval Hospital Subic Bay 
civilian employee, Pat Deocampo, the disaster proved to be the chance of a lifetime - the joy of greeting 
John David, the two-day-old grandson she wouldn't have met for some time if Jo- Anne Deocampo, her 
daughter in law and wife of Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class, Ruben Deocampo, had remained on the 
island until the end of Reuben's active-duty tour. 

According to Capt. John Rowe, NHO's director of Community Health, the evacuees are Clark’s and 
Subic's patients, who were hospitalized prior to the catastrophe. They were welcomed by NHO staff and 

Red Cross personnel, who greeted them with food, toys for the children and a lot of "TLC." (See related 
story back page) 





en route to Cebu, while Capt.Johnliartlett tho^eleas^of hkmother, J^Anne^Ofndanj s' 

Navy photo by Andree Marechal-Workman) J nne * (Official U.S. 







Page 2 


Red Rover 


— 






Perspectives 


July 2, 1991 


The Executive Officer 

NHO -- At this time every year we witness the exodus of 
our graduating interns and welcome a new intern class to Oak 
Knoll. 

Our interns are an integral part of this command and are 
vital in the performance of our mission. They are often one 
of the first visible stages of patient-care and provide the 
patient interaction that sets the stage for care throughout the 
hospital. 

As interns go through the maturation process, the entire 
staff benefits through influx of new ideas, enthusiasm and 
innovation. 

As we bid farewell to our graduating interns, we should all 
be thankful for their hard work and the sacrifices they have 
made. 



Capt. Noel A. Hyde, MSC 


They have probably just completed the most vigorous and 
demanding year of their professional careers. 

The demands of Operation Desert Shield/Storm have re- 
sulted in a unique internship and indoctrination to Navy 
Medicine. 

On behalf of the entire staff it is a pleasure to wish the 
“Class of 91” the best of luck in their next assignments. 

For the “Class of 92” WELCOME ABOARD! As I 
mentioned when I kicked off your orientation recently, I am 
certain you will find the next year to be a challenging and 
rewarding experience. 

Y ou have just joined the finest team of health care profes- 
sionals in the Navy, and are charged with the responsibility 
to carry on in the high standards of your predecessors. 

GOOD LUCK! 


President establishes Southwest Asia Service Medal 


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The president has established 
a Southwest Asia Service Medal (SASM) to be awarded to 
members of the armed forces of the United States who 
participated in, or directly supported, military operations in 
Southwest Asia or in surrounding areas between Aug. 2, 1990 
and a date to be determined (Operations Desert Shield and 
Desert Storm). 

General eligibility requirements for award of the SASM 
are: 

* Individuals must have served in one or more of the 
following areas between Aug. 2, 1990 and a date to be 
determined: the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf 
of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of " 1 0 
degrees north latitude" and west of "68 degrees east longi- 
tude," as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi 
Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. 

* Individuals serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and 
Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters), be- 
tween Jan. 1 7, 1 99 1 and a date to be determined, shall also be 
eligible for award of this medal. They must have directly 
supported combat operations. 

For instance, embassy guards would not be eligible. 


Red Rover 

The Red Rem ris published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Red Ro\ < rcontents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office, Naval Hospital, 8750 Moutain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94627-5000, Tele- 
phone: (415) 633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense, Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 

Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 

Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Deputy Public Affairs Officer 
Lonnie Brodie 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Editoral Assistants 
Nicole A. Rodriguez 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



* Specific eligibility criteria for award of the SASM require 
that a servicemember must be: 

— Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with 
an organization participating in ground/shore (military) 
operations. 

— Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days 
aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations. 

— Actually participated as a crewmember in one or more 
aerial fights directly supporting military operations in the 
above areas. 

~ Served on temporary duty for 30 or 60 consecutive days. 
These time limitations may be waived by commanding offic- 
ers for people participating in actual combat operations. 

Commanding officers are authorized to award the SASM. 
The basic medal will be awarded for the period Aug. 2, 1990 
to Jan. 16, 1991 (Operation Desert Shield). 

The medal with a bronze service star will be awarded for 
the period Jan. 17, 1991 to a date to be determined (Operation 
Desert Storm), whether the individual served during Opera- 
tion Desert Shield or not. 

No person shall be entitled to awardof more than one medal. 

DoD changes personnel ceilings 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -An adjusted personnel plan per- 
mits more than 16,000 servicemembers to remain on active 
duty through the end of fiscal 1991 than were originally 
authorized under DoD's drawdown plan. 

Donald Atwood, deputy secretary of defense, advised the 
military services in an April 8 memorandum to waive the 
personnel end strengths set in the National Defense Autho- 
rization Act for Fiscal Year 1991. 

All services will meet the fiscal 1 992 end strengths required 
by law. 

Personnel Ceilings 

With the waivers authorized by Congress and DoD, this is 
what the services' personnel strengths will look like at the end 
of fiscal 1991: 



Army 

Navy 

Marines 

Air Force 

March 91 

745, 0(X) 

579,000 

200.358 

529,287 

Before 

waiver 

702, 170 

570,500 

193,735 

510,000 

After 

waiver 

710,000 

573,086 

195,672 

514,000 

Impact 

+7,830 

+2,586 

+ 1,937 

+4,000 


Correction - The official Oakland Council of the 
Navy League recipients for Junior/Senior nurses of 
1991 are: USNS Mercy: Junior - Ensign Kenneth 
DeMott and Senior - Lt. Cmdr. Susan Griffin 
Naval Hospital Oakland: Junior - Lt. Angelica 
Almonte and Senior — Lt. Cmdr. Nancy Jo Ericksen. 


The SASM may be awarded posthumously, and will take 
precedence immediately after the Vietnam Service MedaL 
The Chief of Naval Operations will promulgate a list of 
eligible units separately. 

* The SASM may be ordered through the supply system 
under National Stock Number (NSN) 8455-01-334-9513. 
The medal is currently under procurement and will be avail- 
able shortly. 

* In order to recognize the considerable efforts of sailors and 
Marines called to sea duty or deployed on short notice for 
Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm, the twelve-month 
accumulated sea duty requirement for the Sea Service De- 
ployment Ribbon (SSDR) is waived. 

The awarding of the SSDR to active and reserve Navy and 
Marine Corps personnel deployed in support of Operation 
Desert Shield or Desert Storm is authorized provided all other 
eligibility criteria as contained in SECNAV message dated 
Jan. 26, 1991, for the SASM have been met. This waiver only 
affects the initial award of the SSDR. 

* Entries reflecting awards of the SASM and SSDR will te 
made to service records in accordance with Navy and Marine 
Corps directives. 


June 14, 1991 

Dear Editor: 

The "Up Close" section of the 14 June 1991 issue of 
the Red Rover incorrectly identified LT J.J. Nesius, HN 
K.R. Kramer and Mr. J.L. Brown as working for Navy 
Public Works Center, San Francisco Bay. These 
individuals in fact work for the Facilities Management 
Department of Naval Hospital Oakland. This is a 
common misconception that we would like to clear up. 

Additionally, Mr. Brown identified his Role Model/ 
Hero as Inspector Gadget, which you refused to print It 
is not understood why you would print Ferdinand 
Marcos, a deposed dictator accused of a miltitude of 
heinous crimes, as one individual's Role Model/Hero yet 
refuse to print Inspector Gadget a fictitious crime 
fighting sensation, as someone else's. Your editorial 
control should not reflect your personal opinion of who- 
is an appropriate Role Model/Hero. # That decision 
belongs solely to the individual being featured. 

J.J. Nesius 
LT, CEC, USNR 

K.R. Kramer 
HN. USN 

J.L . Brown 







Red Rover 


Page 3 


July 2, 1991 


United Provider 
offers ease and 


Service card 
convenience 



FORT WORTH, Texas — Gary Long, 
Bobbie Bruder, James Simon and Shirley 
Ayers probably don't know one another. 

But they do have one thing in common 
besides a military background: The United 
Provider Service (UPS) pharmacy card. 

Working in concert with CHAMPUS, 
United Provider Services gives military re- 
tirees, their dependents and the dependents of 
active-duty personnel an alternative to free 
prescription drugs provided at military bases 
- - some of which will be closing in the near 
future.The card, which is free the first year, 
costs only $5 per family annually, plus a 20% 
or 25% CHAMPUS cost-share or co-pay- 
ment per prescription. 

It is accepted at more than 3,000 pharma- 
cies nationwide, and UPS handles the filing 
of all drug claims for the cardholder through 


CHAMPUS. 

Retired USMC 2nd Lt. Gary Long, 57, 
who lives in North Richland Hills, Texas, 
qualified for “catastrophic" CHAMPUS ben- 
efits after his daughter required extensive 
hospitalization. 

“I had reached the $10,000 CHAMPUS 
cap, so the UPS card covered 100%, with no 
co-payment required," he said, adding that 
the card helped with his cash flow and freed 
him from the burden of filing extensive phar- 
maceutical paperwork during his family’s 
medical crisis. 

All four servicemembers and/or their de- 
pendents agreed that the card was a “God 
send" that saved them valuable time and 
thousands of dollars in pharmaceutical bills. 

For more information about the UPS card, 
call 1-800-852-4492. 



Rear Adm. David M. Lichtman, former commanding officer of NHO (right) presents 
the Navy Commendation Medal to Lt. Craig S. Anderson, MSC. Anderson was awarded 
the medal for meritorious service while serving as senior medical construction liaison 
officer, commander Naval Medical Command, Northwest Region [now SFMC], from 
October 1984 to September 1989. According to the citation, Anderson’s all-encompass- 
ing creativity and dynamic energy enabled the Navy to convert the seismic upgrade of 
aval Hospital Oakland into an imaginatively planned nine-phase project designed to 
maintain hospital accreditation. (Official U.S. Navy photo). 


■\ 


= equals = 
Operations Control 

By Robert C. Woodford 
Director, Occupational 
Health and Safety 
Building 500, 3rd floor. 
Telephone: 633-5844 


Blame - versus - Responsibility 

NHO -- A successful Navy Occupational Health (N A VOS H) program is 
one which permeates every level of an organization. At Naval Hospital 
Oakland, as well as other Navy commands, the maintenance of a safe and 
healthy working environment is a "management responsibility;" therefore, 
management must fully support the NAVOSH Program through the chain of 
command. 

Stay focused on the present task 

Now is the time for all levels of management to increase their personal 
supervision, and work to prevent accidents which may or may not result in 
immediate injury. 

Take time to do the job right 

The time is now that all branches of the executive department upgrade the 
supervisor in the field of preventing accidents, which may or may not result 
in immediate injury We keep telling ourselves that the supervisor is the key 
person to safety but this lip service is utterly meaningless unless we make it 
clear that they share responsibility for accident prevention in the 
department.. .and here is where responsibility must be accompanied by au- 
thority! 




Always have the strength to "do the right thing!" 

This understanding and acceptance of safety responsibility is a many- 
faceted thing. The supervisor must know that any accident affects time 
schedules, product quality and costs. Therefore, they must investigate every 
incident which can lead to an accident; participate actively in employee 
training and finally, understand that an authoritative approach to safety will 
mean smoother operations, reduced costs, fewer crises, better liaison with 
higher authority and certainly higher status and prestige for them. 


If the job has to be done - Do It! 


NHO celebrates 10 years of SYETP 

By Weldon D. Miles 

Deputy Equal Employment Opportunity Officer 

NHO — For the tenth consecutive year. 

Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO) will partici- 
pate in the Summer Youth Employment 
Training Program (SYETP), starting the week 
beginning June 24. SYETP has three main 
goals which help them assist low income 
youths from the ages of 1 4 to 2 1 
These three goals are: 

** x . 

10 provide a positive work experience 
* contributes to the development of work 
skiHs and an enhanced self imag<, 

lo provide career education, planning 
and guidance. 

1 ( > monitor participant progress through - 
°ut the program. 


If the supervisor is the key to accident prevention, the only way to use that 
key to open the door to safety is to give better than adequate motivation to that 
supervisor. Convince him or her of the responsibility and train them to 
recognize that accident control is a vital part of the total job Once the 
supervisor reaches the conclusion that he or she is merely an after-thought 
in accident prevention, the “key" opens no more doors. Our attitude effects 
everyone near us, and reflects character: "Good or Bad." 



Robert C. Woodford 

"Our Job Today is to Make Tomorrow Happen. 


This program promotes the development 
of skills.self discipline and good work atti- 
tudes which are both valued and admired in 
the work place and society. 

Since NHO is a non-profit organization, it 
meets Department of Labor’s requirements 
for student placement. Therefore, it affords 
the hospital the opportunity to assist these 
youths. 

This year, 25 students are anticipated to 
participate in SYETP, where they will ac- 
quire valued skills and altitudes throughout 
the departments in the facility. SYETP is a 
program funded by the Department of Labor 
and the Private Industry Council. 



Photos by Andree Marechal-Workman and Nicole A. Rodriguez 

NHO — On June 1 4, servicemembers who participated in Operations Desert 
Shield/Storm were honored with a parade and rally sponsored by the Oakland 
Chamber of Commerce. 

The parade, which was held on Flag Day, ran from 20th Street and Broadway 
to Jack London Square and featured more than 80 military units and civilian 
groups, including marching bands, armored fighting vehicles and a fly-over by 
some of the nation’s most powerful aircrafts. The day’s festivities also included 
a display of armed personnel carriers in the estuary. 

The parade Grand Marshal was Major General Royal N. Moore Jr., U.S. 
Marine Corps, who was the senior Marine Corps aviator during Desert Storm. 
Moore is the commanding general of the Third Marine Aircraft Wind/Deputy 
First Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. 

In response to the parade Capt. Paul Barry, commanding officer Medical 
Treatment Facility, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) said, “It’s a good feeling to know 
that we have the support of the people back home.” 

HN Amanda Massey, who served aboard the Mercy during the Gulf crisis 
added: “I wear my uniform with pride.” 



A group of Marines from the 23rd Marine Unit and Mercy corpsmen relax 
before start of the parade. They are (from left) Sgt. Campos, HM3 Davis, HN 
Massey, CpI. Brown, HM3 Kennett, Sgt. Domenech and Sgt. Carabello. 










Capt. Paul Barry, Medical Treatment Fad 1 ^ 
manding officer aboard USNS Mercy discusses 

• a 4* 






ops 



Wearing the camouflage uniform he donned in the 
desert, HN Carlos Dayrit waits for the parade to start. 
Dayrit was recommended for a Navy Commendation 
Medal with Combat V for his heroism during Opera- 
tion Desert Storm. Along with six Marines, he volun- 
teered to stay behind in the town of Khafji to observe 
and radio Iraqi troop movements to the rear. 





July 2, 1991 


9{ava( (Hospital Oakland 
Laboratory (Department 

‘Up-Cfose 


\ our Job: Chemistry Supervisor - responsible for the technical and adminis- 
trative aspects of the chemistry section. 

Marital Status: Single. 

Hometown: Mount Washington, Kentucky. 

Hobbies: Skiing, gambling, dancing and cribbage. 

Likes: Foreign travel. 

Dislikes: People who are resistant to change. 

V' * s the most challenging part of your job: Combating complacency in the 
workplace and stimulating individuals to attain their personal and professional 
goals. 

VV hat is your immediate goal: To thoroughly train all personnel in the chemistry 
section. 

What is your long-term goal: To retire as a captain in the Navy and fight for a 
more equal status for women in the military. 

If I could do it all over again, Td: Keep a daily journal about my transition to 
military life and travels on the USNS Mercy. 

I wish I could stop: Smoking. 

I respect myself for: My versatility and adaptability under stressful conditions. 
Role models/heroes: Nostradamus and Socrates. 

Special Comment: Although I will miss my friends at NHO, I am excited about 
my Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to Millington, Tenn. in November. 



Lt. j. g. Veronica M. 
Sullivan, MSC 



HM2 Jean LaFontant 


Your Job: Work all benches in hematology which includes: complete blood 
counts, differentials, urinalysis, coagulated studies and body fluid examina- 
tions. I am also supply and safety petty officer. 

Marital Status: Married. 

Spouse: Florence. 

Hometown: Bronx, New York. 

Hobbies: All sports and movies. 

Likes: Caribbean food, exotic cars and animals. 

Dislikes: Liver and okra. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Completing the workload in 
an orderly and timely manner. 

What is your immediate goal: To make first class petty officer. 

What is your long-term goal: To be accepted into Physician Assistant School 
and to become a father. 

If I could do it all over again, I: Wouldn't have changed a thing. 

I wish I could stop: Procrastinating in my studies. 

I respect myself for: Respecting other people. 

Role models/heroes: My parents. 


Your Job: Grossing room to assist pathologist for grossing tissue specimens. 
Marital Status: Married. 

Spouse: Falelima. 

Children: Jesse Tupu Tautalatasi , 22, Arthur Henry Tautalatasi, 26, Taivale 
Tautalatasi Jr., 28, Meida Toulu Tautalatasi, 30, Ann Marie Palega, 25, Fiaau 
Lagi Toeaina, 32. 

Hometown: Pago Pago, American Samoa. 

Hobbies: Watching sports on T. V., bowling and playing with my grandchildren. 
Likes: Working and going to church. 

Dislikes: People who are not team players. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Adapting to the needs of the 
different doctors. 

What is your immediate goal: To enjoy life. 

What is your long-term goal: To retire. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Do the same. 

I wish I could stop: People on drugs. 

I respect myself for: Helping younger people through life. 

Role models/heroes: The Lord. 

Special Comment: 1 enjoyed life when I was in the military and now 1 have a 
nice wife, children and grandchildren. I am looking forward to retiring from Civil 
Service and going to American Samoa to enjoy life on the island. 



* i 


ntl | 

Taivale Tautalatasi 


From 

the 

Chaplain 



"Keeping Hope Alive" 

By Lt. G. W. Clore, CHC 


“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great and 
no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better 
tomorrow.'* 

In the ancient world, the anchor was a symbol of hope 
Epictecus says: “A ship should never depend on one anchor 
or a life on one hope.” 

I have especially been inspired by the following poem 
titled: “Hope.'' 


'Hope 

'Hfuit does hope do for mankind? 


'Hope shines brightest when the hour is dar^e. 
Hope motivates when discouragement comes 
Hope energizes when the body is tired 


Hope sweetens while the bitterness bites 
Hope sings when all melodies are gone 
Hope believes when the evidence is eliminated. 


Hope listens for answers when no one is talking. 

Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. 

Hope endures hardship when no one is caring. 

Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing 

Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking 

Hope presses toward victory udien no one is 
encouraging. 

: Hope darts to give u>hen no one is sharing. 


Hirpe brings the znctory when i me is uwu 

Some men and women see only a hopeless end, but ^ 
Christian rejoices in an endless hope. 

C. Neil Strait puts hope in perspective: “Take hromaperso* 1 
his wealth, and you hinder him: take from her her P ur P^j 
and you slow her down, but take from a person their hope, 
you stop them.” 

They can go on without wealth, and even without purpo^ 
for a while. But a person cannot go without hope. 

“And now these remain forever, faith, hope, and lo^ 

/ Corinthians 13.13 



July 2. I” 1 


Red Rover 


Page 7 

\ 




For Your Health 


Fast food 
good or bad? 


By Lt. Nancy A. B. Dickey, MSC 



NHO - Fast food restaurants usually offer standardized food items at reasonable prices with quick service. The caloric 
and fat content of a meal can vary drastically depending on what you choose. A meal consisting of a Big Mac, large fries and 
a vanilla shake provides 1250 calories and 55.3 grams of fat. A meal consisting of a plain hamburger, side salad with light 
dressing and lowfat milk supplies 450 calories and 18.3 grams of fat. 

A chef salad complete with croutons, bacon bits and the entire salad dressing package is 686 calories, with 71% of these 
calories coming from fat. (Salad dressing has five servings in one package - to cut down on calories, use one serving). A 
Big Mac provides 560 calories, and 52% of those calories come from fat. The beverage selected can make a major difference 
in calorie and fat contents. Lowfat milk, tea, orange juice and diet soda are offered in many fast food establishments, and 
can be used to trim calories. 

The American Heart Association recommends four to seven ounces of meat daily, and one large hamburger or two pieces 
of chicken fill that requirement easily. Try side salads, fruits and a small order of fries to round-out your meals and keep fat 
and calories in check. It is possible to incorporate fast foods into a balanced diet by varying your food selection and by choosing 
meals of appropriate caloric content. Moderation, variety and a balance of the four food groups is the key. 


Dental Health 



Oral cancer detection: A 
look can save your life 


By Lt. Cmdr. Greg Heise, Dental Corps 


NH 0 Statistics for oral cancer are alarming: 27,000 
cases diagnosed in the United States each year, 9,500 deaths, 
0r four percent of all cancer cases. Like other cancers, it 
invades and destroys healthy normal tissues. 

Unlike many other cancers, because the mouth is an area 

W ere ^ sease warning signs can be easily seen and felt, oral 
cancer can be caught in the early stages. 

However, oral cancer warning signs might not appear 
uverlv abnormal and rarely cause severe pain. Too often 
Pcupk le( them go untreated. Know the warning signs. Oral 
cancer refers to tumors.on lips, tongue, gums or the tissues 

thn 6 moul ^’ or * n the pharynx at the upper part of the 
oat just behind the mouth - all areas that can be examined 
^ Warning signs of oral cancer can be noted by subtle 

redd'^h* ^ mout ^ : a ra * se d growth, swelling or lump; a 
a r ls w hit*sh patch of tissue; a sore that does not heal or 
^ ln g of burning or numbness. 

1 ^^ eteCll0n ’ w b^ther through self-examination orroutine 
e ' >s ' ona ^ dental examinations, is one of the best defenses 
vi ^ ^ a * nsl disease. That’s why we say a look can 

^ l °bacco are primary culprits. Although 

areT* tS ^ 001 SUre exact ^ w ^ al causes oral cancer, there 
pri ° Wn Actors which contribute to its development - 
a *cohol and tobacco use. According to the National 
like] CCr ,nsl ^ ule> tobacco users are four to 15 times more 
‘ > in get cancer than non-users, and snuff dippers are 50 
mes more likely. 


Years of public education campaigns have clearly estab- 
lished the relationship between cigarettes and cancer, and 
patients take up the smokeless tobacco habit thinking that it 
isn’t as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. However, smoke- 
less tobacco is as detrimental and addictive even though 
advertisements and professional athletes using smokeless 
tobacco may make it look like the “in” thing to do. Chewing 
tobacco is another contributing factor. 

Chewers and snuff dippers place the tobacco up against the 
gum and cheek where nicotine and other compounds are 
easily absorbed by the buccal mucosa; the delicate, soft cheek 
tissues. 

This direct contact with the tobacco juices irritates the 
tissues and causes leathery white patches known as leukoplakia 
to be formed inside the mouth. In about five percent of the 
diagnosed cases, these patches develop into oral cancer. 

Other contributors include cigar smoking, poor oral hy- 
giene, irritation caused by ill-fitting dentures or rough surfaces 
leading to sores or growth in the mouth, poor nutrition and 
combinations of these factors. Sunlight can also be a cause of 
lip cancer. 

How to detect oral cancer. 

In addition to routine professional examinations, perform- 
ing self-examinations to detect warning signs of oral cancer 
is one of the best steps individuals can take. 

The following are steps to a complete oral cancer self- 
examination: Remove dentures; using a bright light and 
mirror, look and feel inside of the lips and the front of your 
gums; Tilt your head back to look at and feel the roof of your 
mouth; pull your checks out to see the inside and also back 
gums; put out your tongue and examine all surfaces; 

Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in both 
sides of the neck and under the lower jaw. 

Patients who discover any of the above should immediately 
contact their dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon, should 
any of these areas look suspicious. 

Treatment: Once oral cancer is suspected, a small tissue 
sample of the suspicious area may be examined by a patholo- 
gist. If cancer is confirmed, most often surgery is warranted 
to remove the tumor. Depending on individual circumstances 
such as the location and advancement of the disease, radia- 
tion therapy can be used in conjunction with, or as an 
alternative to surgery. The American Association of Oral and 
Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) offers a free brochure, 

“The look That Can Save A Life,” which provides more 
information on oral cancer and preventive measures. To 
obtain a copy, write to the AAOMS at 9700 Bryn Mawr 
Avenue, Rosemont, III. 60018. 


OAK KNOLL 


NEWS 



New Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline 

NHO -The Command Hotline offers a contact 
where you can report fraudulent, wasteful, or 
misuse of government resources. 

Callers do not need to give their name, they are 
protected from repercussions by public law, and 
they can be assured that their complaints will be 
investigated by an independent investigator. 
However, before calling the Hotline, be sure the 
complaint is real. Most matters are usually 
handled satisfactorily through the chain of 
command, and the Hotline is intended only for 
cases where the chain of command is not 
responsive to complaints. 

The hospital’s Hotline number is ext. 8801. 

New Dates for ACLS/Provider Courses 

NHO - Due to training needs of the new intern 
class reporting on board in June, the ACLS 
courses for June and July are changed as follows: 
* * ACLS Provider Course for Interns: June 24- 
26 (this course will also contain seven students 
from the cancelled June course.) July 8-9 ACLS 
** Instructor’s Course rescheduled for July 22- 
23; July 10-12 ACLS Provider Course resched- 
uled for July 24-26 (those who were scheduled 
for the cancelled June and July courses will 
automatically be registered for the new July 
courses.) 

For more information, contact Lt. Michael 
Higgins at ext. 5255 or Leilani Roberts ext. 

5264. 

New Addresses for Mercy Crewmembers 

USNS MERCY — The Medical Treatment 
Facility aboard USNS Mercy is still receiving a 
great deal of mail for former crewmembers. This 
mail is being forwarded to the addressee in 
accordance with the U. S. military postal 
regulations and intructions — an action that 
takes up to 120 man-hours a week to keep up 
with the flow of mail received. 

Personnel who have transferred are advised to 
let their correspondents know their correct 
mailing address. 

It is not the responsibility of the Mercy Admin- 
istrative Department to do so. This also includes 
newspapers and magazines, which are only 
forwardable up to 60 days after transfer date. 
After that time, the publications will be returned 
to publishers endorsed : “Forwarding Period 
Expired - Undeliverable as Addressed." 

And Finally... 

CONGRATULATIONS - To Tillie Alger 
and Debbie Smith who caught the only fish for 
Oak Knoll on the recent deep-sea fishing trip. 

1 lllie not only caught her “limit" but she also 
caught the largest salmon taken in that day on the 
“S F Hot Pursuit" - all the men got "skunked." 




Page 8 


Burger 


(continued from front) 



Brig. Gen. Leslie M. Burger (left, forefront) and Army 
Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Frank Ledford, Jr., have just 
cased LAMC colors and unfurled Letterman Army 
Hospital flag. (Official U.S. Navy photo by A. Marechal- 
Workman) 


the year decreed by public law for its disestablishment. 

In this connection, “there has been a litany of cooperative 
efforts,*’ the general explained. For example, under the aegis 
of SFMC, NHO has made plans to take care of some of 
LAMC’s beneficiaries who will soon have to seek alternative 
sources of health care in the community. “In fact,” he pointed 
out, “we have already transferred dialysis and oncology 
patients to NHO and [the naval hospital] has been providing 
obstetrical and gynocological services to Army active-duty 
personnel for some time.” 

According to Burger, among other provisions are a mid- 
August projected cardiac surgery program at NHO to handle 
some 200 yearly cardiac surgeries heretofore performed at 
LAMC. In addition, he said “NHO is going to provide 
laboratory studies, lectures, X-Rays and MRIs (magnetic 
resonance imaging).” 

While Burger acknowledges that this will not be enough to 
rescue the thousands of West Bay Army retirees who will be 
seeking alternative health care on July 1st, he believes it is a 
step in the right direction. 

“About three-fourth of our patients are retirees — many in 
the geriatric category — who are not covered by the CHAMPUS 
Reform Initiative (CRI) [which does not insure beneficiaries 
over 65],” he explained, adding, “those are the patients about 
whom we are most concerned. Many of them, being old and 
having chronic illnesses, are virtually uninsurable, and it is up 
to Congress to deal with the situation.” 

But, despite the many problems he foresees, the senior 
leader in the Army Medical Department is steadfast in his 
belief that total health care regionalization will eventually 
address military medicine woes — not only in the area of 
health care patient access, but also in the improvement of 
Graduate Medical Education. (GME). 

“Given the limited resources that the military has, and will 
continue to have, we will need to consolidate and regionalize, 
both within the military system and with our civilian coun- 
terparts,” he emphasized, clarifying that, for him, “integra- 
tion” doesn't mean “affiliation,” but one program with one 
program director and one military/civilian faculty. 

“And so, when you 're looking to meet all the academic and 
research staffing requirements for the residency programs, 
joining with civilian universities solves our problem ol trying 
to find the uniquely talented staff needed to run graduate 
residencies at all the different places.” 

Although the general admits that, with their different 
parochial interests, a “marriage” between military and civil- 
ian physicians will not be an easy one, he stressed , "whatever 
those differences are, they need to be put aside...” 

General Burger's presence in the Bay Area will be sorely 
missed when he assumes command of Madigan Army Medi- 
cal Center in Tacoma, Wash., next year. He is pleased with the 
assignment, however, and the folks at NHO, in true Navy 
tradition, for his kind cooperative spirit, wish him fair winds 
and following seas. 


Red Rover 

Civilian News 

Sick Leave for Adoptive Parents 

By H.L. Lindemann, Jr. 

Civilian Personnel Officer 

NHO -- Public Law 101-509, signed by President 
Bush on Nov. 5, 1991, authorized the use of sick leave 
for purposes related to the adoption of a child. This 
authority shall cease to be effective on Sept. 30, 1991 , 
unless otherwise extended. Sick leave may be granted 
and used for the adoption process such as attending 
appointments, meetings, visits, inspections, travel per- 
formed in connection with the adoptive process and to 
care for the sick child, as defined in existing guidelines 
provided for biological children. 

Requests for sick leave for adoptive reasons must be 
submitted on a SF-71 (application for leave) form, 
clearly indicating in the remarks section that the leave 
will be used for adoptive reasons. Documentation shall 
be required to support requests for absences of more 
than five consecutive workdays. 

Sick leave may be authorized for time loss for adoption 
purposes during the period of Nov. 5, 1 990, the date the 
public law was signed, through Sept. 30,1991. Re- 
quests to substitute sick leave retroactively for annual 
leave or leave without pay should receive favorable 
consideration. They should be sent to Mrs. Penny 
Becchio in Civilian Personnel Department, the point of 
contact for more information, ext. 6374. 


July 2, 1991 



USS Abe Lincoln assists in evacuation in Philippines 


ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Navy’s newest and largest 
aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), is pres- 
ently involved in Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of 
non-essential active duty military and all military dependents 
from the Philippines. The NAS Alameda-based nuclear- 
powered aircraft carrier and 15 other military and MSC 
(Military Sealift Command) ships are transporting dependents 
to Cebu City for further airlift to the United States. 

The Lincoln currently has over 2,000 dependents and their 
pets aboard for the 500-mile trip from Subic Bay to Cebu. For 
many of the evacuees, a hot meal and a shower on board 


the carrier was the first they'd had in several days. 

The ship and airwing pulled together to make the guests 
feel as much at home as possible. The morning the ship pulled 
into the Subic Bay, Philippines, the Lincoln began a fund 
drive to raise money to aid the relief effort. More than 
$10,000 had been raised by the end of the day. 

The Lincoln sailors do what they can to aid their fellow 
servicemen's families. Their wives, the “Lincoln Ladies." 
provide child care as the families arrive at Travis Air Force 
Base, allowing parents to process paperwork they need to 
continue to their ultimate destinations. 




Strategies for winning the 
weight loss war, page 7 


Interns bring new light to 
NHO, page 3 


r 

v 



■\ 

j 

\ 



Volume 3-Number 8 Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 July 19, 1991 ^ 

NHO welcomes new command master chief 


By Andree Marechal-Workman 

NHO - Command Master Chief Petty Officer ( Subma- 
rines) Thomas M. Grieb wanted to be an air traffic controlman 
when he joined the Navy in 1970, but he elected to be a 
corpsman when he was found to be partially color-blind, and 
he’s never regretted this career choice decision. 

Grieb. who was Force Medical Master Chief for Com- 
mander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) 
in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, before taking the helm as top enlisted 
at Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO), said he plans to use the 
expertise he gained w hile serving with the submarine service 
and put it to work for NHO. 

“Dunngmy tour at COMSUBPAC... we were able to make 
some major changes to the Manual of the Medical Depart- 
ment (NAVMED P-117) and the Radiation Health Manual 
(NAVMED P-5055)/’ he said, explaining that these will have 
a major impact upon Navy Medicine. Along with “making 
sure fiVHO'sJ Chiefs community becomes actively involved 
with the day-to-day running of the hospital/’ foremost on 
Grieb s immediate agenda is to take c ustody of the command ’ s 
enlisted troops - to protect their rights and let them know 
“they have a chain of command they can use and let it work 
for them.’ His long term goal is to instill the concept of Total 
Quality Leadership (TQL) at the hospital. 



HMCM (SS) Thomas M. Grieb 


“This means giving a voice to everyone within the com- 
mand/’ he said, “to get away from the old military ‘don’t do 
as I do, but do as I say,’ type of [leadership].” And although 
he is aware that it might be a long time before the program 
is effective, he emphasized the urgency of starting the 
process immediately. 

“Everyone needs to come on line, participate and accept 
it,” he stressed, “because it is the future.” 

Leading by example and a two-way program of sharing 
experiences are among Grieb’s other priorities — to “share as 
well as receive.” This is a never-ending process, he said, 
adding that “he believes you learn from your peers and 
subordinates as much as you teach them.” 

"But that doesn’t mean rules should be overlooked," he 
warned. “The system is made to be used by everyone, and 
[those] who try to abuse it or beat it are not going to win.” 

And speaking of the system, the command master chief 
wants everyone to know that he supports the “Navy smoke- 
free” target date of the year 2000. “I want to encourage 
everyone to do what they can to support the Navy’s program 
by quitting smoking and by supporting the Navy’s PRT 
(physical readiness testing) program - by setting themselves 
up with a physical fitness program that will allow them to 
maintain a healthy physical status at all time.” 


NAVCARE Clinic Oakland "Stands Ready to Serve" 




By Nicole A. Rodriguez 

WIO —With today's rising 
^ih care costs, it seems to be 
rule that affordable quality 
sure is difficult to find. This is 

specially true of military benell- 
ciunes who, in the face of De- 
P <i rtmerH °f Delense budget cuts 
fcftd base closures, have to seek 
alternative sources of medical 
treatment in already crowded 
^Hilary clinics and hospitals. 

There are exceptions to this 
™ lc ’ however, and NAVCARE 
hnic Oakland is a shining cx- 
am P* e ^ only can the clinic 
Provide free medical care to ser- 
'•cemembers, retirees and their 
dependents, it can also accom- 
modate a greater patient load than 
’ ***** the day it opened 

( ^r Navy contract three years 
*go,on July lx, 1 9X8. 

Wording to NAVCARE’s 
/f- 1 Sector Pat O’Hara, the 
u1 Mwo-story facility hasthe 


capacity to serve “up to 200 pa- 
tients per day,” but are seeing 
only an average of 145 to 150. 

“Our greatest problem is hav- 
ing people know we exist,” she 
said in a recent interview, adding 
she has a waiting list of physicians 
eager to work and could “staff up 
at a moment’s notice.” 

NAVCARE, a Joint Commis- 
sion Healthcare Organization- 
(JCAHO) accrcdiatcd clinic 
contracted by the Navy because 
of overcrowding at Naval Hospi- 
tal Oakland (NHO), is operated 
by a civilian staff experienced in 
military medical care. It offers 
daily ambulatory care on both a 
walk-in and “by appointment” 
basis to military beneficiaries of 
all ages. There’s a catch; how- 
ever, patients must be verified 
Defense Enrollment Eligibility 
Reporting System (DEERS) and 
the care is limited to acute and 
uncomplicated chronic condi- 
tions. See NAVCARE centerfold 



Pint size pediatric patient, Sean Kang, (center) can’t wait to get his hands on Steven l^M'ssnace 

Kye Ka - 8 - — ■ * - ^ Ph r; 



Page 2 


Red Rover 


Perspectives 


July 19, 1991 


Salute to Excellence: 



cine through a massive reorganization as well as its much- 
heralded service in Operations Desert Shield/Storm. 

“In the most expensive medical exercise in history, we 
were able to demonstrate to the world that we were superbly 
capable of meeting our readiness mission/’ Zimble said. 
“Desert Storm showed off the skills and talents of our people.” 


"It was heartwarming to 
see what we could do.” — 
Vice Admiral Zimble 


Vice Admiral James A. Zimble 
30th Navy Surgeon General 


BY JOC Walton Whittaker 
BUMED Public Affairs 


Washington (NNS) — Since James A. Zimble of Philadel- 
phia joined the Navy on a whim, he never could decide — even 
to the last minute — whether he should make the Navy his 
career. Thirty-six years later. Vice Adm. Zimble retired as the 
30th surgeon general of the Navy and director of Navy 
Medicine in ceremonies June 28. 

“It just happened,” the Navy's top doctor said, “it is not 
what I expected when I graduated from medical school.” 

From the time Zimble finished his internship at Naval 
Hospital St. Albans, N. Y., his life was anything but routine as 
he rose steadily up the Navy ladder. He was appointed to the 
Navy’s top medical job in 1987 and has guided Navy Medi- 


More than 1 2,000 active-duty and naval reserve men and 
women answered the call to provide in-theater medical ser- 
vice during the war with Iraq. The first medical augmentation 
team reached the Middle East within a week of Iraq’s invasion 
of Kuwait. 

“It was heartwarming to see what we could do,” the retiring 
surgeon general said. “The Marine Commandant pulled me 
over at a recent meeting and told me that, in all his years in the 
Marine Corps, he had never seen such a response from Navy 
Medicine.” 

Zimble directed Navy and Marine medical support for the 
allied effort, and visited his crew afloat in the Persian Gulf and 
Red Sea as well as inside Saudi Arabia — visits he said he will 
never forget. 

“Anxieties were high the week before Christmas,” Zimble 
said. “People were talking about SCUD missiles and facing 
one of the world’s largest armies, yet they focused on getting 
their job done. ..the concern was for their job, not their 
personal safety. It made me very proud.” 

The admiral took over Navy Medicine at a time when it 
was “on the ropes” — short on doctors, nurses and resources. 
During the next four years, he turned Navy Medicine around. 


”1 will stand by to assist 
you.” — Vice Admiral 
Zimble 


Navy surgeon general ends 36-year career 


“One day I spent four hours with a group of surgeon 
getting home at 10 o'clock at night, feeling very depressed 
about the lack of support in Navy Medicine," Zimble said of 
his first days as surgeon general. “Now, I talk to the same- 
groups, and it is hard to imagine the turnaround.” Under his 
guidance. Navy Medicine made great strides in care of sea 
service personnel and their families, but he admits there is 
always room for improvement. 

“Mostly, we still have fo be sure we have adequate re- 
sources to exploit fully the large capital investment in our 
property,” Zimble said. “We still have unused capacity inoar 
hospitals. We need more staffing. Whether we do that 
through more people in uniform or through partnerships and 
shared resources, we need the flexibility to get it done." 


1 


I 


I 


Zimble is well-known for his “Charlie Golf One" program, 
advertised throughout the Bureau of Medicine (BUMED) 
and Navy wide. More than a slogan, Charlie Golf One is an 
international signal code meaning, “I will stand by to assist 
you.” That code is Zimble’s trademark for Navy Medicine, 
as reflected on his tie tacks, watches, cufflinks and “CG One" 
license plates. 

After turning over the reins of BUMED to Vice Adm. 
Donald F. Hagen June 2, Zimble begins a new career as 
President of the Uniformed Services University of the health 
Sciences ~ the nation's only uniformed medical school. 

“It really won't be a retirement.” Zimble said. "It will be 
a transition from one career to another.” His wife, Janet, gave 
him some advice before he considered his retirement options. 

“She told me, ‘just get to work'," Zimble said. “And that's 
what I'll do.” 


Red Rover 

The Red Rover published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover * s printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Red Rovei* 00161 ^ rcsl primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office. Naval Hospital, 8750 Moutain Blvd.. Oakland, CA 94627-5000, Tele- 
phone: (415) 633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense, Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 

Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Deputy Public Affairs Officer 
Lonnie Brodie 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Editoral Assistants 
Nicole A. Rodriguez 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 






Ceremony held for HMC Ronald Webb's retirement 

Branch Medical Clinic Moffett Field - HMC Ronald E. O. Webb was "piped over the side" in a ceremony led 
the Branch Medical Clinic Moffett Field Officer in Charge, Cmdr. Lee Tompkins, on June 27. The time-honored N.o> 
tradition concluded the retirement ceremony of his 22-year naval career. 

As the Administration Division Officer, he contributed significantly to the branch clinic’s operations during 
Operation Desert Storm. Tompkins awarded Webb the Navy Achievement Medal, presented the traditional American 
Flag and a Branch Medical Clinic plaque. Webb was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Naval I ^ 
Marine Force Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal among many other awards. Webb’s future plans incite <■ 
furthering his education as an advanced X-ray technician. 


/nflM 





July >9, 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 3 


Interns bring new light to NHO 


By JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



Lt. Richard Guinand, MC, takes a moment to relax during his General Surgery rotation 
as an intern at Naval Hospital Oakland. (OfFicial U.S. Navy photo.) 


NHO~Each year since 1947, Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO) has hosted a class of interns 
who further their medical training by getting practical clinical experience, said Lt. Cmdr. 
William R. Strand, Medical Corps, a staff urologist. 

Strand, who is director of intern training for 1 99 1 -92, explained that the new interns “will 
go through a rotation schedule in either Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology 
or a transitional schedule.” He added that each schedule gives them the opportunity to learn 
all aspects of an area, and that the transitional schedule is provided for those who are still 
deciding on a specialty. “With this program,” he said, “they can find the area that will suit them 
best.” 


in rescue efforts at the Cypress Freeway collapse. Since the interns are not licensed doctors, 
they couldn’t participate in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Aguilar continued, but what 
they did do, was pick up a lot of slack when NHO physicians were sent to the Gull. It was 
difficult because they [the intems] had to take on the kind of responsibility the deployed 
medical officers would have normally assumed, when they were here for training. 

According to Strand, each intern is assigned an advisor who oversees his/her performance 
and helps with any problem that might arise during the year. “The advisors and I meet every' 
month to evaluate the performance of each intern,” he said. “This helps to keep them on track 
and insures efficient resolution of any problem.” 

Strand explained that intems are given additional emergency/acute care training that 
includes Basic Life Saving (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced 
Trauma Life Saving (ATLS) and Combat Casualty Care (C-4) in San Antonio, Texas. In 
addition, he said that the new intern class will be certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support 
(PALS), a new requirement for the internship program. 

“At the end of the year, Navy intems are much more capable of handling acute crisis 
situations than before they started their medical training,” Strand emphasized. “This makes 
them stronger in that area than [their] civilian counterparts who are not trained in that 
particular discipline.” 

Strand stressed that the Navy is getting people “who want to come here,” and using last 
year's class as an example of the high caliber of physicians graduated at NHO, he said that, 
in his opinion, “they are professionally impressive and have played an integral role in 
improving the hospital’s health care delivery.” 

Aguilar concurred, and attributed part of the success to the Intern Selection Board in 
Bethesda who “choose candidates from the top one to five percent of their graduating 
classes.” 

The 1 990-9 1 intern class graduated on June 28. Six were selected for residencies at NHO. 
The others became general medical officers on ships and land based clinics and hospitals. 


In discussing the program. Strand was quick to point out that NHO has always attracted 
very talented individuals from both the military and civilian sectors, explaining that the intems 
selected this year come from such prestigious universities as Stanford and Georgetown, as 
well as the Uniform Sendees University of Health Sciences. 

“In their final year of medical school, on a Navy scholarship, they can apply to the teaching 
naval hospital of their choice,” he said, adding they can select from Naval Hospital Bethesda, 
Md., Naval Hospital San Diego and NHO, Calif., and Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Va. 

One of this year’s intems, Lt. Richard Guinand, Medical Corps, said he chose NHO 



Medical Education Coordinator, Lisa Aquilar, looks over intern rotation schedules it. 
the Medical Education Office at NHO. (Official U.S. Navy photo) 

jfctause it has the best orthopedic program in the Navy.” Guinand, who graduated from 
ut eastern University in Miami, Fla., added that, as a medical student, he did a [ 45-day 

the ,tar ^ rolat * on * n NHO’s Orthopedic Department in March 1990, and “was impressed with 
e attitude of the staff — with the way they seemed to enjoy working as a team.” 
^^ccording to Strand, part of NHO’s mission is to train interns and residents in Navy 
. icine - to prepare them for a successful career in Navy health care delivery. This has a 
^jor impact on the teaching institution, he explained, “ ...because, not only do we train the 
^ u! s * nce l hey are primary care providers, with such a large group, there’s a lot of 
Th? * XlWeen P al * cnts an d [the hospital’s regular] staff.” 
conn CSC C ° ntacls m mutually beneficial and make for a healthy interaction, Strand 
thro "h ex P* a ‘ n ^ n 8 that, as intems go through the learning process, the entire staff benefits 
Thr * C * n ^ ux l ^ e * r new ideas and enthusiasm. 
al the hr l< ^ t0 * en< * a rea * s P ar ^ t0 the overall atmosphere,” Strand said, “a sort of excitement 
$trand^ tal ^° U ^ aVC ^ ose y° un S P co pi e eager to learn, and that gets everyone going.” 
Patient H ac ^ now ^ e dg e d the intems work long arduous hours and are responsible for primary 
residents^ ° n Warc * s an< * c hmcs. However, he clarified that “they are supervised by the 

Medical | in ^ mem hers, and are not making decisions autonomously.” According to 

* Althf h UCall0n Coordinator Lisa Aguilar, intems assume a special role during disasters. 
Ver V nT h lhC class did not participate in earthquake drills, the previous class was 

Uc involved with the 1989 Loma Prieto quake,” she said, adding that they assisted 




Safety Corner 



Director Occupational Health and Safety 





Set up your computer station 
for maximum comfort and efficiency 

According to an article in USA Today, computer users are susceptible to on-the-job 

I health problems caused by repetitive motion. These problems include tendinitis, carpal 
tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Workers can avoid these problems by setting up their 
computer stations for maximum comfort and efficiency. 


Use the following guidelines: 

* Have your eyes level with the top of monitor. Make your line of sight to the screen 
10 to 20 degrees below horizontal. 

* Position your terminal to eliminate glare, Usecurtainsorblindstoreduceoutsidelight. 

* Kce P V° ur hack and nec k crect and your upper arms perpendicular to the floor. Your 
back thighs should make an angle slightly more than 90 degrees. 

* When typing, keep your forearms and wrists as horizontal as possible. You may need 
an adjustable keyboard and forearm rest. 

* To relieve eye and respiratory problems you may have, make sure air vents are not 
stirring up libers or dust. 

* Keep your feet firmly on the floor or on a footrest. Try to keep your lower legs 

perpendicular to the floor. & 

* A void sitting next to the office machines such as copiers and laser printers as they may 

give off fumes. 13 

* Use a document holder. Position it close to and at the same level as the monitor screen. 


NAV CARE Clinic 


(continued from front) 


Photos by Andree Marechal- Workman and Nicole A. Rodriguez 



Dr. Leon Meir, Md, gives his full attention to Air Force retiree Lindell W. Barker. 




In other words, O'Hara explained, “our physicians are licensed and board certified primary care specialists. We don't have o 
a patient needs that kind of care, we do a consult and then set up an appointment through our health benefit advisor (HBA) so 
or maybe Letterman." Another restriction, O'Hara added, are pregnant women who, according to NAVCARE's contract, ina 
clinics. 

O'Hara and NAVCARE's staff are extremely proud of the clinic's accomplishments. She said that, in addition to the Wouk 
adolescents are also seen) and the Routine Primary Care Clinic, they’ve added an Hypertension Clinic. Moreover, to reduce Iff 
primary care by appointment. 

“Now patients can call us and make an appointment for any reason except specialty clinics [such as] pap smears and the Well 4 
their busiest limes, walk-in patients face long waiting periods. However, she indicated the appointment system greatly reduu 

NAVCARE’s Infoline, (415-632-7286), provides up-to-date information about the patient load status on a recorded tape thu 

Although primarily staffed by civilians, NAVCARE reports to NHO and has a two-person Navy team aboard, led by Senior 
clinic] is one of the best things [he’s] ever seen in the military health care system.” t 

Fitzgerald, who serves as the contract officer technical representative (COTR) responsible for interpreting and monitorin 
NAVCARE “helps relieve some of the burden of primary care at the hospital, especially dependents and retired military. 

Fitzgerald added that, without NAVCARE, the hospital would be seeing many more patients and thosewould be getting aM*® 
good continuity because their doctors remain with the clinic. “There’s no turnover like at NHO. where doctors are [ always! 

So it would seem that all DEER-eligible military beneficiaries have to do to get free quality health care is hop onto Interstate <■ 1 
where NAVCARE Clinic Oakland is standing by to serve an ever growing number of them. 

Walk-in clinic hours are: weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Specialty clinics such as . yp 1 
by appointment only. 

( Editor’s Note: According to NHO’s Outpatient Record Department , all active-duty servicemembers and retirees are a* 
However, because of unforeseen problems, their dependents are not always registered and need to contact their respedi u ^ 

enrolled in DEERS. In addition, for one reason or another, some retirees find they're not automatically registered when • 
their respective PSDs are the places where they can fill out the DEER enrollment form that will unlock the door to NA\ C 













■ft 

t 

1 


| A 

cardiologists, oncologists... when 
ml ° lhe appropriate clinic at NHO 
' 0 *° NHO or to one of the branch 

c, the Well-Child Clinic (in which 
£ periods, NA VC'ARE now offers 

^ara said, explaining that during 
• 311(1 "they love that.” ' 
nu °usly updated. 

Wn Rlzgerald, who believes “[the 


* E COntracl With NHO, said that 

ferrecp'h^ NA VCARE provides 
^ he concluded. 

e Negenberger/Coliseum exit, 


““nine Primary Cart „ pcratt 
: iLm'n """ lhe DEERS system. 

nl,l°T^ em<PSDs, '°S e ' 

rtl°nh,m>''' n ' h ‘ SeCaSeS ° ISO - 







Page 6 


Red Rover 


9{ava( ?{ospita( Oakland 
( 3 eneraf Surgery CCinic 
Up - Cdose 


\ our job: General Surgery resident. 

Marital Status: Single 
Hometown: Kentfield, Calif. 

Hobbies: Running, weightlifting and sailing. 

Likes: Reading history, microbreweries and Mexican food. 

Dislikes: Paperwork and bureaucracy. 

V\ hat is the most challenging part of your job: Trying to provide good 
care while the contractors tear this place apart. 

W hat is your immediate goal: Finish my residency. 

What is your long-term goal: Open a same-day surgery unit in Phuket. 
If I could do it all over again, I’d: Have been a Navy pilot first. I can still 
pass the eye test. 

I wish I could stop: Government waste and inefficiency, it’s really tragic. 
I respect myself for: Maintaining some semblance of mental and physical 
health despite a resident’s hours. 

Role models/heroes: My father and “Professor” Allhouse. 

Special Comment: This hospital used to be a dynamic place in the early 
80’s. 1 hope that after P-122 and the consortium additions are in place we 
can return to that performance level. 



Lt. Cmdr. 

Jim Schneider, MC 




HM3 Brian A. Shepherd 


Your job: I assess patients, set up charts and X-rays for next day patients; assist 
in minor surgery. 

Marital Status: Single. 

Hometown: Grayling, Mich. 

Hobbies: Play guitar and ski. 

Likes: Food and people with good humor. 

Dislikes: People with squeeky voices. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Trying to help the medical 
officers while trying to help patients. 

What is your immediate goal: To go to and complete X-ray school. 

What is your long-term goal: To have a good time while I am in the Navy. 
If I could do it all over again, I’d: Have gone to college for a couple of years 
before enlisting. 

I wish I could stop: Procrastinating. 

I respect myself for: Trying my hardest at all 1 do. 

Role models/heroes: Steve Vie and my Dad. 


Your job: Receptionist, secretary, appointment clerk and patient contact 
representative. 

Marital Status: Single. 

Hometown: Oakland, Calif. 

Hobbies: Music, travel, reading and stage acting. 

Likes: Creativity toward progress. 

Dislikes: Dishonesty and ambiguity. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Measuring up to the task of 
of giving support to the doctors and serving the patients. It’s an enjoyable and 
enriching challenge. I appreciate growing with the demands of the job. 

What is your immediate goal: Help move the clinic back to the fourth floor, 
assist in achieving as smooth of an adjustment/transition as possible for 
everyone involved. 

What is your long-term goal: My service at Oak Knoll is not a career matter. 
It is a life. It has its falls and its victories. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Do it all the same, only start doing it sooner 
than I did. 

I respect myself for: Being 100% sure that I am performing my job to the best 
fo my abilities. 

Role models/heroes: They are around me here in the hospital, everywhere I 
look. 



Andre Khougaz 


July 19, I99J 


From 


Chaplain 

When God created the 
Military Spouse 

When the good Lord was creating military spouses, he was 
into his sixth day of overtime. 

An angel appeared and said, ’’You’re having a lot of 
trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard 
model?' 

The Lord replied. "Have you seen the specs on this order? 
It has to be completely independent, but must be sponsored to 
get on a military installation, have the qualities of both 
mother and father during deployments, be a perfect host to 
four or forty, handle emergencies without an instruction 
manual, cope with the flu, move around the world, have a kiss 
that cures anything from a child's tom valentine to a spouse's 
weary day, have the patience of a saint waiting for its mate to 
come home and have six pairs of hands.” 

The angel shook his head slowly and said, "Six pairs of 
hands? No way." 

The Lord answered, "Don't worry, we’ll make other militan 
spouses help. Besides it's not the hands that are causing the 
problem, it’s the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the 
aches of separations, beat on soundly when it's too tired to do 
so, be large enough to say 'I understand" when it doesn't and 
say 'I love you' regardless." 

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve gently, "goto 
bed. You can finish tomorrow." 

"I can't," said the Lord, "I'm so close to creating something 
unique. Already I have one that heals when sick, feeds 
unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad 
weather, waves good-bye to its spouse from a pier or runwa\ 
and understands it's important to the country that the spouse 
leaves." 

The angel circled the model of the military spouse ven 
slowly, "It’s too soft," she sighed. 

"But lough," said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine 
what this being can do or endure." 

"Can it think?" asked the angel. 

"Can it think?! It can convert 1400 into 2:00 p.m,." replied the 
Lord. 

Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the 
cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. " l told you 
that you were trying to put too much into this model. 

"It's not a leak," said the Lord, "it’s a tear." 

"What's it for?" asked the angel. 

"It's for joy, sadness, pain, loneliness and pride. 

"You're a genius," said the angel. 

The Lord looked very somber and replied, "I didnt p ut 
there." 




July 19, 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 7 

\ 




For Your Health 


How to become a loser: 

Strategies for winning 
the weight loss war 

NHO - Here are guidelines for a successful Physical 
Readiness Test (PRT) and the small waistlines and better 
health that go with them. Lt Terry Priboth, MSC 

The first step is to throw those fad diet books away. Losing weight permanently requires smart food choices, behavior 
changes, regular exercise and patience. 

Guidelines are as follows: 



OAK KNOLL 
NEWS 



Nurse’s role in smoke free society 


* Reduce calories and fat: There's simply no way to lose weight without moderately reducing calories and fat. Since 
one pound equals 3.500 calories, in order to lose one pound a week, one has to cut down by 500 calories per day. Smart food 
choices for weight reduction include plenty of fruits and vegetables; whole grain breads; low-fat dairy products; fish; lean 
meats and skinless poultry. Reduction in the intake of sugar and alcohol will also translate into reduced calories. 

* Change eating habits: When you eat and how you eat is as important as what you eat. Eat a moderate breakfast, lunch 
and dinner. Learn to recognize true hunger, not stress, anger or boredom. Eat only when you’re hungry, even if it’s more 
than three times a day, but eat only what’s on your plate and stop when you’re full. Other tips for smart eating behaviors 
include: use smaller plates, eat slowly and leave the table as soon as you’re finished. No television, radio or reading while 
eating either. These distract from the act of eating and make it harder to recognize when the stomach is full. 

* Don’t forget to exercise regularly: Physical exercise not only bums calories and fat, it reduces tension which may 
lead to overeating. Terrific calories and fat burners include: walking jogging, aerobics, biking and swimming. The number 
of calories used when exercising depends on how strenuous the activity is, length of exercise time and current weight. 
Exercise will also tone you up and trim off those extra inches. 

* Keep your spirits up: Set realistic weight loss goals for yourself - - and then have patience. It took a while to gain 
excess pounds, it's going to take a while to get rid of them. If you make your health, fitness and well-being a priority while 
you're losing weight, it will be easier to maintain that weight loss for life. 

These and other topics are covered in weight loss classes for active-duty members provided by Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) Food Management Department. To reserve a spot in the class get a consult from your doctor or PRT coordinator. The 
appointment secretary can be reached at (415) 633-5820. Our aim is to help you “be a loser’’ - and win. 



Naval Hospital Oakland, in conjunction with 
Stanford University, will present a lecture and slide 
show entitled “Nurse’s Role in Smoke Free Society” 
on Aug. 14, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in the hospital’s 
clinical assembly room. Presentation will be given 
by Carol Evans, director of nursing continuing 
education at Stanford. Admission is free: however, 
those earning six units of continued education, will 
be charged a nominal fee. 

The seminar is sponsored by NAVCARE Clinic 
Oakland and presented by Stanford University. 

For more information contact NHO’s Wellness 
Department, at ext. 8856. 

Uniform regulations violation 

The casual wearing of dungarees onto or off the 
Naval Hospital compound is a violation of uniform 
regulations. Drivers and passengers are authorized 
to wear dungarees when traveling in a military 
vehicle from one base to another on official business. 
Drivers or passengers arriving or leaving the com- 
pound dressed in dungarees will be cited and turned 
over to their respective departments or tenant 
commands. 


Excessive noise causes hearing loss 

It s apparent that a good number of personnel 
may be suffering from a High Frequency Hearing 
Loss (HFHL). California Vehicle Code, Section 
27007 VC, Excessive Noise, makes it illegal to have 
your vehicle radio at a level which can be heard 
more than fifty feet from the source. Let's turn the 
volume down. 

New area code for Oak Knoll and other 
Bay Area Navy installations 

On Sept. 2 Area Code 510 will be serving the 
following bases in the San Francisco Bay Area: 
Naval Air Station Alameda, Naval Hospital Oak- 
land, Naval Supply Center Oakland and Point 
Molate, Weapons Station Concord, Public Works 
Center San Francisco Bay, Consolidated Area 
Telephone Service Oakland, Public Works Center 
San Francisco Bay and Oakland Army Base. 

Area Code 415 will continue to serve Naval Air 
Station Moffett Field, Western Division Naval Fa- 
cilities Engineering Command San Bruno, Hunters 
Point Annex, Naval Station Treasure Island, and 
Department of Defense Housing Facility Novato. 



Page 8 


Red Rover 


July 19, 199, 


SUPERS affirms: no involuntary separations 


Washington (NNS) -The Department of Defense an- 
nounced on June 21 policies governing separation pay and 
transition benefits for certain officers and enlisted personnel 
who are required to leave military service as the armed forces 
get smaller. But the Chief of Naval Personnel told sailors not 
to worry. “Our approach hasn't changed, we are not using 
involuntary separations as a means of reducing the size of the 
Navy," explained Vice Adm. Mike Boorda. "Our goal is to 
give everyone who has good performance and wants to stay 
in the Navy the opportunity for a good career." 

The Navy plans to reduce personnel levels by recruiting 
fewer sailors, commissioning fewer officers and retiring 
those who have completed their careers under Defense Offi- 
cer Personnel Management Act (DOPMA) for officers and 
high-year tenure for enlisted personnel. The Navy will select 
some additional retirement-eligible officers for early retire- 
ment in order to meet officer reduction requirements without 
forcing out mid-career officers.According to DoD, other 
services may be forced to separate large numbers of personnel 
involuntarily. 


"These are valued members of the defense team who are 
well-trained and disciplined — a national asset in every 
sense," said Defense Secretary Dick Cheney in his announce- 
ment of the transition benefits package. 

"We must do everything we can to help them make a 
smooth transition into the private sector." 

Benefits for these servicemembers may include separation 
pay; temporarily extended health care; commissary and ex- 
change privileges and housing eligibility; one-time employ- 
ment preference in non-appropriated fund activities; excess 
leave or permissive temporary duty for job or house hunting; 
priority in affiliating with National Guard or reserve units and 
the opportunity to enroll or convert to Montgomery GI Bill 
education benefits. 

Based on earlier congressional action, separation pay is 
available now for qualifying enlisted personnel, and the 
former cap of $30,000 on separation pay is removed. 

Full benefits will require at least six years of service and 
satisfactory military performance. A person discharged based 
on court-martial, as a result of misconduct or based on 


unsatisfactory or sub-standard performance, will not been- 
tilled to separation pay or temporarily extended benefits 
However, some assistance, such as pre-separation counseling 
and employment/relocation assistance will be available to 
everyone leaving the service. 

"There are many good things in the new package," Boorda 
said, "and there will be a few Navy people with good service 
who qualify for separation pay and other benefits." 

Examples may be sailors who work hard but fail to advance 
and run up against high-year tenure limits prior to retirement 
eligibility; some junior officers passed-over twice for pro 
motion and servicemembers separated for medical reasons. 
Boorda said such cases are relatively small in number. 

"I think that sailors should understand that separation pay 
is not a real good deal compared to full retirement pay and 
benefits," Boorda added. 

"Everyone is better off if we let good people continue to 
ship over and pursue full careers. It’s better for those 
individuals, and better for a Navy that needs their talent and 
experience." 



Vacancy Listing 


Shown is a partial listing serviced by the Civilian Personnel Department, Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO). To receive the full 
vacancy listing, contact the Civilian Personnel Office at (415) 633-6374. 


Position Location 


Secretary (typing) GS-318-6 

Medical & Health Summer Intern 
(Industrial Hygiene) GS-669-4/5 

Lead Medical Record Technician GS-675-6 

Medical Equipment Repairer WG-4805-1 1 

Supvy Community Health Nurse GS-610-1 1 

Medical Records Technician (typ) GS-675-4 

Laboratory Worker WG-351 1-4 

Nurse Specialist GS-610-1 1 

Contact Representative (typ) GS-9662-6 

Supply Clerk GS-2005-5 

Computer Operator GS-332-5/6 

Housekeeping Aid Leader WL-3566-2 

Management Assistant GS-344-6/7 

Secretary (typing) GS-318-4 

Procurement Assistant GS-1 106-7 

Supply Technician GS-2005-6 

Secretary (Stenography) GS-318-8 

Nurse Specialist GS-610-1 1 

Nurse Practitioner (Family) GS-610-9/1 1 

Physician's Assistant GS-603-1 1 

Staffing Assistant (typing) GS-203-6 

v — 


Laboratory Department 

BMC, Concord; 

BMC, Mare Island 

Patient Administration 

Supply Department 

Occ Health/PreventiveMedicine 

BMC, Treasure Island 

Operating Room 

Ambulatory Care 

Patient Administration 

Material Management 

Management Information 

Operations Management 

Safety Office 

OCC Health/ Preventive Medicine 
Material Management 
Material Management 
Executive Office 
Quality Assurance 
BMC, Moffett Field 
Internal Medicine 
Civilain Personnel 
OUF: Open until filled. 



Closing Date 

OUF 

OUF 


OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 

OUF 



Employment Tips 

Looking for a civilian job? 

NHO — A Washington lecturer and author on career 
transition from military to civilian employment was at the 
Basilone Theater, Naval Station Treasure Island, on July 16, 
1991. He spoke to officers, top three noncommissioned 
officer grades and spouses on "Marketing Yourself for a 
Second Career." 

Col. Doug Carter, USAF- Ret., Director of the Officer 
Placement Service for The Retired Officers Association 
(TROA) travels nationwide addressing military audiences 
composed of people who are nearing retirement, being in- 
voluntarily separated or opting to leave military service. 

In his free two-hour presentation. Carter introduced the 
audience to the realities of the civilian job market, rejection 
shock, resume writing, networking, job interview strategy, 
salary negotiation and much, much more. He didn’t promise 
any individual instant job search success, but guaranteed that 
each person who attended his lecture would profit from the 
knowledge gained and would be ready to move in the right 
direction toward that second career. 

Praised by military installation commanders for his depth 
of knowledge and dynamic delivery. Carter pointedly dis- 
cussed all the pros and cons regarding retirement and the 
civilian job market. One attendee remarked, "it was the best 
reenlistment pitch 1 have ever heard." At the same time. 
Carter provided a wealth of information for those leaving the 
service. Military members and their spouses, were cordially 
invited to attend the lecture, and were given an opportunity to 
ask questions of Carter and they also received a free copy of 
the publication. Marketing Yourself for a Second Career. 

Point of contact for further information is Winston Cove at 
(415) 395-5176. The retired Officer Association sponsors 
these lectures, which in 1990 were presented to over 20.000 
personnel at 90 military installations throughout the Unite 
Stales. 


Benefits of Direct Deposit 

NHO — Today’s banks and credit unions are emphasizing 
flexibility and customer convenience, while providing state 
of-the-art methods for managing your financial affairs. P^ 
ticipation in Direct Deposit will allow the following bcnJi^ 
to happen for you: 

* Accurate, timely pay regardless of member location. 

* No standing in line to cash paychecks; 

* Decreases in the potential for theft of cash; 

* Earning interest on accounts immediately; . j 

Don’t stand in line. Start Direct Deposit today! 1 ht ,?^' or 
Finance Center has a toll free number ( 1-800-346-.'.' ^ 

obtaining direct deposit information while in a lea\ t or 

status. 


r 


Happy 44th Birthday 
Medical Service Corps, August 4 


Bravo Zulu June Sailor of the Month 
HM2 Daniel A. Laporte 

See page 3 



The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 



Volume 3-Number 9 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


August 2, 1991 J 


Water shortage causes concern on military installations 


By Capt. John Kelly, MSC, USN 
Director of Resources 

NHO - Here at Naval ‘Hospital Oakland (NHO), many residents have been concerned 
about our participation in water conservation efforts. According to a letter submitted to the 
“Listening Box,” a resident had doubts as to whether or not we conserve water because the 
hospital lawns are watered every day. 

"...we have reduced our water 
consumption by 19.3 percent!" 

At NHO we are doing our part by rigourously rationing the number of places being watered. 
In comparing water usage in Fiscal Year 1990 and Fiscal Year 1991, we have reduced our 
water consumption by 19.3 percent. This is a clear indication that our voluntary participation 
in the California water rationing program is paying dividends in reduced water usage. 

There is a large amount of property here at Oak Knoll. We are trying to take care of this 
property and save money which, in the future, would have to be spent on upkeep and 
maintenance or replacement. This is essential in today’s world of shrinking defense budgets. 

According to Dick Bennett, a water conservationist at East Bay Municipal Utilities District, 
as long as lawn watering takes place in the early morning hours or late afternoon, we ensure 
the maximim amount of water used goes into the soil and is not evaporated. Our contract with 
the landscaping company states that watering is to stop at 1 1 a.m., but due to their small crew, 
they are given a one-hour leeway time. 

In accordance with the California water rationing programs, hospitals are exempt when 
water is used in the direct care of patients. When you look at the whole picture, the amount 
we use in irrigation is very' small in comparison to other ways in which water is used on the 
compound. 

A Telecommunications feat 



CAPT John Kelly, MSC, director of Resouces for NHO, and LCDR George Smith, CEC, 
head, Facilities Management, go over water conservation details for the hospital 
compound. (Official U.S. Navy photo by JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick) 


N ew MARS station available for use at NHO 


By Andree Marechal-Workman 

NHO-- Electronic Technician Chief Petty Officer Arthur 
Hernandez was talking to a ham radio operator aboard USNS 
erc> iT-AH 19) while the hospital ship was getting under- 

'■ Vd > in August 1990. and this* marked the beginning of a 
beautiful venture. 

Hernandez, who is branch chief for the Calibration and 
we Counter Measures Work Center at Naval Air Station 
sa id he asked the sailor if his ship wanted a MARS 
ilitur) Al filiated Radio Service) communication system 
an 7 ,he answer was emphatically “yes.“ 

^ days leave,” Hernandez recalled. “So 1 spent the 
"nc working on a proposal to set up the station at Naval 
I t,s P lu *l Oakland (NHO), and wrote up a package for, then, 
icommanding officer], RADM David M. Lichtman.” 
Hernandez presented the package to Medical Service 

Ni 'h i * KUlenanl ^* en da Fowler, who now heads NHO’s 
ooilizatkm Planning, and Fred Perea, head of Communi- 

an<l"" S Jc P anmcm - They forwarded the proposal to Lichtman 
, n 1 rCS , U> ' Js °f -lan. 4, 1991 , the command became the proud 
^ rof 3 ^lly operational MARS station. 

,r d* n g to Perea, the presence of a MARS station on 
s ‘niportant in the event of a disaster, as well as for 



NHO MARS station's chief architect, ETC Arthur 
Hernandez, grins as he contemplates his handy work. 
(Official U.S. Navy photo by Andree Marechal-Work- 
man) 


communication with military personnel overseas, as was the 
case during Operation Desert Shield/Slorm . 

“If all communication systems are down in the area — for 
example during an earthquake,” Perea said, “we can use 
MARS to call local, state or federal agencies for help." 

In a nutshell, this is what the station can do: 

♦Make contact with virtually any radio station in the world 

* Make contact with city, state and federal agencies in the 
event of disaster. 

♦Provide communication between dependents and military 

personnel overseas, using a telephone patch with the radio 
equipment. 

♦Send and receive unclassified messages via microcomputer. 

NHO s MARS station is fully operational, with room for 
vo unteers, Perea concluded, indicating that prospective ham 
radio operator volunteers should contact him during working 

hours at 415/633-5891. 

/oo S NOU ' r>,e MAR $ antenna was erected in January 
I, at a time when security was of utmost importance, and 
a story coutdn ’ t he released; however, it is alive and well, and 
we want folks at the command to know about it). 




1 


Page 2 


Red Rover 




Perspectives 




From the Commanding Officer 

Excellence through " Total Quality Leadership” 




L 


I fully realize that TQL philosophy cannot be learned 
and appreciated overnight. 


¥ 




II |l I 

f I III 

1 m tit* i 

a ill ■ U 1 




'Rear Admiral William A. 'Buckendorf 

As I settle into my new position as your Command- 
ing Officer, I eagerly anticipate working with each of 
you to identify opportunities for improvement at Naval 
Hospital Oakland. My responsibility is to provide you 
with what you need to get the job done and to support 
you in efforts to improve the quality of service to our 
patients and to each other. I am totally committed to the 
Total Quality Leadership (TQL) process and the concept 
of teamwork that is essential to its success. 


The importance of learning the basics cannot be 
overstated. 

I support a management philosophy that: 

(1) Recognizes the integrity of each individual 
worker; 

(2) Focuses on improving process, not blaming 
workers, for problems in quality; 

(3) Recognizes that management is responsible 
for improving the process; 

(4) Empowers members of the organization to 
make decisions and take calculated risks to improve the 
way we satisfy our customers; 

(5) Strives to do the right thing right the first time. 


We have an aggressive Quality Improvement Train- 
ing Plan on line for all staff in the next few months. 
Quality improvement facilitators are attending courses 
in August to prepare them to participate in and lead 
process action teams. 

The Quality Leadership Council will attend addi- 
tional advanced instruction in September, and department 
heads will attend training in October. Awareness training 
for all additional staff will follow soon after. 

We have many exciting challenges ahead of us at 
Naval Hospital Oakland, the most important of which is 
to develop an atmosphere where quality is the primary 
and constant focus. 


LET’S DO IT! 


Korean War Memorial is federal first 

By Rudi Williams 

American Forces Information Service 

Washington, DC -The Korean War Veterans Memonai 
will be the first memorial ever built on public land in the 
nation's capital by a government agency using private ccr- 
tributions. 

That’s what Congress told the American Battle Mona* 
ments Commission to do in Public Law 99-572, passed o* 
Oct. 28, 1986. A small independent agency in the executive 
branch, the commission commemorates the services of 
American armed forces wherever they have served since 
World War I, said Army Colonel William E. Ryan Jr 
commission director of Operations and Finance. 

The lawmakers said the Korean War Memorial will honor 
all servicemen and women who served during the conflict, 
particularly those killed, missing or held as prisoners of war 

Most memorials erected in the nation's capital during the 
past few years, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 
and the Naval Memorial, have been private ventures. 

Congress authorized the use of public land, but no federal 
office was charged to build it, according to Ryan. 

“We've been building memorials around the world since 
the commission was established in 1923,” he said. "After 
World War I, many units that fought in Europe erected 
memorials to themselves where they had served; usually, the 
units didn't acquire the land, didn't have an adequate design, 
didn’t construct them properly and didn’t provide for future 
maintenance.” 

Ryan said following World War I, the commission erected 
memorials in eight permanent American military cemeteries 
established on foreign soil and another 1 1 separate memori- 
als. 

FollowingWorldWarILthe comm i ssion erected cemetery 
memorials at 14 overseas locations, plus the National Memo- 
rial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, the Presidio of San 
Francisco and Battery Park in New York City. 

More recently, other World War II memorials were erected 
in Saipan, Northern Marianas and at Utah Beach, Normandy, 
France; another is under construction at Guadalcanal in the 
Solomon Islands. 


Red Rover 

ThcKed Rover is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics The Red Hover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for l< i d Rover contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office. Naval Hospital, 8750 Moutain Blvd .. Oakland. CA 94627-5000. Tele 
phone (415) 633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed arc not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense, Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 

Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JO I Kay Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Editoral Assistants 
Nicole A. Rodriguez 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 


Congratulations to chief 
petty officer selectees 

HM1 Cirilo Biascaan 

Laboratory 

HMI1 Myrna Catubay 

Laboratory 

HM1 Darlene Hamblett 

Radiology 

HM1 Leonardo Soltes 

Branch Medical Clinic Treasure Island 

RP1 Kristina Harsha 

Pastoral Care 

HMl David Hillman 

Branch Medical Clinic Mare Island 

HMl Camilo Rodriquez 

Branch Medical Clinic Alameda 

HMl Isagani Acance 

USNS Mercy 

HMl Theresa Hanson 

Navy Medical Administration Unit, Monterey 



Q; There have been numerous comments re- 
ceived about watering on NHO’s compound. 

A: See article by CAPT John Kelly on page 1 

S/ RADM William A . Buckendorf, 
Commanding Officer 







August 2, 1991 

June Sailor of the Month 

Ry Nicole A. Rodriguez 

BMC Moffett Field - HM2 Daniel A. 

Laporte was selected as June's “Sailor of the 
Month" for his outstanding performance as 
line captain of the Pharmacy Division at 
Branch Medical Clinic Moffett Field. 

The clinic’s officer in charge. Com- 
mander Lee W. Tompkins, said in a letter to 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf, “HM2 
Laporte is a dedicated leader whose skills 
and reliability are far beyond that of a second 
class petty officer." He added that “ [ Laporte ] 
is so far ahead of other second class petty 
officers, that he virtually has no peers." 

During the month of June, Laporte acted 
as both division officer and leading petty 
officer for the Pharmacy when two senior 
staff members were on leave. In addition, he 
assumed full responsibility for the supply U.S. Navy photo by JOSA Kyna S. 
section, where he effectively managed the Kirkpatrick) 
ordering of supplies and operated within 

budget constraints. Moreover, Laporte has been appointed as the disaster preparedness plan 
coordinator for the clinic and has rewritten the disaster preparedness instruction plan. “He has 
performed admirably in completing a massive rewrite of the disaster preparedness instruc- 
tion," said Tompkins. 

“[Laporte] is instrumental in getting the clinic’s staff trained for a disaster response,’’ said 
Lieutenant Commander Marianne Thompson, Ancillary Services department head, who with 
Laporte, represents the clinic on both the Santa Clara County Multiple Casualty Incidence 
Committee and the Victim Care Committee. 

According to Pharmacy Department Head Lieutenant Brian Kerr, Laporte has high 
standards. He said that “junior people look up to him and strive to reach those standards." 

Laporte stated that serving as a line captain in the Pharmacy is very rewarding. He said that 
"...being able to train and develop [his] subordinates into outstanding pharmacy technicians" 
is what he enjoys most about his position. 

He attributes his success in the Navy to “a lot of hard work, perseverance and never giving 
up when things get tough — always look at things optimistically." 

9\(aval ^Hospital Oakland 
‘ Spotlight 


Red Rover 


Page 3 


HM2 Daniel A. Laporte is presented his 
award by NHO Commanding Officer 
RADM William A. Buckendorf. (Official 



Money donated to NHO by family of serviceman 

-^Executive Officer, CAPT Noel Hyde, smiles as he’s handed a check by Mrs. 

Simpson, widow of Navy CDR Bill Simpson (retired). Simpson, who was treated by 

thu ho° nC °* 0 ^ S * S ^° r eso P^ a ^ ea * cance L died recently, and his family donated $1500.00 to 

sin 0 ^ ta ^ towar d purchase of an extra long bed. It seems the commander was very tall, and 

lorV L C ° U ^ n 1 comforlabl y ft* any bed on the wards, the family wanted to make things easier 

j, jl ^ 1 1,11 Patients. Placed over the bed will be a plaque reading: “In memory of CDR 

^N, ‘a tall man." Shown in the photograph are, from Ielt,( front row), CDR 

MC T 1 ’ ^ ^ Noel ^ yc * e ’ MSC; Mrs. William Simpson and LCDR Martin Edelman, 

^ ack row), Kathy Malleson, Simpson’s daughter, and a friend, Adolph Fibel. Also 

nhlt 1 commander’s grandchildren, David and Laura Matteson. (Official U.S. Navy 
Photo by HM2 D.A. Lynn). 



Quality 
Improvement 
Update 


r v.LUu 

LCDR Carol Bohn, NC 
Quality Improvement 
Coordinator 



PNCM Betty McClyman 
Asst. Quality Improvement 
Coordinator 


Like most federal agencies across the nation, Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO) is 
moving toward implementation of a “quality leadership” approach to management. 
With the full personal endorsement commitment of the Chief of Naval Operations, the 
Total Quality Management (TQM) methodology of W. Edwards Deming is rapidly 
being adopted and tested throughout the Navy with substantial success. 

Focused on planning and process, TQM (adopted by the Navy as Total Quality 
Leadership - TQL) seeks long-term goals as opposed to short-term gains. 

It fosters total staff involvement in identification of opportunities for change and 
problem resolution. 

TQM emphasizes the responsibility of senior management to provide leadership 
that supports workers, drives out fear and strives for ever-improving excellence in 
service to all customers - - both internal and external. 


Total Quality Leadership 


is 


IS NOT 


A systematic way to improve 
products and services 

A structured approach to identify- 
ing and solving problems 

Long term 

Conveyed by leader’s and 
management's actions 

Supported by statistical process 
control 

Practiced by everyone 

Customer-focused 
Team-oriented 
Constancy of purpose 

Fact-based 

Continuous improvement 

Driven by top leadership 

System-oriented 


A new program 

“Fighting fires" 

Short term 

Conveyed by slogans 


Driven by statistical 
quality control 

Delegated to subordinates 

Focused internally 
Individual-oriented 
Continually changing direction 
Opinion-based 
Just meeting specifications 
"Bottom-up" initiative 
Management by objective 


In future columns, we will share with you NHO’s progress to date with TQL’s 
cultural revolution, as well as future goals and plans to bring about this dramatic 
change in the way we do business. As critical members of the team, each and everyone 
of you w. I be approached by your leading petty officers, division officers, department 
heads and directors to become actively involved in this evolution 

As our customers, we make this commitment to you: prompt and courteous service 
enthustasm. positive reinforcement and total support for quality improvement efforts' 
We look forward to workmg with you during what we expect to I he a most exctline md 
un year as we lorge a quality team with a passion for excellence ® ' 

Hease call us at ext. 3-5265 or 6892 if wee -in wstiv. r 

TOM We ire loc-.ierl nn ,h . , assist ' or 11 y«“ Just want to talk about 
■ Wc arc located on the third lloorol the hospital, the Quality Assessment Office. 



MSC-Chiefs 


photos by 



NHO's commanding officer (center), Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf, throws out the traditional "first pitch" during the "Medical Service 
Corps- Chief Petty Officers Challenge Softball Game." 


Editorial comments submitted by MSC officers: 

LT James Jackson, MSC 
and ENS Paul Carlson, MSC 

NHO — It was a warm and glorious afternoon in July when the Medical Service Corps (MSC) approached 
the softball field expecting a softball challenge. Instead, they witnessed an afternoon of slapstick comedy, 
starring those wonderfully inept Chiefs. Unable to catch or field even the slowest hit ball, and struggling to 
make contact at the plate, the Chiefs succumbed to the MSC Officers 26-15, in a game much more one-sided 
than the score would indicate. 

Said losing pitcher, HMC Ernest Colgan, “I’ve never seen a more impressive offensive display in all my 
years; I am in awe of these young mustangs!” Yes, HMC Colgan, there is an Orville Redenbacher. 

HMCM Leo Rosario gushed, “it was inevitable; that MSC squad is awesome. I wasn’t at the game be- 
cause, as wellness coordinator, I couldn't bear to watch my brothers and sisters maimed in the brutal slaugh- 

tcr ” 'j 

The MSC squad captain took the game in stride, saying: “We didn’t hit on all cyclinders, yet I still had to 

call off the big guns by the third inning!” 

“There will be hell to pay,” growled MAC’M Mario Del Rosario. “MSC Officers should be careful to avoid 
parking violations in the near future.” After pondering this statement, the MACM went on, “and the Chief’s 
starting team had better be damn careful too!” 

The Chief’s gave their game Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award to HMC Ronald Bishop - who went 0- 
1 2, bought the wrong kind of beer and can generally be blamed for the loss. 

The MSC’s gave their game MVP Award to HMC Bishop, who went 0-12, bought the wrong kind of beer, 
and can generally be blamed for the loss. 

Thanks to the Chiefs for their participation, their good sportsmanship and the fun time. We all look for- 
ward to next year's MSC-Chiefs Softball Challenge. 





MCM Clifton Carter is at bat, while catcher LT Terry Prihoth waits for an 
ISC -thrown strike. 


ENS Mark Stevenson demonstrates what he calls: "My powerful swing!" 
as Chiefs' catcher QMC Christopher Ellwood waits for the strike. Stevenson 
is health care planner at San Francisco Medical Command (SFMC); 
Ellwood is SFMC's administrative chief. 





is the umpire. Chapman is administrative assistant for the director of Medical Services. 


of 




Page 6 


Red Rover 


August 2, 1991 


‘Havat (Hospital Oakland 

Manpower (Department 

Tlp-Cfose 


Your job: Leading chief petty officer of Military Personnel, assignment 
coordinator for all E-6 and below personnel reporting to the command. 
Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Mila F. Scott. 

Hometown: Clanton, Ala. 

Hobbies: Racquetball, Fishing and gardening. 

Likes: People who aren’t afraid to be honest. 

Dislikes: Dishonesty. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Finding the right assignment 
for personnel so that it mutually benefits the person and the Navy. 

What is your immediate goal: To survive the October 1991 Inspector General 
(IG) inspection. 

What is your long-term goal: To totally renovate existing assignment pro- 
cesses and make this Military Personnel Division the best that it can be. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Change nothing. 

I wish I could stop: Smoking. 

I respect myself for: Not being inflexible. 

Role models/heroes: Everyday people who take on challenges and succeed. 



From 

the 

Chaplain's 

Office 







LCDR Peter Nissen, CHC 


’’Doing our best’’ 


In the past couple of years I have done a lot of repairs on 
my house. 

Last year I repaired a wall light switch and a screen door. 
This was a learning experience that kept me up to date on 
building maintenance. 

I quickly discovered that many of the parts I needed, even 
nails, come in packages — testifying to human nature's need 
for uniformity. 


Your job: Track down and process all enlisted evaluations, E2 to E3 advance- 
ments and active-duty training reports for reservists. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Manila, P.I. 

Hobbies: Reading, jogging and weight-lifting. 

Likes: Nice and friendly people. 

Dislikes: Rude and arrogant people. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Taking care of enlisted 
evaluations and advancement. 

What is your immediate goal: To make second class petty officer. 

What is your long-term goal: To be an officer in the Civil Engineer Corps. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Be a scientist. 

I wish I could stop: The decay of moral values in society. 

I respect myself for: Staying calm under stressful situations. 

Role models/heroes: People who strive hard to be successful. 

PN3 Wernher C. Heyres F 


Your job: Secretarial, typing, answering phones, filing and operating the leave 
desk. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Wilbur Dale Stewart. 

Children: Roxanne, 4, Charlie, 6. 

Hometown: San Francisco, Calif. 

Hobbies: Outing or outdoor recreation. 

Likes: Simplicity. 

Dislikes: Snobiness. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Taking care of customers. 

What is your immediate goal: To become one of the best crew members in 
Manpower. Manpower is the best. 

What is your long-term goal: When my husband gets out of the Army, I’m 
looking forward to moving to Texas. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Finish college and become an air pilot. 

I wish I could stop: Drugs, because I don’t want my kids to get involved when Arleen L. Stewart 

they are growing up. 

I respect myself for: Being me and having a nice, loving family. 

Role model/heroes: Cher. 




This is all right when dealing with commodities, but so 
often this attitude is carried over to our lives as a whole. Many 
times we follow blindly on without originality of thought, 
saying “things have always been this way.” 

This should not be! There are always new ways of doing 
things better, and each of us is capable of making outstanding 
contributions. 

As expressed in Ephesians 4: 16, God has made each of us 
differently .so that we can share with each other openly. Our 
thoughts and ideas are valuable. They will enable us to 
accomplish our jobs with utmost efficiency -- allowing us to 
do the best that we can with what has been given to us. 

This will create a lot of satisfaction for us as we discover 
our many talents. Excitement and fulfillment comes through 
new possibilities. 

I remember a story that I heard in a sermon years ago: 

1 was told of a young man working in a shirt factor) during the 
Summer between college years. 

A bonus was offered to those with the greatest output. So 
he worked as quickly as he could; however, in his eagerness 
to produce more shirts, he destroyed a lot of cloth, and his boss 
reprimanded him for wasting 15% of the material. 

The young man replied that in school, 85% was excellent. 
His boss retorted, “in school an 85% grade might be excellent, 
but in business, if I lose 1 5% of the material, I would soon be 
out of business. ..so work with greater care." 

God has created us to use our minds so that we can continue 
to grow and develop new ways to do the job better. 

This does not mean that we work harder, but rather that we 
work smarter! 

Each of us has the potential to accomplish much in our 
lives as we use open communication, building each othe r up 
Many outstanding results will happen lor each ot us, t< r 
Naval Hospital Oakland and for the future of our planet. 



y 


Red Rover 


August 2, 199 


Reserve anesthesiologist revives NHO Pain Clinic 



Anesthesiology resident LT Joel Martinique prepares a patient for a "spinal" by applying betadine solution to his 
back. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Nicole. A. Rodriguez) 


By Nicole A. Rodriguez 

NHO - People with chronic pain now have a clinic 
specifically structured to treat their complex problems. 

"We have a different perspective about pain and are very 
goal- oriented in looking for solutions/’ said Commander 
Frank Day, Medical Corps, USNR, who heads Naval Hospital 
Oakland's (NHO) Pain Clinic, and is currently in the process 
of upgrading the department. 

Patients are referred to the Pain Clinic by their primary 
care physicians. The clinic is able to provide them with the 
extensive treatment they need, explained Day. "We don't fix 
everybody," but "we help a large percentage of patients who 
come to see us.” 

Day, a reservist who has a private practice at the Pain 
Relief Center in Walnut Creek, was recalled to active duty 
during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After deactivation, 
he elected to remain on active duty to use his expertise and 
interest in pain treatment to improve the resident program and 
pain care at NHO. 

^ e’ ve always had a pain clinic here,” said Day , clarifying 
that Anesthesiology is the only specialty that requires training 
in the treatment of pain. "In fact,” he added, "pain clinics’ are 
required by the American Board of Anesthesiology. They 

enable residents to gain valuable experience in treating chronic 
pain." 

However, he explained that like many hospitals, NHO’s 


clinic was not running at its full potential. He said that many 
doctors don't realize what anesthesiologists can do, but as 
time passes, more and more departments are learning about 
the clinic and are utilizing it. 

Until March of 1991, the clinic maintained a small area 
within the Recovery Room in Building 500, but as the patient 
load increased, they found themselves in need of a larger area. 
"We got very busy and it became clear that we needed our 
own space,” said Day. 

The clinic, now located on the fourth floor, is operated by 
a three-person team: Dr. Day, Lieutenant Joel Martinique, 
Medical Corps, a resident, and Lieutenant junior grade Renee 
Smith, Nurse Corps. 

The larger space and the addition of a nurse, according to 
Day, has allowed the clinic to increase its patient load from 
five patients a week to ten a day. 

"We basically treat any pain that is a problem for both 
patient and doctor,” said Day, explaining that many of the 
clinic’s patients have pains which have alluded diagnosis. 

A pamphlet provided by the Pain Clinic states that most 
pain falls into five basic categories: 

1) ordinary pain (cuts, bruises, etc); 2) sympathetic main- 
tained pain (ordinary stimulus is painful); 3) central pain 
(stroke, tumor, etc); 4) psychological pain; 5) malingering, 
drug seeking or other "non-painful” pain complaints. By 
using local anesthetics to block nerve fibers, anesthesiolo- 
gists are able to determine pain type. 


NHO forever alert to patient’s needs 


NHO - As anyone who drives a car knows, parking ranks 
on the list of problems haunting the 1990s. Naval 
ospital Oakland is no stranger to the problem, but its staff is 
’ing something about it. Among the remedial projects 
^cipaied to relieve the situation are the following: 

new parking lot at Building 75 is expected to be open by 
Summer 1991. 

Rus stop-type shelters are being installed at various points 


between the front gate and Building 500 for the convenience 
of patients waiting to be picked up. 

* Two to three trail way cars are on purchase to provide 
shuttle service to and from the hospital. They will replace the 
8-passenger van currently in use which is not accessible to 
handicapped patients. Beginning of the shuttle service is 
projected for Fall 1991. 

Watch future issues of The Red Rover for updates. 


Chaplain training workshop held at NHO 


host NHO Pastoral Care Services. will 

a m d P ro * css i°nal training workshop for chaplains from 8 
^ ^ * n building 133, Education and Training 

Tl 

Ricbt** conducted by Captain (Ret.) Loren 

haplain Corps, USNR, and is open to staff chap- 


lains, retired, active duty and reserves from Naval Hospital 
Oakland and from other commands. 

Richter is from St. Louis, Mo., and teaches similar work- 
shops at naval commands throughout the United States. 

Point of contact for further information is RP2 Delphine 
Jolivette, at 633-5561 . 


Page 7 


OAK KNOLL 
NEWS 



Note on smoking 

Cleanliness around the hospital is a major prob- 
lem largely because of cigarette butts and trash not 
being disposed of properly. Cigarette ashtrays and 
trashcans are provided in all smoking areas and 
strategic locations throughout the hospital. Please 
use them. 

GME applications available 

BUMEDNOTE 1 520 and applications for the 
1992 Graduate Medical Education Selection is 
available for Medical Corps personnel in the Medi- 
cal Education Office. For additional information 
and processing of applications, please contact the 
Medical Education Office at ext. 3-8884. 

VHA recertification 

PSD Oakland is currently undergoing a semi- 
annual verification of VHA entitlement. In order to 
continue receiving VHA, members must have an 
updated rental or mortgage agreement filed in their 
pay record. As stated in the VHA certificate, if the 
member moves to another apartment or if the lease 
agreement expires, he or she shall promptly submit 
a new lease agreement to Personnel/Disbursing. 
Failure to do so will result in the termination of this 
entitlement. POC for PSD disbursing is DKC (S W) 
Canlas ext. 3-6661. 

Leadership Development Program 
offered 

Attention all interested personnel — Navy Lead- 
ership Development Program (NLDP) will be of- 
fered to petty officers (E5-E6) on Aug. 5-9 and 
chief petty officers on Aug. 19-23 who have not 
had prior Leadership, Management and Education 
Training (LMET). For further information or seat 
assignment contact, NCI Phagan at ext. 3-5873. 

It’s PRT time again 

The next Physical Readiness Test (PRT) will be 
held Sept. 9-13. Risk Factor Screening folders are 
required by all personnel attached to Naval Hospital 
Oakland (NHO), including those in a Temporary 
Assigned Duty (TAD), Temporary Duty (TEMDU), 
or Limited Duty (L1MDU) status greater than 20 
weeks. Anyone unable to participate in the actual 
PRT due to physical limitations or medical ex- 
emption, should bring documentation to the 
screening site or be prepared to be examined by the 
primary care clinic at that time. This also includes 
those individuals TAD away from the hospital for 
less than a period of 20 weeks. 

Any person who does not receive body fat mea- 
surements and does not till out the Risk Factor 
Screening folder within the prescribed dates, will 
not be permitted to take the PRT. and will receive 
a “failure due to non-participation.” For more 
information contact HM2 Reese at ext. 5141. 


Red Rover 


August 2, 1991 


Page 8 



Safety Corner 


Bike helmets save lives 


More than 1 .000 Americans are killed in 
bicycle accidents each year, according to 
Safety Center of California officials. 

As many as 75 percent of all bicycle-related deaths could be prevented if cyclists would 
wear helmets. 


Robert C. Woodford 
Head, Occupational Health and 
Safety 


When buying a helmet, look for one that has been approved by the Snell Memorial 
Foundation or the American National Standards Institute. 

The helmet should have a stiff and smooth outer shell, a thick impact-absorbing inner shell 
and an adjustable chin strap. It should be comfortable to wear. Children may not think they’re 
cool; parents may think they’re too expensive; but helmets save lives. 


Businesses give millions to USO education funds 


Washington, D.C. — The USO Desert Storm Education Fund will pay college or 
vocational school expenses of spouses and children of servicemembers who died while 
participating in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 

USO President Chapman Cox said the offer has no strings attached except that potential 
recipients must be enrolled in a college, junior college or accredited vocational school. The 
fund will cover tuition, books, fees, room and board and other expenses regardless of 
applicant’s family income, financial status or academic achievement. 

The Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. started the August A. Busch Jr. Desert Storm 
Scholarship Fund in March with a $1.2 million donation to USO. As word of the Busch 
program spread, other companies donated money to USO, which created another trust fund. 
The overall scholarship fund comprises the two trusts, and the principal may exceed $3 
million, Cox said; all money will be administered under the same guidelines. 

After presenting his company’s gift, August A. Busch III said, “the children and spouses 
of those who died in this conflict made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It’s only 
appropriate that we attempt to help them in return.” 

"Were going to identify eligible people, hire actuaries to give us statistics on inflation, 
investments, how much money is available and the amount available in the trust fund for each 
person to draw on,” Cox said. The amount of each scholarship — at least several thousand 
dollars - depends on the number of eligible recipients, believed to be about 300 spouses and 
children, he remarked. 

As of mid-May, 377 servicemembers had died in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield and 
Desert Storm or after the cease-fire. 

Some surviving children may be less than a year old, but that’s no problem. Cox said money 
will be in the fund — even 18 years from now — so these children can draw on it when they 
get to college. If the fund grows over the years, future recipients could receive more money 
than those who take advantage of the program now. 

Cox said people who think they’re eligible for a scholarship are invited to contact USO for 
consideration by writing to: 

USO Desert Storm Scholarship Fund 
USO World Headquarters 
601 Indiana Ave., N.W. 

Washington. D.C. 20004 

The USO telephone number is 1-202-783-8121. 

Annual Navy Relief /CFC Fund Drive Golf Tournament 

Concord, C A - The 1991 Annual Navy Relief/CFC Fund Drive Golf Tournament will be 
held Wednesday. Aug. 1 4, at Diablo Creek Golf Course adjacent to the Naval Weapons Station 
on Port Chicago Highway in Concord. This tournament contributes to two worthy events - 
the Navy Relief and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The money raised by this 
tournament will be used to assist Navy military personnel and the CFC charities. 

The tournament caters to golfers of all abilities and provides a fun time for everyone. The 
day’s events will begin at 1 p.m.. with a dinner to follow at 7 p.m. There will also be a raffle 
and prizes at dinner. Sign-up deadline is Aug. 7. 

Please join us in making the fund drive a resounding success by inviting interested friends 
and neighbors to join us. For more information contact D.T. O’ Donovan at (415) 246-5548, 
Karen 246-5552. Russ at 246-5393, or Wayne at 246-3210. 


Correction -- Oak Knoll Sports’ point of contact is Ron Brown, Director, 
Special Services, at 633-6450. The telephone number was erroneously 
reported in last issue of Red Rover as 633-6014. 



1st Anniversary of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) 
deployment to Operation Desert Shield/Storm 


Bravo Zulu HM3 Jesus R. Cerritos 
July Sailor of the Month 

See page 7 


Navy Dental Corps 


Continuing a tradition of success 


By Andree Marechal-Workman 


NHO - The Navy Dental Corps has come a long way since it was officially established by 
the 62nd Congress, on Aug. 22, 1912, but through the Desert Shield/Storm experience, it 
gained even more military prominence. 

According to a historical account of Navy dentistry by Rear Admiral Richard G. Shaffer, 
Dental Corps, published in Navy Medicine in July/August 1987, one of the Corps’ many 
challenges for the 1980s was “increased contingency training in combat casualty care for 
dental officers.” 

The head of the Periodontal Division at Naval Hospital Oakland’s Dental Annex, 
Lieutenant Commander Frank Martinez, said that the challenge bore fruit during the recent 
deployment to the Persian Gulf because “every dentist deployed to FMF (Fleet Marine Force) 
units had been provided with ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced 
Cardiac Life Support),” because “they were able not only to provide dental support, but also 
knew how to suture, how to give an IV, how to bandage a limb and because they proved to 


be highly mobile.” 

This is not to say that Navy dentists weren’t sent to combat zones before, clarified LCDR 
Martinez, stressing that many served gallantly in two world wars and during the Korean and 
Vietnam conflicts. RADM Shaffer agrees, stating: “During the Vietnam conflict, support was 
provided to Marine Corps units by the 1st, 3rd and 11th Dental Companies, along with 
detachments of the 15th Dental Company. This was the first time that the dental company 
organization, which has been implemented in 1957, was tested in combat and proved to be a 
highly effective combat element.” 

Although the Dental Corps was formally established in 1 9 1 2, its history harks back to 1 844, 
when Edward Maynard, a former West Point cadet-tumed-dentist, because of a physical 
disability, spearheaded a campaign for the establishment of military dentistry. 

According to the Dental Corps of the United States Navy Chronology published in 1962 

(See Dental Corps centerfold) 



The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 


The Red Rover 



Augustl6,1991 


* » » 


Naval Hospital 
retirement ceremony 


Naval Hospital holds Disabled 
American Veterans food drive 


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NHO - Moved by the plight of American veterans they witnessed during a visit to the 
Veteran Memorial Building in Oakland. JOSA Kyna Kirkpatrick and PNSN Marlon Condoll 
started a canned food drive at Naval Hospital Oakland. 

“The veterans are disabled, some of their benefits from the armed forces have been reduced 
due to budget cuts,” said PNSN Condoll, “and they need all the support we can o ive them ” 
Boxes have been placed throughout the command so that people can leave canned and non- 
perishable items for the shelter. They are located at various sites: In Building 500 on the second 
floor, next to the quarterdeck and the Emergency Room; on the third floor, next to the Chapel 

Boxvs can also be found at the Personnel Support Detachment, the Supply Department and 
the Bachelors Enlisted Quarters. 

The drive continues through Sept. 30. Please be generous and help those who didn't shirk 
their duty when they were called to protect their country. They need our help NOW 
Call JOSA Kirkpatrick or YNSN Marlon Condoll. 




irector of Nursing Services CAPT Maria Carroll (far left) addresses a 


^Nur ^ 00111 ° n ^ au< ^ entce a * ^lub Knoll during the retirement ceremonies 


Clegg sends congratulations 


(sw rst tor P s c AP1 June Riddell (third from left), COR Randolph Bohn 
j ain ' n * rom right) and CDR Janet Peterson on July 31. Sitting is LCDR 
b: , . fca( *' c k. who later gave the invocation. Retiring after 28 years. 


to Dental Corps officers 


!i i<Jdle « one of the few 


tare of casualties at Denang during the Vietnam conflict. 
25 v 1 1 ^ rs * ma * e nurses commissioned in the Navy, Bohn retired after 


remaining Navy nurses who served aboard USS 


officeT** ^ ^ aV ’ V nurse ^ or ^ y ears > Peterson is among the first Nurse Corps 
•> *ho became a health care administrator after ooini* through the 


\ rrn . a mc<iuh care auminisiraior aner going mrougn me 

the Nav ^‘° r P r °^ ram * n ^ an Antonio, TX. The ceremonies climaxed with 


thn> u h* ! * me ’k° nore< * tradition of “piping” the retiring officers “ashore’ 
(\ v; v a side boys headed by Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 
av y photo by A, Marechal-Workman). 


Washington, D.C. - Chief Navy Dental Corps officer Rear Admiral M r r\ 
his te, wishes to all Denial Corps officers to edebntoon of , hc Corps’ 7,,„ 

and total professionalism.” ^ ^ W,lh Severance, fortitude 

The heritage of the Navy Dental Corps is a proud one mil m,.;, „„ 
is second to none. Hg said: “Each member of our Dental r c °mmitment to excellence 

total quality dental health care for our Marines and sail >r ^ T*! y ' S fierce,y (,ev °ted K> 
thanks for your unique support. ”*** ar ° und ,he world " my heartfelt 

“The future years will present new demand* nn,i 1 
answer the call. Best wishes and God bless “ m ° M tonlldem we be tliere to 




Page 2 


Red Rover 


Perspectives 




August 16, 199J 


From the Command Master 

Chief 


Below is an article received from the Naval Station Trea- 
sure Island Command Master Chief. Having observed the 
military bearing deficiencies listed. I am compelled to provide 
this information to you. I have watched several people stand 
by and observ e this happening without intervention. Each of 
you should get on board and start correcting the situation that 
we helped create. 


Military bearing: 

What is a 4.0 Sailor? 

U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations state that grooming stan- 
dards are based on several elements including neatness, 
cleanliness, safety, military image and appearance. The 
limits set forth are reasonable, enforceable and ensure that 
personal appearance contributes to a favorable military im- 
age. 

The Navy Enlisted Performance Evaluation System 
(NAVMILPERCOMINST 1616.1 A) lists the following 
specific aspects of performance for the military bearing trait 
that are meant to provide guidelines for performance appraisal. 

- Personal appearance including grooming and physical 
fitness. 

- Appearance and wearing of the uniform and military 
attire. 

- Knowledge and practice of military courtesies. 

- Manner in which the member presents himself or herself 
as a member of the Navy. 

In order to be included in the 4.0/3. S performance cat- 
egory, you must be considered “first rate" in all of these areas. 
The 3. 6/3.4 performance category is “above expectations/' 
w ith “satisfactory” coming in at the 3.2/3.0 performance area. 

Here are some questions that may assist you in determining 
where you fit in the evaluation scale. 


Red Rover 

TheR^d R»ver « published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital OakJand and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responnbility for Red Rover contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office. Naval Hospital. 8750 Moutain Blvd.. Oakland. CA 94627-5000, Tele- 
phone (415) 633-5918 T ext and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial ) may be reproduced in whole or in pan as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense, Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 

Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 

Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 

Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JOl Kay Lorentz 

Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 

Kditoral Assistants 

Nicole A. Rodriguez 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



HMCM (SS) Thomas M. Grieb 

- Do you ever walk around with your hands in your pocket? 

- Is your windbreaker ever unzipped? 

- Do you ever mix items of uniform and civilian attire? 

- Do you ever wear a ball cap with other than the working 
uniform? 

- Do you ever smoke while on the street in uniform? 

- Is your cover ever cocked slightly back or to one side? 

- Do you eat or drink while on the street in uniform? 

- While wearing the Winter Blue uniform, do you remove 
your tie? 

- Do you duck indoors to avoid morning or evening colors? 

- Do you fail to render a proper salute when appropriate? 

- Do you sneak out to your car uncovered to avoid in- 
convenience? 

- Do you carry a non-regulation handbag? 

- Do you wear your hair in a ponytail or pigtail? 

- Is your haircut considered faddish? (without proper 


*- 

taper) 

- Do you ever wear an earring in or out of uniform 0 

- Do you wear a ball cap from your previous command 
while in the working uniform? 

- Do you go from the barracks to the hospital uncovered? 

If the answer to any one of these questions is “yes/* then 

you belong below the 3.0 category. Violations of uniform 
regulations, good grooming and military bearing practices 
are not acceptable, and preclude a mark in military bearing 
that would be considered “first rate” or “above expectations.” 

The discrepancies listed above are just a few that I have 
noticed recently around Northern California naval facilities. 
Right now is a wonderful time to be a member of the greatest 
armed forces in the world. We are enjoying the respect and 
admiration from the world that has been a long time coming. 
It is also a time when we must show pride in the uniform of 
our country and wear it correctly. 

These violations of uniform regulations are not specific to 
any rank or rate. Officers, chief petty officers and enlisted, E- 
6 and below, are guilty. Those who consider themselves 
leaders are equally guilty by allowing these violations to 
continue unchecked. I have seen senior enlisted and officer 
personnel stand by and allow these violations to happen. We, 
as leaders in the military must, not only “set the example,” but 
also hold those personnel accountable who are not members 
of the team. 

If you are in doubt about a certain regulation, ask someone! 
If you are not sure about appropriate behavior, ask someone! 
Every person in the Navy has a leading chief, leading petty 
officer, division officer or command master chief. If the 
answer in not readily available. I’m sure that someone in the 
chain of command will be willing to look it up or tell you 
where to find it. 

It is time for each and every member to “get on board.” A 
great place to start is with peer pressure. Division officer to 
division officer, command master chief to command master 
chief, seaman to seaman, let your shipmates know when thev 
are doing it the wrong way. They may even appreciate the 
constructive criticism. And last, but not least, don’t be upset 
when shipmates point out a violation, they are only trying to 
help! 


r 










When opportunity knocks...Don't hesitate 

By A nd re, K houg az 

Patient Contact Representative , Surgery Clinic 

French literature Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus wrote about a man who went to a mental institution It seems that, one 
day, the novel’s central character saw a woman drown in the River Seine. She drowned because he failed to rescue her He 
panicked and froze. The unfortunate woman died, and Camus’ protagonist eventually lost his mind because the unrelenting 
vision of the lady in distress wouldn’t leave him. 

According to Camus, the man wished the incident would happen again so he could have another chance. He went back 
to the scene of the drowning and pleaded for reoccurrence. “Please, lady,” he repeated over and over, “fall in the over again 
so that I might save us both - you from drowning, me from going insane.” 

This story is fictional, hut the following one isn’t It made the headlines in 1982 w hen an airliner fell in the icy waters of 
the Potomac River, in Washington D C., and only six passengers survived the crash. When a rescue rope was dropped from 
a helicopter, the first man il reached didn’t grab the rope, but passed it to another person, and then to another, until he was 
too weak and frozen to get hold of il himself. He died but, unlike Camus’ lost soul, he didn’t hesitate and didn t miss the 
opportunity to put others ahead of himself and serve his fellow men and w omen. 

Opportunity for service doesn’t need to be so dramatic. Here at Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO), there are countless 
opportunities to serve We often miss the chance when wc are under the stress of work, or w hen there aren’t enough hour* 
in a day for us to do all that needs to be done. Yet NHO is the ideal place, with an abundance of opportunities Irom which to 
choose. 

For example, if on a hot summer afternoon, we’re rushing home, already in our car and we see a man carrying his teennage 
son to the parking lot because the son’s leg is in a cast, what should we do? Dnvc on, or offer a ride ? 

If, in the hospital’s hallway, we encounter patients who are confused and lost, should we ignore them, give them vague 
directions, or lake the lime to physically walk them to the correct destination? 

If we see a child walking alone in the hallway, do wc continue on because w e’re in a hurry? Or do we stop and make sure 
that the child is reunited with the adult who was accompanying him/her? 

If a patient complains to us about something that happened in another department, do we brush off the complaint bevau^ 
we re busy? Or do we take the time to call the patient contact representative of the department in question for help ^ 

If we place these hypothetical situations in the context of Camus* novel or of the plane crash, it would seem that tb., 
option to these questions would be the right one if wc do not want to miss the opportunity to serve. It is for us to choose w hv i 
wc want to emulate the lost soul in the former, or the hero of the latter 







August 16, 1991 


Quality 

Improvement 

Update 




PNCM Betty McCIyman 


LCDR Carol Bohn 


There are many definitions of Total Quality Man- 
agement (TQM), also known as Total Quality 
Leadership (TQL). Here is one from the Depart- 
ment of the Navy 1990: 

TQM/L is the application of quantitative 
methods and people to assess and improve: 

^Materials and services supplied to the 
organization. 

* All significant processes within the or- 
ganization. 

* Meeting the needs of the customer, now 
and in the future. 


All definitions of Quality Management 
stress continually using all employees as a source of ideas to improve processes, 
services and products. 

There are a wide variety of names for Quality Management: 

• *Total Quality Management (TQM) 

*Total Quality Leaderhip (TQL) 

*Total Quality Control (TQC) 

^Company-Wide Quality Control (CWQC) 

^Quality Improvement Process (QIP) 

^Statistical Quality Control (SQC) 

*Zero Defects (ZD) 


Basic Concepts of TQL include: 

Meeting customer requirements is of prime importance. 

Y Achieving continous improvement is the goal. 

* Decisions supported with data. 

^Quality is managed. 

'Processess, not people, are the root of quality problems. 

^Quality is the product of prevention, not inspection. 

^Quality is a top management responsibility. 

^Seeking quality before profits. 

* Communication throughout the organization is with a “common 
language" based on facts and statistical data. 


TQM premises: 

^People want to do their jobs well. 

T he person doing a job is likely to be most knowledgeable about the best 
way to do it. 

Every person wants to feel like a valued contributor, 
improving quality leads to higher productivity. 

More can be accomplished by working in teams than as individuals. 

Adversarial relationships between groups is counter-productive 
and outmoded. 

A structured problem-solving process using graphical techniques produces 
better solutions than an unstructured process. 

Quality improvement is everybody’s job. 

Innovation at all levels is the lifeblood of an organization. 

^hat is "acceptable" is always “changing”. 

During the time frame Aug. 6-16, 30 quality improvement facilitators and team 
ers are going through training at NHO to assist all departments in applying the 
Principles ol TQL to process improvement. 

>ou don t know about TQL, we encourage you to become acquainted with the 
runipj, relerences available in the Medical Library or just drop by the Quality 
mpiovement Oflice, third deck. Building 500, if you want to talk about it 



Red Rover Page 3 

" Wellness” of Naval Hospital 
improves with new department 


By JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



HMCM (SW) Leo F. Rosario, wellness coordinator, stands outside the building where 
the new Wellness Department is located. (Official U.S. Navy photo by JOSA Kyna S. 
Kirkpatrick) 


NHO - Here at Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO), there has been a ‘special’ addition to 
the command -- the Wellness Department. 
Its mission is to encourage people to practice 
healthy living, thereby reducing their oppor- 
tunity to become ill through their lifestyle. 

Captain Robert L. Brawley, assistant di- 
rector of Occupational Health/Preventive 
Medicine and joint coordinator for the 
Wellness Department, stated, “whether this 
is related to smoking, drinking or driving fast, 
through proper program management, we 
can teach people how to live more properly.” 

The idea for the Wellness Department was 
started in December 1990 when CAPT 
Brawley and HMCM Leo F. Rosario realized 
that SECN A V Instruction 6100.5 calls fora 
wellness program at our command. 

CAPT Brawley, along with Wellness Co- 
ordinator HMCM Rosario, CAPT John Rowe, 
director of Community Services, and former 
Commanding Officer Rear Admiral David 
Lichtman, were the people who started the 
program. 

“We started with what we thought was a 
superb quality program that we wanted to 
design from the ground up,” commented 
Brawley. 

This began with the request for appropri- 
ate staffing, office space and computers - 
the equipment required to create the pro- 
gram. 

Brawley said that HMCM Rosario did 95 
percent of the leg work. He was responsible 
for getting things going, starting, with posi- 
tion descriptions for the civilian employees, 
evaluation elements and getting temporary 
staff from Military Manpower. 

"We wanted to employ a couple of civil- 
ians, a clerk and an occupational health 
nurse, called the Wellness Nurse,” added 
Brawley. There is also a military staff of 
about six people headed by HMCM Rosario. 

In addition to these key people, we would 
also like to have a preventive medicine phy- 
sician who is [currently in] training at the 
University of California, Berkeley, Lieuten- 
ant Commander Richard Burton. He works 
with the Wellness Department a few days a 
week as part ol his residency program in the 
School of Public Health,” said Brawley. He 
added that Burton is a preventive medicine 
resident, but is augmenting the staff in the 
Wellness Department because of his high 
interest in wellness programs. In addition, 


Burton, who is also a flight surgeon, set up 
smoke cessation programs throughout a 
number of flight squadrons. 

According to Brawley, the following goals 
help maintain the mission and success of the 
Wellness Department: 

-Increased productivity through alertness 
and stamina; increased retention through im- 
proved availability; fewer unplanned losses 
because of fewer accidents; decreased absen- 
teeism due to fewer sick calls; higher morale 
and pride in their jobs, the Navy, and them- 
selves; sharper-looking commands thanks to 
sailors’ improved fitness and self-esteem; 
reduced health care costs that save dollars for 
operational use; positive attitude toward the 
Navy, the community we serve and the health 
and well-being of each individual. 

Brawley explained that they used the Total 
Quality Management-Total Quality Leader- 
ship philosophy when spelling out the 
department’s mission - a mission that re- 
duces the patient load by preventing custom- 
ers of the Naval Medical Department from 
becoming sick. 

“This is our short-term goal,” Brawley 
said. In terms of the long-term goals, we are 
looking at reduced cardiovascular risk, high- 
blood pressure, as well as heart attacks and 
strokes.” As an example, he stated that the 
Navy’s young people have 30 or more years 
before they fall into a risk group. So, with the 
short-term goals, the command can get people 
to participate in better living. In the long-run, 
this will keep them from becoming risks later 
in their lives. 

“We have a number of programs to help us 
maintain our mission. Among these are: 
smoking cessation, physical readiness and 
immunizations. To help us assess the 
command s health, we have adapted the U.S. 
Army Health Risk Appraisal.” Brawley said. 

The Wellness Department will incorpo- 
rate this program into the check-in process 
lor new staff members and will give the 
1 lealth Risk Appraisal to specific depart ments. 

“This program will provide feedback not 
only to the department but to the command- 
ing officer,” said Brawley. 

The Wellness Department is a welcome 
addition to NHO. Accomplishment of i t s 
mission will be beneficial to all involved 

•the individual Navy member, the command 

and, ultimately, the U.S. Navy and the De- 
partment of Defense. 



Dental 



(continued front page) 


Photos by Andree Marechal-Workman 



LT (Dr.) Richard Campbell, DC (left), resident general practioner, sets up a denture with DT3 Robert J. Holt. 


by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), Maynard’s efforts were rewarded when, in 1873, Dr. Thomas A. Walton, a graduate of 
Baltimore College of Dentistry , became the first dentist to serve as a naval officer. He was appointed "...acting assistant surgeon, as a volunteer 
officer, to serve in the Medical Department of the United States Naval Academy.” 

It wasn’t until 1945, however, that the Dental Corps became fully automonous, when Congress approved Public Law 79-284 on Dec. 28. 
The law was implemented, in June 1946, by ALNAV (All Navy) 343 — a milestone which, in April 1973 in a letter to an Oak Knoll dental 
officer, RADM J. P. Arthur said “[charted] a course for the Dental Corps which places it in its singular managerial position today.” RADM Arthur 
was, then, BUMED’s assistant chief for Dentistry and chief. Dental Division. 

There have been many “firsts” recorded in the annals of the Dental Corps. 

* On March 5, 1913, Dr. H. E. Harvey reported aboard the USS Solace -- the first dentist to serve aboard ship. 

* On April 23, 1913, Drs. William Donally, Vines Turner and George Kussel were the first officers appointed to the Navy Dental Reserve 
Corps. 

* On Aug. 4, 1913, Acting Assistant Dental Surgeon Lucien C. Williams, the first naval dentist ordered to Marine duty, reported to Parris 
Island, SC. 

* On June 6. 1 9 1 8, Lieutenant Junior Grade Wecden E. Osborne, the first naval officer to die during WWI, was awarded The Medal of Honor. 
But it was not until 1 944 that the first woman was appointed to the Dental Corps — Lieutenant (later Commander) Sara G. Kroul, who retained 

her commission in the Naval Reserve until her retirement on Dec. 1, 1961. 

Since then, in step with the accelerated developments reported by RADM Shaffer, the number of female Dental Corps officers had grown 
to 172 by July 31, 1991, according to Lieutenant Rob Newell, BUMED’s deputy Public Affairs officer. Comparing this figure to the 1600 
reported by LT Newell as the total number of officers as of that same July date, the rate of female Navy dentists has grown by 10.75%. 

In the 79 years since it was founded, the Navy Dental Corps has gained stature as well as numbers. Its members can be proud of their heritage 
and can look forward with optimism toward the future. Afloat or ashore, they have fulfilled Navy dentistry’s primary mission - supporting 
combat forces whi le continuing to meet their peacetime mission of providing quality care to Navy beneficiaries and to the families of all deployed 

active-duty personnel. 




a P art * a * P* ate on Benjamin Wright, a Navy retiree. Dr. Tran 
dentlsts who ^e part of today's Navy Dental Corps. 



Tools of the trade. 





Busy hands work to construct a plate for a patient. 



Page 6 


Red Rover 


August 16, 1991 



9{av at 9-Cospit at Oakland 
Suppty i Department 

Up -C Cose 


\ our job: As customer service officer, I resolve problems, misunderstandings 
and frustrations of our customers. I also assist the material department in heading 
and supervising the warehouse, stock control, central processing distribution and 
technical review operations. I am also senior enlisted coordinator for logistics. 
Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Rebecca. 

Children and ages: Suzanne,22; Rick Jr., 20; Christopher, 7. 

Hometown: San Diego, CA (Bristol, RI, prior to service.) 

Hobbies: Audiophile, computers and gourmet cooking. 

Likes: Satisfied customers and watching my troops make rank. 

Dislikes: Politics in the workplace and hypocrites. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Getting everyone working 
towards a common goal, regrouping from the Mercy deployment and working 
with the frustrations of the Medical Inventory Control System (MCIS). 

What is your immediate goal: Training supply petty officers and improving 
supply services for all customers. 

What is your long-term goal: Retirement and working toward my degree. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Have made better use of my off duty time in 
getting a master's degree. 

I wish I could stop: Expecting too much from others. 

I respect myself for: Positive mental outlooks, the strong relationship of my 
family and strong religion. 

Role models/heroes: Jesus, my dad, my maternal grandmother and all the people 
who helped mold my career. 

Special comment: Two philosophies: “If you look for the evil in men you will 
surely find it, but if you look for the good...” and “You get what you inspect not 
expect.” 



SKCM (SW) Richard B. 
Spaulding 


Your job: I work in the issuing section of the Supply Department. I pull items 
off the shelf, do the Quality Assurance orders, make sure customers receive all 
items, package order and distribute them to main hospital and branch medical 
clinics. 

Marital status: Single. 

Children and ages: Brandon Louis, 18 months. 

Hometown: San Diego, CA. 

Hobbies: Walking and singing. 

Likes: Travel and reading. 

Dislikes: People with bad attitudes and those who don't want to work. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Satisfying customers, constantly 
training personnel and putting out 60 orders when the computers are down. 
What is your immediate goal: Getting my bachelor’s degree in elementary 
education and advancing to the highest rank possible. 

What is your long-term goal: To become a first grade teacher, make sure my son 
has a good life and raise him to be a good person. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Continue straight through college without 
stopping. 

I wish I could stop: Procrastinating. 

I respect myself for: Being a strong, caring, stable, confident and loving person. 
Role models/heroes: My parents because they gave me good values, love to last 
a lifetime and belief in God and my country. 

Special comment: I want to strive for the highest mark in life, academically, 
professionally, spiritually and personally. 


Your job: I serve as shipment clerk and handle Impress Funds for this 
command, as well as for all the branch clinics. 

Marital status: Engaged. 

Hometown: Hayward, CA. 

Hobbies: Traveling. 

Likes: Movies and shopping. 

Dislikes: Rude and lazy people. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: To be able to maintain a 
good, reasonable amount for any Cash On Delivery (COD) at anytime and 
anyday. 

What is your immediate goal: Working and waiting for my next promotion. 

What is your long-term goal: Establish my own business. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Stayed in college and received my degree. 

I wish I could stop: Nagging my fiance, (Mark). 

I respect myself for: My sense of responsibility and honesty. 

Loretta M. Jimenez 





SK3 Joretha L. Cloud 


Naval Hospital 
awards for July 

Retirement Certificate: 

( 1 9 years) Elaine Peterson 


Sailor of the Month: 


HM3 Jesus Cerritos 


Good Conduct: 


(first) HM2 Brent Boulter 
SH3 Suny Fontilea 
HM3 Kevin Larsen 
HM3 Thomas Tran 



HM3 Veronica Wetzel 
AWAN James Cook 

HM2 Daryl Loan 
HM3 Melvin Cable 

(second) 

(third) 

HMC Fernando 
Pimentel 

HMC Eric Sisson 
HMC Dawin Tabligan 

Navy Achievement Medal: 

(first) 

LT Anthony Jackson 
ENS Christine Hite 
HM3 John Krajnovich 
HM3 Micah Palm 

(second) 

% 

ENS Nancy Franze 

HM 1 Myma Catubay 
PN 1 Alfredo Pineda 

Navy Commendation Medal: 

(first) 

HM2 Daniel Hurst 

Joint Service Commendation Medal: 

(first) YN1 Kathleen 

Fescenmeyer 


Morale, Welfare and Recreation 

Central Pacific Sports Conference 

The events listed below w ill take place as follows: 

* Rifle championships — are scheduled for Sept, attk 
Marine Corps Rifle Range, Mare Island Naval Shipyard 
Vallejo, Calif. 

Only one team entry from each command is authorized 
and individual/team entries and berthing requests should be 
submitted no later than Aug. 30. 

* A singles horseshoes competition will be hosted by 
Mare Island Shipyard Sept. 21, at 10 a.m. 

Each command is authorized four entries. Berthing request 
must be forwarded no later than Sept. 13. The toumaniefl 
will be conducted at the Vallejo City Park Horseshoe Co , s 
located at Sacramento and Alabama Streets, directly opp 0 ^ 
the Veterans Building. Participants are asked to register * * 

the tournament director no later than 9:30 a.m. that day 

' ■ 

For more information regarding these events pleaw 
tact Jim Gass, the Mare Island C.P.S.C. athletic director ^ 
telephone number is (707) 646-3301/4289, or Autovon ^ 

3301/4289. You can also call NHO Special Services 1 

Ron Brown at 3-6014. 




Red Rover 


August 16, 1991 


July Sailor of the 
Month 


By Nicole A. Rodriguez 


NHO -- Motivation, dedication and self-direction are 
all characteristics which July’s “Sailor of the Month," 

HM3 Jesus R. Cerritos, possesses. Since his return from 
the Gulf where he was attached to the 3rd Battalion, 1 1th 
Marines, 1st Marine Division, Cemtos has volunteered 
over 50 hours of his off-duty time to ensure that the 
command training plan for hospital corpsmen orientation, 
personnel advancement requirement classes (PAR) and 
follow-up courses continue to run uninterrupted. 

According to Cerritos, his experience on the front line 
with the Marines during Operation Desert Storm made him 
realize “the importance of maintaining ongoing training in 
emergency/field medicine." 

“HM3 Cerritos has a unique ability to focus on essential 
tasks and implement effective solutions," said Lieutenant 
Commander Robert J. Marine, Nurse Corps, in a letter to 
Command Master Chief Thomas M. Grieb. He added, 

“Cerritos’ superlative work has advanced the mission of 
the command by allowing us to continue and improve the 
training essential for corpsmen.” 

Cerritos attributes his success in the Navy to the leadership from the senior enlisted personnel he has been assigned 
with and his ability to accept good and bad criticism. 

Being selected as Sailor of the Month has given Cerritos a great deal of satisfaction. “This tells me that someone 
is always watching me and that good work and good performance are being appreciated," Cemtos said. 

Honorary titles like Sailor of the Month make the lives of junior enlisted personnel a little better, because they know 
that "hard work is recognized and appreciated, Cerritos added. 



July Sailor of the Month, HM3 Jesus R. Cerritos, 
(right) is presented his award by Naval Hospital 
Oakland's executive officer CAPT Noel A. Hyde. 
(Official U.S. Navy photo by HM3 Kerry Barnett) 


For Your Health 


How much fat is 
too much? 


By LTJG Lea Beilman, MSC 






Page 7 

"N 


OAK KNOLL 


Navy-wide exam special evaluation 

Personnel eligible to participate in the Septem- 
ber 1991 Navy wide exam who do not have evalu- 
ations on their present paygrade ( i.e., taking E-4 
exam must have an evaluation as and E-3) are 
required to have a special evaluation to establish a 
performance mark average (PMA). The ending 
period for the evaluation is Aug. 3 1. A copy of this 
evaluation must be submitted to the Educational 
Services Office before the examination date. For 
more information, contact the Performance Evalu- 
ation Section at 3-6520/6521. 

ADP Security Note 

In the last few days there have been several 
reported cases of the Computer Virus Stone B. The 
source of the virus has been traced back to floppy 
disks from the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). If you 
believe that your .system has been affected by the 
virus, contact the Management Information De- 
partment at 3-6167. It is very important that 
everyone who works on government computers 
take the following steps to avoid contamination. 

- Avoid downloading publ ic domain software from 
nongovernmental bulletin boards. 

- Only load government-owned or command- 
approved software onto your computer and load 
from original software disks. 

- Only allow authorized users on your computer 
system and question users you don't know. 

- Restrict computer use to official government 
business. Games are a primary source of computer 
viruses. 

- Keep your computer locked up when you go 
home and utilize passwords whenever possible. 


sho id amoum of fat in y°ur diet is just as important to your health as the type of fat. Less than 30 percent of our total calories 
S °vi C ° me fr0m fats ' Even P°ly- and monounsaturated fats, such as margarine and corn oil, should be limited. 

•ess ^ l , Amencans eat over 40 percent of their calories in fat each day. Cutting fat out of the American diet means eating 
ess visible fat such as salad dressing and margarine. It also means limiting or avoiding those hidden sources of fat found in 
o e milk products, meats, processed and convenience foods. 

calori eV t ate ^ fal conlent of packaged products refer to the information on the nutrition label. Determine the amount of 
Divid^V dt come fro m fat by multiplying the grams of fat in a serving by nine (there are nine calories in one gram of fat). 
' c ' • is number by total calories in the serving to get the percentage of calories comine from fat 
Here are a few examples: 


Food Source 

Calories 

Grams Fat 

% Fat 

Cheddar cheese (1 oz) 

114 

9 

71 

Part- skim mozzarella (l oz) 

72 

5 

62.5 

Apple ( 1 medium ) 

81 

.5 

1 


The following are additional tips that will help you to choose a low fat diet: 

Trim all visible fat from meat and discard drippings that cook out of meats. 

Limit the amount of fats added to foods. 

Use the new "fat free" products available such as mayonnaise and salad dressing. 
Read labels carefully for fat content of foods. 

Substitute skim milk and low fat cheeses for whole milk products. 

Bake and broil rather than fry foods. 


Computer viruses can cause serious damage to 
your computer, as well as loss of data. If you think 
your computer is infected and you detect a virus, 
call the ADP Security Officer. LT N.A. Rogers at 
3-4567. 

I esting at Navy Campus 


Navy Campus in October. These tests require a six- 
week advance sign-up, and a maximum of 15 
active-duty military and reservists can participate. 

nglish C LEP (College Level Examination Pro- 
gram) with Essay - Oct. 9, and Graduate Record 
Examination (GRE)- Oct. 16, Graduate Manage- 
ment Admissions Test (GM AT) - Oct. 2 1 Reserva- 
tions (or these tests will be taken now through Sept. 

6 . Call Navy Campus at 395-55 11/5512 to reserve 
a seat lor any of these classes. 



Page 8 


Red Rover 


August 16 , 199, 


What is your safety score? I 

Safe habits are easy to learn j 

We all try to be safety conscious, but at times we find excuses for not acting safely, both on and off the job. This 
quick -quiz” can help you identify some common safety practices and may help you find areas that you can improve. 

7 ake a ,ew mmutes ^ find out your safety score. (Circle the answer that you think best describes your own practices.) 


SAFE PRACTICES 

I read labels before using chemicals: 

I use the right equipment, even when it takes longer: 

When I see a spill, I clean it up: 

When I start a new job, I ask questions to make 
sure I understand how to do it right: 

I come to work well-rested and awake: 

I post emergency police, medical and fire numbers 
where all can easily find them: 

SAFE CONDITIONS 

When the proper safety equipment is not available, 

I let my supervisor know right away: 

I inspect the area and machines I’m responsible for: 

I make sure electrical cables 
and wires are in good condition: 

When I see a condition that might be dangerous, 

I take care of it myself or report it right away: 

I know the hazards of my job and I don’t begin 
until I’ve taken all necessary precautions: 

SAFE ATTITUDES 

I stay focused on the task at hand: 

When I’m angry, I take “time out" 

before going back to a possibly dangerous task: 

When I see a situation that 
might be dangerous, I report it: 

When I take a safety class, 

I ask questions and pay attention. 

When I know a co-worker is taking drugs or drinking, 

I let my supervisor know. 

I come to work in a good state of mind: 

I relax without alcohol or drugs: 

Scoring: Give yourself three points for each “usually, 
“never.” 


usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 


usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 


usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 

usually 

once in awhile 

never 


two points for each “once in awhile" and one point for each 


On this date... 

August 3 

* Congress authorizes surgeon general to employ women 
as nurses for Army hospital at a salary of $ 1 2 per month 
plus one ration. 1861 . 

* USS Nautilus, world’s first atomic submarine, makes 
world’s first voyage to North Pole under the polar 
icecap, 1958. 

* Christopher Columbus sets sail from Spam on voyage 
that discovers New World, 1492. 

August 4 

* U.S. Revenue Marine (later, U.G. Goast Guanl; 
founded, 1790. 

* Friendship Day 

August 5 

* Abraham Lincoln signs first federal income tax into 
law, 1861. 

August 6 

* First atomic bomb dropped, Hiroshima. Japan, 1945 
August 7 

* George Washington creates Order of the Purple Heart. 
1782. 

* U. S. War Department established, 1789. 

* Congress approves Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, ex- 
pands involvement in Vietnam War. 1964. 

August 9 

* Second atomic bomb dropped, Nagasaki Japan, 1 945. 

* Jesse Owens wins his fourth gold medal at Berlin 
Olympics as U. S. places first in 400-meter relay. 1936 

August 10 

* Congress charters Smithsonian Institution, 1846 

* National Military Establishment renamed Depart- 
ment of Defense, 1949. 

August 1 1 

* Family Day 

August 13 

* Berlin Wall completed. 1961. 

August 14 


54 points: Excellent. Excellent attitude, habits and a bright, safe future. 

48-53 points: Good. Select five areas for improvement and try to change your “once in awhile’s” to “usually." 

I 47-36 points: Lucky. You’re lucky if you’ve never been in an accident. Work on changing your once in awhile s 
I or “never’s” to "usually." 

f Under 36 points: Time Bomb. You are an accident waiting to happen. Better start working on you. five dangerous 
| habits today. 




* Congress passes Social Security Act, 1935. 

* President Harry S. Truman announces unconditional 
surrender of Japan., Panama Canal opens. l°l 

August 15 

* Final link m transcontinental railroad made at Stiasou r - 
Colo., 1870. 




Moffett Field News: 
page 8 



I he Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 



Volume 3-Number 11 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


September 6, 1991 


J 



t * 


t 


4 1 


< API Anne Gartner (center) smiles as Oakland Council of Navy League Junior Nurse of the Year ENS Kenneth Dertmott (left t and 
Senior Nurse of the Year, L( DR Nancy Ericksen, hold the plaques presented to them by the League. CAPT Gartner was Director 
of Nursing Services during the Persian Gulf conflict. ENS Dermott is now active duty stationed at Naval Hospital Lemore- LCDK 
hricksen is a reservist. (Official Navy photo by J()2 James Berry, USNR) 


Naval Reserve Force 

Prouder than ever at 75 

By Andree Marechal-YVorkman 

As the Naval Reserve Force celebrated its 75th anniver- 
sary' on Aug. 29, its members had more reason than ever to 
he proud of their accomplishment s. This is especially true of 
the medical section which, during the Middle East crisis, 
represented a little over half of the entire mobilized force. 

According to Captain Anne Gartner, out of the “almost 
22,000 recalled reservists,*’ a little over half were medical 
personnel who, she explained proudly, “established them- 
selves as a very important adjunct of the military service.” 

CAPT Gartner ought to know. She was Naval Hospital 
Oakland s(NHO) director of Nursing Services (DNS) during 
the recall. She is still on board at the request ol the executive 
officer, working on projects she initiated during her tenure 
as DNS, putting final touches to what the hospital admin- 
istration teels are worthy organizational improvements. 

During Operation Desert Shield/Storm, the reservists 
brought a lot of innovation to the hospital,” she said of the 
532 recalled servicemembers attached to NHO. “Many 
came from civilian teaching hospital and university settings, 

4nd they were able to bring their talents and skills to NHO’s 
operation. The spectrum of talents was spectacular.” 

Medical Service Corps CAPT Lynn Brechtel, who is 
^ Reserve Unit 1 20 s commanding officer, agrees with 
APTGanner, stressing: “The productivity required hy 
1 civilian medical community was carried over to the 
mi itarv community. | The reservists] did a stellar job despite 
Personal hardships.” 

They did so well, m fact, that at NHO alone, according to 
,, e Jss,:>tanl command Reserve Liaison. HMC Reuben 
‘•gJvagreai number of awards were presented: One Navy 
mmendation Medal, 53 Navy Achievement Medals, 88 

addiT ' h 0rnmendat ' 0n and 63 Letters of Appreciation. In 
H A°, n ' he said thal ,wo corpsmen were selected for chief 
l K,m RoSi a nd HM I Manuel Reyes, 
histnrv ri f ln ,^ U> . Ibe ' ' Encyclopedia Americana, the 

“citi^ ° thc , Naval Rcserve Force can be traced to the 
, n 1775 ^ (>r conce P l ’°f American Revolution when, 
mitskeiV J ^ r(>Up °* loca * c '*' zens armed with swords, 
schoom-r umc!^ and axes ta P ,urcd ,he British armed 

up ap Margaretta, off the coast of Maine -- setting 

naval miNname^” 1 *' 3 * atl ‘ on by OIher t> rou P s of volunteer 

Public la ^ artb 3, 1915 that Congress enacted 
mtooneem ' ‘ ncor P°rating all existing states' militias 

However ' *° constitute an official Naval Reserve Force. 

Passed the <m Au ® dlat the 64th Congress 

solunteerres ! d a Pr ,rw P rialK) n act that created a viable 

Nav y of the n me l0fCe a datC seen by thc sccreta O f of the 

Ltiiled Si ,L ^ d m,leslwne *n the entire history of the During the Korean War 30,000 served with the Navv bm nnliiimi , i ,. . 

Forte S aV ’’ JJld ’ by ex| ension, thc Naval Reserve limit the recall of naval reserve members during the Vietnam conflict I lowev • »|°" F " U S na, '°" al strate gy combined to 

Navy personnel then in the active-duty force was a reservist. L K lu -yc opedia stresses, “one out of 



II M I Mariann While displays the well-earned Navy 
Achievement Medal she was jusi presented by GAFF Lynn 
Brechtel, MSG, NHO Reserve Unit 120’s commanding officer. 
(Official Navy photo by A. Mareehal- Workman) 



Assistant command Reserve Liaison HMC Reuben 1 lagas poses 
for the camera. (Official Navy photoby A. Mareehal- Workman) 

first time for an adequate naval reserve force, which may be utilized in time of national need ” 

In the ensuing decades, naval reservists distinguished themselves gallantly and heroicall v Fn,’.„i, . , 

"During WW1. approximately 330,000 naval reservists, including 30,000 officers and PIMM) ^ UlAmeric > anare P°rts: 
reservists, served on active duty.” “By the end of WWII continued the entry "the U S Navv ° f W ° men 

3,8(M),(M)() members, three million of whom were reservists on active duty ” - • y had swelled to more than 


“The 


^ fiSCa ‘ ycar l917, A " d thCn ' there was °P eralion Desen Shield/Storm. u chapter in the history of the Force ,h „ ,, 

,n die entire ’". stands out beyond all precedent - a medical landmark which both CAPTs Gartner and Brechtel see as an open > ' Wl not soon ,x ' forgotten 

the superior quality of Navy Medicine, transforming the basic mission of ^"nav"!^^ ,or stren 8 l hening even further 
time of national need into one in which improvement Jhroueh exm-ri.-n, - i reserve to augment the U.S. Navy in 
Naval Reserve Force. M experienced personnel will spell out the future of the 


seven 


*n me enure \ **** nu > uui oeyonu all precedent 

^etaryinh-r/’ 1 ,he Un,lcd States Navy," wrote the 
10 la perman . , report lo the President. " ... In addition 
n av yl force, provision is made for the 





Page 2 


Red Rover 


Perspectives 


September 6, j^j 



From the Command 


Master Chief: 



HMCM (SS) Thomas M. Grieb 


Effectively utilizing the 
chain-of-command 


1 do not want any of you to feel like this is just another job 
where you come to work Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. 
~ 4:30 p.m., then go home and forget about what you did 
during the day. 

I would like for each of you to be able to feel like you made 
a difference that day and take pride in what you did. 

There is nothing like having a feeling of ownership in what 
we do here and what we stand for. This is your command, 
your work here is important. Your ideas, your thoughts and 
your input are essential in order for your command to function 
properly. Total Quality Leadership (TQL) is here NOW and 
it is here to stay. 

"...if you use your chain-of- 
command properly...your 
voice will be heard.” 

I feel that by using TQL as it is meant to be used, we, as a 
team, will resolve those issues that concern those who feel 
they do not have a voice or that their ideas are not being heard. 

Let me assure each of you, if you use your chain-of- 
command properly to voice your concerns, they will be heard. 
You may not always get the answer you wanted, but you will 
get an answer. 

Another one of my concerns is that many of our staff 
personnel do not or did not know that there is a chief petty 
officer in their chain-of-command. 


They are meant as a single point of contact for 

directorate, department head and division officer. 

% 

They are as follows: 

Director for Administration 
M ACM Del Rosario - 36568 

Special Assistants 

PNCM McClyman - 36892 

Director for Surgical Services 

DTCM McIntosh — 35410 

Director for Community Health Care 
HMCM (SW) Rosario - 38852 

Director for Logistics 

SKCM (SW) Spaulding - 36438 

Director for Medical Services 

HMCS (SW/AW) Chapman - 35361 

Director for Resources 

HMCS Trujillo - 36522 

Director for Ancillary Services 

HMC Coleman - 35548 

Director for Nursing Services 

HMC Gorman - 35020 


In the last issue of the Red Rover I pointed out several 

military bearing issues that I am concerned about. Now I want 
to talk about some other issues that concern not only me, but 
most everyone at this command. 

As I have stated at all my Command Master Chief calls, I 
am a firm believer in the chain-of-command, both up it and 
down it. 

Here at Naval Hospital Oakland, each of us is tasked with 
being responsible not only for him/herself but for each other 
as well. 


"...our [chiefs] are there to 
support you in helping you 
resolve your issues.” 

So with the help of our chiefs community we have 
developed what we will call the senior enlisted coordinator 
(SEC). These people are not your senior enlisted advisors, but 
they are there to support you in helping you resolve your 
issues. 


San Francisco Medical Command 
QMC El I wood - 34528 

Director for Pastoral Care 
RPC (sel) (SW) Harsha - 35961 

These SECs are ready and willing to provide whatever 
assistance they can to help make our command run as 
smoothly as possible. We cannot do it ourselves, we need 
everyone to do their part in helping Naval Hospital Oakland 
be the best that it can be. 


Red Rover 

The Red Rover is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Red Rover contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office, Naval Hospital. 8750 Moutain Blvd., Oakland. CA 94627-5000, Tele- 
phone: (415) 633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed arc not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense, Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JOl Kay Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Editorial Assistants 
J02 Stephen R. Brown 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkfpatrick 
Nicole A. Rodriguez 



Disabled Veterans need volunteers 

OAKLAND, CA — The Disabled American Veterans, 
Chapter Seven, needs volunteer drivers to transport disabled 
veterans to the Martinez Veterans Affairs Hospital. “We 
have a lot of sick people here/’ said Chapter Commander Sam 
Sites, explaining that the veterans are unable to receive 
treatment because they cannot get rides to the Martinez 
hospital. 

Drivers are needed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
to transport veterans twice a day to the VA Hospital. Sites 
said that as an incentive, “driver's are given a voucher for a 
free breakfast at the hospital/’ He added that they are also 
given credits for community service. 

Volunteers arc required to be at least 25 years old, and must 
have a valid California driver's license. According to Sites, 
volunteers are not expected to drive everyday; however, 
some sort of a commitment is appreciated. 

The Disabled American Veterans, Chapter Seven, is located 
at 200 Grand Avenue on the comer of Grand and Harris, in the 
Veteran’s Memorial Building. Those interested in volun- 
teering should contact Sam Sites between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 
at (415) 893-1666. 


Correction 

-- Part of the Aug. 14 mark in “On this date in August/* reported 
on page 8 of Red Rover’s Vol. 3, Number 10, is erroneous. The 
correct entries should have read: 

* President Harry S. Truman announces unconditional surren- 
der of Japan, ending World War U. 1945. 

* Panama Canal opens, 1914. 



RADM William A. Buckendorf (left) hands a Cert* . 
of Appreciation from President George Bush to 
Stephen Veach on the occasion of the captain ’sretirernfl* 
CAPT Veach was director for Medical Sen ices and 
of Internal Medicine before his retirement. 
acting director for Clinical Services during Operab^ 
Desert Shield/Storm. (Official D.S. Navy photo b> 
James K. Sandridge) 





September 6, 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 3 



Total Quality 
Improvement Update 








t UU. 

LCDR Carol Bohn 

The quality improvement movement at Naval Hospital Oakland and its Branch Medical 
Clinics is beginning to explode. 

A total of 24 staff personnel completed six days of Total Quality Management (TQM) I 
facilitator and team leader training Aug. 16, 1991. 

The TQM courses were coordinated by Lieutenant Commander Carol Bohn. LCDR Robert 
Marine, Commander (Ret.) Randy Bohn and CDR Patrick McGregor. 

After the class, many students had positive comments about the session. HMC Karen I 
Dclisle. patient contact coordinator, stated: “I found the TQM Awareness Seminar exciting. 

I have been in the Navy 22 years, and to see Deming’s principles of process improvement for 
customer satisfaction growing in our environment from the top down is very gratifying. The 
100 1' I have come away with can only enhance the service 1 provide to our customers and 
assist me in my role as a process action team facilitator.” 

LCDR Peter Nissen. Chaplain, added “The Advanced Facilitator’s Course affirmed a need | 
that I must rethink my present and past paradigms (another word for my values, beliefs and I 
perceptions). This is enabling me to see things differently. I am being made aware of new 
and easier ways to bring quality to the work place. The course stressed the potential all of us 
have to build in quality and productivity through shifting our paradigms.” He continued: 
These are exciting times for all of us as we become involved in this new philosophy to build 
in quality at every level meeting the needs of the customer, which will bring us all great 
satisfaction. Dr, Deming, the famous TQM expert, suggests that we must believe in quality | 
as we once believed in progress." 

Ned Cronin remarked: “1 appreciate the opportunity to be in the facilitator training. I am 
committed to having my participation on the Pharmacy process action team a successful 
introduction to the Total Quality Leadership (TQL) process at this command.” 


_ i 



n 




'rttrA - $ 


4 M. 


. I* V 


1 




thd leadership Council meets with the facilitators to thank them for 

init ^ en, * lus ' as *' c e ftorts in support of this command's quality improvement 
IT', Sh0Wn from left t0 right: ffirst row) LCDR R °bert Marine, LCDR 
Di a • | l ^ an ’ H1V,C Karen D elisle, LTJG Beverly Hall, LT Carl Wamble, LT 
i s , a ec '^'ermann, LCDR Marie Kelly, Ned Cronin, LCDR Peter Nissen; 
(it- ! ;° W) CDR Patrick McGregor, CAPT Robert Abbe (DCS), LCDR 
Carn H r H (actins DR f’ CAPT Thomas Dresser (acting DAS), CAPT Maria 
Btitv v/ Nina Conner, CDR Ernie Ghent (acting DA), PNCM 

*b('H kvc man ’ * red Perea ’ Sydm.‘y Santos; (back row) CAPT John Rowe 
('lenn vt 'v Paul Carlson, CD R Robert North, LCDR Richard Becker, LCDR 
R 0s .. rr R °nald Darnell, HM1 Lynn Meyers, LTJG Timothy 

(DPS i •' ? R Mark Westin (DL), LCDR Steve Egly, CAPT Herman Kibble 
( liftonr CDR Car °‘ Bohn ’ Missing are : CDR Mary Ellen Quinn, HMCM 
Hndy Malone) a0d ENS Rhw,,da Mosbv - (Official U.S. Navy photo by HM2 


YOUNTVILLE VETERANS 
NEED YOUR HELP 


Former Marine and California Veterans Board member, Stephen J. Vecellio, 
launched “Operation Wheelchair,” a project designed to provide wheelchairs for all 
disabled Yountville Veterans Home’s residents who need them to regain their 
mobility. 

The Home provides a limited number of wheelchairs funded by the California 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Administration. A few are also 
purchased through Medicare/Medi-Cal, but the state has neither funds nor authority 
to purchase electric wheelchairs. The latter cost $3,500 to $8,000 while manual 
wheelchairs are priced at between $700 to $1500. 

Yountville Home recently started a wheelchair fund drive, but so far donations 
have mainly been made by the residents, with little outside response. To quote an old 
veteran: “Soldiers have always had to help each other, nobody remembers an old 
soldier except on Memorial Day, and then only the ones who are dead!” 

Hoping to change this deplorable situation, Vecellio has been knocking on doors 
to locate unused wheelchairs stored in attics or basements because their owners 
passed on. Those, as well as others that can be repaired at the Home shop, can help 
an old soldier regain his mobility if owners call “Operation Wheelchair” for pick up. 

Pick up is generously provided by Dolphin Van & Storage in Seaside, CA, whose 
spokesperson, Chris Rutledge said: “We will be glad to pick up any wheelchair any 
place in California and see that it gets to the veterans at Yountville.” 

For donations, call the Yountville Veterans Home’s Public Information Office at 
(707) 944-4541 . Tax deductible checks made to “Wheelchair Fund Veterans Home” 
can be sent to the Home at Yountville, CA 94599. 

Points of contact for wheelchair pick ups are Chris Rutledge at (408) 394-1491 
or Steve Vecellio at (415) 791-0872. 


The Yountville Veterans Home will be 108 years old this year. Please help 
celebrate this time-honored facility’s birthday with a generous donation. According 
to the facility’s Public Information, it is the leading veterans’ home in the country, 
one which every Californian can point to with pride, not only for its function, but also 
for its beauty. 




DEBI SHORE, “MS. NAVY V.P.” 






Naval Hospital Oakland’s Budget Analyst Debi Shore has just been appointed Navy vice 
president of military comptrollers for the Golden Gate Chapter of the American Society of 
Military Comptrollers (ASMC). 

“I was an absentee electee,” said Shore who was on leave during the election. She said that 
she didn (find out about her appointment until two weeks later when she walked into her office 
to find a banner across her wall which read: "Congratulations Ms. Navy VP” 

Shore, who currently works in Facilities Management, said she had a lot of people actively 
supporting her campaign for vice president. "A bunch of people in the Fiscal Department 

where I used to work, made these [posters] and brought them over to the lunch room where 
they held the election,” she said. 

Shore’s duties as vice president will consist of writing letters to ASMC members 
dtstnbutuig membership policies and recruiting new members. She will also coordinate 
ASMC meetings and stand in for the president in his absence. 

The ASMC is a professional organization made up of both military and civil service 
accountants from all branches or the military. ”We arc just one of probably TOO chanters in 

members'^" 0 ' 1 ' Sh ° re ’ addmS ^ G ° ldcn Gate Cha P ler has approximately 400 



WOMEN’ 



DTCM Jeri McIntosh, assistant director of Surgical Serv ices — “The sexual harassment has stopped. It’s a whole new Navy. 
Now, women are deployed with the Marines. In the past, they could deploy, but only by air. I was the first woman to go with 
the FMF (Fleet Marine Force). There is no reason why women can’t accompany men.” 


For the past 200 years, women have been fighting 
for equality. In the early 1900s, they fought for 
political rights, and through extensive lobbying, were 
able to persuade Congress to ratify the 19th 
Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the 
right to vote. 

Today, military women are fighting for the right to 
serve their country in combat. Their participation in 
Operation Desert Shield/Storm has proven that 
women are quite capable of performing under the 
stress of war. 

The Senate, influenced by the House of 
Representatives’ Defense Authorization Bill for fiscal 
year 1991 that permits the services to assign women 



HM3 Michele Freeland, Nursing Services — “Women have 
come a long way — we are more open and we have more 
authority. In the Navy, we are offered a lot more choices. I 
think that it’s going to get even better. Women should have 
the choice if they want to go to war. For mothers, there are 
a lot of options. You can be a single mother and still 
maintain your career.” 





Lenore Brady, RN, charge nurse. Pediatric Clinic — s 
have never been given the money that they deserve simpl- 
nursing is a ‘woman’s job.’ Although the roles have 
(today women are doctors and males are nurses), the 
quite a bit of discrimination.” 



.repfi i 

HMC Karen Delisle, Command patient contaa ^ ^ 
— “The military stands out as an eva ^ ^ j ^ 
equality for women, the military is a •< 

community. I’ve always been judged > * .. 

my gender during my 22 years on acbe 




Y DAY: AUGUST 26 

t d Photos by SN Wael Issa 


Lt DR Marie Kelly, Risk Management coordinator— “My basic beliefis that there should 
be a free choice. Women should have opportunities made available to them and they should Ik* 
considered equally without sex being an Issue. There Is still a significant price that women have 
to pav if they want to have a family and a career.” 



Posit‘d ^ teSe ’ Pediatric Clinic — “I would like to see women in top 
nv D you re qualified, you should get the job.” 


to combat aircraft, is now weighing the possibility of expanding the roles of 
women in combat. Women may soon be given greater opportunities in non- 
traditional rates as well as traditional fields. 

At Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO), there are 176 women officers and 190 
enlisted women. These women are working in rates that, in the past, were 
only available to men. They are doctors, administrators, corpsmen and 
security guards. Perhaps in the future, they, too, will be given the opportunity 
to serve alongside their male counterparts in combat. 

In recognition of “Women’s Equality Day,” I asked the women of NHO 
what they thought about equality, and this is what some of them had to say: 



“ ■ — - - - — u - 




Page 6 


Red Rover 


September 6, 199] 


fA (cwaCtHospitaC Oakland 
Quality Assessment Office 

Up - Close 


Your job: Quality assessment coordinator with oversight of departmental, 
medical staff committees and command-wide quality assessment activities; risk 
management, utilization review and professional affairs offices. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Hatbord, PA. 

Hobbies: Gardening, running (on occasion), travel and genealogy. 

Likes: Honest and caring people. 

Dislikes: Dishonesty and discrimination in any form. 

What is the most challenging part of your job: Assisting folks in viewing “the 
dreaded Quality Assurance” as a truly positive and rewarding set of activities. 
W hat is your immediate goal: Firmly root Quality Assurance into a Total 
Quality Leadership (TQL) and continuous quality improvement mode. 

W hat is your long-term goal: To serve as director of Nursing Sendees in a 
Medical Treatment Facility. 

If I could do it all over again, Pd: Not change a thing. I went to Nursing 
School with the plan to join the military. I joined the Navy with a desire to serve 
aboard ship ... it ‘'only" took 19 years or more to get there. 

I wish I could stop: Delaying contact with old friends and forgetting birthdays 
and anniversaries. 

I respect myself for; The educational and career levels I have attained. 

Role models/ heroes: RADM F. Shea-Buckley and GEN Norman 
Schwarzkopf. 




CDR Dorothy A. Michael 
Nurse Corps 


From 

the 

Chaplain 





The Healing Touch 


By LT Michael A. Belt, CHC, USNR 

I have been assigned to Naval Hospital Oakland for a few 
days now. As a reservist in the Chaplain Candidate Program, 
it has given me the great opportunity to serve in many 
different areas of ministry. 

However, I don’t believe I have ever had orders to a place 
that was so busy. I have found that it is very easy to catch 
myself coming and going. The amazing thing I have discov- 
ered is the great amount of caring that goes on. To put it 
another way, I see doctors, nurses, corpsmen and even the 
workers in our small exchange reach out with ‘The Healing 
Touch.” 


Your job: Leading petty officer for eight enlisted personnel; directly involved in 
maintaining credentialed files of health care providers and risk management 
programs. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Sandy. 

Children and ages: Edgar Jr., 13; Michelle, 1 1. 

Hometown: Zambales, Republic of the Philippines. 

Hobbies: Basketball, reading and cooking for family and friends. 

Likes: Honest and compassionate people. 

Dislikes: Hypocrites. 

W hat is the most challenging part of your job: Preparing for Joint Commission 
on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) inspection and. right 
now, for the forthcoming Inspector General (IG) inspection. 

What is your immediate goal: To contribute optimum quality service to the 
Navy to the best of my ability during my remaining Navy term; then retire. 

W hat is our long-term goal: To be able to see my kids graduate from college. 
If I could do it all over again, I'd: Finish my degree and earn a much better pay. 
I wish I could stop: The problems of drugs and addiction of young and old that 
is plaguing the country' today. 

I respect myself for: Being able to divide my time between my family and my 
Navy job. 

Role models/heroes: John F. Kennedy and GEN Douglas MacArthur. 

Your job: Review admission slips and ward reports to identify those patients 
involved in utilization review activities. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Eva. 

Children and ages: Rodney, 21; Richard, 18. 

Hometown: San Ramon, CA. 

Hobbies: Video-taping. 

Likes: Friendly and honest people. 

Dislikes: Opposite of the above. 

W hat is the most challenging part of your job: Being promoted from medical 
clerk to medical record technician. 

What is your immediate goal: To learn more about my job as a utilization 
review specialist. 

What is your long-term goal: To continue working in the medical field. 

If I could do it all over again. I'd: Switch from personnelman to hospitalman. 

I wish I could stop: Being anti social. 

I respect myself for: Being patient and hard working. 

Role models/heroes: GEN Douglas MacArthur. 




HM1 Edgar E. Ednacot 


In my church background, we believe very strongly that 
God performs healings today just as he did 2,000 years ago. 
We also believe that God uses people as his divine tool in 
healing. The medical staff is a superb example of this. God 
uses them to bring about physical healing from broken bones 
to broken hearts and beyond. Most of it is indeed beyond me. 

Physical healing is not the only way God uses us. We help 
people by reaching out to them in time of emotional needs 
and in times of sorrow or fear. I have seen the nurses and 
corpsmen stop during their busy schedule and offer a kind 
word of reassurance or just a listening ear. 

This is “The Healing Touch." This is what it means to 
become a divine tool of God. Most of the time we w ill never 
know those words help or ever change a person’s life. AU we 
have to know is that it is like a seed planted that will sprout and 
bring forth a beautiful rose. 

This “Healing Touch”should not stop at the doors of the 
hospital. It should be carried over to our friends and indeed 
our families. The high stress and strain of Navy life can tear 
at the seams of any strong family. Therefore, it is important 
today to take extra time and reach out to our family with 
words of love, encouragement and even forgiveness. 

We need to learn to love and show- our love even when we 
are too tired and emotionally don’t feel like it. Our families 
also need to be lifted up with words of encouragement, telling 
them how special and important they are to us. Finally, the 
hardest thing to do is to forgive and ask for forgiveness. But 
it is essential if we are to live and grow together. 

All of these things are essential elements in “The Healing 
Touch." Just think, if we all practiced forgiveness there would 
be less divorces and family feuds. Instead! wc would have a 
lot more happy, growing families and maybe a more loving 
and caring society. 

Dear friends , let us love one another ... //nr lou one 
another , God lives in us and his love is made complett in us. 

I John 4:7 J2 


- September 6 , 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 7 


For Your Health 


Healthy eating in the 
dining hall 

By LTJG Kimberly M. Kauffman, MSC 


If you are concerned about your weight or general well- 
being, then it is important to make healthy food choices when 
eating in the dining hall. There is always a nutritious selection 
available from a variety of foods. The key is to make the right 
choices. Next time you visit the dining hall why not keep the 
following in mind: 

* Select a non-fried entree. Remove skin and visible fat 
from meat. Ask your server for a small portion, about the size 
of a deck of cards. A health alternative could be the deli-bar. 
Choose turkey or lean ham and avoid the high-fat salami and 
bologna. Use mustard or catsup rather than mayonnaise. 

* Choose a high-carbohydrate food at each meal. There’s 
always a variety of cereals and breads and choices of potato, 
rice or noodles. If these items are not fried ( french fries, 
potato chips or hash browns), they are packed with nutrients 
and low in fat. 

* Ask the server to leave off the gravy and sauces. Avoid 
extra butter and margarine. Save bacon, sausage and desserts 
for a treat. 



* Enjoy the large selection from the salad bar available at 
each meal. Limit the olives, nuts, bacon bits, croutons and 
salad dressing. 

* Milk is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and 
protein. Don’t defeat this healthy choice by drinking whole 
milk (48% of its calories come from fat compared to 4% in 
skim milk). Skim milk is available in pink cartons at the front 
of the line. 

* Top off each meal with a refreshing piece of fruit. 
There is always a fruit bar at breakfast and at least two types 
of fruit served at lunch and dinner. 

Food Service people prepare a variety of foods, but the 
choice of what and how much you eat is up to you. No food 
is strictly good or bad Don’t feel guilty about enjoying an 
occasional fried food or slice of cake, that’s what it is there 
for. The key is to use the above guidelines as the rule and not 
the exception. 




r 






U.S. Navy 
Occupational 
Safety and 
Health Policy 



IS , N ‘ 1V> P ° llcy t0 P rovide a safc 30(1 healthful workplace for all personnel. These conditions shall be ensured 
»u.eh an aggressive and comprehensive occupational safety and health program fully endorsed by the secretary of 

features- ' niplememcd through thc a PP ro P nate chain of command. The program shall include the following 


( ompliance with applicable standards. 

At least annual inspections of all workplaces by qualified Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspectors. 

mimrr :°T: balCment - 0f iden,it,cd s,ancJards " To maximum extent practicable, all hazards shall be eliminated or 
Ulf0Ugh cnglneer| ng or administrative controls. Where those controls are not feasible, appropriate 
limit •<! pr0teCtlve ^“'pment shal1 bc provided at government expense. Where hazard abatement resources are 

to warn Pn0l j lUCS sliaU ^ ass, 8 ned t0 ,aJ <e care of the most serious problems first. Appropriate notices shall be posted 

• trnp oyees of unabaied serious hazards and to provide interim protective measures. 

without°r CdU T f ° r aM personnel t0 re P ort suspected hazards to their supervisors and/or safety and health officials 
gnevunc^mocldu^^ A11Cgali ° nS ° f repnSal for such P artlcl P aI| on shall be filed in accordance with existing 

0,H / : PPr ° Pr ' alC { )SH train | n 8 for safety and health officials, ail supervisory personnel and employees - Applicable 

* p r |U J /ernen,s shal1 ** ‘^grated into training programs and technical and tactical publications. 

eosurc th^i ncuu a * V ‘ eW- ” advancc of construction/procuremenl, thc design facilities, systems and subsystems to 
^ < hazards are eliminated or controlled throughout the life cycle. 

all fKu°!°. Ugh ra,Shap inve8ti g»tions and a comprehensive OSH management information system which provides 
, ( .' 1 da,a tequtred fjy higher authority. 

by ()ualin'c(j C ^ r syp^ ( ^ CCUpat ' 0na ^ hCaUh surveillance programs, both medicine and industrial hygiene, implemented 

. rccogmze su Perior or deficient OSH performance. Performance evaluations shall reflect personal 

recognition of 1" ' !** re! ’ pCt ‘’ consis,em with the duties of the position. The evaluations will also show appropriate 
superior performance, or an adverse notation or administrative action for deficient performance. 



r 


OAK KNOLL 
NEWS 



Instructors needed 

The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and Bu- 
reau of Personnel have approved Medical Admin- 
istrative Technician School (NEC 8424) to begin at 
Naval Undersea Medical Institute, Naval School of 
Health Science, Groton, CT approximately July 
1992. 

Volunteer instructors are needed NOW to begin 
development of the curriculum and to teach the first 
class. 

All hospital corpsmen personnel with a mini- 
mum activity tour of two years on board are eligible 
for this program, but their NAVPERS 1306/7, 
Personnel Action request, must reach PERS-407C 
no later than Sept. 1 . 

A board will convene September 1991 to select 
the first instructors, and PCS orders for transfer will 
be cut in October, November and December 1991. 

Point of contact for further information is the 
command’s career counselor at 633-5083. 

Computer Hotline 

If you have a problem with your microcomputer 
or if your software program is giving you fits, call 
the Information Resources Center Hot Line at 633- 
5189. All trouble calls must come in through the 
Hot Line number to ensure that each call is handled 
in a timely manner. 

Change in military sick call hours 

The hours for checking-in to Military Sick Call 
were changed permanently on Friday, Aug. 9. The 
schedule for morning sick call remains the same, 7 
to 7:30 a.m. Check-in for afternoon sick call is 
from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. N HO staff is reminded that 
they should be in the uniform o*f the day. with their 
health record and hospital card in hand prior to 
reporting to sick call. 

Mandatory direct deposit 

The secretary of the Navy has reissued the 
Department of the Navy’s policy on pay delivery 
services for military active-duty, retired and re- 
serve personnel. Effective July 15, 1991, all mem- 
bers who enlist or accept a commission in the Navy 
w.ll be required to enroll in the Direct Deposit 
System (DDS) for the delivery of new pay and 
allowances. Individuals enrolled in Officer Candi- 

th S f^ S)and Aviation ° fficcr Candidate 
School (AOCS). recruits enrolled in Basic Mili- 
tary Training and “A” School enrollees are exempt 
from ,hcse Provisions until they report to their first 
permanent duty station. At that time, they will have 

° dayS l ° enro11 in D »S. Members eligible for 
reenlistment on or alter July 15. 1 99 1 will be 

required to enroll in DDS as a copdition of reen- 

ex end m th mcmbers who voluntarily 

extend heir enlistment or combine extensions of 

their enlistment to total two years or more Pro- 
sp^uvereenlisteeswboarenot already enrolled 
» DDS must initiate enrollment at least 60 days 
prior to reenlistment. y 


k 



— 


Page 8 


Red Rover 


September 6, 1991 


Computer Tips 

By Jim Brack man 

Head, Planning and Requirements Division 


A 


News from Branch Medical Clinic 
NAS Moffett Field 


Did you know there are three basic classifications of software? 

( 1 ) License, (2) Shareware and (3) Public Domain. 

LICENSE SOFTWARE: 

License programs are commercially manufactured by companies and distributed by retail 
outlet stores. License programs are protected under the copyright laws and may not be 
duplicated other than for backup purposes. A registered copy may not be used in more than 
one computer at the same time, with one exception: Bulletin Board System (BBS) operators 
may purchase a single license which allows simultaneous use of the registered program by 
multiple users of a BBS. 

The serial number that is presented to registered users may not be given to any other user 
for any purpose. The serial number should remain confidential, and is the user’s assurance 
of a unique copy which is registered in their name. 

Some examples of License software should be: 


HMC Marilyn LaRose was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for performance of duty 
while TAD to the Branch Medical Clinic. 

HM1 Sharon Estes and HM2 Debra Tingle received Letters of Appreciation for then- 
performance of duty while assigned to the Branch Clinic. 

HM2 Louis Owens received a Letter of Appreciation from CO, Vp-46 for his presentation 
during a recent Safety Standdown. 

HN Annette Cooley received a Letter of Appreciation from CO, Naval Hospital Camp 
Pendleton for her participation in the San Diego Armed Forces Day Parade. 

HM2 Edward Velasquez was the subject of a Meritorious M'ast conducted by the CO, First 
Medical Battalion, First Force Service Group, FMF, Camp Pendleton for his outstanding 
performance of duty while serving with the Unit Air Movement Control Center. 


L DBASE 111+ 

2. ENABLE 

3. LOTUS 1 2 3 


4. PC TOOLS 

5. WORDPERFECT 

6. VENTURA 


SHAREWARE SOFTWARE: 

Shareware (also known as user- supported software and other names) is a concept not 
understood by everyone. The authors of Shareware retain all rights to the software under the 
copyright laws while still allowing free distribution. This gives the user the chance to freely 
obtain and try out software to see if it fits his or her needs. Shareware should not be confused 
with Public Domain software even though it is often obtained from the same sources. 

If you continue to use Shareware after trying it out, you are expected to register your use 
with the author and pay a registration fee. What you get in return depends on the author, but 
may include a printed manual, free updates, telephone support, etc. Only by paying for the 
Shareware you use do you enable the Shareware author to continue to support his software and 
create new programs. Considering that the Shareware registration fees are almost always far 
less than the purchase price of comparable commercial software it's obvious that Shareware 
is a good deal for everyone. 

Some examples of Shareware software would be: 



L AUTOMENU 

2. LIST.COM 

3. HOMEBASE 

4. PKWARE 


5. SHEZ 

6. CATDISK 

7. MAHJONGG 

8. VTRUSCAN 


PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE: 


Public Domain (also known as Freeware and other names) is software that is free and can 
be placed in users libraries without compensation or royalty to the program author. Public 
Domain software comes from a variety of sources. Some examples of free software producers 
are : 

1 . Colleges or universities under government grants. 

2. Programmers writing for their own satisfaction and enjoyment. 

3. Companies producing software to promote their products. 


A NOTE OF INTEREST: 

Naval Hospital Oakland has been experiencing VIRUS problems. We are uncertain as to 
how this virus came about. However, in most cases, virus problems come from other than 
license software products; i.e., software copied from bulletin board services, or a software 

program picked up from a friend of a Iricnd. 

The most common is the STONE B virus. This virus attacks the Partition Tables and File 
Allocation Tables (FAT) of your computer’s hard drive. Once infected you will ultimately 
lose all data that is stored on the computer. Management Information Department (MID) is 
in the process of purchasing a site license for a product call VSCAN. This software program 
will be placed on every microcomputer within the hospital as a deterrent against luture VfRUS 
problems. Until the procurement process has been completed, we have set up TWO computer 
stations to check diskettes before information is transferred to your hard drive. Station one 
( 1 ) is located in the Systems Division on the 1 si floor of the Hospital and station two (2) is 
located in Bldg 67B. Please feel free to use these stations to check your diskettes for possible 

virus. 

Point of contact for questions and further information is the Management Information 
Department at 633-6167, 


LT Christine Nordling received a Letter of Commendation from the CO, Naval Hospital 
San Diego for her performance as senior medical officer. 

HM3 Leandro Aguda received a Letter of Commendation from U.S. Naval Forces Central 
Command for his performance during Operation Desert Storm. 

HM3 Julio Rivera received a Letter of recognition from CO, Naval Hospital Oakland. 

HM 1 Sharon Estes received her Third good Conduct Award. 

HMC Femado Pimentel received his Third Good Conduct Award. 

Welcome aboard to HN Craig Ness, HM2 Jimmy Mosley, HN Annette Cooley, HM3 
Robert Legaspi and LT Christine Nordling. 

Farewell to HM3 Micah Palm, HM2 Debra Tingle. HM1 Sharon Estes and HMC David 
Donovan. 

Moffett Field hero awarded medal 

HM3 Micah Palm was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for saving the life of an 18- 
wheel truck driver on 1-5 on May 25, 1991. HM3 Palm came upon the overturned 1 8-wheeler 
and noticed the severely injured driver on the ground outside the vehicle. In a calm and 
professional manner, he began to assess the patient. He found a fracture of the right tibia- 
fibula in two places accompanied by severed arteries in the same leg. HM3 Palm applied 
direct pressure and then used a pressure point to decrease blood loss. There is little doubt that 
the driver may have perished from loss of blood or shock, had first aid not been rendered. 
HM3 Palm’s prompt, heroic actions were correct and undoubtedly saved a life. 


HMC Donovan retires after 22 years 



CDR L.W. Tompkins (left) presents HMC David Donovan with a second W 
Achievement Medal and a certificate transferring him to the Fleet Reserve. H 
Donovan is retiring after completing 22 years of naval service. Donovan had tour* ® 
duty with Naval Hospital Philadelphia PA; Branch Dispensary Bainbridge. ^ 
Branch Clinic Dahlgren, VA; Naval Regional Medical Center, Pearl Harbor. HI 
most recently Branch Medical Clinic Moffett Field, C A, where he served as leading *■ 
petty officer of the Laboratory Department. He has earned two Navy Achioemen 
Medals and a Meritorious Unit Commendation, among other ribbons and >*" ar 
(Official U. S. Navy photo) 



Ombudsmen Appreciation day 

■> 



The Navy’s First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover T 

[volume 3-Number 12 

Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 September 27, 1991 


therapist at N 1 1 t ) 


Bravo Zulu HN Livick 
sailor of the month 

page 2 


Rear Admiral Buckendorf 

Exclusive from Oak Knoll's new CO 


By Andree Marechal-Workman 

It was a clear, sunny day in May when, with 
pomp and circumstance. Rear Admiral William A. 

. Buckendorf took the helm of Naval Hospital 
Oakland, or Oak Knoll, as the health care facility is 
known locally. Since then, the newly promoted 
two-star admiral has been engaged into studying 
the inner- workings of his command. 

“My immediate goal is to really understand 
the hospital.” said the Vietnam veteran and former 
assistant chief for Fleet Readiness at the Bureau of 
Medicine and Surgery in a recent interview: “The 
way that it works, the way that its staff perceives its 
responsibilities — to get an in-depth appreciation 
for how the facility functions, how the people work 
within the facility, what the interface of the facility 
is, not only with the military environment, but with 
the civilian community as well.” 

This is not to say that RADM Buckendorf 
didn't have a plan in mind when he came to Oak 
Knoll. In fact, he had already chartered a very 
precise course at the time he accepted orders to 
what he said he hopes will be his “best and last 
tour." 

n We really need to show that y 
as afield command , we can 
plan for our future in the Bay 

Area.” 

I have a goal and a vision,” the command’s 
'op administrator said with conviction. “I would 
like Naval Hospital Oakland to be the most cost- 
effective teaching hospital in Navy Medicine within 
fhe next three years.” 

"'hile acknowledging that three years “is a 
x er\ heady goal,’ the admiral nevertheless stressed 
die importance of setting those parameters in order 
10 shdr P*y define his vision. “We don’t have 20 
^ears, he said, referring to the pending Bay Area 
ase closures. “I think it’s very critical during this 
P'mmd of military downsizing that Navy Medicine 
~ and specifically Naval Hospital Oakland — 

°me very goal-oriented and focus on a vision 
^at I believe is attainable.” 

I hi-* job will not be an easy one, he admitted, 
ov.ever, he was quick to point out that “with 
e ication, if we can show that we are an effective, 

lu ent organization that is meeting its primary 
;n j^ionof taking care of [its] military beneficiaries 

II area, the rest will come of its own accord.” 

Although he realizes the NHO’s beneficiary 



of components from 
individual medical 
centers and commands,” 
he said of NHO, LAMC, 
David Grant Medical 
Center [at Travis Air 
Force BaseJ and Silas B. 
Hayes [at Fort OrdJ — the 
military elements he said 
he imagines will make up 
SFMC 

But the Line must also 
be brought into play, he 
continued, explaining "it 
is key and essential [that 
we] determine the Line’s 
goals and objectives in 
terms of availability of 
medical care for not only 
the active-duty but also 
the dependent and retired 
populations [because] 1 
think the eventual goal 

Mum, u.i, «- — for Navy Medicine is to 

NHO s 26th commanding officer. f , 

, . , ® tincl a way for all 

population has, and will continue to expand because beneficiaries to have access to the health care they 

of the Navy Closure Commission-mandated base need.” 


realignment and closure of Letterman Army Medical 
Center (LAMC), Naval Air Station Moffett Field 
and Ford Ord Army Base, RADM Buckendorf 
added he has no doubt the challenge can be met if 
the command adopts the principles of Total Quality 
Management/ Total Quality Leadership (TQM/ 
TQL). 

“1 really think we need to work on doing things 
right the first time,” he emphasized. “But to do that 
we must focus on providing the entire staff with 
appropriate training and the opportunity to succeed. 
[Committed] people, especially our civilian folks 
who really are the stable work force, want the 
opportunity to succeed — to advance in their 
programs. 

In order to do that, people must know what 
they re supposed to do and they must have the 
wherewithal — the training and the background 
[they needj." 

According to RADM Buckendorf, who is 
double-hatted as both NHO’s commanding officer 
and commander of the San Francisco Medical 
Command (SFMC), the latter is the planning 
organization that will find ways of filling the void 
left by the closures. 

“I view the San Francisco Medical Command as 
the planning organization that will be comprised 


Yet, despite the difficulties that he anticipates — 
"an increasingly growing population, a flat Line 
budget and a staff that will probably not grow very 
much” — the admiral reiterated his belief that a 


continued SFMC research and planning will go 
long way toward keeping NHO on the cutting edg 
of Navy Medicine. 

Those challenges are going to be paramount ti 
the survival of this facility,” he concluded. "W 
really need to show that, as a field command, w 
can plan for our future in the Bay Area.” 

All of which means work, work and more worl 
for the entire command. But RADM Buckendor 
said he’s happy to be here, even as a “geography 
bachelor doing a lot of commuting between fogg' 
and treeless Bay Area and hot and humid Virginfa 
where his family still resides pending the end ofth 
school year. He is bringing a lot of expertise to thi 
facility, and it is safe to venture the guess that 
under his leadership. Oak Knoll might well be no 
only “the most cost-effective,” but also the bes 

teaching hospital in Navy Medicine” in even les 
than three years. 

RADM Buckendorf is married to the former 
Susen E. Olson of Omaha, NE. They have two 
children: William, 20 and Kurt, 17. 




I>asc 2 Red Rover 


Perspectives 


September 27, 199, 


Ombudsman 
Appreciation Day 



Former Oak Knoll's ombudsman and reserve nurse 
Patrice Lappert (right) rests from her busy Same 
Day Surgery schedule, as her son, Joseph, takes a 
piggy back ride with Denise Allshouse during a 
picnic for families of deployed personnel they helped 
to organize. Lappert’s budding career as an 
ombudsman was curt short when she was recalled 
to active duty. (Official U.S. Navy photo by A. 
Marechal- Workman) 

September 1 3 was Ombudsman Appreciation Day. That 
date marks the 2 1 st anniversary of this extraordinary volunteer 
program made up of over 4500 Navy spouses whose 
unstinting and caring assistance and support add 
immeasurably to the quality of life of the total Navy family. 

During the recent Persian Gulf crisis the ombudsmen 
were fundamental to all Navy efforts to keep families 
informed, reassured and supported whenever needed. Here 
at Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO), with about 90% of Navy 
medical personnel deployed to USNS Mercy (T-AH 1 9) and 
Fleet Marine Force units in Saudi Arabia, ombudsmen 
Denise Allhouse, Sandy Carman, Alice Pool and Jane 
Timoney were invaluable to the morale of the command. 
Together with the hospital’s Pastoral Care Department, the 
Family Service Center at Alameda Naval Air Station, Navy 
Relief and the American Red Cross, they made difficult 
times a little bit easier for the folks left behind — oftentimes 
at the cost of sleepless nights and incredibly busy schedules 
complicated by child birth and child rearing. 

We salute them and thank them fo r a job well done. 



Red Rover 


The Red Rover « s published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. Red Rove* is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Red Rover contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office, Naval Hospital, 8750 Moutain Blvd., Oakland. CA 94627-5000. Tele- 
phone: (415) 633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense.' Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer. 

Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercoo! 


Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JOt Kay Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree IWarechal-Workman 


Editora) Assistants 
J02 Stephen Brown 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 




SeptemSer 
Rivards for 9{9dO 

I Federal Employees of the year nominees 

Kathleen Black 
Katheryn Buchanan 
LCDR Nancy Ericksen 
CAPT Anne Gartner 
Marjorie Goudeau 
LCDR Leona Hammond 
Florence William 

Sailor of the Month (August) 

HN Jeffrey Livick 

Good Conduct (FIRST) 

MS2 Jesse Jackson 
HM2 Stephen Moore 
HM3 Carmelo Ayala 
HM3 Priscilla Baker 
SH3 Suny Fontilea 
HM3 Dick Giron 
HM3 Anthony Marcum 
HM3 Carlos Moncada 
HM3 Dean Murphy 
HM3 Annelies Ross 
HM3 Berkley Semple 
HM3 Daniel Townsend 
HN Bobby Walker 
DN Micheal Walker 

(SECOND) 

HM2 Lee Standstede 
HM3 Melvin Cable 

(THIRD) 

ABH 1 Mark Logue 
MSI Jimmie Pate 
HM2 Micheal Adorno 

(FOURTH) 

HM 1 Edgar Ednacot 

(FIFTH) 

MSC Edison Dizon 


Navy Achievement Medal 

(FIRST) 

LT Rita Sullivan 
LTJG Sandra Mason-Bums 
ENS Jamie Wise 
HM1 Currie Hawkins 
HM I Onofre Llanes 
HM2 Mark Elliot 
HM2 Leah Garcia 
HM2 Carmen Laver 
HM2 Robert Lewis 

(SECOND) 

LCDR Elinor Spita 
HMC Robert Spindle 
HMI Myrna Catubay 
HMI Robert Richardson 
HM2 David Lynn 

t; 

(THIRD) 

MACM Mario DelRosario 

Navy Commendation Medal 

LCDR Nancy Erikscn 



August sailor of 
the month 



patient in military sick call at Branch Clinic. NAS 
Alameda. HN Livick was presented the Sailor of the 
Month award for August at Naval Hospital Oakland for 
his “exceptional initiative and mature judgement" while 
working as a military sickcall corpsman. 

According to his citation, during the absence ofhis 1 
leading petty officer and leading chief petty officer. 
Livick coordinated physical examinations for memben 
of the USS Kansa City when they did not have appoint- 
ments. Livick has significantly contributed to the posi- 
tive image of the Branch Clinic and set an example for 
his peers. Bravo Zulu to HN Livick for his outstanding 
achievements in community service at NAS Alameda 
and for his professionalism in his duty for the Navy and 
Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO). (Official U.S. Navy 
photo by SN Wael Issa) 



Rear Admiral Buckendorf (right) pins the Meritorious 
Service Medal on Commander Gibbons. MSC, while 
Master of Ceremony, CDR Ernest Ghent, MSC reads 
the commendation. 



CAPT C. Gordon Strom, MC, (far right) heads th' 
rigtht aisle of side boys “piping" CDR Gibbons 
his wife, Shirley, “ashore.” Other side boys wet*^ 
(right aisle) CAPT Michael Little, MC, LT 
Jackson, MSC. Left aisle is headed by CDR Ja" 
Peterson, NC, HMCS ( AVV/SVV) Gary Chapman a 
HMI Tim Pennington. CAPT Strom stood as 
commander's Father who couldn't be present 
ceremony- CDR Gibbons retired "three nK> nt * a J 
of 20 years" from the day he took over the job '' ^ 

of Food Service Division from his tatho« , f 
Harry ( ’. Gibbons ( Ret.), who retired in late Sept c 
1961. (Official U.S. Navy photos by SN Wael " 




September 27, 1991 


Red Rover 


Pa^e 3 


IjjG Coniglio works in PT Deparrnent 

Only certified active-duty Navy 


By JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 

When Lieutenant Junior Grade 
Linda A. Coniglio/Medical Service 
Corps, enlisted in the Navy in 1 973, 
she never thought that, one day, she 
would be the only hand therapist 
not only at Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) but also in the entire active- 
duty Navy. 

Coniglio stated that she always 
had an interest in working with 
hands because as an ocupational 
therapist she learned that hand 
therapy required a better 
understanding due to die hand’s 
intricate parts. “I needed and wanted 
that understanding in order to help 
people achieve their maximum 
functional potential," she said. 

At NHO, Coniglio said she 
deals not only with the evaluation 
and treatment of hand injuries/ 
diseases, she also works with several 
treatment programs for hands such 
as: edema control, scar remodeling, 
range-of-motion, coordination and 
dexterity , desensitization, static and 
dynamic splinting, as well as patient 
education (diagnosis, treatment and 
safety precautions for the patient). 

Coniglio began her career in 
the Navy as a hospital corspman, 
occupational therapy technician at 
NHO working with a large number 


of stroke palients. During her term 
on active duly, she began taking 
classes towards her degree in 
occupational therapy. After six 
years on active duty, Coniglio joined 
the reserves while working as a 
civilain occupational therapy 
technician. 

“I don’t know where 1 would be 
today if it wasn’t for LTJG Richard 
Haase, who encouraged me to go 
back to college. 1 was just going to 
be an occupational therapy 
technician in the civilain 
community,” she said. At 29, she 
entered the University of Puget 
Sound in Tacoma, WA, where she 
completed her requirements and 
received a bachelor of science 
degree in Occupational Therapy. 

While working at Western Slate 
Hospital in Tacoma, WA as an 
occupational therapist involved 
with the criminally insane, she 
received a call from NHO’s head of 
the Physical Therapy/Occupational 
Therapy Department who inquired 
about her interest in the position of 
hand therapist that had become 
vacant, “I was interested in working 
with hand rehabilitation and I 
accepted," she said. 

Coniglio said she was drilling at 
NHO while working as a civilian, 
and the hospital was willing to train 


her for the job whilecontinuing her 
education. ”1 would attend 
anything that pertained to hands — 
seminars, lectures, etc.,” Coniglio 
said, adding that the Navy paid for 
some of the courses, and she paid 
for those the Navy couldn’t. 

“Certified hand therapists can be 
occupational or physical therapists 
but they need extra training in a 
hand department,” explained 
Coniglio. To get extra training in 
hands, she worked closely with 
doctors and patients doing 
rehabilitation for different types of 
surgery such as: nerve repairs, 
flexor tendon repairs, extensor 
tendon repairs, wrist surgery, etc. 

“I had five years of working 
with hands when I received my 
commission in the Navy, and they 
wanted to send me overseas to 
Yokosuka, Japan,” said Coniglio, 
adding that, during that time, hand 
surgeon and NHO’s former 
commanding officer. Rear Admiral 
David M. Lichtman, contacted the 
surgeon general to get an 
occupational therapist billet 
(working with hands) that Coniglio 
could fill since she was working as 
acivilian hand therapist at the time. 

While waiting for her 
certification, Coniglio said she 
spent endless hours studying and 


Quality Assurance Up Date 



1 OTAL QUALITY LEADERSHIP is both a philosophy and a set of guiding principles and practices that 
represent Lhe foundation of a continuously improving organization. W. Edward Deming is probably the 
lore most philosopher among all the various quality gurus. His famous 14 points a re an excellent starting point 
,0T care executives. Several are particularly germane to health care organizations. 


* Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service. 

* Adopt the new philosophy. 

* Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality. 

* End the practice of awarding business on the basis of price tag. 

* Improve constantly the system of production and service to improve quality and productivity, thus 
constantly decreasing costs. 

* Institute training on the job. 

Drive our fear so that everyone may work effectively for the organization. 

* Remove barriers to pride workmanship. People in health care must work as a team to foresee problems 
- 1 ma y be encountered with the service. 

Eliminate slogans, exhortations and targets for the work force asking for zero defects and new levels 
°I productivity and service. 

Eliminate numerical quotas. Substitute leadership. 

Remove barriers to pride in workmanship. 

Institute a vigorous program of education and retraining, 
lake action to accomplish the transition. 


Ucming's 14 points are more philisophical than mechanical. His first point, "create consistency of 
JJ** Iwically means staying ahead of the customer, not only meeting present needs, but planning for I uture 
‘ n . d ' rest Points deal with management and labor and their relationship. Deming says that 

| v ,n boardroom, but everyone must have a part in changing the company. Management 

\ ( ,m aboul ,he responsibility for quality, must learn how to lead, instead of giving orders and must take 
^ * (,rt vcr yone to work together for the good of the company.” 

' J Vi va) Hospital Oakland our goal in to improve our quality of care and services by providing staff on 
- ' ! 'Pportunittes for continual improvement. One of the first steps toward quality improvement is learning 

^ Practicing Deming’s 14 points. 



hand therapist at NHO 



only went from enlisted to U.S. 
naval officer, she also accomplished 
her short term goal of becoming a 
certified hand therapist. 

“I look at this as encouragement 
to any active-duty enlisted,” 
concluded Coniglio, who can be a 
good role model for anyone who 
thinks it is too late to obtain a 
degree or accomplish a goal. 


preparing for the exam which the 
Hand Therapy Association said 
wouldn’t be ready unitl May 1991. 

She added that she would love 
to work only with hands “wherever 
[she is] needed, in the United States 
or in the world,” proudly referring 
to her long-term goal. 

In a short time, Coniglio not 


Foundation 

Health 

Update 

Are You Paying Too Much For CHAMPUS? 


SACRAMENTO, CA — As of April 1, 1991 the standard 
CHAMPUS annual deductible tripled for most families — to $ 1 50 
for individuals and $300 for families. Deductibles will remain at 
$50 per individual and $100 per family for those whose sponsor’s 
pay grade is E-4 and below. 

CHAMPUS eligibles can escape this lofty increase by joining a 
CHAMPUS program called CHAMPUS Prime. CHAMPUS Prime 
members pay no deductibles or premiums, meaning they’ll save up 
to $300 per year. 

Other benefits of CHAMPUS Prime include: 

* Five-dollar general doctors’ office visits 

* No annual deductibles or premiums 

* A personal doctor 

* 24-hour health care help line 

* No claim forms to fill out or send in 

CHAMPUS Prime is offered by the Department of Defense 
through a contract with Foundation Health of Sacramento, CA. 
Residents ol California and Hawaii who tire CHAMPUS-eligible 
are entitled to use this program, where it is available. 

I oinl of contact lor further enrollment information is 1-800- 


^*0 




POyVJMlAJS^cognjtion Pay September 23 


We Reme 



After they rested aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), former Desert Storm POWs pose for a group photo by JOl Dave Malencon of Mercy's Public 
“They came in two groups,” said C APT Richard Osborne, Medical Corps, who was medical coordinator for the POWs. “It was essential lolet them 
and realize that they were safe in their ow n way . . . some had been beaten and even tortured — for example, the Air Force captain whose ears wer< 
up to electrodes when he refused to make a statement on TV.” 


With the historic demise of communism in the Soviet Union and the 
recent allied victory in the Persian Gulf War, this year’s recognition of 
America’s prisoners of war/missing in action (POW/MIA) takes on a new 
dimension. 

It is with great pride that we, at Naval Hospital Oakland, give a moment 
of silence honoring not only the valiant men and women who were 
captured by Iraqui forces, but also all the sacrifices made by patriots of 
previous wars who spent long years in captivity — tortured, violated and 
subjected to countless indignities at the hand of the enemy. 

In March 1973, Naval Hospital Oakland processed some 20 Vietnam 
POWs and gave them the hero’s welcome they deserved. Radar intercept 
officer. Lieutenant Commander Rodney Knutson, USNR, was among the 
group. Shot down near Hanoi in 1965, he said in a press conference 
reported in The Oak Leaf dated Apr. 6, 1973 that he and his fellow 
prisoners were tortured unmercifully. According to statistics listed in the 
report, “...as of Dec. 1971, 95 percent of the men had been tortured. Forty 
percent were in solitary confinement over six months, 20 percent over one 
year and 10 percent over two years. Some prisoners were in solitary over 

four years...” 




Thinned In the point of emaciation by main utril'" 11 
inside the forbidding walls of Bilibid prison in 
leh. 8, 1 945. CAPT Fred Nasr of the US Army DW»a' 
with rice, one w ith corn and the third on the right °° n ^ 
barely cover the bottoms of the jars. Pitifully snia ^ 1 v ft 
ration awarded the prisoners by their Japanese cap 1 ' 1 
constituted the allotment for 24 hours given to l ^ 
prisoners for the first time onl> five days before tht 
reached Manila. Thomas Brannon (with pen in 
Navy photo, courtesy of Bl 'MEIVs Archives) 


P 5 











* ,J " S p OWs lint- up 
> Phuii^raphers on 


a, UlUir 


th*CO 


** jars— one 


°t«nts of which 
than one day ’s 
rir «and corn shown 

cl'T e8ivento,he 

" ®e L.S. Army 

#>l. (Official U.S. 


This picture was taken on Feb. 23, 1945 after the dramatic rescue of Navy nurses from Los Banos Camp in the 
Philippines after 37 months as prisoners of war of the Japanese. Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN, commander 
7th Fleet and Southwest Pacific Force, welcomed the nurses on their return to American safety with our forces. 
Uniforms were made in the prison camp by the nurses, who ripped up dungarees to obtain material. The nurses 
received Bronze Star Medals in a nationwide presentation on Sept. 4, 1945. The rescued party are (from left), LT 
Susie Pitcher, Des Moines, 1A; LT Dorothy Still, Long Beach, CA; Basilia Stewart, a naval officer’s wife w ho worked 
with nurses in the prison camp hospital; LT Goldia Merrill, Mayfield, MN; LT Eldene Paige, Lomita, CA; VADM 
Thomas Kincaid; LT Mary Hays, Chicago, IL; Chief nurse, LCDR Laura Cobbs, Wichita KS; Maureen Davis, a 
civilian nurse who worked with the group; LT Mary Rose Nelson, San Diego, CA; LT Helen Gorzelanski, Omaha, 
NE; LT Bertha Evans, Portland, OR; LT Margaret Nash, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Helen Grant, a British nurse who 
worked with the group and LT Edwina Todd, Pomona, CA. (Official U.S. Navy photo, courtesy of BUMED’s 
Archives) 


v 










LCDR Rodney Knutson of Billings, MT, continues the morning exercises he started during his internment in a prison camp in 
Vietnam. The hand stand was mastered by most of the POWs in the camp. (Official L.S. Navy photo) 

Pueblo not forgotten 

..USS Pueblo (AGER 2) pulled out of Sasebo, Japan, Jan. 10, 1968, heading for her area 
of operation off the coast of North Korea, carrying out her mission of keeping North Korean 
communications under surveillance... At 8 a.m. on Jan. 24, the ship was surrounded by four 
North Korean torpedo boats and one sub-chaser, eventually captured and her crew 
incarcerated... After almost a year of imprisonment and torture, 8 1 men were released to the 
U.S. government... 

On May 9, 1987 the olheers and men ol Pueblo were recognized as American POWs and 
received the POW medal they deserved. (From a story by J03 William S. Permer published 
in the September 1991 issue of All Hand's, entitled "Capture of USS Pueblo") 






Page 6 


Red Rover 


September 27, 19^ 


‘Xaval O-CospitaC Oakland 

‘Up-Close 

'N our job: Supervisor ot military and civilian personnel in the Military Pay 
Section. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Flocerfida. 

Children and ages: Dennis, 11; Krystle Lynn, 5. 

Hometown: Orani, Bataan, Philippines. 

Hobbies: Basketball and swimming. 

Lakes: Sealood, reading books and magazines. 

Dislikes: Dishonest people. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?: Providing our customers 
with the best possible and satisfying services. 

What is your immediate goal?: Finish my shore duty and obtain some 
college credits leading to an associate degree. 

What is your long-term goal?: Hopefully retire in 1994, settle in the 
northwest area and work in an investment firm. 

If I could do it all over again. I’d: Set aside a small amount of my paycheck 
to a savings account from day one to present. 

I wish I could stop: Illiteracy, child abuse and prejudice in our society. 

I respect myself for: What I am; for maintaining normalcy, sanity 
and high standards towards my family and my job. 

Role models/heroes: My father and Desen Stonn troops. 


Your job: Handling military pay accounts. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Phyllis R. Scott. 

Hometown: Detroit, MI. 

Hobbies: Fishing, music and dancing. 

Likes: My job, customer service and math. 

Dislikes: Pushy customers who know more about disbursing than I do. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?: Trouble shooting Leave 
and Earnings Statements (LES); finding a problem account that is out of 
balance and bringing it back to balance by taking corrective action. 

What is your immediate goal?: To get my payroll to where I don't have to see 
any customers with problems, only having to drop off documents that they want 
done. 

What is your long-term goal?: To get a thorough knowledge of the disbursing 
clerk rating other than roll keeping. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Have gone to college first and then come 
in to the Navy as a disbursing officer. 

I wish I could stop: Looking so hard at simple problems because when I 
do that I overlook the problem. 

I respect myself for: How much my mind has expanded and how much I’ve 
matured since I joined the Navy. 

Role models/heroes: All my supervisors because of their knowledge of 
disbursing. 

Special comments: I feel that a customer should not prejudge PSD and the 
services we provide based on rumor or from something that happened to another 
customer. We’re here to help each customer who walks through the door. If we 
make an error or a mistake we feel badly about that. I get a warm feeling inside 
when I see a customer leave PSD with a smile on his/her face. 


Your job: The handling of personnel accounting and discipline. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Alan Aitken. 

Children and ages: Linda, 24; Cheryl, 22; Franklin, 15. 

Hometown: San Diego, CA. 

Hobbies: Traveling around country by auto, watching tennis and baseball 
and reading mysteries. 

Likes: Living and working in the Bay Area, watching old movies and 
entertaining family and friends. 

Dislikes: Indifferent customer service and mindless television sitcoms. 
What is the most challenging part of your job?: Learning it all so that 1 
can give good customer service. 

What is your immediate goal?: Becoming proficient in persnncl accoun- 
ting and discipline. 

What is your long-term goal?: To do the best job I can at PSD and move 
to Oregon with my husband when he retires from the Navy in three years. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Be more diet-and exercise-conscious at 
an early age. 

I wish I could stop: Being as critical of others as I sometime am. 

I respect myself for: Being a loving parent without smothering my children 
and having a good (albeit silly) sense of humor. 

Role models/heroes: My husband and people who have a positive look on 
life. 

Special comment: The people at Naval Hospital Oakland and tenant com- 
mands are the nicest I have ever worked with. 

■ .■■■ — ■■ 1 



Christine (NMI) Aitken 



DKSN Derek C. Scott 



DKC (SW) Reynaldo F. Canlas 


From 

the 

Chaplain 


If God should go 
on strike 

By anonymous author 

How good it is that God above has never 
gone on strike , 

Because he was not treated fair in things he 
didn't like. 

If only once He'd given up and said, 

"That' s it, I'm through! 

I' ve had enough of those on Earth , so this is \ 
what I'll do: 



"I'll give my orders to the sun — cut off the 
heat supply! 

And to the moon — give no more light and 
run the oceans dry . 

Then just to make things really tough and 
put the pressure on, 

Turn off the vital oxygen till every breath is 
gone!" 

You know, He would be justified, if fairness 
was the game. 

For no one has ever been more abused or 
met with more disdain , 

Than God , and yet He carries on. supplying 
you and me, 

With all the favors of His grace, and even 
thing free. 

Men say they want a better deal, and so on 
strike they go. 

Bur what a deal we've given God to whom 
all things we owe. 

We do not care whom we may hurt to gain 
the things we like: 

But what a mess we'd all be in if God 
should go on strike. 


September 27, 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 7 





The perils of cholesterol 
and what to do about it 

LTJG Katharine M. Starr, MSC 

American consumers are becoming more aware and 
increasingly concerned about the connection between 
cholesterol and heart disease. 

There are two primary types of cholesterol — low- 
density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins 
(HDL). LDL brings needed cholesterol to the body 



cells. 

11 the LDL level in the blood is too high, cholesterol 
from the LDL can enter the coronary artery wall, 
damaging it and producing plaques that protrude into 
the artery. The plaques restrict blood flow to the heart 
but HDL. the '‘good" cholesterol, is able to remove 
cholesterol from the artery wall and return it to the liver 
— slowing down the formation of therosclerotic plaques. 

Dietarx modification is foremost in attempts to 
reduce serum LDL cholesterol. According to the National 
Cholesterol Education Program, Americans consume 
up to 40 percent calories from fat w'hereas the Program 
recommends reducing the proportion of total calories 
from fat to less than 30 percent, with saturated fat 
making up less than 10 percent of calories. This regimen 
will reduce dietary cholesterol to less than 300 milligrams 
per day. 

If this regimen is not successful, a more restrictive 
“step two'* diet will reduce saturated fat content to less 
than 7 % of calories and cholesterol intake to less than 
200 milligrams per day. 

It is important that dietary modifications be made 
for at least six months before drug treatment is 


prescribed. 

Examples of foods that contain fats include: butter, 
cream, lard, hydrogenated oils, coconut oil, whole milk 
products (cheese, ice cream, etc.). Other dietary 
components have an effect on serum cholesterol; for 
example, soluble fibers such as oat bran and apples are 
moderately effective in lowering LDL levels. Insoluble 
fibers like wheat bran are effective as a bulk former, but 
have little effect on cholesterol levels. 

Moderate alcohol consumption is also associated 
with higher levels of HDL; however, alcohol should 
not be recommended to non-drinkers. 

Not only are dietary changes critical to improve 
cholesterol levels, but exercise, weight loss and 
refraining from smoking also contribute to a lower heart 
disease risk. 

Individuals with high serum cholesterol level who 
desire nutrition information from a registered dietician 
should obtain a consult from their physician in order to 
attend cardiac classes. The point of contact for further 
information is the Dietary Office at 633-5820. 
(Editor's note — The reference used for this article 
was: Peter Wood, D.S.C. , PhD “The Case Against 
Cholesterol") 


Safety Corner 



Robert Woodford, Occupational Safety & Health Manager 


US. Navy Occupational Safety and 
Health 

Organization and Responsibility of the 
OSH Office 

OPNAVJNST 5100.23 B Chapter 3 reads as follows: 

Within echelon two commands, such as the Systems 
Commands, authority and responsibility for performing the 
siafl functions pertaining to the NAVOSH program shall be 
v ^sted in a separate organizational entity designated as the 
DS1I office Organizationally, the OSH office shall report 
dm.cdy to the commander and shall be headed by a safety 
professional unless an exception is authorized by the chief of 
nai ai operations fCNO). The OSH office shall: 


Lstablish, coordinate, direct and evaluate the eff ectiveness 
(, f ^AVOSII policies, plans. programs and procedures; 


^erve ;is the focal point Within the organization for 

N AVOSH-«laied matters; 


* Provide technical advice, direction and guidance on 
NAVOSH matters to other command/bureau organizational 
elements and to subordinate field activities; 

* Interpret NAVOSH standards and regulations and develop 
or participate in developing new or revised standards when 
appropriate; 

* Conduct management evaluations at field activities to 
determine the effectiveness of the NAVOSH program; 

* Serve as the echelon two command’s representative on 
safety councils, committees and working groups established 
by higher authority and the private sector. Additionally, the 
OSH office shall serve as technical advisor to cognizant 
offices ol CNO on NAVOSH-related matters in areas over 
which the echelon two command is assigned cognizance; 

* Maintain a reporting system with appropriate ADP support 
consistent with the reporting requirements established by 
higher authority. Reports shall be analyzed and appropriate 
actions initiated to improve the effectiveness of the NAVOSH 
program; 

* Foster OSH awareness through appropriate promotional 
methods and channels of communication; 

* Ensure adequate consideration of OSH features in the 
design, purchase or procurement of items over which the 
major command exercises acquisition authority. 

* Plan, develop, participate and evaluate employee OSH 
training in coordination with the major command training 
office. 

For further information regarding the Occupational 
Safety Office please call 633-4540. 


OAK KNOLL 
NEWS 

Enlisted Commissioning Program 

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Sailors inter- 
ested in receiving a commission through the En- 
listed Commissioning Program (ECP) have until 
Nov. 1 to submit applications. The undergraduate 
program provides career motivated personnel with 
previous college credit an opportunity to complete 
bachelor’s degrees and earn commissions. 

Students have 30 months to complete re- 
quirements for non-technical degrees and 36 months 

I for technical degrees. For up-to-date information 
and eligibility requirements and application proce^. 
dures, see your career counselor or OBNAVNO TE 
1530. 

Active-duty personnel selected for ECP at- 
tend Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps 
(NROTC) host universities full-time and are com- 
missioned upon graduation. Selectees receive Per- 
manent Change of Station (PCS) orders to enroll at 
one of more than 50 NROTC host colleges and 
universities. 

I En route, they attend a seven- week academic 
and physical fitness training program at the Naval 
Science Institute. Newport, R.L Selectees receive 
full pay and allowances at their enlisted paygrades, 
and are eligible for advancement. 

Tuition, fees and books are the selectee’s 
responsibility; however students may use Veterans 
Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) or GI 

I Bill educational benefits if eligible. Personnel who 

already have a bachelor's degree are ineligible. 

Naval reserve opportunity 

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Every sailor 
approaching reenlistment lime must make the dif- 
ficult decision of whether or not to stay on active 
duly. With retention at historic highs for many 
ratings and a smaller force anticipated, the decision 
to stay or leave is more important than ever. 

For those who have decided to leave active 
service, the naval reserve offers an opportunity to 
use skills learned in the Navy while capitalizing on 
many of the benefits of active service — such as 
credit for retirement at age 60, life insurance cov- 
erage, camaraderie, medical treatment while in a 
training status and specified use of military com- 
missaries and exchanges. Contact the nearest naval 
reserve recruiter, or call 1-800-USA-USNR (872- 
8767), to discuss rating opportunities and reserve 
affiliation eligibility requirements. 

Public Affairs officer selection 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNS) - During 
Fiscal Year 1991, junior officers had an outstand- 
ing opportunity for transfer to the 165X special 
duty (Public Affairs) Designator. 

The Navy public affairs community has been 
looking for high-quality naval officers with two to 
fiveycars of service and proven performance records 
to become public affairs officers. 

Prior public affairs experience and a degree 
in journalism , mass communication or related field 
are an advantage, but the main criterion for selec- 
tion is outstanding performance. Selectees join a 
unique community charged with representing the 
Navy publicly in some of the most visible and 
demanding assignments. 

According to Lieutenant Commander Mike 
Brady, Office of Information, Washington. D.C., 
die 1 ransfer/Redisgnation Board met Sept. 20, and 
the results will be published late in October 


Page 8 


Red Rover 


Civilian News 

Thrift Savings Plan Update 


September 27 , 


MONTHS 

C FUND WELLS FARGO F FUND* WELLS FARGO 

EQUITY INDEX FUND U.S. DEBT INDEX FUND 

G FUND 

1989 

(Jan. - Dec.) 

1990 

(Jan. - Dec.) 

31.03% 

(3.15%) 

31.61% 

(3.19%) 

13.89% 

8.00% 

14.45% 

8.89% 


8.81% 

8.90% 

1990 







August 

(8.65%) 

(9.04%) 

(1.42%) (1.36%) 

.72% 


September 

(4.85) 

(4.89) 

.81 

.81 

.73 


October 

( .46) 

(.43) 

1.32 

1.27 

.76 


Novembe 

6.36 

6.45 

2.15 

2.16 

.70 


December 

2.72 

2.77 

1.46 

1.57 

.70 


1991 







January 

4.55 

4.37 

1.15 

1.29 

.69 


February 

7.07 

7.13 

.86 

.81 

.62 


March 

2.40 

2.40 

.67 

.67 

.68 


April 

.18 

.22 

1.05 

1.08 

.66 


May 

4.30 

4.28 

.57 

.58 

.68 


June 

(4.49) 

(4.53) 

(.01) 

(.04) 

.66 


July 

4.63 

4.65 

1.40 

1.42 

.69 


Last 

13.15% 

12.65% 

10.45% 

10.70% 

8.60 % 



12 Months 

Perceniages in ( ) are negative. *Through 1990 the F Fund was invested in 

the Wells Fargo Bond Index Fund. 

Use-or-lose leave for civilian employees 

No one wants to lose their leave at the end of the year, so schedule whatever use-or- 
lose leave you have now. If, because of a mission related emergency, you are unable 
to use your annual leave between now and January 11, 1991 (the end of the year), 
please discuss your leave usage with your supervisor who, in turn can call Penny 
Becchio at 633 - 6374 for advice on restoration of your annual leave. 

Octoberfest on Treasure Island 

COMNAVBASE, San Francisco — Naval Station Treasure Island (T.I.) will be hosting 
an Octoberfest Carnival celebration on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 
Oct. 6 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. 

All personnel and their guests are invited to join the Octoberfest for two full days of 
Carnival thrills, rides and attractions, along with German foods, beverages. Bavarian music 
and an opportunity to visit beautiful Treasure Island. 

To reach T.I., which is located in the middle of the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Bridge, 
take the T.I. exit coming either east or west and follow the signs to the Octoberfest! 

For more Octoberfest Carnival Information please call (415) 395-5132. 


Sports News 


Classes: 

Aerobics classes will be offered Monday and Wednesday , 5lo6p.ro.. Instructor for n., . , 
is Doug Cosset. 

Karate classes will be offered Tuesday and Thursday. 6 to 7 p.m Instructor ford,, , 
is Rich Vandiver. 

* For an(l further information call Ron Brown at 633-6450. 

^Congratulations to NHO Pharmacy team for taking 1st Place in the 1 99 1 Summ 
Intramural Slow Pitch Softball Tournament. Second place was the Medical Repair f 

PLAYOFFS 


PHARMACY 
MED REPAIR 
MSC 

RAD WASTE 
ORTHO 
LAB 
PT 

X-RAY 

RADIOLOGY 

NP 

RT-CP 

DENTAL 

OB/GYN/PEDS 

SUPPLY 

MOR 


WON 

5 

5 

3 


2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 


LOST 

0 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 


SPORTS FACILITIES HOURS 

GYMNASIUM 

Located in Building 38, hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m 
Saturday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information call the Gym at 633-4509 


BOWLING CENTER 

Hours of operation are: 

Monday-Thursday 

Friday 

Saturday 

Sunday 


1 1 a.m. -8 p.m. 

1 1 a.m. -10 p.m. 
3 p.m.- 10 p.m. 

12 p.m. -6 p.m. 


** Note- only personnel with proper indentification may use the Gym. Proper idenlificai ^ 
is a military J.D.. dependent l.D. or an MWR Gold Card with a valid picture l.D. x * 

VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS WANTED 

Active-duty staff female volleyball players interested in forming a NHO team shouh 
contact Jan Reamer at 633-5070,75. The team will also be open to female dependents (ov e 
17) of NHO active-duty personnel. 


1 


Fleet 

Week 

1991 


10K BAY BRIDGE CHALLENGE RUN 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991, 7:45 A.M. 

Run the Bay Bridge - Fisherman's Wharf to Treasure Island 


Course 

The TAOcert fl*ed 10K run begins in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Whari 
on Jefferson St. and follows the Embarcedero past the visiting ships up 
over the top span of the Bay Bridge and to the finish on Treasure Island. 
All Participants 

Commemorative tong-sfeeve T-Shirts, refreshments, tours of Navy and 
Coast Guard ships, music by Navy bands, random prizes, and more! 

Awards 

The Award Ceremony wil be held al Pier 39 after the conclusion of the 
race and the return of most of the runners to Fisherman’s Wharf. Custom 
Designed Plaques will be presented to the overall top three mate and 
female runners Medate go to the top three male and female in each age 

division: 6-13. 14-19. 20-29. 30-39. 4049. 50-59. 60 and up. 

Team Challenge 

Miitary and Open, Male and Female divisions. Minimum five runners per 

REGISTRATION FORM 


team, scored by place (cross-country style), only top five runners score 

Walkers Welcomed 

Walkers are welcomed but medals wil not be given to race waiters. In 
addition, the ramp to the bridge will be closed at 9:30 a.m., and all 
participants must be across the bridge by 9:45 a.m. 

No Wheels 

Wheelchairs, strolers, bicycles, rotter-skates, etc. will not be allowed. 
Registration and Race Limitation 

The race is imied to 5,500 rvnnors. Registration is 6rst come first serve. 
II pre-registration reaches the limit there will not be any race day 
registration. $15 pre-registration before Sept. 27. $18 after Sept. 27 and 
on race day. Make checks payable to Fleet Week 1991. Mai with 
registration form and self addressed- stamped envelope to: Fleet Week 
10K Bay Bridge Chalenge Run. c/o Race Central. P.O. Box 828, Rialto, 
CA 92377. ff there is registration on race day. it will take place near the 


Cable Car turnaround. Jefferson & Hyde Streets. 

NorvReglstered Runners 

Non- registered runners (those not wearing ofidal btos) wfll not be allowed 
on the Bay Bridge and will not receive transportation off Treasure Island 
Hotilne 

For additional m formal ton/regtsl ration forms, phone (415) 395-4245. 
Leave name, address and phone number. 

Volunteers 

If you would Ike to help on race day please call (415) 282-1760 

Transportation 

1 ,500 participants will be able to ride ferry boats from Treasure Island 
back to Fisherman’s Wharf. The rest wil be transported by MUNI busses. 

Free Parking 

Available at Pier 39 Garage 7-1 1 ajn. for the irst 1 ,000 pre-regstered 
runners who request parking on registration form. 


























Las 

Na 

ime 


First 


















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Street Address 






























City 

I 







Slate 


Zip Code 







— 













Official Use Only 


Wake: In condderaton of your accaplng my «*y. I inend to be 
legaly bound, do hereby for myeeff and my twin, oiojUi and admin- 
Istatori waive and release kvev«r any and ail right and da*m» of 
damage I may aocura again*! to* Re* Weak Commilee U S Navy, 
Cily and County of San Randeoo, Port of San Frandeo. Sale of 
CaWcmla and al pereom. organUalcnt and aponsen affliaied wito Ns 
event kv wiy and al Injuries (hat may be uttered by me whrie tivaing 
to a lorn, or white parfcfpalng In toe Reel Week 10 K Bay Bridge 
Chalenge Run on Oct 13 . 1801 . I aBeet and verity toat I am pty*Jcaly 
ft and have auffckmly tained lor tw oompeklon At part of toit 
waiver I acknowledge toat I have reed and understand J ol toe abeve 


Signature (Parent or Guardian if under 18) 


FLEET 


Date 


□ m 

Sex Raceday Age 


S 

M 

L 

XL 







^PSTAT*^ 




Oct 9 marks the Vikings’ big discovery of the New 
World by Leif Erikson in 1000 A.D. Oct 14 recog 
nizes Christopher Columbus who reached America 
on Oct 12, 1492. 



YEARS PROUD 


The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 



The Red Rover 



Volume 3-Number 13 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


October 11 1991 


MCPON 
visits NHO 

By Andrew Marechal-YVorkman, 
with JOSA Kyna Kirkpatrick 



Retention, child care and lead- 
ership were the main issues Master 
Chief Petty Officer Duane R. 
Bushey addressed when he talked 
to a standing room audience at Club 
Knoll recently. 

“Right now retention in the Navy 
is right around 72 percent/' said 
the Navy’s top enlisted, explain- 
ing the main reason for such a high 
figure is “it’s hard to make money 
on the outside/’ 

However, he continued, “we 
only need 35 percent of our sailors 
to stay/ and cautioned those who 
are considering leaving the service 
to think long and hard about it 
because, now, they won’t be al- 
lowed to re-enter the service. 

During his traveling around. 
MCPON Bushey said that he found 
out three reasons why sailors want 
to gel out: money, education and 
leadership. “But the U.S. Navy has 
the best vocational/technical train- 
ing of any organization [ in the 
country), he said proudly, adding 
that many sailors who get out 
eventually want to come back in 
forthe same reasons they wanted 
to get out. but now can’t. 

As for child care, MCPON 
Bushey said he believes it is the 
parents responsibility to provide 
•k not the Navy’s. Likening the 
Navy to civilian enterprises in 
similar situations, he said the cost 
of child care is too expensive — 
disproportionate to the small 
group of people ( it serves).” . 

A more equitable answer, he 

Cont f d page 3 



CFC kickoff 


By JOI Kay Lorentz 

The 1991 Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) 
Fund Drive got underway Friday, Oct. 4 with 
a kickoff ceremony held in the clinical as- 
sembly. 

Among the honored guests were CFC 
Chair Major General Pal Brady, USA; NHO 
Commanding Officer Rear Admiral William 


According MG Brady, this year’s focus is 
on participation. As he said in his remarks at 
the ceremony: “We talked about the amount 
and dollars. Of course the more dollars we 
get, the more people we can help. That is just 
a basic fundamental fact and you all know 
that. But that’s not what we’re really pushing. 
What we really want to do is get people to 
participate... the internal awards that come 



( hampus Update 2 

Chilian News 3 

Cp-U’lose (, 

For your health 7 

Tl- l-SC Calendar 8 


A. Buckendorf, MC, USN. and this year’s 
Loaned Executive Robert Corneal. 

In addition to speeches by the honored 
guests, two short videotapes concerning CFC 
and personal testimonies by two NHO staff 
members, the NHO Chief Petty Officers 
Association challenged the NHO Medical 
Service Corps officers to a flag football 
game Oct. 1 8 to benefit this year’s drive. 

The San Francisco Bay Area Combined 
Federal Campaign, one of the top ten CFC’s 
in the country, officially started September 
30. This year’s theme is: ‘With malice 
toward none, with charily for all...,” a quote 
from Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural 
address. It emphasizes the diverse and broad- 
minded nature of this year’s CFC. 


from giving.” 

RADM Buckendorf in his remarks ech- 
oed the general when he stated that participa- 
tion in such efforts was rewarding to the 
individual. "I have had the pleasure in the 
past, and 1 must say it is son of a mixed 
blessing to have been one of the key individu- 
als for CFC drives. .. If sa lot of hard work, and 
quite frankly I think in the long run. it’s very 
rewarding personally lor individuals who are 
involved.” 

This year the number of qualified chari- 
ties has grown from 869 to 1 ,094. Donors can 
choose from a variety of organizations. They 
can be national voluntary agencies or local 
voluntary agencies and may be concerned 

Cont'd page 4, 5 



SEES 




Hispanic is 1st 
U.S. naval hero 

Secretary of the Navy, the 
honorable H. Lawrence Garrett, 
III designated the period Sept. 
15 - Oct 15, 1991 as National 
Hispanic Heritage Month 1991, 
with the theme ”500 years of 
Hispanic heritage.. .a cultural 
mosaic.” 

On July 6, 1991. the U.S. Navy 
Memorial Foundation dedicated 
a bronze bas-relief sculpture of 
Union naval commander. Ad- 
miral David Glasgow Farragut, 
129 years after he made history' 
as the first rear admiral in lhe 
U.S. Navy. 

According to the 1977 edition 
of Encyclopedia Americana, 
RADM (later ADM) Farragut’ s 
claim to fame as a naval hero 
harks back to Aug. 5, 1 864 at the 
battle of Mobile Bay when, dis- 
regarding the threat of mine 
fields, he won the day with his 
memorable order, “damn the 
torpedoes, full speed ahead!” 

The son of George Anthony 
Magin Farragut, a Spanish sea 
captain who fought forthe colo- 
nies in the American Revolution 
and later settled in Tennessee, 
ADM Farragut was directly de- 
scended from Don Pedro 
Ferragut (as the name was spelled 
in the 1 3th Century) of the court 
of King James 1 of Aragon, Spain. 

On Oct. 13 it is, therefore, 
filling that wc, on the 216th 
birthday ol the U.S. Navy should 
pay homage to its first commis- 
sioned admiral, a man of little- 
known Hispanic heritage, who 
is credited with having estab- 
lished a Navy yard at Mare Is- 
land in 1854. For, in ADM 
Farragut s validation as a naval 
hero in 1864 is the seed of today’s 
message from the secretary of 
the Navy — the seminal gesture 
that honors all Hispanics who 
contributed significantly to our 
nation's rich multicultural heri- 
tage. 

(Editor's note ADM Farragut' s 
commission as rear admiral 
predates the hat tie of Mobile Bay. 
It occurred early in the Civil 
W or. in 1862 , after the surrender 
of New Orleans, when he w as 
promoted as the first of that rank 
in the U, S. Navy . Information in 
this editorial comes from Charles 
Lee Lewis. ‘David Glasgow 
barragut: Admiral in the Mak- 
higC andE.B . Potter. U S. Na- 
val Academy co-author of 'Sea 
f±m'cr. \ \ tni/ / // ; x /t .. , , 


Oct 7-11 is National Medical Records Week 



Page 2 


Red Rover 


From the Command 
Master Chief 



There has been a recent increase in alcohol-related 
incidents on the Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO) com- 
pound. Many ot these incidents involve our young 
sailors. I would like to make our community aware of 
this problem and encourage our petty officers, chief 
petty officers and officers to assume their positions of 
responsibility and leadership and help the command put 
a halt to these incidents. 

It has been noted that many of the incidents occur 
after an underage sailor has had to much to drink, either 
at the club or at an off-base establishment. While we 
have little control over drinking at off-base hang-outs, 
we can do something about consumption of alcohol at 
Club Knoll ... not just by underage sailors but by all 
sailors regardless of age or rank. Because we are a sea- 
going service, and aboard ship one must be able to rely 
on his or her shipmates, we traditionally have a closer 
bond to one another than members of the other branches 
of the service. NHO is our ship. Each and every one of 
us has a duty and responsibility to help our shipmates. 
Our roles as leaders demand that we concern ourselves 
with not only the morale, but the physical and mental 
health and well-being of our people. 

If you are enjoying an evening out and observe that 
one of our people has had too much to drink, or is 
involved in any type of altercation, you have a respon- 
sibility to ensure further alcoholic consumption will be 


Perspectives 


cut oil, or that the altercation problem is resolved 
peacefully. Furthermore, the individuals should be 
escorted back to their quarters by a sober, responsible 
individual. The responsibility falls on your shoulders 
to see him or her safely back to their quarters. In the case 
of sailors who live off base, you can drive them yourself, 
call a taxi to take them straight home, or see if there is 
space in the hospital, barracks or your place where they 
can sleep it off. 

If our leaders take their responsibility to their people 
seriously, I believe we can remedy this problem. No 
person should be allowed to reach the level of intoxication 
that would make the above measures become necessary. 
With more vigilance on our part, I believe we will be 
able to reduce alcohol-related incidents. 

In the case of underage drinkers, we are reviewing 
several plans to solve this problem. Again, the leadership 
of our community can help us with this by keeping an 
eye on their underage sailors when they are using Club 
Knoll. Often a co-worker who meets age requirements 
will buy beer or mixed drinks and will share them with 
his/her underage shipmates. 

You may think that you are being a “good buddy,” but 
what you are really doing is putting yourself in violation 
of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and 
California Code. As a shipmate, you need to look out for 
your friends' well-being. If you do contribute to the 
problem you will be held accountable for any conse- 
quences of that contribution. Everyone has a clear 
obligation and responsibility not only for themselves 
but for each other. 

Again, I ask you, take ownership of who we are and 
what we stand for. This is your command. 



September Sailor 

of the Month 

■ 



Listening Box 


Q: Please fix the elevators. 

A: At long last, the anxiously awaited elevator repair 
contract has been awarded. There will be some delay while 
the new contractor orders the necessary parts and equipment 
before actual construction will begin. The total project will 
take 24 months and will involve some inconveniences. 
Please be patient. 


Sf Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 
Commanding Officer 


HM1 Rafael Sanchez, who was the September Sail? 
of the Month for Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO). 
at his desk reading patient records. HM1 Sanchez 
works in the Family Practice Center at Branch Medical 
Clinic, Treasure Island as the leading petty officer and 
military liaison for the patients. He was nominated for 
the award for his, "true professionalism...! while per- 
forming his job with self-motivation, individual accom- 
plishment and team contribution.]” Bravo Zulu for hk i 
job "well done,” not only for NHO but for the U.S. NaV\ 
as well. 

Happy 

3rd Anniversary 

Naval School of Health Science 


Red Rover 

The Red Rover is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Red Rover contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office. Naval Hospital. 8750 Moutain Blvd.. Oakland. CA 94627-5000. Tele- 
phone: (4)5) 633-5918 Text and photographs (except any copyrighted mate- 
rial) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit is 
given. Views expressed arc not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense. Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer. 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 

Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 
. 

Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 

Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JO I Kay Lorentz 

Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 

Editoral Assistants 
JOl Stephen R. Brown 
JOSA Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



CHAMPIIS UPDATE 
New system for outpatient care 

Starting Oct. 1, 1991, an Outpatient Nonavailability 
Statement (ON AS) will be required for the following 1 4 
procedures, whether performed on an institutional or 
noninstitutional basis. 

* GYN Laparoscopy 

* Cataract removal 

* Upper G I Endoscopy 

* Arthroscopy 

* Dilation and Curettage 

* Myingotomy or Tympanostomy 

* Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy 

* Cystoscopy 

* Hernia Repair 

* Nose Repair 

* Ligation or Transection of Fallopian Tube 

* Strabismus Repair 

* Breast Mass or Tumor Excision 

* Neuroplasty 

The ONAS requirement applies to beneficiaries 
living in the Continental United Statcs(CONUS), with 
the exception of Hawaii and Alaska. For further 
information regarding ONAS please call the Naval 
Hospital Oakland's CHAMPUS Department at (510) 
633-5204 or your nearest CHAMPUS office. 



Lieutenant Commander Jeanette Lynch, NC, and 
Hospitalman Calvin Robinson cut the ceremonial 
cake that highlighted the third anniversary of the 
founding of the Naval School of Health Sciences 
(NSHS) San Diego Detachment at a picnic on Oct. L 
I99L Reporting directly to the NSHS commanding 
officer in San Diego, the Detachment provides in- 
struction in Preventive Medicine. It also includes 
Operating Room, Basic X-Ray, Phase U Clinical 
Nuclear Medicine and Physical Therapy Schools. 
NSHS San Diego has been a tenant command of 
Naval Hospital Oakland (NHO) since 1988. Before 
that date, the individual schools had been pari o 
NHO since 1950; however, the Detachment receives 
services from the hospital, as agreed upon under the 
terms of a support agreement. For example, thi 
Operating Rom and X-Ray Technician students leaf n 
their trade on the job at the hospital. LCDR 1 > ,K 1 
is the Detachment's academic director, "hi ( 
Robinson is its youngest student. CDR Tltca Bratton, 
who serves as the Detachment’s officer in charge, 
was on leave at the time of the celebration. (Offici# 
US Navy photo by SN Wael Issa) 



Page 3 




I 


October 11. 1991 

civilian News 


Red Rover 


By Andre* Marechal-Workman 


Health insurance update 


Health insurance premiums will rise an average 8 percent Jan. I, according to 
foe Office of Personnel Management. 

“Companies of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan also will be required 
to offer certain coverage for the first time," wrote Rita Zeidner in the Sept. 23rd issue 
of Federal Times. 

At the same time, Zeidner continued, enrollees will be guaranteed: 

* Lifetime minimum coverage of $50,000 for treatment of mental condi- 
tions; 

* Coverage of smoking cessation programs; 

* Coverage of breast cancer screenings. 

All of this means that now is a good time for federal employees to think long and 

hard about the type of health coverage they're selecting, and decide whether or not 
they want to remain with their current health care provider or change to another. 

“Federal employees will be able to make changes in their coverage during the 
open season between Nov. 12 and Dec. 9, 1991," said Sydney Santos, Civilian 
Personnel Department’s health benefit administrator, adding that this year’s annual 
he-ilth fair has been scheduled for Nov. 20 in the main dining room, on the third deck 
of Building 500, from 2 to 3 p.m. Representatives from the various health plans will 
be available to answer specific questions about their health plan. 

“Under open season regulations," she explained, “ eligible employees who are 
not currently registered may enroll, and enrolled employees may change from one 
plan or option to another." She also said that the latter can switch from self to self and 
family or any combination of these. 

Open season literature will be made through administrative offices prior to Nov. 
12. and Santos added that she’d like to encourage the command civilians to review 
plans in which they might be interested before they go to the fair. “They can go 
to the Civilian Personnel Office," she said, “ and get the new brochures on various 
health care plans available. This way, they can do their homework and look at 
comparison charts; then they will know what to ask, and they can get anwers on 
which to base a decision from the fair participants." 

The open season literature includes: 1992 Enrollment Information Guide and 
Plan Comparison Chart (R1 70-1) and brochures covering the various health care 
plans. “Those employees currently enrolled in a health plan should receive the 1 992 
brochures directly," Santos clarified. 

“ After examining the comparison chan included in RI 70-1, employees who 
decide they are interested in enrolling in, or changing, to a particular plan should 
consult the brochure of the plan they selected for a complete description of benefits," 
continued Santos. “However, because they are in short supply, the brochures should 
be returned to Civilian Personnel after they've served their purpose." 

Santos added that employees who wish to enroll or change their enrollment must 
complete the Health Benefits Registration Form, SF-2809, they can find in the 
Civilian Personnel Department, Building 73B. The form must be completed and 
submitted to that office prior to the close of business on the last day of the open 
season. 

“However we ask the employees’ assistance in making desired changes as early 
as possible in the season," Santos said. “New enrollments and changes in current 
enrollments elected during the open season will become effective Jan. 1 2, 1 992." She 
also advised employees to keep the brochure for the plan in which they decide to 
enroll, and said she can be contacted at 633-6374 for additional information. 


Students honored by Navy-San Francisco 

COMNAVBASESAN FRANCISCO. T.I. — Rear Admiral Merrill W. Ruck. 

Mayor Art Agnos and Joe Ervin, Chairman of the San Francisco Fleet Week 
1991 Committee, honored elementary and middle school children during 

Youth Excellence Day, Friday, Oct. 11. 

During the celebration held at the San Francisco Maritime National Histori- 
cal Park (Aquatic Park), 5,000 children from eight different school districts 
were entertained by local radio personality Don Blue, inspired by Navy 
speakers and local political leaders, and participated in an awards ceremony. 
Awards were given to winners of the Fleet Week poetry contest. Students in 
the first through eighth grades were invited to write a poem describing their 
hopes and ideas for peace in the world. This year’s theme was “My Dream For 
World Peace.” 

Winners were awarded Fleet Week medals and Certificates of Recognition. 
Additionally, they received a $100 savings account from Bank of America. 

This was the fourth annual Fleet Week Youth Excellence Day. Additional 
entertainment included a four-man parachute jump team, aerial demonstra- 
tions by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier as well as 
other performers. 


MCPON continued from page 1 


added, is a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for the Continental United States (CONUS) as 
well as “sexual responsibility ... what we really have to talk about is what it costs to raise 
children; that having children is not a game." 

His final issue of senior leadership centered around the length of tours, with the Master 
Chief Petty Officer of the Navy advocating three to five years maximum as “a good rotation 
rate." 

Reiterating his caution that there’s no turning back once a sailor quits the Navy, he advised: 
“If you do get out, I strongly recommend that you go into the reserves." 



Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Duane R. Bushey speaks 
to NHO enlisted staff at Club Knoll during his visit recently. 
(Official U.S. Navy photo by HM2 James Sandridge) 



NHO S FALL CLASSIC 
*OAK KNOLL BOWL I” 
MSCs VS CHIEFS 

Friday, 18 Oct 91 
1M00 

NHO's Softball Field 

tickets: $2.00 


Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and Beverages will be sold 

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT 1991 COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN 


Purchase Tickets From: 

Ens Stevenson x-5170, Ens Spratt x-4935 
IIMC Connor x-5808, QMC Elwood x-4528 









C FC campaign 1991 — Sept. 30 - Nov. 1 




ith malice toward g 




From page 1 

with a variety of issues... environmental, medical related, social, etc. Donations can be directed to a specific 
agency, or agencies, or they can be undesignated gifts. 

Perhaps the easiest method for making donations is through payroll deduction. Payroll deduction allows 
you to budget your gift. It also helps the individual charitable agencies, for they do incur costs processing 

individual checks, whereas through payroll deduction they receive one check each month that represents the 
girts of many donors combined. 

As RADM Buckendorf pointed out during the kickoff ceremony, “remember in the real world, about 
ihu ty percent of Americans do not have access to medical care and this in a land of plenty. We seem to have 
a lot of folks out there who have not very much.” 

How much you donate... whoever is the recipient of yourgift... the method in which you choose to donate 
is not what is important. What is important is participating and helping someone less fortunate than yourself. 


























Children are our future. They are the constant reminders or the tomorrow we all 
face. But some children have less reason to look forward to the future of others. 
These kids grow up in an env ironment surrounded by drugs, violence and poverty. 
You can contribute money that will give them a place to grow up other than the 
streets. Your contribution through CFC makes possible food, medical supplies and 
counseling support for children in the Bay Area and around the world. 




CfCllil 





ie, with charity for all.. 

f Battle 
ijnues... 


99 



Contribution to the 

berans of America 
lesearch Foundation 

:ral Campaign (CFC) # 02 1 8 


Cjreder 


h 


erans of America 

■nth ^rcct * W 
20006 • ( 202 . 872 1300 


IT'A-SS” 

lvjliwru 


Vure 7h( varxj* ■» 



At the Open Hand Food Bank, people with AIDS receive bags of groceries every week. W hen giving 
through CFC, you can designate your donation to help fight the AIDS epidemic. Contributing to research, 
prevention, counseling and care for those infected, you can help break the hold this terrible disease has on 
the world. CFC supports charitable agencies fighting disease everywhere. Make the choice to make a 
difference. 



When traffic helicopter pilots spotted Humphrey , the wayward humpback whale, stranded in the shallow 
waters of San Francisco Bay, they called the Marine Mammal Center for help. Volunteer rescue crews and 
medical experts were there within an hour. By contributing to one of the hundreds of agencies in this year's 
CFC, you can support the cause of your choice and have the opportunity to make a difference in a variety of 
lives. The charities in this year's CFC rely on people like you to continue the important work they do and allow 
them to be there w hen emergencies occur all around the Bay Area. 






Pane 6 


Red Rover 


C\ [ava( '.Hospital Oakland 
‘-Hispanic American (Heritage (Month 

Up-Close 


Department: Mailroom. 

V our job. Leading petty officer and supervisor of mail operations for NHO 
incoming and outgoing mail — official and personal 
Marital status: Divorced. 

( hildren and ages: Bonnie Mae, 10; Tabetha Maria, 15. 

Hometown: San Juan Bautista, CA. 

Likes: Peaceful world and friendly people. 

Dislikes: Inexperience. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?: To develop a creative 

understanding between the Mailroom personnel and our customers (pa- 
trons). p 

What is your immediate goal?: Streamline the mail operations for the 
hospital. 

What is your long-term goal?: To work on my evaluation further 

r I could do it all over again. I’d: Work on my education further 

I wish I could stop: The hurt of the children in the world - kids need love and 
help. 

I respect myself for: My understanding that other people’s problems are 
worse than mine. 

Role models/heroes: Oscar Madison and General Norman Schwartzkopf. 

Special comment about Hispanic-American heritage: The world has opened 
up its heart to all. but the Hispanic-Americans still have to prove them- 
selves every step of the way. Doors are open and the clock is running, it's time for 
everyone to get ahead and slop waiting for things to be handed to 
them. 




* 


PCI Robert M. Medina 


A 


- A 


HM3 Timothy E. Hui/ar 


Department: Physical Therapy. 

' our job: Treat and advise patients on physical therapy procedures and 
programs. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Elena Huizar. 

( hildren and ages: Timothy, 3 weeks. 

Hometown: Phoenix. AZ. 

Hobbies: Participating in all sporting activities. 

Likes: My co-workers because they are all very good at their jobs. 

Dislikes: Field day on Thursday afternoon and duties. 

W hat is the most challenging part of your job?: Having patience and tolerance I 
with day-to-day patient relations. 

What is your immediate goal?: Becoming a certified physical therapy assistant 
in California. 

What is your long-term goal?: Finish my education. 

If I could do it all over again. I’d: Have never dropped out of college. 

I wish I could stop: Violence and pollution. 

I respect myself for: Being a role model to minorities, as well as others. Also, 
stressing education because no one can take it away. 

Role models/heroes: My father. 

Special comment about Hispanic-American heritage: I hope that Hispanic- 
Americans will be the largest ethnic group by the year 2010. 


Department: Civilian Personnel. 

Your job: Conducting initial orientation sessions for new hires, and 
process personnel actions such as promotions, separations, reassign- 
ments, etc. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Jose S. Romero 
Hometown: El Paso, TX. 

Hobbies: Exercising, aerobics and dancing. 

Likes: Going to the theater and family gatherings. 

Dislikes: Reckless driving. 

W hat is the most challenging part of your job?: Conducting orientation 
sessions. This is also the most enjoyable because it gives me the chance to 
meet new people. 

What is your immediate goal?: To obtain an associate of arts’ degree 
Whal is your long-term goal?: After obtaining an associate’s degree, 
going for a bachelor of arts’ degree. 

If I could do it all over again. I’d: Do everything the same way; I 
couldn’t ask for more. 

I wish I could stop: Homelessness, hunger and racism. 

I respect myself for: Being the responsible person I try to be. 

Role models/heroes: My mother and my husband who have given me 
all the support in life. 

Special comment about Hispanic-American heritage: ll is important that 
parents convey to their children information about their heritage (historical, 
cultural), so that the children don’t lose touch with their origin 


Blanca Romero 


October 1 1 


From 

the 

Chaplain 



19*1 


God knows best 

By CDR Richard M. Mattie, CHC, ls\ 

Jewish tradition is filled with practical stones which hra, 
bring understanding to the every day events of our hZ 
would like to share with you one such story 

Rabbi Asher. 

He lived in Europe in medieval times 

During that period in history, 
hoards of barbarians roamed Europe. 

They attacked caravans. 

And sometimes they attacked whole villages. 

One day, 

Rabbi Asher had to make a long journey, 
traveling by himself. 

He knew it would be dangerous, 
but he had no choice.* 

So he set out. taking w ith him only three things; 
a rooster, a donkey and a small oil lamp 

The rahbi rook the rooster 
to wake him up each morning 
because he was a notoriously heavy sleeper 
He took the donkey 

because the roads were bad and he might fall, 
hurt himself and need the donkey to cam him. 
Finally, he took the oil lamp 
so that he could read the Bible each night 
before he retired. 

One evening the rabbi came to a village, 
hoping to stay there for the night. 

But the villagers were suspicious of him 
and drove him away. 

The rabbi didn’t become angry. 

He simply said to himself, 

“God knows best; he always has his reason 

And so the rabbi camped out under the star 
near a stream outside the village 
There he lit his lamp 
to read his Bible before retiring 
But the w ind kept blowing out the lamp. 

The rabbi finally gave up and said to himsell. 

“God knows best; he always has his reasons.’’ 

About midnight the rabbi woke with a start 
He discovered that a thief had stolen his donkey 
He also discovered 

that a wild animal had killed his rooster 
That rahbi did not grow angry 
He simply said to himself. 

“God knows best; he always has his reasons 

The next day 

the rabbi learned that during the night 
a band of barbarians hud attacked the village 
killed the villagers 
and taken their cattle and valuables 
Had the rabbi stayed in the v illage, 
the barbarians would have killed him too. 

The rabbi also learned 
that the barbarians had come to the stream 
looking for travelers 
Had they seen him reading by his lamp 
or heard his rooster crow 
or his donkey bray, 
they would have killed him 
and taken what little he had 

That night 

when the rabbi knell to say his prayers, 
he looked up to heaven and said. 

“Lord you know best; 
you always have your reasons.” 




October 11, 1991 


Ked Rover 


Page 7 


For your health 

Eating to 


lower your cancer risk 


By ENS Susan Dunaway, MSC, USN 



U 


Good nutrition has always 
been essential to good health, 
li is widely recognized that 
diets play an important role in 
both the development and 
prevention of serious diseases. 


including cancer. 

Many reports concerning 
nutrition and cancer can be 
confusing: Which foods 

should be eaten? Which foods 
should be avoided? The best 
recipe for health is simple — 
a well-balanced diet with ev- 
erything in moderation. 


...The key to re- 
ducing your risk for 
cancer is to eat a 
. variety of foods in 
moderation... 

Lowering your risk for can- 
cer is as easy as following 
these guidelines. 

Eat a wade variety of foods. 
Choose foods from each of 
the four food groups with par- 
ticular attention to fruits, veg- 


etables and whole grains. 
Dark green and yellow veg- 
etables and fruits such as car- 
rots, spinach, sweet potatoes 
and peaches are good sources 
of vitamin A. Grapefruits, 
oranges and strawberries are 
good sources of vitamin C. 
These foods may help lower 
the risk for cancer of the lar- 
ynx, esophagus and lungs, 
lungs. 

Whole-grain bread prod- 
ucts and cereals , fresh fruits 
and vegetables are high in di- 
etary fiber. An increase of 
fiber in the diet may reduce 
the risk of colon cancer. 

Reduce intake of all types 
of fats. Most Americans eat 
over 40 percent of their calo- 
ries in the form of fat each 
day. This amount should be 
reduced to 30 percent or less. 
Many people have decreased 
their consumption of saturated 
fats to reduce cholesterol lev- 
els. This may reduce the risk 
of heart disease, but a reduc- 
tion in total fat may reduce 
risk of both heart disease and 
cancer. 



Eat in moderation salt-cured, smoked 
and charcoal broiled foods. In some 
areas of the U.S., where these foods are 
consumed frequently, there is a higher 
incidence of cancer of the esophagus and 
stomach. 

If you drink alcohol, keep consump- 
tion moderate. Extensive use of alcohol, 
especially when combined with ciga- 
rette smoking, may increase risk of 
mouth, esophagus and larynx cancer. 
Excessive consumption of alcohol may 
also be a factor in the development of 
liver cancer and liver disease. 

Remember, no one food will cause or 
prevent cancer. The key to reducing 
your risk for cancer is to eat a variety of 
foods in moderation. 


Safety Corner 

Assigmerit of Department Clinic Occupational 



Robert Woodford 
Occupational Safety and 
Health Manager 


of Chief of Naval Operations 
Instruction 51 00.23B, offic- 
ers-! n -charge/department 
heads assign a departmental 
staff member as the workplace 
Occupational Safety and 
Health (OSH) representative. 

The Safety Depart- 
ment trains and assists 
assigned OSH represen- 
tatives to perform their 
duties through periodic 
training sessions. 


The Safety Department 
i ser 'cs as staff advisor to the 
commanding officer on all 
Navy Occupational Safety 
Health (NAVOSH) mat- 
ers The commanding officer 
relics on the support of de- 
Partment/clinic (line) man- 
anient for enforcement and 
'“pervision of the NAVOSH 


Program in the 
To assist th 
officer andSafi 

in meeting th< 


Duties of the OSH 
Representative typically in- 
clude: 

* To coordinate identi- 
fication and resolution of 
NAVOSH workplace defi- 
ciencies within the deparl- 
ment/clinic. 

* To provide some 
NAVOSH training to depart- 
ment/clinic staff. 

* To conduct periodic 


Safety and Health representatives 

workplace safety inspections. 

* To maintain department/clinic 
OSH records (including training records, 
inspection results, etc.) for five years 
from date of event. 

* To Attend periodic OSH repre- 
sentatives meetings. 

* To keep department heads/OlC 
routinely advised of NAVOSH-related 
matters relevant to their workspace. 

* To maintain safety awareness of 
department/clinic staff by periodic 
training, hand-outs and similar means. 


The Safety Department trains and as- 
sists assigned OSH representatives to 
perform their duties through periodic- 
training sessions. 

The minimum requirements for 
assignment as OSH representative in- 
clude: 

* Military: Petty Officer Second 
Class or higher 

1 Civilian: GS-7 or higher 
f At least one year remaining in 
department/clinic assignment. 



OAK KNOLL 

NJC-VV/C 


Wellness Department 

Learn how to manage your stress through stress 
management. This will help you reduce your chance 
of having a heart attack or stroke. With a combination 
of exercise, and work on you favorite hobby, your 
cardiac risk will diminish greatly. In addition, talking 
with someone you feel comfortable with about your 
worries, a proper diet and a reduction in your caffeine 
and nicotine intake will not only reduce your stress 
level, but will also help you to live a happier, healthier, 
longer life. For more information, contact the NHO 
Wellness Department at extension 633-8856. We’ll 
be happy to assist you in any way we can. 

Staff Health Records 

A recent audit of staff health records revealed that 
a large number of military staff are maintaining their 
own health records. Chapter 1 6 of Manual of Medical 
Department and Naval Medical Command Instruc- 
tion 61 50. 1 states that health records are government 
property and must remain in custody of an organized 
military treatment facility. Secretary of the Navy 
Instruction 5212.5C states that personnel mainte- 
nance of their ow n health records is absolutely pro- 
hibited. The Health Record Section is currently con- 
ducting an annual verification, and missing records 
are hindering the verification process in preparation 
for the upcoming Inspector General inspection. If you 
are holding your health records, please return them to 
Staff Health Records located on the second deck of 
the hospital. Point of contact for further information 
is HM 1 Edw'ard Gray at 633-6533. 

Southwest Asia Service Medal (SASM)/ 

Marine Force Combat Ope rations Insignia. 

Commanding officers are authorized to award the 
SASM. A bronze star shall be worn on the suspension 
and service ribbon of the SASM for participation in 
each campaign period. The first campaign period is 
designated as the defense of Saudi Arabia with corre- 
sponding dates of Aug. 2. 1 990 through Jan. 16, 1991. 
The second and final campaign is designated libera- 
tion and defense of Kuwait from Jan. 17. 1991 to the 
date of a presidential proclamation terminating the 
Persian Gulf Conflict. Eligibility for the SASM 
without campaign stars will continue after the presi- 
dential proclamation until the last combat forces 
participating in a security role (as defined by the 
director. Joint Staff) leave the theater of operations. 

Nan Do»t Commendation iMI'Ct Rihhon 

Tile secretary ot the Navy recently approved the 
NUC lor Military Sealift Command in recognition of 
outstanding service during Operation Desert Shield/ 
Storm. All active-duty military, reservists and civil- 
ians serving onboard the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) or 

any unit listed in a message from the commander. 
Military Sealift Command Washington, D C., dated 
Sept. 23, at any lime during the period Aug. 7, 1990 
March 9, 1991 are authorized to wear die NUC. 
Point ol contact for further information is MM2 Sandra 
Gaines at Manpower Management Department 
Building 73A, at 633-6495. 


Page 8 


Red Rover 



uter Tips 

Is your computer too slow? 


By LT Jim Mitchell. MSC, USN 
Head. Management Information Division 

Are you tired of wailing for your old Zenith 248 to finish saving that 
document, sorting those files or finishing that calculation? If you are, we have 
a solution for you. As you know there are over400,000 Z-248 microcomputers 
serving the Department of Defense (DoD). They are the backbone of the DoD 
desktop computing and with good reason. They are reasonably priced and 
I airly powerful when they first came out. 

^ Many people are still satisfied with the speed and performance of the Z- 
248, but for those who have increased needs with a limited budget, there is an 
answer. For those of you with increased needs please, don't despair and please 
don t throw that Z-248 out the window. The new Government Technology 
Services Inc. (GTS1) COMPANION contract allows us to purchase 386 
accelerator kits to turn your Z-248 into a 386 I6MHz microcomputer with a 
math, memory upgrade boards and chips to go in them. The cost of this 
upgrade is minimal compared to the price of a new system. 

If you have any questions in regards to this accelerator kit please contact 
Jim Brackman at 633-4564, in the Information Resource Center of the 
Management Information Department. We want to assist you in your 
computing needs in any way we can. 



FLEET WEEK 1991 

You Can Make it Happen! — A Celebration Well Deserved. 


Fleet Week, October 12-17, is 
a celebration for our sailors 
and for you. You can make it 
happen with your donation. 



Day-in-thc-Pnrk. Join in the 
day of fun which includes: 

• Navy challenge games 

• Concert in the park 

• Food and drink 

Host-a-Sailor. This is your 
opportunity to invite a sailor to a 
home-cooked meal, a visit in the 
Nnpa Valley, or a lour of the Bay 
Area. 



)«»in thi Bay Area’s largest 
annua) celebration Here's your 
mtpaif unity to wave the flag and 
welcome home the troops. 


The Parade of Ships. Welcome 
the fleet of warships October 12. 
The ships will be open for public 
Iwmrding during the week. 



The Blue Angels. Thrill to the 
exciting manuevers and precision 
formations of the world’s most 
daring pilots. Sec the famous Blue 
Angel Stack as 6 jets converge 
within feet of each other. 


Join the 10K Fleet Week Run. 

Begin at the Emhnrcadero. cross 
the Bay Bridge, and finish at 
Treasure Island. A boat nde back 
to the starting point is the perfect 
ending to the race 




DO YOUR PART TO MAKE 
THE BIG CELEBRATION 
HAPPEN — CALL 
1-900-844-0844. 

With your coll, you donate $5.00 
to the Fleet Week Celebration. 
And, you can get a com- 
plete schedule of events 
and information. 

WIN FREE TICKETS. 

You will al.<o have u 
chance to win two 
tickets to the 
Nnvy Bull and 
V.I.P. spots on 
the official 
reviewing vessel. 



900 wrvipf pnmi«t hy ArrrtrrMfd Votro Vrrm 

You alas aniar th* drawinc tor U*e FW« Weak 
V.1J> and Mary Dali UcJtaUby tending JWr 
and addraat In Flrrl W*»k "91 . MR California 
Rtmrt. Urpt *3070. Rm Francim. CA 94104 


Thousands are still in Gulf 

The parades, dinners, parties and many other celebrations for returning 
Desert Shield/Storm troops have ended, and we’ve turned our attention to 
other concerns. We can understand and appreciate that response. However, 
there are still thousands of troops in the Persian Gulf area who would 
appreciate letters from people back home. 

Please write to them. They need to know that they arc remembered. The 

address is simple: 

Any Service Member 
Operation Desert Storm 
APO NeW York 09848-0006 

Your letter showing concern and interest can be a gilt ol hope and 
inspiration to the lonely and the homesick. 

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!! 


October 11,19, )( 

Calendar events for October 
at T.I. Family Service Center 

American Red Cross. An American Red Cross babysitter' 
course lor ages 1 1 and above is scheduled for Oct. 28 - Nov 2 
taught by certified American Red Cross instructor Dolores Krau 
The 12-hour course lee is $5 per student, who must attend all T 
hours in order to be certified. Course limit is 20 students, who tnuv' 

be pre-paid and pre-registered. For more information call Jo* 

5 1 76. 

Flea Market. A flea market to benefit the Thanksgiving and 
Christmas holidays’ baskets will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 i 0 
a.m. - 2 p.m. Cost per space is $8 and must be paid upon 
registration. Space reservations can be made at NFSC, Monday 

through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. For further information call 39s 
5176. 

Department of Motor Vehicles. The California DMV will be 
at the Treasure Island NFSC, Building 257, on Saturday, Oct. 19 
10 a.m.- 12 p.m. They will provide information, forms, booklets 
and answers to any questions concerning licensing and registration 
for both vehicles and drivers in the State of California. 

Officers Note. A six-hour Military Officers Approaching 
Retirement (MOAR) will be held Oct. 26 starting at 8: 15 a.m. at the 
Nimitz Center. The session is conducted by retired officers to assist 
in the transition from military to civilian life. Resumes, networking 
interviewing skills and other topics will be discussed. Cost is S(jf 
and pre-payment and pre-registration is required. Call 52 1 -2730to 
register. 

Self Help and Resource Exchange (SHARE). This is a foot! 
co-op program which provides wholesome, well-balanced food 
packages at the minimal cost of $1 3.25 plus two hours of volunteer 
service. This is a monthly program open to everyone, with no 
income restrictions. The registration deadline is Oct. 13. Distri- 
bution day is Oct. 26, 7 to 9 a.m. Register at NFSC. For evenings 
and weekends, call Rose, 989-02 1 1 or Avner, 296-9508. I 

MWR News 


Attention all hands: Volleyball and basketball players should start forming 
their teams lor the beginning of the season early in November. 

Swimming pool: 

Water sports (basketball and volleyball) will be held from 1 - 8:30 p.m 
Also water exercise class daily from 3 - 5 p.m. For more information call A1 
White at 633-6365. 


Tickets and Tours: 

The Tickets and Tours officer has discount tickets to save you money 
and time from standing in long waiting lines. 

Attention all campers: 

Just a reminder that it you're going camping we've ®ol just what jou 
need. For more information call 633-6016/4516 or stop by Tickets and 
Tours, Gear issue, in Building 38, located above the Navy Exchange. 




Soft ball season comes to an end: The Pharmacy team defeated 
Repair I 1 -4 in the I inal game of the season, leaving them the champions lot 
this year. The Pharmacy's record was 10-1, giving them their second 
consecutive championship title in the Intramural Softball League. Con- 
gratulations to Pharmacy and to their fearless leader/coach. HM- Bri;l " 
Hi Herman!! 






Do You Know 

VV 1 1 icu iu'd (he l iccdom l uundiilion s 
Iiim American Palriot s medal.’ 


Dwight D. Eisenhower 




The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 



Navy helps Bay Area fight fires 


treasure island, ca — 

As die firestorm raged through 
die Oakland and Berkeley hills, 
die Navy in the San Francisco 
Bav Area rallied to support the 
stretched resources of the fire 
fighters gathered to combat the 
conflagration. 

The fire, which started Sun- 
day. Oct. 20. raced unchecked 
through the night and most of 
Monday, consuming 1 ,800 acres 
of woods and residences. Fire 
fighters from 22 counties re- 
sponded to the fire, the biggest 
to hit the Bay Area in years. 

Naval Air Station Alameda 
volunteered their base gymna- 


sium as a command post/respite 
for over 1,000 fire fighters on 
the line. At the command post, 
the California Department of 
Forestry , California Deptartment 
of Transportation 

(CALTRANS) and the Highway 
Patrol coordinated their efforts 
to put out the fire. By noon on 
Monday, the fire fighters found 
a hot meal, a shower and a place 
to rest at NAS Alameda be- 
tween assaults on the blaze. 
Alameda also made 1.000 box 
lunches for fire fighters and vol- 
unteers Sunday night. 

Shore - based commands 
around the Bay provided equip- 


ment and volunteers. HM-I9 
and HS-85 air squadrons at NAS 
Alameda provided helicopters 
for rescue efforts, equipment 
delivery and fire mapping. Area 

...NHO personnel 
provided afire truck , 
two fire fighters and 
emergency standby 
crews ... 

commands, including NAS 
Alameda, Public Works Center, 
Naval Supply Center Oakland, 
Naval Station Treasure Island, 
Naval Hospital Oakland and 


NAS Moffett Field provided fire 
trucks, fuel, portable lighting, 
utility trucks and over 50 volun- 
teers for the fire fighting effort. 

Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) personnel provided a fire 
truck, two fire fighters and 
emergency room standby crews, 
according to Lieutenant Junior 
Grade Nancy Franze, head of 
Mobilization and Planning. The 
hospital also made 38 beds 
available for fire victims and 
provided a triage nurse at the 
Berkeley collection station. 
Corpsmen assisted the Red Cross 
in providing damage estimates 
in the burned areas. “Along with 


the personnel we provided, we 
also supplied 14 cases of sterile 
saline irrigation solution to the 
Oakland Emergency Prepared- 
ness Office,” said Franze. 

USS Samuel Gompers, USS 
Wichita and USS Mauna Kea 
donated over 500 box lunches to 
the evacuees and fire fighters. 
USS Kansas City’s chaplain 
worked as a counselor for the 
evacuees, and a second class 
petty officer volunteered to 
evacuate animals to animal 
shelters. USS Texas volunteers 
worked with the Red Cross, 
helped fire fight fires and worked 
with a medical unit. 



Healthcare staffer Cheryl McGhee, RN weighs an apprehensive 
patient. Andrew Colins . (Official U.S. Navy photo by HM2 
Cynthia Malone) 


NHO Pedriatrics 

Back on track 

By Andree Marechal- Workman 

Bay Area military children may have found it difficult to find 
tare at Naval Hospital Oakland’s (NHO) Pediatric Department 
ihese past few months, but their parents should take heart. With the 

Red Cross Volunteer 
Recognition Day 

Naval Hospital Oakland’s 
Commanding Officer, Rear 
Admiral William Buckendorf 
designated Nov. 6 as Red Cross 
Volunteer Recognition Day. 
Our volunteers have devoted 
untold hours to support the health 
and welfare of our patients and 
staff. Their dedication and sup- 
port is vital to the fulfillment of 
our mission. In recognition of 



Disabled Awareness.. ,..2 
Onward with TQL 3 

C FC Football 4 

^ or your health 7 

Moffett news 8 


addition of four civilian-trained pediatricians, the Depart- 
ment is happy to report the staff is now more than ready, 
willing and able to see all the patients whocome their way. 

‘'Since April [1991], we have worked very hard to 
rebuild the Department which is now better than ever,” 
said Commander James J. Burns, MC, head of the Pedi- 
atric Department, “and we’re happy to report that service 
has improved considerably.” 

According to CDR Burns, in April 1991, the 
Department’s medical staff was reduced from 26 to 1 1 
pediatricians when the residency program was terminated 
at NHO, and this led many beneficiaries to seek health 
care elsewhere. “There were cut backs at the time,” he 
recalled, adding that, later, when the Department of 
Delense (DoD) took NHO off the base closure list, the 
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) allowed 
hiring of civilian physicians to fill the gap. 

“As a result,” the commander emphasized, “ our entire 
staff now consists of Medical Board-certified and Board- 
eligible pediatricians.” 

In a nutshell, all of this translates into the following 
improvements: 

* In the Pediatric Clinic, four civilian trained general 
pediatricians — Drs. Rachel Malina, Jack Percelay, Steve 
Campo and Louis Girling — joined their Navy counter- 
parts, Medical Corps LCDR Laura Prager, LCDR Jennifer 

Continued on page 3 


Why give to CFC? 



HM2 Kymyvette Jackson and 


daughter Stephanie. (Official U. 
S. Navy photo by HM2 James K. 
Sandridge) 

See story page 4 



American Red Cross volunteers 
were on hand June 22 to greet 
military dependents who the 
devastation of the Philippine 
volcano eruption (Official U.S. 
Navy photo by A. Marechal- 
Workman) 


their outstanding record, the fol- 
lowing program has been sched- 
uled for Nov. 6: 

* Starting at 11 a.m, a special 
program with keynote address 
by RADM Buckendorf, fol- 
lowed with awards' presenta- 
tions and entertainment. 

* A donation-subsidized spe- 
cial luncheon in the hospital 
dining room starting at 12:15 
P*m,, during which a decorated 
recognition cake will be pre- 


sented to the volunteers. 

According to CDR Ernest 
Ghent, MSC, head of Patient 
Administration, approximately 
80 volunteers are expected for 
the luncheon in the hospital din- 
ing room, and he is hopeful that 
donations of $ 1 .90 each will be 
made to finance their lunch. 

CDR Ghent said that indi- 
viduals who w ish to make a do- 
nation of $1.90 can do so by 
“adopting a volunteer.” By 
Continued on page 8 



Page 2 


Rod Rover 





Perspectives 


Navy birthday message from 
Com mander, CINC PACFLT 



Navy aviator "recruiter" gets a headstart during 
Meet Week (Official U.S. Navy photo by .102 
James T. Berry) 


Admiral Kelly speaks to Pacific Fleet 


PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — As we celebrate the 
Navy’s 216 birthday, we do so looking back at a year 
which was one of the most important in our history. The 
year began in Operation Desert Shield, with the Navy 
involved in the largest, best sustained and most successf ul 
maritime interdiction operation ever undertaken. In 
January, the first shots of Desert Storm were Toma- 
hawk cruise missiles launched from ships in the Red Sea 
and Persian Gulf. By late February , the largest naval 
force assembled since WW1I had participated in the 
execution of one of history’s most decisive military 
victories. In April, sailors and Marines of Pacific Fleet 
rendered aid to the survivors of a catastrophic typhoon 
in Bangladesh and in June we evacuated over 18.000 
victims of Mount Pinatubo. As we end the year. Navy 
ships remain on station throughout the world — pro- 
tecting a peace won through your hard work and sac- 
rifices. 

The promise of real and lasting peace is stronger than 
at any other time in this century. One of the primary 
reasons is the unparalled dedication and professional- 
ism of the American sailor and Marine. You contained 
communism, shored up new democracies and are the 
foundation of a bright new future. 

Though the changing world is full of hope and prom- 
ises, the United States will continue to depend on the 
Navy-Marine Corps team to protect its vital global 
interests. As we move boldly into the future, the men 
and women ol the Pacific Fleet remain our greatest 
strength. 


i 


Red Rover 


ThcKvd w published bimonthly by and far the employees of Naval 

Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The •<•-*! is printed commer- 

c tally with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P 35. 

Responsibility for Red R««\ r» contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office, Naval Hospital. 8750 Mountain Blvd.. Oakland. CA 94627-5000. 
Telephone (415) 633-5918 Text and photographs (except any copyrighted 
material) may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as by line or photo credit 
is given Views expressed arc not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense. Navy Department Bureau ol Medicine und Surgery or of the Com 
manding Officer Printed on recyclable paper 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
( apt a in Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul VV. Savercool 


Xssistanf Public Affairs Officer 
JO I Kav Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree Marechal- Work man 


l.ditoral Assistants 

J()2 Stephen R. Brown 
JOS A kvna S. Kirkpatrick 


C\[d~fO October Slzoards 


( ivilian of the Quarter: 

Oliver J. Johnson 


Sailor of the Month for September: 

MM1 Raphael Sanchez 


Good Conduct: (First) 


YN2 Daren Holt 
MS2 Jesse Jackson 
BM2 Daniel Loft us 
HM2 Derek KcKechnie 
HM2 BabeLte Powell 
PN2 Marlon Tumbado 
HM2 Christine Wurst 
HM3 Stuart Allen 
HM3 Pricilla Baker 
HM3 Matthew Goldflnger 
HM3 David Hagemann 
SH3 Abhy Metzger 
SH3 Mance Sloan 
HM3 Daniel Townsend 
HN Ricky Childers 
HN Cardell Green 
HN John Sandlin 


(Second) 

PNI Emmanuel Alforque 
HM2 Tony Landers 
HM2 Emmanuel Montenegro 
HM2 Frank Salazar 


(Third) 

HM2 Kymyvette Jackson 
ABH1 Mark Logue 
MSI Jimmie Pate 
MM2 Michael Adorno 


(Fourth) 

HMC Robert Spindle 
DTI Thomas Calimlim II 
EN 1 Camilo Padua 
SHCM Rudolph Bowden 
HMC Robert Spindle 


Navy Achievement Medal : (First) 


LT Jerry Gentry 
LT James Jackson 
LT Guy Rudin 
LTJG Jamie Wise 
MSC Alfredo Castillo 
HM 1 Onofre Llanes 
HMI Anita Sarmiento-Sison 
HM2 Mark Elliot 
HN Eduardo Apacible 


(Second) 


LTJG Corey Bain 


(Third) 

HMC Ruben Llagas 


Navy Commendation Medal: 

CDR James Burns 
LT Christopher Kane 
LT Anne Krekelberg 
HMCS Leon Francisco. Jr. 
HMC Pamela Robson 
MM2 Michcal Pasley 


Federal Employee of the V ear Nominee) 

LCDR Nancy Erickson 


Novemhpr i . 




October is 

Disabled Awareness Month 


In signing the Americans with Disability A 
of 1 990. President Bush welcomed all persons w ^ 
disabilities into the mainstream of the nation- 




workforce. As a result ol this legislation. 


niaoj 


policies and initiatives were introduced toremoig 

barriers that prevented people with disabilities M 

gaining access to programs and employ^ 
opportunities within the federal government. It a |^ 
guaranteed career development opportunities for 
employees with disabilities. 

The president has asked that we maximize on, 
efforts to ensure that people with disabilities hav { 
the opportunities they deserve. He recommended 
that all agencies review programs, policies and 
practices to ensure that they are included in federal 
programs, that they are recruited as federal 
employees and that incentives for productivity art 
encouraged. 

The president wants the federal government tc 
be a model for the rest of the contry to ensure that 
people with disabilities are afforded opportunities 
to become full participants in our society. Please 
share in this commitment. 

Point of contact for additional information on 
the Handicap Program is Civilian Personnel at 633- 
6374. 


I 


Civilian of the Quarter 



Oliver Johnson, a civilian laboratory technician, 
who is the head of the Patient Care Team (blood 
drawing and distribution), was recently selected 
Civilian of the Quarter for July-September 1991. 
According to his nomination. Johnson was chosen 
for his leadership skills, maturity and professional 
competence. Johnson, w ho is a retired chief petty 
officer in the Navy, continues to display steadfast 
dedication to the Navy. In his job and as a supervisor 
he interacts with nurses, corpsmen and ward clerks, 
and has established excellent rapport with all. 
Johnson continues to set an admirable example for 
those he works with and has been the key figure in 
the Laboratory Department. 

‘‘1 feel that Oliver Johnson.' s nomination was 
due to his outstanding performance and leadership 
during this period , and specifically because o( how 
well he headed the Patient Care Team," said head 
of Ancilliary Sen ices Captain Donald Greenfie^ 
Oliver Johnson is a true professional and is a gh ,[ 
asset to the civilain working force at NHO as 
as to the Navy. Congratulations Mr. Johnson! 
your nomination and a job well done! 




November L 


Red Rover 


Page 3 


Onward with Total Quality Leadership 


I B> JOSN K> na S. Kirkpatrick 

Here ar Naval Hospital 
Oakland (NHO), everyone has 
either read or heard about Total 
Quality Leadership (TQL) — 
the department heads who attend 
the training sessions or their 
stall who get the information 
from them. 

'The major principles of 
the TQL. philosophy are. first of 
alh that management and 
leadership are responsible for 
ihe mission of the organization 
and to the system that exists to 
accomplish that mission, " said 
Quality Improvement 

Coordinator, Lieutenant 
Commander Carol Bohn. She 
added that to institute TQL at 
MHO, the commanding officer 
and upper management have 
begun taking courses to learn 
the aspects involved behind the 
philosophy. 

Total Quality Leadership is 
basically a concept or a 
philosophy, but also involves a 
number of principles. These 
principles are what form a 
concept that can help [us] find a 
way of doing business,"' said 
Bohn 

The TQL concept started 
with a man named W. Edward 
Demrng, an engineer called to 
J apan alter the war as a cons u I tan t 


to help the country get back on 
track “Japan s goal was to 
become the best provider of 
quality products in the world," 
stated Bohn. 

"He never called his 
philosophy TQL, he called it 
‘Statistical Process Control.’ ... 
Initially the Navy called it Total 
Quality Management (TQM),” 
explained Bohn. A couple of 
years later | the military | changed 
the title to Total Quality 
Leadership (TQL). 

As with any philosophy, 
there are basic ideas behind the 
main concept. “Probably 90 
percent of all problems that 
people have in a working 
environment are systems (work 
structures/organizations) over 
which the everyday worker has 
no control ," explained Bohn. 
Therefore, management has a 
responsibility to give the support 
and resources for employees to 
get their job done. 

Bohn said another basic 
TQL idea is that people want to 
do a good job. ‘if employees 
are given support and [adequate] 
resources, they are led to 
appreciate how critical they are 
to the mission, can look at their 
own processes (methods of 
accomplishing the job) and find 
opportunities to improve the 
product," said Bohn. 



T o explain the concept, Bohn 
used an analogy involving a car. 
If a manufacturer waifs until the 
product is finished to inspect it. 
it will not be a successful sales 
item. If a defect is found when it 
is inspected, at this late point in 
time, there are only three options: 
Dispose of it, give it back to the 
worker to be fixed, or give it to 
the customer anyway. All three 
of these result in a monetary loss 
to the manufacturer. The last 
option could also result in the 
loss of future business from the 
customer. 

Bohn gave some statistics 
from a quality improvement 
study that stated the following: 
It costs about a dollar to build 
quality into a product. It would 
cost $10 to go back and fix it 
because that would mean starting 
all over. But, if a defective 
service or product gets to a 
customer, it costs $100 dollars 
to replace it, and you will 
probably lose the customer. “So 
the idea is that by building quality 
into your product, you increase 
productivity and your chances 
of keeping the customer," she 
said. Bohn continued to explain 
that this concept is as applicable 
to service-oriented areas, like 
patient care, as it is to 
manufacturing. 

Management in our country 


has traditionally looked at 
products or services after the 
fact. “TQL teaches people that 
you have to build quality into the 
product itself," said Bohn. 


" People don't 
resist change; 
they resist being 
changed she 
said. “If people 
are willing to 
work with a 
change then it 
will succeed. ” 


It will take lime to institute 
TQL fully at NHO. “This is not 
something that will happen 
overnight because the military 
uses the old way of looking at 
things," said Bohn. They [also] 
tend to feel that if a product or 
service is defective, it is because 
people don’t want to do a good 
job. “To bring about change, 
people have to be taught a whole 
new way of looking at things," 
added Bohn. 

NHO’s upper management 
have attended many seminars 
and courses that include: TQL 
Awareness, Two-day Team 


Building Course, Strategic 
Planning Retreat, Team Leader/ 
Facilitator Course and an Upper 
Management Course. “These 
executive people are the ones 
who decide what kinds of 
problems should be brought to a 
Process Action Team (PAT). 
The PAT team evaluates a 
problem and finds solutions to 
that problem. 

Bohn added that PAT teams 
are made up of people who are 
part of the main functioning 
departments of the hospital. As 
Bohn put it,“everything goes 
through department lines that are 
major parts of the command." 

In conclusion, Bohn sa id 
TQL will give everyone an 
opportunity to identify ways to 
improve their own work 
environment. “People don't 
resist change; they resist being 
changed," she said. “If people 
are willing to work with a change 
then it will succeed." 

With a smile, Bohn stated 
that NHO management will 
know when TQL is on line and 
working when a visiting digni- 
tary can walk around the hospi- 
tal, walk up to any staff member 
and ask, “what is the mission of 
NHO?" And that person will be 
able to not only tell what our 
mission is, but also why he/she 
is important to that mission. 




NHO Supply Department 


SHARE distribution center 




If you're tired of 
guiding loo much 
money on food and want 
lodo something about it. 
SHARE can help you 
subsidize your monthly 
food bill. 

Everyone qualifies 
•or the program. Just two 
hours community service 
and s 1 3 cash or food 
stamps will provide you 
^hh JO pounds of food 
worth between $25 and 
$35 of the kind listed 
below as an example: 

^ lbs chicken leg 
quarters 
* > lbs potatoes 
•- - lbs cod fish fillets 
, 2 lbs onions 
1 tbs ground turkey 
1 head cabbage 
leli meat 




* 1 lb carrots 

* 1 box fruit and fiber 
cereal 

' 5 apples 

* 2 pkgs frozen 
vegetables 

* I bag of kiwis 

* 5 small pkgs yogurt 
raisins 
6 oranges 
3 lbs sweet potatoes 

* 1 can pineapple 

The next distribution 
day is Nov. 23 . at the 
Supply Department. 
Building 505, during the 
period Oct. 28 - Nov. 22, 
with SK2 William 
McDaniel at 633-6340. 
Points ot contact for 
lurthcr information are 
HMI Lisa McManus at 
633-552 1 and HM I Vicki 
Basham at 633-5075. 






* 


Pediatrics cont’d from page 1 



Department. (Official U.S. Navy photo by HM2 Cynthia Malone) 


Tucker and LT David Tam, as 
well as pediatric cardiologist, 
CDR Scott Balderston. MC, 
pediatric hematologist, CDR 
Kevin Shannon, MC, and pediat- 
ric infectious disease specialist, 
LCDR Robert Frenck, MC. 

* Two full-time physicians 
are staffing the Adolescent Medi- 
cine Clinic: Medical Coips CDR 
James Burns and CDR Rick 
Weisscr. 

* Neonatal services are pro- 
vided by Navy pediatricians, CDR 
Julian Keith, MC. and CDR Lee 
Marker, MC. 

In addition, CDR Burns said 


that a pediatrician is on call 24 
hours a day, seven days a week for 
emergencies. He also said that 
more civilian pediatricians can be 
hired as the patient load increases. 

“As staff level now stands," 
the head of the Pediatric Depart 
ment said, “ we can accommodate 
approximately 100 patients per 
day between 8:15 a.m. and 
3: 30 p.m. What’s more, he 
stressed proudly, the Department 
provides good continuity of care 
because “mothers will now be able 
to choose one pediatrician and 
stay with that individual." 

So it would seem that young 


military dependents have to do to 
get the best care the Navy has to 
offer is have their parents call 
(510) 633-5650, between 7:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., for an ap- 
pointment. 


{Editor's Note: Any suggestions 
on how the P ediatric Department 
can serve their patrons better 
should be addressed to James J. 
Burns, CDR, MC. USN. head. 
Department of Pediatrics, Naval 
Hospital Oakland. 8750 Moun- 
tain Blvd., Oakland, CA. 04027- 


Page 4 



CFC flag football game 


Text by LT James Jackson, MSC and JO 1 Kay Lorentz 

Photos by SN Wael Issa 

It was high noon plus two hours on Friday, Oct. 18. when the Medical Service Corps 
(MSC) officers and the Naval Hospital Oakland Chiefs took to the field in a flag football 
showdown for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Unlike most showdowns, this one 
had a twist in that both sides were composed of the “good guys,"and there would be no loser 
in this contest, regardless of what the scoreboard said. 

The coin toss was called by Eric Delisle, son of HMC Karen and Mr. Edward Delisle. 

The family has been an avid supporter and vocal advocate of CFC for several years. The toss 
was ruled valid by NHO's Executive Officer, Captain Noel Hyde, who also served as 
honorary coach for the MSC team. The MSC won the toss and elected to receive. 

Erline Oliver, from the Administrative Support Department, capably delivered the 
national anthem. Although the sound system temporarily failed pan way through, Oliver, 
obviously a veteran performer, maintained her composure and finished it a cappella. 

With a cry of “bursitis be damned! " the Chiefs look to the field to meet the MSCs. After 
two unsuccessful kick off attempts, the game got underway as HMC “Smokey" Lerma 
kicked off from the 1 2 -yard line. The first touchdown of the game was scored by LTGreg 
Sterne, who made a spectular diving catch to ignite the MSC attack. 

As this "Battle of the Titans" wore on, it became apparent that the Chief's offense, 
led by the able HMCM Clifton Caner, could move the ball. But it also became apparent that 
the MSC “Doom's Day Defense," spearheaded by LT Tony Jackson, would bend but would 
not break. 

Unfortunately for the Chiefs fans, the final 45 to 0 score in favor of the MSC officers 
was a little difficult to handle. However, we should keep in mind that since the Chiefs are 
responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the U.S. Navy and keeping junior MSC 
officers in line during the work day, they were undoubtedly worn out by their Herculean 
efforts prior to taking the field. Hopefully, next year, they will be able to take a little time 
out from their heavy responsibilities to rest prior to the game. 

The Chiefs pride themselves on the development of the junior enlisted members, and 
over the next three days, the flow of chiefs to the Emergency Room and the Primary Care 
Clinic gave many of the junior staff members excellent experience in the treatment of 
geriatric problems. 


ENS Mark Stevenson goes back to pass as a Chief puts the heat on MSC cheerleaders root for their team 



In the end, the real winners were the Combined Federal Campaign and all of the 
organizations it supports. A special thank you goes to the Chiefs, the MSCs and the mans 
individuals who helped make this event a success and give a good time to all. 

The game wouldn t have been possible without the time and effort devoted to the cause 
by a number of support personnel — the referees: Umpire, HM 1 Michael McManus: line 
judge. PCI Robert Medina; back judge, HMI Carleton Sanders and side judges. HMJ 
Herbert Waltz and HN Terry Acker. The game was ably called by SN Mark Herrington from 
Command Education and Training. 

Ensuring game patrons didn t suffer from a beverage and food deprivation was the job 
ol the concessionaires. The stand was manned primarily by members of the NHO First Class 
Association, including HMls Robert Richardson. Ronald Darnell, Dean Poole. 
Catharine Grushus and Fred Crowder. They were assisted by HMC Karen Delisle and her 
husband, Edward. 

Of course, no game is complete without cheerleaders. Cheering the MSC officers were: 
LTs Glenda Fowler, Leslie Finley, Lea Beilman and Jennifer Abasolo: LTJG Katherine 
Starr and ENS Janet Olson. The Chiefs didn't lack for support. Their pep section included * 
PNCM Betty McClyman (also honorary coach for the Chiefs), HMCs Suzanne Black. Jean 
McColley, Pamela Robeson and Nina Connor. 




Red Rover 


Page 5 


November 1. O'Jl 

Naval 


Medical Administration 

Text by A. Mare chal Workman 
Photos by HM2 James K. Sandridge 


Unit Monterey 


The Navy Medical Administration 
Unit's mission is to provide 
administrative support to active-duty 
Navy /Marine Corps personnel in the 
Monterey Bay. area and their 
dependents. 

According to an article by JO 1 Jayne 
Duri dated Feb. 22, 1990, “this support 
spans the whole range of military 
medical needs such as facilitating 
overseas and HIV screenings, 
processing emergency medical bills, 
handling immunizations, physical 
examinations and setting up 
appointments for medical boards [at 
Naval Hospital] Oakland (NHO). 

• It [also] acts as liaison between the 
Navy and Marine Corps service- 
members stationed [in the Monterey 
area] and at local Army facilities, 
making sure that Navy standards and 
requirements are met and intervening 
whenever necessary/' 


probably do more of that with the retirees 
than with active-duty personnel, " he 
said. “For instance, if our clients have 
problems at Fort Ord or with the 
PRIMUS Clinic, we can intercede and 
pursue those matters [to the customer’s 
satisfaction].” 

Because they are a very small facility 
manned by very few — 12 military 
members and one civilian — the Unit 
has a very busy schedule. “We could 
subdivide into three departments,” Kite 
said. “Physical Exams, Medical Records 
and the Armed Forces Blood Bank 
located at Fort Ord." 

This means that, out of the 13 staff 
members, four are on Temporary 
Auxilliary Duty at the Fort Ord Blood 
Bank. 

“People think of the Montery Clinic 
as a nice cushy job,” mused HM 1 Kite, 
“but we really do a lot of work.” As an 
example, he cited NPS’s "one step 


before it existed,” he explained. “For 
us, it’s just acontinuation of what we’ve 
always done. ..it’s cooperation, team 
work, doing the best for your 
customers.” And i f it means cooperating 


with other uniform services, the staff at 
Monterey’s Naval Medical Admin- 
istration Unit are all in its favor so long 
as it results in total customer satisfaction. 




Unit 

“Occasionally , we get retirees." said 
Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant Kim- 
berly K. Pellek, MSC. underlining the 
“administrative only" phase of their 
mission. The Army prov ides the patient 
care either at PR I M US Cl in ic here, or at 
Silas B Hayes Army Medical Center at 
Fort Ord.” 

Located on the Presidio of Monterey, 
a skip and a jump from the scenic 
Marina, the Aquarium and* the many 
attractions designed to lure tourists to 
romantic Monterey Peninsula, the Naval 
Administration Unit has offices in the 
PRIMUS Clinic, a civilian enterprise 
overseen by the U.S. Army. Its sphere 
of activity includes NavaJ Postgraduate 
School (NPS), Naval Telecommu- 
nications Center, Personnel Support 
Activity. Detachment, Marine Corps 
detachment. Fleet Numerical 
Oceanographic Center, Naval Security 
Uroup Detachment, Naval Ocean- 
n grapby & Atmospheric Laboratory, 
NPS Branch Clinic and the Naval 
Reserve Center. 

Ihese various commands translate 
into about 25(X) Navy/Marine Corps 
active-duty personnel, added the 
lieutenant, who specified that, with 
Regards to the retiree population, the 
Unit s mission is “to refer them to the 
appropriate facility” — at Silas B. 
Ha y° • <l»e PRIMUS Clinic or NHO. 

According lo the Unit's leading petty 
°llieei, HMI Kile, the medical 
"'ministration facility also serves as a 
P r<> blem solving facilitator. We 


check- out, check-in’’ that usually 
involves between 200 and 300 students. 
"For us, that’s an all-day thing," he said. 
"We pull everybody for it, leaving only 
one person in the building.” 

HM2 Melinda Fernandez reinforced 
the labor-intensive aspect of the Unit’s 
mission with anotherexample, this time 
flu shots. “We just did our first command 
yesterday — Naval Security 
Detachment,” she said. “We got about 
81% show rate, and it took the six 
corpsmen we have in the building, who 
gave 400 shots. That meant everyone 
being here in the morning prior to 7 
a.m. ’ — the usual clinic’sopening hour. 

According to the Unit's staff, 
working with other uniform services 
(Army, Air Force and Coast Guard) is 
"interesting, different, challenging” 
mainly because of the difference in 
interpretation — for instance, 
interpretation of fitness for duty or 
medical boards. 

"It's different, but it’s a very positive 
experience, ’’specified LT Pellek, 
referring to the medical administration 
unit's cooperative efforts with Army 
personnel in the area. "They’re part of 
our family, too, and this makes things 
easier with our customer service.” 

Customer service is the bottom line, 
added II M 1 Kile, explaining that TQL/ 
TQM has been a familiar concept for 
their staff ever since their facility started 
operational the present site in December 
1976. 

"We were probably doing TQM/TQL 


HM3 Alelo P. Lasam gives an immunization shot to SN Michael Driscoll of 
Naval Security Detachment 



HM2 Bong Baladad studies a vial of blood at the Armed Forces Blood 
Bank 







Page 6 


November 


I e\l by JO l Kay Loren tz 
Photos by HM2 James K. Sandridge 


Red Rover 

9{ava( hospital Oakland 
‘Why give to Cd C ? 
lip Close 



Guardian Angels 

In the early morning hours of July 24 of this 


\cai, t licr^^l Bernardo s house was an arsonist s 
target. 1 he lamily managed to escape without 
injury, including their animals, hut when the fire 
was linally out, they had lost everything hut the 
nightclothes they had been wearing when the fire 
broke out. What didn't burn was severely fire- 
damaged, mostly beyond repair. They were 
devastated. 

The next day, an American Red Cross case 
worker started to work immediately on their case, 
and they were given lodging at a motel, vouchers 
for clothes and shoes from a department store as 
well as a food voucher from a grocery store. 


The help didn’t stop there. When they located a 
new place to live, the Red Cross helped with their 
lirsl month's rent and security deposit and gave 
them vouchers for new beds, bedding and a chest of 
drawers. 

As Cheryl Bernardo, a secretary at the Naval 
School of Health Sciences San Diego Detachment, 
put it: ‘The American Red Cross was a lifesaver... 

I can never find the words to describe how I feel 
about this organization of “guardian angels.” As 
one of the recipient organizations on the CFC list 
this year, they deserve your donations. They 
definitely have mine.” 



From the heart 



HM2 Michael Pasley 


“My story is true. My story is painful. It comes 
from the heart so please bear with me. I'm not very 
polished at this and this is still very painful.” 

With those words, HM2 Michael R. Pasley, 
Naval Hospital Oakland's Emergency Room 
leading petty officer, went on to give his very 
poignant and stirring testimony in support of two 
agencies that helped him. HM2 Pasley may not be 
a professional speaker, but the words he spoke 
came from his heart and had a strong impact on his 
listeners. 

On Oct. 25, 1985, his first child, Sean Michael, 
was bom with a congenital heart anomaly. Sean 
wasn't expected to survive, but he lived on for six 
months after undergoing open heart surgery at both 
a military and a civilian hospital. 

During their heart-breaking experience, the 
Pasleys were rescued by social workers who referred 
them to CFC-supported agencies. The first time 
was in Philadelphia, at the Ronald MacDonald 
House, where they were provided a place to relax 


away from the hospital. 

The second rescuer was the American Red 
Cross who, after Sean died, gave the couple money 
to pay for transportation to their native West Coast 
where they wanted their son to be buried. The 
money also paid for the burial. 

HM2 Pasley summed up his feelings towards 
the Red Cross during the command's CFC kickoff 
ceremony when he said, “I didn't forget the Red 
Cross. All they asked was that, at times like this 
Combined Federal Campaign, I give a few dollars 
if I could afford it, and I can." 

HM2 Pasley also provided insight into why our 
participation in CFC fund drives is so important 
when he said, “there's a perception in the military 
community that the CFC does not really do much 
for military servicemembers. In my case. I can 
attest unequivocally that the Ronald McDonald 
House and the American Red Cross have made an 
important and positive impact in my life." 


Remember the little guy 


Imagine you are a single parent and your three- 
month-old daughter has just been diagnosed with 
cerebral palsy. That was the situation HM2 
Kymyvette Jackson from Occupational Health 
found herself in about four years ago. 

Some of the organizations that helped her ride 
out the rough times were Navy Relief, United 
Cerebral Palsy Association, Through the Looking 
Glass and BANANAS, Inc. 

Her daughter, Stephanie, attends the Naval Air 
Station Alameda Day Care Center, and goes to the 
Alameda Unified School District where she attends 
preschool lor special education children. Last year, 
I IM2 Jackson said that she wanted her Combined 
Federal Campaign (CFC) donation to go to the 
school. She pul down Woodstock Preschool on the 
form, specifically indicating the special education 
branch, and the money reached its destination. 

One ol her concerns is that a lot o( the larger 


organizations get frequent donations, while some 
of the smaller ones are left out at donation lime. “I 
really want to tell people [about the little guys] -- 
the ones who are sitting way dow n at the bottom of 
the form. We have to remember the little guy 
because they need help, too. They might be the 
ones who save you.” 

The future for Stephanie appears to be a happy 
one. “She's very minimally handicapped, as far as 
cerebral palsy. She looks like any other child 
playing, but her problem is more in her 
communication ability, among other things. 

HM2 Jackson summed up her feelings about her 
situation and the help she received along the way 
when she said, “it s a blessing, because I don l have 
the pain any more. I look at her and I 'm very happy. 
I’ve been blessed ... These people helped, and 1 
don’t think I could have done it without them." 



HM2 k\myvette Jackson 


Red Rover 


Page 7 




November 1, 1991 

For vour health 

Water: the forgotten nutrient 

adding or deleting minerals. 


By LT Terry L. Priboth, 
MSC, USNR 

Water is die most vital 
nutrient. Although we could live 
for about five weeks without 
food, we could only survive a 
few days without water. Our 
bodies are actually about two- 
thirds water. The average adult 
contains 40 to 50 quarts of w ater 
with 40% in cells. Blood 
contains 83% water, brain and 
muscle 75% and bone 22%. 

The current Recommended 
Daily Allow ance for water is 1- 
1.5 milliliters/kilo calories of 
energy expanded. That’s about 
8- 1 2 cups dai ly . Requirements 
var> with climate, metabolic rate, 
body size, type of diet and 
exercise. Good water replacers 
are milk, juice, seltzer, soft 
drinks, soups, fruits and 
vegetables. Coffee, tea and oilier 
caffeine-containing beverages 
are not good water Teplacers 
because caffeine acts as a diuretic 
causing w ater loss. Alcohol has 
a similar diuretic effect. 

To avoid dehydration and 
heal stroke, drink water before, 
during and after exercise. 
Dehydration can occur before 
thirst is triggered. Drink one or 
two cups of water 5-15 minutes 
before a workout or competition. 
During a strenuous workout, 
drink one cup of water every 15- 
20 minutes. 

For the average athlete, cold 
water is the best fluid for quick 
rehydration. Commercial sport 
drinks are unnecessary and the 


extra sugar in them actually 
slows absorption from the 
stomach and intestines. The 
exception is during a high 
intensity event, such as a 
marathon, lasting longer than 90 
minutes. Drinking a sports drink 
during such an event may 
increase stamina by replacing 
electrolytes and providing 
glucose or, preferably, glucose 
polymers which are absorbed 
more quickly. 

Sales of bottled water have 
risen 400% in the last decade. 
Despite the cost, one in 15 
households now use bottled 
water for drinking. It may taste 
better, but it is not necessarily 
any safer or healthier than tap 
water. Minimum standards for 
safetv and quality are set by the 
Food and Drug Administration 
and match standards for 
municipal watersupplies. There 
are many types of bottled water, 
and composition varies. The 
various types of bottled water 
available are described below: 

CLUB SODA - Tap water that 
is filtered and artificially 
carbonated with carbon dioxide 
(bubbles). Contains added salt 
and minerals. 

SELTZER - Same as above but 
has no added salts. May have 
juice and/or sugar added for 
flavor (adds calories, too). 

NATURAL WATER - Not 
derived from municipal system 
and has not been modified by 


SPARKLING WATER - Contains carbon 
monoxide either naturally or added during 
bottling. 

SPRING WATER - Naturally flows out of 
the earth at a particular spot and is bottled at 
or near its source. Not altered by addition or 
deletion of minerals. 

WELL WATER - Extracted from a man- 
made hole in the ground which taps the 
water of an aquifer. 

STILL WATER - No bubbles and may or 
may not be processed. Comes from any 
source including municipal water supplies. 

PURIFIED (DISTILLED) WATER 

Completely demineralized by evaporation 
and recondensation processes. Flat-tasting. 
Often used for medicinal purposes. Not 
recommended for routine drinking or for 
mixing infant formula. 

MINERAL WATER - From either surface 
or ground water, it's really any water 
containing minerals (not distilled). 
International Bottled Water Association 
requires mineral water to contain not less 
than 500 parts per million ( 1/8 teaspoon per 
quart) of total dissolved solids. The more 
solids or minerals, the stronger the taste. 


While most household tap water is safe, it 
can be contaminated by lead from pipes. To 
decrease the chance of “leaching”lead from 
pipes, run only cold water from pipes for 
drinking and cooking. If you want to have 
your water tested, you can call The Safe 
Drinking Water Hotline at 1 -800-426-479 1 
for a nearby certified lab. 


Chapfain 's Comer 

Some pretty good people 


Bv LT Anne Krekelberg, 
CHC, LSN 

1 do a lot of reading. When I 
find a gem. I want to spread the 
word. Lew is Smedes is professor 
°l philosophy at Fuller 
Theological Seminary in 
Pasadena and has written a 
numberof books. I like them all 
they are easy to read and 
straight to the point. But there is 
°ne I particularly like because it 
roakes me fed pretty good. It’s 
called A Pretty Good Person. 

Lr. Smedes asserts that there 
is a P f ctty good person in all of 
Uv Hard to imagine, isn’t it? If 
>°u re like me, you know some 
PeopJe who have done a terrific 
J°h of hiding that ‘pretty good 
Prison.’ And sometimes we 
vVcn wonder about ourselves. 
Bui I have to agree with Dr. 
Smedes. After all, when God 
finished creating the heaven and 
earth and everything in it, 
deluding human beings, he 


‘looked at everything he had 
made, and found it very good.” 
(Genesis l:31)WhoamItoargue 
with God? 

In a world full of people who 
criticize us and stores full of 
self-help books that tells us 
what we ought to be and give us 
formulas for how we should get 
there (wherever “there” is), it’s 
really nice to hear someone 
affirm us for simply being who 
we are. 

But A Pretty Good Person is 
not a fluffy feel-good book. Far 
from it. Smedes strikes at the 
core of our creation as human 
beings and challenges us to 
become the person God intended 
us to be. He does this by 
discussing several characteristics 
that are the hallmarks of pretty 
good people. 

* Courage: The willingness 
to risk death for the love of life. 

Gratitude: A deep sense 
of thanksgiving and joy in the 


face of adversity and suffering. 

* Integrity: Standing for what is right 

even if it means being on the outside of 

what's ”tn.” 

* Self-control: The ability to make 
choices and take responsibility for who we 
are and what we do. 

* Discernment: Knowing when we're 
wrong and having the humility to make it 
right 

* Fairness: standing aside when our 
ego says we want to stand in the center. 

It’s hard being a pretty good person, 
there’s no doubt about that. And there’s 
certainly no guarantee that we ll ever even 
come close to being great. But no one, not 
even God, is asking us to be great. All that's 
asked of us is to be pretty good people. 

And there are lots of pretty good people 
out there. I’ve met them. They come in all 
shapes and sizes, colors and ages. They 
come as patients and as staff, as civilians 
and as students. And when all that's left of 
us is dust and a memory in someone’s heart 
... when all that s Iclt is a gravestone that 
reads. Here lies a pretty good person..." 1 
guess that’s ... well ... pretty good. 


OAK KNOLL 
NEWS 



New phone network 

On May 17. 1991. the Electronic Tandem Net work 
(ETN, dial 7 telephone service) was activated. This 
network provides interconnectivity between all the 
bases currently being serviced by Public Works 
Cenler-San Francisco Bay Consolidated Area 
Telephone System. By dialing 7, plus the three digit 
code assigned to the specific base being called, 
followed by the last four digits of the desired phone 
numberon that base, the call will be processed with no 
toll charges incurred. 


NAS ALAMEDA 

7-263-XXXX 

WPNSTA CONCORD 

7-246-XXXX 

SUBSHIPS 


HUNTERS POINT 

7-475-XXXX 

NAS MOFFETT FIELD 

7-494-XXXX 

DODHF NAVATO 

7-382-XXXX 

NAVHOSP OAKLAND 

7-633-XXXX 

NAVHOSP OAKLAND 

7-636-XXXX 

NSC OAKLAND 

7-672-XXXX 

NSC POINT MOLATE 

7-231-XXXX 

NAVFACENGCOM 


San Bruno 

7-244-XXXX 

NAVSECGRUACT 


Skaggs Island 

7-553-XXXX 

NAVSTA 


Treasure Island 

7-395-XXXX 


Security note 

Parking on board NHO is an ever growing problem 
for patients and stall' alike. The problem is under 
consideration at present to alleviate the conditions. 
Security is only citing those violaters who are causing 
raffic hazards, obstructing fire lanes or cross walks 
and parking on grass areas. The $15 magistrate 
tickets are issued to those violaters without DoD 
decals displayed on their vehicles. All other violaters 
tire issued Armed Forces traffic tickets. Point of 
contact for further information is the Security 
Department at 633-6077/78. 


Holiday Bazaar 

I T fcx i 

'?*■*;,*/!* iVW*} 

As the C hristmas season comes upon us, the time to 
shop lor those special gifts gets shorter and shorter. The 
Mare Island Officers’ Wives Club has come with a 
solution to everyone’s shopping needs. On Saturday, 
Nov. 16, Irom 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., they are holding a 
holiday bazaar. The bazaar, which is beint> heldat the 
Mare Island Naval Shipyard Field House, is open to the 
public and admission is free. So, bring yourself and 
your Christmas shopping list, and everyone is sure to 
find a gilt lor those special people, big or small. Point 
ol contact is Yvonne Martin at (707) 647-7504. 


* a £ e ^ Red Rover 

People in the news from BMC Moffett 


LT Eric Johnson was frocked to present rank. 

LCDR Ricky Toyama was advanced to present rank. 

MM2 Edythe Norton received the Navy Achievement 
Medal for her performance of duly as Education and 
Training petty officer while attached to the USNS 
Mercy during Operation Desert Storm and a Letter of 
Commendation for her performance of duty while 
stationed at BMC Moffett Field. 


WASHINGTON (NES) — Many of Navy 
Medicine's retired beneficiaries have adopted 
lifestyles that allow them to travel to warmer cli- 
mates during the winter months and return north in 
the summer. 

The sudden influx of seasonal beneficiaries oc- 
casionally strains the available services at many of 
our medical treatment facilities located in temper- 
ate climates. Priority for medical treatment is set by 
law, but there are still many services available for 
retired beneficiaries at facilities throughout the 
country. 

With just a little pre-planning, and by following 
the eight suggested steps to acquiring medical care 
at a Uniformed Services Medical Treatment Facility 
(USMTF), your medical needs will be met in an 
expeditious manner with the highest quality medical 
care available. 

Planning for the road: 

* Obtain all routine health care prior to leaving 
home (eye exams, pap smears and physical exams). 
Do not depend on the USMTF on the road to be able 
to provide routine health care on short notice. 

* Always carry a copy of your medical records. 

Red Cross 

cont’d from page 1 

contacting the Red Cross office at 633-5880, he 
added, "you can identify the volunteer you are 
supporting by name or offer your donation lor any 
volunteer, [and the] volunteers will receive a note 
letting them know [the names of the donois]. 

Adding that the latter will be contacted and told 
where, when and to whom to make thcircontri- 
bution, CDR Ghent concluded "Support our vol- 
unteers! Call the Red Cross Office today and offer 
a donation!" 


Meritorious Unit Commendations for duly while 
attached to the 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade. 29 
Palms. 

HM2 Richard Burk received a Certificate of 
Commendation from the comanding general. I st Force 
Service Support Group, Fleet Marine Force (FMF) 
Pacific, for superior performance of duty while serving 
as a Preventive Medicine technician in the kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia. 


This should include information from anv civilian 

j 

physicians. If you keep a health record at two 
facilities, have copies made of entries recorded in 
the last year, including laboratory and radiology 
reports. 

* If you have a complicated medical history, 
visit your local physician before departing. Be sure 
your physician indicates your health problems, 
history, treatment and plans forcare inyourrecord. 
Seek your physician’s advice in regard to meeting 
your medical needs while traveling. 

* Carry a 30-to-45-day supply of all 
medications and medical supplies since it may take 
that long to get an appointment at another USMTF. 
Carry a hand-written prescription for medications. 

* Know where your original medical record is 
maintained and the address and phone number of 
the facility. 

* If you are going to relocate for several 
months, and have complicated needs, call the 
USMTF at the new location to check if they have 
the services needed to care for your medical condi- 
tion. 

* Obtain a good supplemental insurance plan 
to cover services not covered by the C ivilian Health 
and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services 
(CHAMPUS) or Medicare. 

* Follow your prescribed medical regime in 
order to control your health problems. An out-of- 
control medical condition is more difficult to man- 
age and could lead to increased costs and slower 
recovery. 

Following these eight steps should ease your 
worries over possible health needs during your trip. 
Have a safe and healthy journey and enjoy yourself. 


November 1, |<^ ( 

Sports Update^ 

Central Pacific Sports Conference (CPSC) - \i ( . n < 
7-man Mag Football Tournament 

A 7-man Hag football tournament will be held \, n 
16-17 at NAS Alameda. Commands are requested t 0 
forward entries and berthing requests to Joe H i j 
athletic director, NAS Alameda, no later than N ()v V 
Entries should include full name, rate/rank, so U:j | 
security number and name of command. For more 
information contact the CPSC Athletic Director. J lr ^ 
Gass at (707) 646-3301/4289 or Autovon 253-330ii 
4289. 

Central Pacific Sports Conference (CPSC) 
Wrestling Championships 

A wrestling tournament will be held Dec. 7 at 8 a m 
in the.Rodman Recreation Center Gymnasium, Bldg 
545, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA 
Entries will be taken from the weigh-in period of 8-9 
a.m. For more information contact the CPSC Athletic 
Director, J im Gass at (707 ) 646-330 1 /4289 or Autovon 
253-3301/4289. 

Fall Classic 8-hall Tournament 

This event will be held at the Bowling Center on Nov. 
5, starting at 4:30 p.m., double elimination. Trophies 
will be awarded to the first and second place winners. 
The entry fees will go, to the Combined Federal 
Campaign. Sign up at the Bowling Center at 633- 
6730. 

Lifeguards wanted. Part-time lifeguards are wanted 
for evening work at the NHO swimming pool. Call 
633-6365 for more information. 


Attention all hands 

Naval Medical Command Instruction 6230.3 
requires that all active- duty personnel be administered 
influenza immunizations annually. Also* Naval 
Medical Command Instruction 63 1 0.2 requires annual 
HIV blood testing for military health care personnel. 
This year, both influenza immunizations and HIV 
blood draws will be conducted on 7 West, Nov. 4 
through Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Health and Dental 
records will be provided. Personnel wdth allergies or 
health conditons that require personnel to be excused 
from influenza vaccinations must contact Preventive 
Medicine at 633-5707. HIV positive members will 
receive influenza ummunizations at another hospital 
location. Positive members should call preventive 
Medicine at 633-5707 or Ward 7-N at 633-5030 for 
more specific information. 

Active duty health and dental records will be 
available on 7 West on the following days as noted by 
the last two digits of social security numbers: 

Date Last 2 more 

NOV 4 00-20 

NOV 5 21-40 

NOV 6 41-60 

NOV 7 61-80 

NOV 8 81-99 


Happy Halloween October 31st 



HM2 John Arnold received the Navy Achievement 
Medal for his performance of duty while stationed at 
Naval Hospital Guam. 

LT Brian Kerr received the Navy Achievement Medal 
lor his performance of duty as pharmacyofficer while 
attached to the USNS Mercy during Operation Desert 
Storm. 

H MC Jose Cayanan received a Letter of Commendation 
from the commanding officer, 2nd Medical Battalion 
during Operation Desert Storm. 

HM2 Jennifer Johnson and HM3 Julio Rivera received 
a Letter of Commendation for their performance of 
duties while stationed at BMC, Moffett Field. 

HM2 Charles Perry and HM2 Jimmy Mosley received 


HM2 Shawn Kassner received a Certificate of 
Commendation from the commanding general, 1st Force 
Service Support Group, FMF Pacific, for superior 
performance of duly while serving as leading petty 
officer of Pre-operative Ward, 1st Medical Battalion. 
1st Force Service Support Group in the kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia. 

HM3 Paul Shelley, HM3 Roel Olivares and HM3 Keith 
Duffy received Letters of Appreciation for their prompt 
and efficient aid in helping care for a patient in acute 
respiratory distress. 

HM3 Stephanie Palm and HM2 Bobby Kennedy were 
awarded their first Good Conduct Award. 

HM3 Richard Kelley was awarded his second Good 
Conduct Award. 


Planning for medical needs while traveling 

By LCDR Fay Yocum 




Child Trap 


November is child safely 
and protection month 



The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 

The Red Rover 






Volume 3-Number 15 

Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 

November 19, 1991 j 


SFMC in transition 


m 






By Andree Marechal- 
Workman 

When Rear Admiral 
William A. Buckendorf 
took the helm of Naval 
Hospital Oakland 
(NHO) last May, he also 
assumed command of 
the San Francisco 
Medical Command 
(SFMC). the joint Army/ 
Navy organization 
charged with , among 
other things , seeking 
avenues of providing 
cost-effective , quality 
health and dental care 
to Bay Area 
h e n e fi ciaries. Since 
then. SFMC staff has 
undergone many 
( ha ng es. The m os t 
significant were, first , 
when Navy Captain 
Marlin Taub, MC. 
reported on board 
July 29 as its new chief 
of staff: then when Army 
Colonel Lawrence 
Reichard. MS, follow ed 
\as its new deputy 
• ommander on Sept 17. 
Implementing RADM 
Buckendorf and the 
SFMC's Executive 
Committee s policies , 
together, they are the 
taskers , the overseers of 
the command 's 
operations, 

l he following article 


draws from interviews from the 
new heads of the joint service 
command, giving their views about 
the role that it might play m the 
future of Northern California' s 


the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and Foundation Health, 
RADM Buckendorf, CAPT 
Taub and COL Reichard are firm 
in their belief that, although 


CAPT Martin Taub, 

MC, USN 

military health care delivery in the 
face of the impending dow nsizing 
and closure of two major Army 
medical facilities — Letterman 
Army Medical Center (LAMC) in 
San Francisco and Silas B. Hays 
Community Hospital (SBHCH) at 
Fort Ord. on the Monte rev 
Peninsula. 

Having to do more with less is 
the forecast in store for military 
health care facilities, SFMC new' 
leadership agree. But, with the 
cooperative system this joint sendee 
command has, and will continue to 
develop between the Army, Navy 
and such civilian organizations as 


COL Lawrence Reichard, 
MS, USA 

difficult, the job is not 
unsurmountable. 

"It’s going to be a great 
management challenge," said 
COL Reichard, concurring with 
similar sentiments expressed by 
RADM Buckendorf in a 
previous interview. “Fortunately, 
through Foundation Health and 
their involvement with 
CHAMPUS Reform Initiative 
(CRI), we have found alternative 
means of providing care to [an 
ever-increasing] beneficiary 
population." 

CAPT Taub, who said he is 
in charge of staff and the daily 

Cont'd on P. 4,5 



October SOW... 2 

X 

FMA organize 3 

SFMC, old/new 

face 4,5 

for your health 7 

Scolarships 8 


Thanksgiving 1991 

CJNCPACFLT PEARL 
HARBOR. HI. — Thanksgiving 
is a time when we are grateful to 
be Americans and grateful for 
the privilege of supporting the 
principles of that very special 
document, our constitution 
Along with family and friends, 
we join all Americans in giving 
thanks for a way of life that is a 
beacon and an example for the 
rest of the world. 

Like everything of great 
value, our freedom must be 
guarded. Many of you who 
undertake this task will he away 
Irom home this Thanksgiving. 



NHO works straight 
from the heart 



By JOSN Kyna S. 
Kirkpatrick 


In Mid-June of this year there 
was a need for a cardiac specialty 
ward at Naval Hospital Oakland 
(NHO), due to an increase in the 
number of cardiac patients, the 
estimated heart surgeries that 
would take place at the hospital, 
and a need to rehabilitate these 
patients. 

In August, the new Cardiac 
Observation and Rehabilitation 
Ward (9 South) was opened and 
made ready for heart patients. 
The ward is staffed by 16 
corpsmen, 10 nurses. 
Commander David Hill, MC, 
head cardiologist and three other 
cardiologists: Captain Richard 
Osborne, MC; Lieutenant 
Commander Christopher 
Bodme, MC, USNR and LCDR 
David Roberts. MC, USNR. 

“We started out from step 
one," said Lieutenant 
Commander Susan Griffin , NC, 
Division Officer of 9 South, 
adding that the staff started 
working together a month prior 
to receiving the space where the 
ward was going to be. 

"Before the ward opened, the 
corpsmen and nurses went 
through courses and training that 
covered dysrhythmia (abnormal 
heartbeat) interpretation, 
monitoring and reading the 
telemetry machine and being 
able to read rhythm strips," said 


LCDR Griffin. She added that 
the staff were also able to develop 
inservices, and the nurses gave 
the classes. 

According to LCDR 
Griffin, the ward treats cardiac 
patients with: angina (heart or 
chest pain); coronary artery 
disease; myocardial infarction 
(heart attack); catheterization 
(insertion of tube into heart to 
provide doctor with a view of 
heart activity); heart surgery; 
dysrhythmias and patients with 
pace makers who require 
medication intervention and 
treatment. 

"The mission of the ward 
is to take care of patients whose 
problems are specifically 
cardiac," LCDR Griffin said, 
adding that there are two phases 
that make-up the care of these 
patients. “Phase one, cardiac 
rehabilitation, includes inpatient 
teaching and progression of 
activity. The inpatient teaching 
has to do with risk factor 
indent ification, medication and 
exercise perscription." 

“In phase two, this is where 
Commander Gabel comes in." 
said LCDR Griffin, adding that 
CDR Lmda Gabet, NC, is the 
cardiac rehabilitation 

coordinator, a position that is 
new at NHO. " CDR Gabet is a 
great asset to a number of 
[cardiac] patient populations." 

The name of the ward, 
"Cardiac Observation and 
Cont'd P. 3 


The men and women of the 
Pacific Fleet are the world’s 
finest, and I join withourfainilies 
in giving thanks for your 
dedication. All of you, at home 
and deployed, will he in my 
thoughts and prayers this 
Thanksgiving Day. 

S/ Admiral R J. Kelly 
C o m m a n dev - i n - C h i e f 
C/NCPACFLT 



UN Curt Tellbuescher checks a cardiac patient's IV to make 
sure , us not infiltrated or infected. (Official H.S. Navy photo 
by HM2 Cynthia Malone) 



November is Smoking Prevention Month 



Page 2 


Red Rover 


NHO - Best 



On Nov. 5, 1987, Rear Admiral Robert L.Toney, 
then commander. Naval Base San Francisco, authorized 
Oak Knoll Naval Hospital to adopt the Skyline High 
School Science Department. This was the beginning of 
a resoundly successful partnership that enriched the 
science curriculum in biology, physiology, pysics, and 
chemistry at Skyline through lectures, tours and 
hands-on demonstrations. 

On Oct. 30.1991, Oak Knoll was awarded 
COMNAVBASE Personal Excellence Partnership of 
the Year Award for the best math and science program. 
On hand to receive the award from Captain Victor 
Dodds, USN, was (left) CAPT Donald E. Greenfield, 
MSC Oak Knoll Director of Ancillary Services. 

CFC Congratulations 

Congratulations to the following CFC keyworkers 
and to the organizations they represent for achieving 
1 00 percent participation so far in this year's campaign: 
DTI T. Calimlim - Dental: HM2 C. Cascone - Alcohol 
Rehabilitation; HM3 R. Constantino - Outpatient 
Administration; HA R. Cook - Optometry; MSI R. 
Corpuz and ENS S. Dunaway - Food Services; LT V. 
Corpuz - SFMC; Ms. S. Cumbee - Command Evaluation; 
HM1 D. Hart - Laboratory; HM3 M. Mann - MID; 
LCDR Navradsky - Mental Health; HM2 R. Orola - 
Nursing Administration; HN G. Potts - Labor and 
Delivery: Ms. A. Rodriguez - Social Services: HN S. 
Robicheaux - Endoscopy; Ms. S. Santos - Civilain 
Personnel; HM2 A. Vintola and HM 1 G. Zuckerman - 
Pharmacy. 


Red Rover 

The n t < ) n IJVt r is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. ThcR^t) R«.\ei < s printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Km cr contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office. Naval Hospital. 8750 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94627-5000, 
Telephone (415) 633-59 IS. Text and photograph^ (except any copyrighted 
material ) may he reproduced in whole or in pan as long as by line or photo credit 
is given Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Dcpanment of 
Defense. Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Coni 
rounding Officer. Printed on recyclable paper 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Assistant Public AfTairs Officer 
JOl Kay Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Editoral Assistants 
J02 Stephen R. Brown 
JOSN Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



Perspectives 


November 19, 199 j 


Food Services 

celebrate employees 
superior performance 

Letter of Appreciation Realty Astor 

Charles Bell 
Polar Bowens 
Robert Brown 
Luis Caliz 
Bobbie Davis 
Karen Jones 
Ezra Huntsberry 
Rosalene Jones 
Corina Mendez 
Carolyn Rice 
Dolores Robinson 
Julian Simpkins 
Caretha Tillman 
Sam Thomas 
Henry Williams 

Letter of Commendation Julie Ager 

Rene Arcamo 
Bernadette Gleason 
Ellis Harris 

* Bemita Henderson 

Wallace Patterson 
Leona Ward 

Moneytary Awards Julie Alger 

Rene Arcamo 
Bernadette Gleason 
Bemita Henderson 
Corina Mendez 
Sam Thomas 



Captain Noel A. Hyde presents Bemita Henderson 
with a Letter of Comendation lor her outstanding 
work as a diet cook in the Food Services 
Departmment. She w as one one the many employees 
who were presented with awards during the 
recognition of National Healthcare Food Services 
Employees Week. The awards presented were: 
Loiters of Appreciation; Letters of Commendation; 
monetary awards and new department awards. After 
the presentations there was a cake cutting ceremony 
and congratulations given to the department. Along 
with the executive officer. Commander Gary 
Schick. Director of Administration; CDR Betty L. 
Wright. I lead of Food Services and Mess Specialist 
Senior Chief Mike Andrade were on hand for the 
presentation of awards. (Official U.S. Navy photo 
by SN Wael Issa.) 



HM2 Raol C. Rimorin. who was presented the 
award for October Sailor of the Month, is an advanced 
lab technician in the Laboratory at Naval Hospital 
Oakland. Rimorin, who is a native of the Philippines. • 
said, "I always feel good when I do my lab tests with 
accuracy and reliabilty because 1 know someone's life h 
depending on it." Rimorin added that he credits his 
nomination to his supervisors and co- workers “for their 
trust in me." 

HM2 Rimorin was nominated for Sailor of the 
Month by the Blood Bank Officer Lieutenant J.A 
Thralls and Blood Bank Chief Petty Officer-in-Charge 
HMC F.C. Panlig for his exceptional performance of 
assigned and unnassigned tasks. HM2 Rimorin well 
deserves this nomination. His working ethics and 
dedication to duty made [him] an excellent choice," said 
HMC Pantig. Congratulations to HM2 Rimorin fora 
job well done! 

NHO thanks 
Red Cross Volunteers 

On Nov. 6. Naval Hospital Oakland recognized the 
gift of time and skills given by the Red Cross volunteers 
in service to other with a luncheon and special program. 
Reproduced here is the text of Red Cross Director 
Randy Ortega's speech of thanks 

We all know that many people “care" about the sick 
and injured and the poor of spirit, but all of you have 
done something about relieving that suffering, that 
anxiety. 

Today, we at the Red Cross, humbly thank each of 
you wonderful, caring people w'ho volunteer your lime 
to perform countless acts of human kindness every' day 
here at Oak Knoll. 

Also, we humbly thank Captain Noel Hyde, our 
Executive Officer, for his continuing support ol all of 
our efforts. 

We also want to thank Commander Ernest Ghent, 
Director of Patient Administration Department, for his 
steady support of the programs and in making this 
Recognition Day possible. He will be leaving Oak 
Knoll in December and we will miss him terribly. 

A sincere thanks to Commander Betty \V right of the 
Food Service Department for providing assistance to 
this year's luncheon. 

A sincere thank you. too, to all the stall ot the Red 
Rover for their endless efforts in publicizing our 
programs. 

We're so grateful, too, for the continuing support H 
the Red Cross Volunteer Production Departments ol 
Alameda and Berkeley Chapters, the Disabled American 
Veterans Auxiliary No. 7 and the Arlington Women s 
Club. 

This luncheon to honor all of our volunteers was 
made possible by the generosity of tlfe stall ol Na\a 
Hospital Oakland, both military and civilians. e 
thank you so very much. 

Each of you here today has taken the limejjj 
recognize the needs of the patients at Oak Kno 
have helped us at the Red Cross “do" something a 1 
meeting those needs. ., 

To all of you together, and to each of you indb 
“Thank You .” 



Red Rover 




November 19, 1991 

Civilian News 


Federal managers organize 


By Andree Marechal -Work man 

In these limes of budget crunch and 
federal systems* downsizing and 
reorganization, the Federal Managers 
Association's (FMA) advocacy role in 
Congress is more important than ever. It 
is so important, in fact, that the association 
has taken aggressive steps to increase its 
membership. 

“At last year's annual convention, a 
resolution was passed to allow program 
managers, apprentice trainers, 
management interns and similarly 
classified managers to join FMA, “said 
Bertha Paul, the current FMA president 
of Naval Hospital Oakland's (NHO) 
Chapter 238. Paul is Utilization Review 
coordinator in the hospital's Quality 
Assessment Department. 

Open to all federal managers and 
supervisors, this oldest and largest civilian 
professional management organization 
is now accessible to employees whose 
job classification is not strictly 
managerial. 

“Everyone manages something," 
stressed FMA pas t President and former 
SFMC Chief of Staffs Secretary Wanda 
Capello. “An employee who oversees a 
system or a program at the hospital or at 
Oak Knoll's tenant commands; a 
secretary who holds an administrative 
position — id! may join FMA, so long as 
they hold positions that are not part of a 
bargaining unit." 

Now in its 76th year, FMA is a 
formidable legislative presence in 
Washington D.C. It provides Congress 
and the executive branch with federal 
managers' views on personal issues. Il 


also maintains its own political action 
committee which contributes to 
congressional candidates who support 
federal employees. 

For example, on Oct. 22, at a hearing 
of the House Human Resources 
Subcommittee, FMA took issue with the 
Office of Government Ethic's rules that 



Bertha Paul 


would severely curtail member activity 
in professional associations like FMA. 
On Nov. 12 and 13, the organization 
presented its views on Department of 
Defenses's (DoD) downsizing plans to 
that same subcommittee. 

Here at the command, according to 
Paul, the following are among the main 
goals of Chapter 238; 

* Establish better understanding 
between the civilian and military 
communities of managers and 
supervisors. 

* Help local employees upgrade 
their status within the federal system. 


* Through its national office, lobby 
for the protection of benefits under the 
Civil Service System and help Congress 
formulate a responsible pay reform 
system. 

* Also through its national office, 
oppose Office of Personnel 
Management's (OPM) new performance 
appraisal schemes that could have three, 
four or five summary rating levels. 

In addition to the protection, a 
quarterly $ 1 7 ($68 annually) membership 
fee includes preferred automobile 
insurance available through Government 
Employee Insurance Co., professional 
liability insurance and a convenient credit 
card program. Members can also attend 
professional development programs at 
reduced rates, as well, as receive three 
publications: The Washington Report 
(weekly), The Federal Manager (monthly) 
and The Federal Managers Quarterly. 

Interested eligible individuals are 
encouraged to attend Chapter 238’s lively 
monthly meetings featuring significant 
military and civilian speakers. The 
meetings are held at Club Knoll, on the 
third Thursday of each month, from 1 1:30 
a.m. to 1 p.m. During the November 
meeting. Equal Employment Opportunity 
(EEO) Deputy Officer will speak about 
EEO concerns. 

Prospective members can also learn 
more about FMA during the membership 
drive and nacho sale scheduled Dec. 3, 
from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the third floor 
of the hospital, next to the Clinical 
Assembly room. 

Points of contact for further 
information are Bertha Paul at 633-5310 
and Andra Zamacona at 633-6168. 


Page 3 

Change in 
FMA insurance 


Specialized Insurance 
Services, Inc., a company 
that handled some of FMA’s 
insurance programs, has 
been purchased by MASS 
Benefit Consultants, Inc. 
The latter will continue to 
do business as usual; 
however, all written 
inquiries must now be sent 
to the new company at P.O. 
Box 828, Annandale, VA 
22003 (Toll free Telephone 
#1-800-221-3083). 

MASS is preparing two 
new kinds of insurance plans 
— Disability Income and 
Supplemental Retirement — 
for addition to the current 
list. The list includes: 
Supplemental Health 
Insurance Plan (SHIP); 
Group Term Life Insurance; 
Accidental Death and 
Dismemberment; Long Term 
Care; Total Retirement 
Account (TRA) and 
Disability Income. 

Monumental General 
remains the underwriter 
for these plans. 


Defense Outplacement Referral System streamlines job search 


B\ Andree Marechal-YVorkman 

The Defense Outplacement 
Referral System (DORS) can help 
people find jobs in record time, said 
Nathaniel H. Kimbrough, specifying 
that ihe project was initiated in 
answer to base closures and 
downsizings. 

Kimbrough, who is a 
special program coordinator For the 
f Civilian Personnel Office, added 
DORS; is divided in two parts — 
military and civilian — and is also 


open to the spouses of both. 
“Basically, what this means," he 
explained, “is that employees who 
are scheduled for a Reduction in 
Force (RIF) can register for job 
consideration in private sector. 
Department of Defense (DoD), non- 
DoD and other federal activities' 
positions." 

According to Kimbrough, the 
employees’ and spouses' 
qualifications go into a national 
computer system located in three 
different areas: DoD employees in 


Dayton, OH: non-DoD federal 
employees in Macon, GA; private 
sector (slate and local governments) 
in Monterey, CA. 

The advantage of this system is 
that an individual becomes eligible 
only if a federal activity is 
undergoing closure or downsizing, 
Kimbrough stressed, adding “as 
vacancies become available in the 
three categories, employers can 
request resumes of individuals 
registered into DORS, and those can, 
in turn, be hired immediately. 


Registration into DORS can be 
made at the following locations: 
Military personnel and their spouses 
at their base Family Service Centers 
or local transition points; DoD 
civilians and their spouses at their 
local Civilian Personnel Offices. 

Points of contact for further 
information are staffing personnel. 
At Naval Hospital Oakland, they are 
Edna Walton, Nathaniel Kimbrough. 
Susan Astorga and Zamilla Chatman. 
They can be reached at 633-6372. 


Cardiac Ward/ 9 South cont'd from page 1 


Rehabilitation Ward," is a 
definition in itself. The 
patients come into the 
hospital to be treated and 
observed They are then 
taught how to rehabilitate 
themselves with the help of 
doctors. nurses and 
; corpsmen. “After we treat 
the patients and teach them 
^ 1 v ' n i-’ standards to help them 
w ‘ l h their cardiac problems, 
Wc treat them as outpatients, 
5; w hich is phase two, where 


we monitor their progress," 
said LCDR Griffin. She 
added that the latter is a plan 
that is being started. 
“Currently the patients are 
being treated here, and after 
CDR Gabet has seen them, a 
determination is made on 
whether or not they need 
phase two -- outpatient 
rehabilitation, where they are 
sent to facilities on the 
outside," she concluded. 

There are many ways that 


phase two benefits heart 
patients. “Cardiac 
rehabilitation on the outside 
is very expensive, but we 
[also] found that people who 
go through the rehabilitation 
program are more likely to 
be alive at a higher standard 
of living than most people 
who don’t," said CDR Gabet, 
adding that no existing naval 
hospital has a phase two on 
line. "Bethesda is beginning 
their phase two and is 


probably neck to neck with 
us," she said, stating that 
phase two is the standard of 
care on the outside. 

“The ward is the way it is 
because the staff made it that 
way," said LCDR Griffin. 

I he stall has done a great 
job organizing it and 
prioritizing it. They pul in a 
lot of energy." She stated 
that, for the most part the 
staff is made up of general 
duty corpsmen with little 


experience with cardiac 
patients. 

All the corpsmen show 
enthusiasm about their jobs 
on 9 South. “For such a 
critical care area, we [the 
corpsmen] have come a long 
way, and 1 am glad I came to 
this ward because I have 
learned a lot about cardiac 
patients and 1 think everyone 
else has too," said HN Kayla 
Huval, leading petty officer 
of 9 South. 


1 




Wanda Cappello 


Wanda Capello retired from Civil Ser- 
vice on Sept. 30, after 29 years of 
dedicated service. She came to Oak 
Knoll in 1984 from the Public Works 
Center, where she was secretary to the 
commanding officer. She served as 
secretary to the chief of staff of Naval 
Medical Command, Northwest Region, 
and retained that position at SFMC. 

Wanda is well known for her enthusi- 
astic involvement in the day-to-day ac- 
tivities of the command. In addition to 
her demanding secretarial duties, she 


taught Navy Correspondence courses, 
and is a past president of the Federal 
Managers Association. She was a friend 
to all and is sorely missed. 

As you may not know, Wanda and her 
husband, Anthony, lost their home and 
all of its contents in the Oakland fire 
storm a few weeks ago. They are now 
picking up the pieces and starting over. 

We wish her well in her retirement. 
Fair winds and following seas to a 
wonderful colleague and a good friend. 


Continued from page 1 

running of SFMC, believes that cooperation 
between all the uniform services is a key factor. 
“We know that money is going to be more and 
more difficult to come by." he said, “and it's going 
to be the mission of the services to work together 
to provide the care in the future." 


In this connection, he added that he hopes that, 
eventually, the whole West Coast will be involved. 
“At General [Leslie M.] Burger's suggestion." he 
said. “ a commander reorganization meeting will 
be held in December to discuss the possibility of a 
coordinated care effort extending from San Diego 
in Southern California to Bremerton in the State of 


Photos by I1M2 

Washington.'* This includes, among others j 
commanders of Naval Hospitals San 
Bremerton, as well as of Madigan Army \<ji| 
Center in Tacoma. WA. which GEN Burp^y 
command after he leaves LAMC some time 3 
year. 

“We are noi talking aboul a blue orpurpkJJ 

C A PT T aub c I ar i Bed . “S FMC wi 1 1 act as a f ac jj-j 

because, as resources become more and jli 

scarce, we will reach a point where one fatality*! 

have to help another. 

* 



LCDR John Shore - Directc 
for Health Care Planning 


“[Under the proposed reorganization ), ora 
facility will become a specialty center for 
particular type of care. For example. NHO wiilb, 
the cardiac surgery specialty center; David Gra 
[U.S. Air Force Medical Center] (DGUSAF AMC 
at Travis Air Force Base, the neonaml specials 
center.. .and I foresee SFMC acting as t& 
coordinator for providing what these facility 
require to carry out their mission. ” 

When citing DGUSAFMC. CAPT Taub wi 
referring to the Air Force facility's status as ones 
SFMC's ex officio (non voting) commits 
members. The other members are the Departmet 
of Veterans Affairs, Naval Post Graduate Scho 
in Monterey. CRI contractor and SBHCH — all c 
whom could become involved as voting membei 
at some point in the future, according to CAP 
Taub and COL Reichard. 

The deputy commander, who came fron 
Headquarters. First U. S. Army, Fort George G 
Meade in Mary land, confirmed that a move t< 
regionalize the West Coast medical care is a definii 
possibility, but said he thinks Assistant Secretar 
of Defense for Health Affairs. Dr. Enrique Mendez 
Jr., would probably play a major role in it 
development. 



YNSN Christine Campbell - Secretary to Deputy Commander 



v faces at SFMC 






[>ne and SA Wael Issa 

Ki'jht now the money has basically all gone to 
pi Mendez;'* COL Reichard explained, adding 
that hav ing money allocated by the Department of 
Detease(DoD) would facilitate theprocess because, 
this way “ there will be no need tor transfer of 
funds back and forth." 

\nd this is w here CAPT Taub's experience as 
director of the Division of Surface Medicine at the 
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery' (BUMED) will 
a >me in handy because he said it's “broadened 
i|)i N ] outlook" through his encounters with the 



-YN3 Rory Porterfield - 
Administrative Assistant 

Arm> and the Air Force in Washington. D.C. 

The same is true of COL Reichard whose “past 
experience in hospitals and in management areas'* 
w ill prove invaluable to what he calls “fine-tuning" 
a hathas been done by the previous administration, 
no that the systems and procedures established 
voll work better and save the tax payers and the 
unices thousands of dollars by better utilization 
of CHAMPUS." 

Together, and in concert with all key players, 
they could help turn SFMC into the hub of a wheel 
ihat could roll military health care into a new era — 
an era w here the uniform services will work hand 
in hand with their civilian counterparts to provide 
all benefic iaries with the best of care at a cost that 
everyone can afford. 


(Editor's Note: MSC officers , Lieutenant 
Beverly Hall and Ensign Greg Cadle, joined 
SFMC's staff on Nov. 12. IT Hall is as- 
sistant director for Health .Care Planning; 
Ens. Cadle. health care planner. LT Victor 
Corpuz is also part of the command 's 

staff, as its director for Operational Plan- 
ning) 





LCDR Will Farnham - Director for Logistics and Administration 





Page 6 


Red Rover 


(A[avaC ‘.Hospital Oakland 
-Patient Administration (Department 

Up CCose 


W hat is your job?: To oversee the processing of all inpatient records from 
date of discharge to date of closing. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Julie Ellen Kendall. 

Children and ages: Baby due Dec. 30. 

Hometown: Hempstead, TX. 

Hobbies: 1 ennis, basketball, reading, traveling and spending time with my 
wife. J 

lakes: Honest, conscientious people who genuinely care about their 
family, friends and their job. 

Dislikes: Dishonest, lazy people who don't contribute their share to 
society. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?: Soliciting the support 
and cooperation of the various staff personnel that we need in order to 
accomplish our goals. 

U is your immediate goal.*: To get the number of delinquent records 
down within standards. 

What is your long-term goal?: To settle down with my wife in a nice 
amily community and raise a family. 

If I could do it all over again. I'd: Probably do it the same way. 

wish I could stop: All the negative thinking out there, so people would 
just do the best with what they have. Just quit complaining and enjoy life, 
respect myself for: Being honest and hard working and fordoing what 
feel is right. 

Role modcls/heroes: My parents and Ben Franklin. 




"■f 


^ ■ 


4. 3 




i* i / ' 


/ 


LT Scott Kendall, USN, MSC 



HM2 Melissa I). Lord 


What is your job?: I am responsible for making re-evaluation 
appointments for service members on limited duty, and also helping with 
medical dispositions. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: William Lord. 

Children and ages: Tyler Lord. 17 months. 

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL. 

Hobbies: Swimming and snow-skiing. 

Likes: Traveling and meeting new friends. 

Dislikes: Dishonest people. 

What is the most challenging part o your job?: Being able to adapt 
quickly to new job assigments in Patient Administration. 

W hat is your immediate goal?: To attend Operating Room Technician 
School in April 1992. 

What is your long-term goal?: To buy my own home and possibly 
retire from the Navy. 

If I could do it all over again. I’d: Not change a thing, I’m happy with 
my life. 

I wish I could stop: Child abuse and world hunger. 

I respect myself for: Being a mother and wife. 

Role models/heroes: My parents. 


What is your job?: Supervise the Inpatient Medical Records Department. 
I assure the completeness of documentation in the medical records in order 
to meet the requirements of licensing agencies and protect the legal interest 
of the patient . health care providers and the facility. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Kaneohe, HI. 

Hobbies: Cooking. 

Likes: Kind, warm hearted, broad minded and non-discriminating people. 
Dislikes: Arrogant and judgemental individuals . 

What is the most challenging part of your job?: Personnel supervsion. 
Each employee differs in personality, goals and needs; therefore creativeness 
and patience is needed to find ways to motivate personnel to cooperate in 
meeting the goals of the department. 

What is your immediate goal?: Toorganize the Medical Records Department 
so it will have a better work How system. 

What is your long-term goal?: To advance In the Health Administration 
ield. 

_ vvish I could stop: The crimes committed by a human being towards 
another human being. People should try to live in harmony, with love and 
compassion towards others. 

respect myself for: Having the courage to accept what everyday life 
brings, and to have the committment to make the bast of every situation, 
foie models/heroes: Mother Theresa. Her kindness and generous ways is 
admirable. 



Ciclito V. Lazo-Feraren 


November [9 } 



Chaplain 



By LT J. Lynne Kennedy, CHC, USN 

"Attention in the hospital! Attention in thehos 

These are the words I heard over and over' 
when I reported aboard a couple of weeks a«o 
I 'm glad to have this opportunity to mtr 
myself. I'm Chaplain Lynne Kennedy, a Presbvtol 
Church U.S.A. minister, and I will be responsible^ 
the Protestant side of religious activities here at v,* 
Hospitla Oakland (NHO). I just transitioned 
shipboard duty to three months at Treasure fslan ™ 
here, and I 'm excited to be working with such a 
team of chaplains. 

Chaplain Herman Kibble directs us all: Chapl 
Richard Mattie is responsible for Catholic serviced 
Chaplain Peter Nissen insures pastoral care includes^ 
whole base and Chaplain Anne Krekelbergcootdinas 
all religious ministries with her administrative 
Good teams share the load and that's our goal in serv™ 
your needs. 

We’ve been brainstorming about future fun in grouj 
studies, songfests. seasonal celebrations and on-goi® 
programs. Sometimes the best ideas come from y ou. Sr 
if you're inclined to rack your brain, drop in to to 
Pastoral Care Department, third floor, lor goumwi 
coffee and a chance to brain drain your suggestions 
wishes and dreams. 

How will you recognize me? I'll be smiling at you 
while asking for directions to easi-west-north and sail 
wings. And please, just because I don't know when 
everyone is located yet. it does not make this on 
season for "dumb blonde” jokes. 











N November 19, 1991 


Red Rover 


Page 7 


) For your health 


Good nutrition: A must when pregnant 


B> LTJCi Lea Bciln.an, 

M S( \ l SNR 

r Nutrition is important 
through all stages of life, but 
is especially important for 
expectant mothers. Adequate 
consumption from each of the 
four food groups provides 
important nutrients for fetal 

* growth 

* Pregnant women need 

p 

lour servings from the milk 
group, two servings of meat 
ormeat ^substitute, at least four 
servings of fruits and 
vegetables and four servings 
of breads and cereals, each 
day 

It takes approximately 
85,000 calories to produce a 
healthy eight- pound baby 
over a nine-month period. 
That equals approximately 
300 additional calories a day. 






the equivalent of an extra glass 
of lowfat milk and half a 


sandwich. 

Recommended weight 
gain during pregnancy is 25- 
35 pounds. During the f irst 
trimester the weight gain is 
minimal, only two to four 
pounds, then about a pound a 
week for the remainder of the 
pregnancy. 

Be aware of empty 
calorie foods such as 
doughnuts, pies, cookies and 
candy bars. These will 
provide few nutrients and 
excess calories that can lead 
to excessive weight gain. 
Snack on fresh fruits and 
vegetables and drink plenty 
of water (6-8 glasses a day). 

Pregnancy is not a time 
for dieting or skipping meals. 
Three balanced meals a day 
are very important for blood 
sugar control, and to supply 
needed nutrients for you and 
your baby. 

Remember, caffeine 






should be limited to 200 
milligrams per day (six 
ounce coffee, 16 ounce lea, 
four 12-ounce colas, and 
alcohol should be completely 
eliminated from the diet. 

For more information 
on nutrition during pregnancy 
call Naval Hospital 
Oakland's Food Management 
Department at 633-5820. 
Ask for the Dairy' Council of 
California’s booklet • on 
pregnancy. 


t 

Quality Improvement update 



Above are the executive staff of NHO who attended the three-day Total Quality 
Leadership Course presented by the Naval Medical Quality Institute. Instructors for 
Ihe course were Captain David Kemp, MC; Commander Kenneth Wright, DC and 
Elizabeth Mariani, who are standing on the far left. Included in the executive staff were* 
Executive Officer CAPT Noel A. Hyde,MSC; Lieutentant Commander David Bates, 
* MS(. ;staff directors of NHO; CDR Thea Bratton and LCDR Jeanette Lynch from Naval 
chool of Health Sciences; branch clinics executive staff; Command Master Chief 
• L VI I homasGrieb, HMC Karen Delisle, patient contact representative, and HMC 
ma Conner. Education Chief. (Official LJ.S. Navy photo by HM2 James Sandridge.) 

Dr. Deming’s point 13: “Institute a vigorous program of 
education and retraining.” 

Encouraging education 
self-improvement for 
everyone is critical to 
successful Total Quality 
Leadership efforts: What 
an organization needs is not 
JUSI 8°°d people; it needs 
People who are improving 
education; they must 


the new knowledge and 
skills that are required to 
deal with new materials and 
new methods. This is 
particularly true at Naval 
Hospital Oakland today, as 


methods that is so critical 
to the success of a Quality 
Improvement journey. 

The Quality Leadership 
Council completed a three 
day Total Quality 
all of us seem to gain the Leadership Course 
“profound knowledge” presented hy the Naval 

Quality Medical Quality Institute, 


i« ~ J about Total Quality ivieaicat 

i inuously acquiring Leadership principles and recently. 



Oak Knoll 

News 





Recycling Program 


The command has established a Recyclable Materials Pro- 
gram in which ail NHO employees and interested personnel are 
encouraged to participate. Proceeds from the sale of these 
recyclable items will be utilized by the command’s Morale, 
Welfare and Recreation Department. The following items vs ill 
be accepted for recycling: white paper (unclassified informa- 
tion incompliance with the Privacy Act): newspapers that must 
be tied in neat bundles; aluminum cans. Also accepted are 
flattened and broken-down cardboard boxes; plastic beverage 
containers inscribed with CA REDEMPTION ONLY and glass 
bottles. The latter must be separated according to color: te: 
clear, brown or green. 

The f ollowing items will not be accepted: magazines 
and books of any type, plastic bags, paper grocery bags, plastic 
milk cartons or anything not marked with C A REDEMPTION. 
Recyclable materials may be dropped off at the back loading 
dock of building 1 33, Monday through Thursday between 8-9 
a.m. and 1 - 2 p.m. Point of contact for further information is 
ENS Troy Holland or HMC (SW ) Jeffrey Nelson at 633-6805. 

Sexual Harassment 

Sexual harassment will not be condoned or tolerated in the 
Department of the Navy. It is a form of arbitrary discrimination 
which is unprofessional and unmilitary. It adversely affects 
morale and discipline and ultimately the mission effectiveness 
of the command involved. 

According to Article 1166, U.S. Navy Regulations. 1990, 
personnel who use implicit or explicit sexual behavior to 
control, influence or affect the career, promotion opportunities, 
duty assignments or pay of any other person are engaging in 
sexual harassment. Naval personnel who make deliberate or 
repeated offensive verbal comments, gestures or physical contact 
oi a sexual nature in the work environment are also engaging in 
sexual harassment. 

Command Hotline 

The Command Hotline. 633-8801. offers a contact where 
you can report (raud, waste or misuse of government resources 
w ithin the command. Callers do not need to give their name. 
They are protected from repercussions by public law, and they 
can be assured that their complaints will be investigated by an 
independent investigator. 

Before calling the Hotline, be sure that the complaint is 

real. Most matters are handled very well by the chain-of- 
command. The Hotline is intended for those few cases where 
the chatn-ol -command is not responsive in correcting fraud, 
waste or mismanagement. 

Meal Price Changes 

The Department of Defense increased prices of meals 
served at all naval Food Services facilities by 12 percent. 

Prices arc as follows: 


Nonsureharge Surcharge 


Breakfast 

Lunch 

Dinner 


1 .00 
1 .90 
1 .90 


3.00 

5.60 

5.60 





New grant and interest-free 
education loan opportunities 


WASHINGTON (NES) — The 
Navy-Marine Corps Relief So- 
ciety (NMCRS) recently an- 
nounced two new programs to 
provide financial assistance lor 
the education of active-duty 
sailors and Marines. Retired 
Vice Admiral Edward P. 
Travers, president of NMCRS, 
and Roy A. Nicholson, chair- 
man and chief executive officer 
ol United Student Aids Funds, 
Inc. (USA Funds), completed 
an agreement July 30 to launch 
programs that will provide grants 
and interest-free loans for un- 
dergraduate education. 

Funding of these education 
programs will be provided by 
the Society, while USA Funds 
will administer the programs 
under the organization’s Help 
America Learn Program. USA 
Funds is a nationwide financial 
services corporation that spe- 
cializes in education credit and 
has been working with the Soci- 
ety on other programs since 
1980. 

The new grant and 
interest-free loan programs 
have been specifically designed 
to help active-duty service 
members finance the post-sec- 
ondary education needs of their 


children. The? Society believes 
the new programs will help fill 
the gap that often results when 
service families apply for assis- 
tance under federal programs and 
do not qualify because of the 
government's mandated needs 
test. Although awards under the 
Society’s program will be deter- 
mined on the basis of need, the 
Society will use a modified form 
of the Expected Family Contri- 
bution. Thus, it expects many 
families will be qualified for 
grants and/or loans. 

Under the NMCRS 
Education Grant Program, a 
grant of $2,000 per academic 
year will be awarded to qualify- 
ing sons and daughters of ac- 
tive-duty service members. 
Under the Parent Education Loan 
Program, service members may 
qualify for a loan of up to $3,000 
per academic year; loans will be 
repaid by allotment. Both pro- 
grams will be available for the 
1 992-93 school year. 

Financial assistance 

for education needs as a relief 
service is part of the mission of 
the Society. Educational assis- 
tance was the cornerstone of the 
Society’s charter in 1904, and 
accounted for a considerable 


portion of its assistance in the 
early years. Today, education 
needs and associated expenses 
are beyond the reach of many 
capable young people. Their 
hopes are stifled and their poten- 
tial is thwarted when even the 
most careful management of re- 
sources make post-secondary 
education an impossible dream. 
VADM Travers was convinced 
the Society could provide a 
greater opportunity for the sons 
and daughters of sailors and Ma- 
rines. When he presented his 
plan to the Society’s Board of 
Managers, it was applauded and 
approved as a financial commit- 
ment entirely in keeping with 
the intent of the Society’s char- 
ter. 

In response to numerous 
donor requests to designate con- 
tributions solely for educational 
assistance, the Society has es- 
tablished an education fund. 
Donations will be accepted and 
qualify as non-taxable donations 
under section 170 (b) (1) (a) of 
tho Internal Revenue Code. 
Donations from individuals 
qualify as (ax deductible. 

( Courtesy of Navy-Marine Corps 
Relief Society , Arlington, VA) 


1 

i 

IKE^DVANCEMENT^ 

/A,,; 

i 

» U < A T 1 • hi 


Budweiser and USO offer $1,000 
scholarships for 1992-1993 


Budweiser and the United 
Services Organization (USO) are 
now offering $1,000 scholar- 
ships to those eligible. They are: 

Family members of active- 
duty military (children and 
spouses only), who have gradu- 
ated from high school within the 
last four years (cut off date is 
1988). Family members of retir- 
ees. honorable discharge, medi- 
cal discharge, National Guard 


and reservist (unless activated) 
are not eligible. 

All entries for the scholar- 
ships must be post-marked by 
March I, 1992, and along with 
your entry you must include the 
following: signatures, verifica- 
tions, recommendations and 
transcripts. 

The winners will be selected 
according to scholastic 
achievement. A portion of the 


scholarships will go to family 
members of enlisted personnel, 
another to families of military 
serving overseas. Coast Guard 
considers Alaska and Hawaii 
overseas duly. 

Application forms for the 
Budweiser/USO Scholarship 
Program for 1992-1993 are 
available by calling (415) 
391-1657 or visiting your 
local USO office. 


November 19, | 



Take a day off 
from smoking 


■ 


Nov. 21, 199! 


Nov. 21, the third Thursday of the month, will be j 
Great American Stnokeoul, and Naval Hospital Oakl 
(NHO) will partici- ~ THE pale t * 1 ‘ s P ro ? I 'a 
in support of the American Cano 

Society. NHO’s goal this year Ls j 

have a tobacco- frpp environment 




NHO persomu 
civilian, alongwi 
encouraged to 

to 


day long. All 
both military and 
all patients, are 

“PARK THEIR BUTTS” a 

“LEAVE THEIR w PACKS BEHIND? 

and make this day both a success and the first day o 
tobacco-free environment and wayoflife. Point of contact 
for further information on this event and the smoking 
cessation programs is the Wellness Department at 633- 
8851. 


Veterans Day ceremony 
held at State Memorial 



California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) andth 
American Legion, 6th District, combined forces to create th 
Veterans Day Observance, Nov. 11. 

Held at the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Capita 
Park, in Sacramento, the program featured music by The Americai 
Legion band. Post 6 1 ; 59th Army Band. California National G 
and the Bella Vista High School Madrigal Choir. 

The ceremony recognized the USA's newest group of veteran,'' 
the men and women of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield 
acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the beginning of World 
II and commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Cal- Vet Home 
Loan Program. The theme for the event was “Honoring All Who 
Served.'’ 



Governor OKs benefits for \ 
Gulf War veterans & families, i 


SACRAMENTO, CA — The USA's latest group of veterans and 
their families may now buy a home or attend college using Cal-\ et 
benefits, thanks to a new law signed by Governor Pete Wilson. 

Assembly Bill 270, effective immediately, extends eligibjlit} 
for Cal-Vet Home Loans to veterans of the Gulf War and educa- 
tional assistance to their children. 

The measure also provides the benefits to reservists and 
National Guard members ordered to active duty for Operation* 
Desert Storm and Desert Shield. 

This new law recognizes the sacrifice made b) California , 
veterans and their families during the conflict, said Retired Nav\ 
Rear Admiral Benjamin T. Hacker, recently appointed its director 
of the California Department of Veterans A Hairs. 

" During the war, we displayed a yellow ribbon around the 
capitol dome symbolizing our support ot the troops. Dan Hauser s 
bill lakes us a step beyond," said Hacker. Under the new law . Cal 
Vet can provide up to $125,000 at eight percent interest to eligible 
and qualified California veterans who served during the Gull war 
In about 35 days, Cal-Vet can finance the purchase ot a home, tarn 1 
or mobile home used as prianary residence b) the vetei in Sec 
ary financing may be accepted. 

Additionally, the new law authorizes children ot totally dp 
abled or deceased veterans to receive a waiver of tuition am 
registration fees while attending any C alitomia State univk:i v i' 
University of California, or a California community college. 

For more information about Cal-Vet Home Loans, call I 
800-95 2 -LOAN. For further details about the college fee w aive«' 
call 916-653-2573. Local CDVA district offices or county vet a* 1 
service offices may also be contacted for additional information 
They are listed in the white pages of the telephone director) un <■ 
state and county government offices, respectively. 



Admiral's Call P-^ 

Burnout P*^ 


Thrift Savings Plan P-7 

Share the Spirit of Oakland p.8 


The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 


The Red Rover 



I Volume 3-Number 16 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


December 6, 1991 



USS Ramsay on maneuvers with the battle fleet in Pearl Harbor area shortly before WWI1 (Official U.S. Navy photo) 


Oak Knoll Remembers 

Pearl Harbor 


By Andree 

Marechal- Workman 

On Dec. 7, 1991 , we will 
commemorate the 50 th 
anniversary of the attack on 
Pearl Harbor. According to 
Secretary of the Navy , //. 
Laurence Garrett , ///, this 
will give the United States 
Navy and Marine Corps team 
an opportunity to honor the 
veterans of World War 11 and 
acknowledge the sacrifices 
made five decades ago by 
them and the American 
people at home supporting 
this unprecedented effort. 

The following feature 
honors one Oak Knoll family 
whose history has long been 
associated with this 
command. Although Hadwick 
Ad hompson wasn't directly 
involved with Oak Knoll 
during WWII, he is a Pearl 
Harbor survivor whose wife 
an< l children have been 
associated with the hospital 


in one capacity or another. 
His wife, Lily, came from 
Oakland Army Base in 195 3 
and retired from the 
commands' s Quality 
Assurance Department in 
1986, after 42 years of federal 
sendee . She has been a Red 
Cross volunteer ever since, 
working diligently in the 
agency ’ s Patient Information 
Center. 

Their son, Hadwick C. 
Thompson, who joined the 
Marines during the Vietnam 
conflict, spent a year at the 
hospital after being wounded 
and awarded the Purple 
Heart. 

Together with their 
daughter, Michele, Hadwick 
A. and Lily Thompson are 
affiliated with the Oakland 
Chapter of Navy League — 
Hadwick (Alvin) as its 
president, Lilyas its secretary. 
The Navy League supports 
Family Services activities, 
and the Thompsons are 


familiar figures throughout 
the command. They were 
prominent during USNS 
Mercy s homecoming and at 
the June 14 parade honoring 
Desert Shield iStorm troops 
in Oakland. 


Hadwick A. Thompson 


At 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, 
1 94 1 , Hadwick A. Thompson 
was standing on the port side 
of the railing aboard USS 
Ramsay (DD-124) when he 
heard a deafening explosion. 
He was 22 and, although he 
didn’t know it at the time, he 
was about to make history as 
one of the survivors of the 
Pearl Harbor attack. 

“I’d just come back from a 
liberty 1 had spent with some 
civilian friends from the Bay 
Area,” said the talk handsome 
former Navy steward. “1 heard 
planes coming, then a loud 
explosion [that seemed to 
come from) Ford Island. And 


when I saw the rising sun on 
the tail of the planes, 1 knew 
we were being attacked.” 

Thompson, who is a proud 
member of Sub Vets of 
WWII, Number 0075, joined 
the Navy ‘Tight out of high 
school" and came aboard the 
Ramsay after boot camp in 
1 939. He was raised on a farm 
where “he did a lot of 
hunting,” so he knew exactly 
what to do when his gunnery 
officer handed him a 30- 
caliber machine gun. 

“Lieutenant Ockley told 
me to go to the flying bridge,” 
Thompson recalled, “and 1 
remained there shooting at 
planes. I didn’t have lime to 
think but, between bursts, I 
could see [Japanese] planes 
dropping torpedoes in the 
water. 1 saw [American] ships 
lall over and sailors on the 
ships' sides scrambling to get 
in the water.” 

From that point on it was 
Pandomenium come to life. 


according to Thompson. “We 
were going out on [offshore] 
patrol duty as bombers were 
coming in,” he said, speaking 
of untold crisscrossing enemy 
nose dives over the American 
fleet, wracking ruin and death 
in their wake. 

“We thought the Japanese 
forces were going to invade 
the Islands,” Thompson 
explained. “But they weren't 
interested in destroyers. They 
opened on the American 
bombers that came to the 
rescue. We got away, and were 
ordered to offshore submarine 
patrol duty.” 

The Ramsay crew did the 
Navy proud and, as recorded 
in the Dictionary of American 
Fighting Ships, by 9 a.m., 
they had “released 10 depth 
charges: then watched an oil 
slick spread over the attack 
area. She damaged and 
possibly had sunk one of the 

See Remembering pp, 4, 5 



Page 2 


Red Rover 


From the Command Master Chiof 


Perspectives 


Wishing all of you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season 



HMCM (SS) Thomas M. Grieb 


The holiday season is once 
again upon us. Some of us will 
be fortunate enough to be able to 
spend the holidays on leave with 
family and friends. 


I don't want 
to spoil the 
holidays for 
you, but it is 
important 
that we 
discuss the 
fact that 
many of our 
young sailors 
wind up in the 
hospital or 
even in the 
graveyard 
due to 

drinking and 
driving 
during the 
holidays. I 
understand 
the need to 
feel a part of 
the group and 
to let go and 
unwind when you get the 
opportunity; however, I ask you 
to use some plain, old- 
fashioned common sense so you 
will prosper and live healthfully 


into the new year. 

II holiday parties and family 
reunions are in your plans this 
season, keep in mind the 
following suggestions. If you 
have been drinking, take a taxi 
home or identify a designated 
driver. Ask if you can spend the 
night on the sofa or take a motel 
room within walking distance of 
the festivities. If you attend a 
New Year’s party or concert, 
make reservations at a motel so 
you don't have to worry about 
getting home. If you can’t afford 
a hotel, consider using a taxi or 
public transportation. 

If you are driving a long 
distance to get home or to a 
friend’s place, take frequent 
breaks. If you feel yourself 
getting sleepy while you're 
behind the wheel, pull off the 
side of the road, lock your doors 
and catch a couple of hours sleep. 
Better to pull off yourself than 
to fall asleep and have your car 
hit a guard rail or another car. 

While driving, don’t let it 


become too warm inside the 
vehicle. Crack the window and 
let a little cool, fresh air inside. 
This will help keep you alert. 

There is a 
tradition in the 
Navy that the first 
log entry of the 
New Year be in 
rhyme. 

Try to Find some upbeat music 
on the radio that will make you 
want to snap your Fingers and 
sing along. See if you can Find 
someone willing to share the 
driving chores and expenses. Put 
a note on the bulletin board to 
see if anyone is headed your 
way. 

An unfortunate fact of Navy 
life is that not everyone can take 
leave during the holidays. Many 
of us will be on duty. Just 


because you have work doesn't 
mean you can’t enjoy the sp mi 
of the season I have been * 
commands where single peop) t 
volunteer to stand Christmas 
duty for those who have families 
In turn, those with family 
volunteer to stand New YearN 
duty for the single sailors Man y 

families share Thanksgiving and 

Christmas dinner with their 
single co-workers, bringing them 
plates of food while they ar ; 
standing duty on the holidays. 
There is a tradition in the Navy 
that the First log entry of the Hew 
Year be in rhyme. If you have 
the duty . why not challenge your 
fellow watchstanders to a 
friendly competition to see who 
comes up with the best log entry 
of the New Year. Whether you 
are able to spend the holidays 
with family or friends, or stand 
duty this holiday season helping 
to provide quality medical care 
to our beneficiaries, 1 would like 
to wi sh al 1 of you a happy . healthy 
and safe holiday season. 


i 




- 


related group cost-share revised 


CHAMP! JS 

Diagnosis 

The CHAMPUS diagnosis- 
related group (DRG) daily cost- 
share for most civilian hospital 
admissions has changed. 

Daily rate 

The daily rate for most hospital 
admissions that occur on or after 
Oct. 1, 1991, is $241 — not the 
$317 figure that was recently 
published in the Federal Register. 


CHAMPUS- eligible persons 
who are not the dependents of 
active-duty service members will 
pay either the Fixed daily $241 
rate, or 25 percent of the hospital ’s 
billed charges, whichever is less. 
Active-duty family members’ 
cost-shares aren’t affected by the 
DRG rates. They’ll still pay a 
small daily fee ($8.95, as of Oct. 


1) for each day in a civilian 
hospital, ora total of $25 for each 
hospital stay, whichever is 
greater. 

Information 

For more information about 
DRG payments, contact the 
health beneFits advisor at the 
nearest uniformed services 
medical facility. 


ATTENTION ALL 
VETERANS 

In regard to the article, “Governor OKs beneFits for 
Gulf War Veterans and Families," on page 8 of Red 
Rover Volume 3 Number 15 published Nov 19 — Only 
veterans who served in the Persian Gulf theater and 
received either a campaign ribbon orexpeditionary medal 
are eligible for CaJ-Vct loans described in the anicie 
A list of questions and answers are available at the 
Public Affairs Office Call 633-5918 or drop m at 
Building 73-C between 8 a.m and 4 p.m. if you need 

further clarification about eligibility. 










- 


Naval Hospital Oakland November Awards 


Red Rover 

The Red K «■ - > is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35 

Responsibility for Red R< " - r contents rest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office, Naval Hospital. 8750 Mountain Blvd.. Oakland. CA 94627-5000. 
Telephone (415) 633-5918. Text and photographs (except any copyrighted 
material » may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit 
is given. Views expressed arc not necessarily those of the Department of 
Defense, Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery or of the Com- 
manding Officer Printed on recyclable paper. 


Commanding Officer 

Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JO I Kay Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Ed it oral Assistants 

J()2 Stephen R. Brown 
JOSN Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 


Meritorious Service Medal: 

CAPTTaub 


Navy Achievement Medal (First): 

LT Mallak 
HM2 McKechnie 
MS2 Mitchell 
HM3 Alcantara 
HN Kimball 

(Second): 

ENS Henderson 
SKC Deguzman 
LCDR Nordling 
LCDR Seeley 

Good Conduct (First): 

HM2 Powell 
HM2 Robbins 
HNH Mu mine 


Sailor of the Month for October: 

HM2 Raol Rimonn 

Semi-Annual Leadership Award: 

HMC Conner 

Outstanding score on the September 
1991 PRT: 

CDR Carlson 
LCDR Martin 
LT Butcher 
LT Lemons 
LT Rice* 

HN Vaughn 

Length of Federal Service Awards 
(10 years): 

Larina Balaev 
Florencia Matabuena 
John Shepardson 
Majorie Williams 



Page 3 


w December 6, 1991 


I 


Red Rover 


Admiral's Call 



B\ Vndree Marechal- 
Workman 






'*! 


There was mostly good new s 
during the Admiral Call on 
November 20 in^the Clinical 
Assembly. The best news was 
that Navy Medicine has been 
protected from Department of 
Defense's (DoD) downsizing 
and the command has no plans 
to reduce its forces — civilian 
or military* The bad news was 
that budget crunch is a reality, 
and the command will have to 
do more with less. 

-The surgeon general assured 
us that, for the next two or three 
years. Navy Medicine has been 
protected. Oak Knoll 
Commanding Officer, Rear 
Admiral William A. 

Buckendorf. told civilian 
personnel in one of his several 
Admiral Calls recently. “By 
congressional language and an 
agreement betw een the surgeon 
general and the Chief, Bureau 


of Naval Personnel, Navy 
medical numbers have 
essentially been kept at a stable 
level, and we do not anticipate 
any appreciable cuts between 
now and 1995." 

Stressing that he plans to 
implement the principles of 
Total Quality Leadership (TQL) 
to compensate for DoD budget 
cuts, the admiral reinforced that 
he wants to establish a stable 
[civilian] work force and a 
stable work environment. “So I 
do not anticipate that you folks 
need to fear for your jobs at this 
command," he said with 
conviction. “But in order to do 
that, we have to become more 
cost conscious, more efficient 
and more effective." 

"You will hear that there is a 
reorganization going on at 
Naval Hospital Oakland," he 
said. “However, basically, all it 
means is moving some 
departments from the Resources 
and Administration 



NHO civilians are "all ears." (Official U.S. Navy photo by HM2 James Sandridge) 


Directoratres to a new one 
called Base Operating Support. 

“We’re also trying to make the 
organization more horizontal 
in order to facilitate 
communications and remove 
artifificial barriers." 

RADM Buckendorf 

addressed the problem of sexual 
harrassmentat length and urged 
personnel to refrain from sexual 
offenses. “We will not tolerate 
unprofessional behavior,” he 
emphasized. “We will not 
tolerate sexual harrassment and 
we will not tolerate any action 


that demeans the dignity of 
another. Get the word out to 
your people and enforce this 
policy with all your ability. Our 
people deserve nothing less." 

The major issue raised by the 
audience during a question-and- 
answer period was the severe 
parking shortage at the hospital. 
Several solutions were explored, 
but the admiral had no firm 
answer beyond encouraging 
communication through the 
“Listening Box" and other 
methods available at the 
command. 


Among other issues raised 
were reduction in force by 
attrition, January pay raise, ward 
standardization and need for 
additional medical 

transcriptionists. 


I encourage each and 
everyone of you to ask yourself 
each day, ‘what can I do to 
improve on my job,’ and follow 
through — bringing any 
suggestion you might have to 
upper management,” RADM 
Buckendorf concluded. 


•i 


Quality Improvement Update 

NHO Department Heads move forward toward Total Quality Leadership 



Some attributes of a leader 


* Understands the meaning of a system and how the work of the 
group is to support these aims. 

* Cooperates with all stages in a process toward system optimization. 

* Understands differences in people; tries to create joy in work. 

* Is coach and counsel, not a judge. 

* Develops knowledge and personality as sources of pow er. 

* Determines who is in need of special help. 

* Creates trust; creates freedom and innovation. 

* Doesrnot expect perfection. 

* Listens and learns without passing judgement. 

* Understands benefits of cooperation and losses from competition. 




Department Heads from -Naval Hospital Oakland, Naval School of Health Sciences, Naval 
Hospital Lemoore and the Dental Command attend a two-day TQL Awareness and Training 
Session Nov, 12-15. (Official U.S. Navy photos by HM2 James Sandridge) 



t 


i raditional Manager 

> 

Total Quality 



Leader 

Technical Advisor 

> 

Teacher 

Decision Maker 

> 

Decision Implementation 

Problem Solver 

> 

Team Leader 

High Technical Skills 

> 

High People Skills 

Supervise Individuals 

> 

Supervise Teams 

Give Direction 

> 

Shape Direction 

Vertical Orientation 

> 

Vertical and Horizontal 



Orientation 

Boss 

> 

Resource Person 

Management of Certainty 

> 

Management of 



complexity 


On March I. Army Major 
arie Kos si died in the call 
° dut y in Operation Desert 
, 1,11 Like the hundreds of 
°tJsands ol women before 
Cr ’ shc answered America’s 


call. From the Revolution- 
ary War to the Persian Gulf, 
servicewomen have served, 
healed and died. They have 
also gone unrecognized — 
until now. 


The Women in the Military 
Service America Memorial 
will publicly enshrine the 
achievements of 

servicewomen past, present 
and luiure. This memorial is 


to be built at the main gate- 
way to Arlington National 
Cemetery in Washington, 
D.C., and will be a place of 
honor where stories of ser- 
vice and sacrifice are recog- 


nized. It will also serve i 
inspiration for all. For n 
information or to regi 
yourself or a friend * 
Charter Member, call 1-i 
1-SALUTE. 








Mr. and Mrs. Hadwick A. Thompson as they look in 1991. (Official 
U.S. Navy photo by HM2 James Sandridge) 


A Marine Vietnam 
veteran, 
Hadwick C. 
Thompson, was 
stationed at Oak 
Knoll's R eserve 
Liaison Office 
during the time he 
was on medical 
hold, recuperating 
from his wounds. 
(Photo courtesy of 
his father, Hadwick 
A. Thompson) 



Remembering , continued from page I 


midgel submarines used by the 
Japanese in the attack.” 

In 1942, Thompson transferred to 
USS Pollock, (SS-180). a submarine 
that operated out of Bongo Straits in 
Tokyo Bay. He won many medals 
during his fighting tour, and will never 
forget “the 52 degree angle dive the 
Pollock made when her flappers 
jammed.” 

Thompson was discharged from the 
Navy in 1945, after being treated for 


an ulcer at Naval Hospital Oakland n 
that same year. 

"I enjoyed my fighting tour.’ he 
said proudly, “especially when I beat 
the Pollock’ s executive officer and 
navigator. LT Gus Weinel, at chess. 

LT Weinel was not so lucky, 
however. According to Thompson, 
he took command of a new submarine 
on his next patrol and went down with 
his ship. 



Hadwick A. Thompson poses for the camera 
during a liberty with a Chilian friend in 1941. 
(Photo courtesy of Hadwick A. Thompson I 



MUSEUMS 

COMMEMORATE 

WORLD WAR II 


TREASURE ISLAND, CA — 
To commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the beginning of 
WW II, on Dec. 7, Treasure Island 
Museum is opening an exhibit 
entitled From Manila Bay to 
Midway. Through the use of 
archival newspapers, 

memorabilia and models, the 
exhibit tells the story of the 
changing fortunes of the 
American naval forces in the 
Pacific. Spanning the time 
between the battles of Manila Bay 
and Midway, the exhibit provides 
an historical background to the 
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 
and America’s entrance into the 
war. Changing public opinions 
leading up to and during the 
beginning of the war are 
illustrated through popular 
magazine covers, newspaper 
banners and lapel buttons of the 
era. 

The centerpiece of the exhibit 
is a replication of the Battle of 
Midway. Museum visitors may 
step into a plane mock up to view 
from above a reenactment of the 
battle, using scale models and 
audio from cockpit conversations 
of flyers witnessing the event. 
The confusion and emotions 


experienced by those at 
Midway are dramatically 
presented in this portion of the 
exhibit. 

Other Northern California 
museums, military and 
civilians, commemorating the 
anniversary are: The Vallejo 
Naval and Historical Museum, 
the Petaluma Museum, the 
Allen Knight Maritime 
Museum in Monterey, the 
Vacaville Museum, the Presidio 
and Jewish Museums in San 
Francisco, the San Mateo 
County Historical Society, the 
Oakland Museum, the Bay 
Model Visitor Center in 
Sausalito, the Western 
Aerospace Museum in Oakland 
and the Travis Air Force Base 
Museum in Fairfield. 

Also in observance of Pearl 
Harbor Day, two San Francisco 
historical sites will host 
memorial services on Dec. 7, 
the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and 
theUSS Pampanito. The public 
is invited to attend the service 
aboard the O'Brien and explore 
the liberty ship afterward. 
Entitled “Still on Patrol,” the 
Pampanilo's service honors 
submarines lost during WW II. 



Edward Von der Porten, Treasure Island museum director (right), leads 
museum docent John Michaud through an exhibit commemorating WWIl 
under construction at the museum. The exhibit, entitled From Manila Hay to 
MU,Wa >' W,H 7th. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Dave Sims) 







Pago 6 


Red Rover 


December 6 , 1991 


9{gvaf iHospitaf Oakland 
‘Management Information department 

‘Up Close 

What is your job? Deputy department head. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Mary Ann Sueith. 

( liildren and ages: Robert Davis, 32; Michael Davis, 30; Linda Geier,25; 

Donna Davis, 23. 

Hometown: Boise, ID. 

Hobbies: Woodworking, reading, travel, skiing and climbing. 

Likes: Outdoors, family and learning new things. 

Dislikes: Noise, crowds and long meetings. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? Delivering high 
quality, complete services that meet the customer’s needs within 
constrained resources. 

W hat is your immediate goal? Complete the networking of Naval 
Hospital Oakland. 

W hat is your long-term goal? Develop and implement a fully integrated, 
command-wide decision support system. 

If I could do it all over again, I'd: Not change a thing. 

I wish I could stop: Smoking and losing my patience with imperfection 
(both in myself and others). 

I respect myself for: Mental organization, calculating risk taking, 
willingness to learn new things and love for my family. 

Role models/ heroes: Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Allan Suerth 
(my father). 

Special comment: Since coming here in August 1979, 1 have been 
privileged to work with some of the finest people in the Navy and 
participate in some truly remarkable and significant changes. 



I 


Rick A. Suerth 





HM2 Frederick Williams 


What is your job? I receive and input all pink sheets for branch clinics 
and Naval Hospital Oakland, and am the contact point for morbidity 
reporting. 

Marital status: Divorced. 

Children: David Williams. 

Hometown: Chicago, IL. 

Hobbies: Reading classic books, playing classical piano and playing 
sports. 

Likes: Cooking, rain storms, quiet evenings, old movies and saying what I 
believe. 

Dislikes: Pushy, demanding people and losing. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? Dealing with such 
diverse types of people, and forcing myself to leam more and be better at 
what I do. 

What is your immediate goal? To go back to school. 

^ What is your long-term goal? To have peace of mind and financial 
stability. 

If I could do it all over again, I’d: Have stayed in school and got a 
degree. 

I wish I could stop: All the drug use by kids and the killings these kids 
commit. 

I respect myself for: Saying what I believe and being in emotional control 
(most of the time). 

Role models/heroes: My grandfather (John Hoskins) and my mother 
(K.E. Foreman). 


J * 


W hat is your job?: I help provide support to microcomputer users by 
teaching software classes such as WordPerfect, and helping them with their 
hardware or software problems. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Darrell Zamacona. 

Children and ages: Brian, 15; Amanda, 12. 

Hometown: Kensclt, IA. 

Hobbies: Reading, knitting and collecting dust balls. 

Likes: Chocolate, rock and roll and straight-forward people. 

Dislikes: People who constantly complain and whine and those who can t 
pronounce my name. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?: Learning. There is so 
much information and different types ol hardware, operating systems and 
programs. The technology changes very fast. 

What is your immediate goal?: To survive my childrens teenage years. 
W hat is your long-term goal?: Travel around the world. 

If I could do it all over again. I'd: Have stayed in school. 

I wish I could stop: Craving cigarettes. 

I respect myself for: Looking for the positive in people or situations. 

Role models/heroes: My parents. 

Special comment: I’ve worked at Oak Knoll for 10 years and I ve really 
enjoyed it — especially because of the wonderful people I've worked with. 



Andra Zamacona 


From 


Chaplain 


“A Time for Silence” 

By CDR Richard 
Mattie, CHC, USN 

T 

-A- he Kentucky days were warm and pleasant. 

It was early November and leaves were scattered 
on and about the monastery grounds. Ten miles 
from Bardstown, just off the Blue Grass 
Expressway, is the Abbey of Gethsemani where I 
recently spent four days on retreat. Having been 
founded in 1 847, the Abbey has a fixed place amid 
the Kentucky countryside. 

Returning to this cherished place is to be with 
eighty men who live a quiet, spiritually regulated 
life. They are called monks. They come from every 
walk of life, from different areas of the country, of 
different age levels, for different reasons/ The 
monks keep no earthly possessions for themselves, 
giving up the pleasures and problems of the world 
— yes, even their family name. They live a common 
life in a religious community. 

Though the religious life they now live is not as 
strict as it once was, there is a quietness and 
“settleness” that makes the Abbey of Gethsemani 
an ideal place to make a retreat, to get away from it 
al I . Here, there is a genuine respect and consideration 
for each others’ well-being. Theirs is also an 
underlying joy in all that the monks say and do. 
There is a balanced life of prayer, work and study. 

Not all are called to live this type of life. 1, for one, . 
am grateful to these saintly men for providing the 
Retreat House as a place for rest and relaxation, a 
place to recoup lost spiritual and physical energies. 
The guest list included physicians, lawyers, priests 
and several factory workers. One had signed 
himself as a “retired-monk." I later learned he was 
a retired Marine gunnery sergeant who just recently, 
after 20 years at the Abbey, had left the Navy. 

A Navy corpswoman told me some years ago that 
she had very little privacy in her busy, hectic life. 1 
asked her where she went for some quiet-time. She 
replied that the only place to get any privacy was 
alone in her automobile. 

We all need private-time. There arc moments 
when we need to be alone; like the privacy of our 
hospital chapel, or a retreat house. God speaks in 
silence. We need to hear his voice. Hecannofbc 
heard amid the noise and confusion that seems to be 
all about us. It is in quiet surroundings that we get 
back in touch with our real selves, with God, and 
see life as it really is. 

The morning 1 was to leave, 1 sat wondering w hat 
prompts physicians, lawyers, priest and lactor) 
workers to return to the Abbey. The words taken 
from Psalms 1 30 came to mind and summed n U P- 
Truly I have set my soul in silence and peace. 




Red Rover 


Page 7 


December 6. 1991 

Thrift Savings 


Th e next TSP open season 
begins Nov. 15, 1991 and ends 
Jan. 3 1 . 1992. During this open 
season, you nut) begin 
contributing to the TSP. change 
the amount of your TSP 
contributions, or allocate TSP 
contributions to your account 
among three investment funds. 

You may invest all or any 
portion of your TSP 
contribut ions in any of the three 
TSP investment funds: the 
Government Securities 
InNestment (G) Fund, the 
Common Stock Index (C) Fund 
and the Fixed Income Index (F) 
Fund. This is true whether you 
are covered by the Federal 
Employee's Retirement System 
(FERS) or the Civil Service 
Retirement System (CSRS). 
Who is eligible. You may make 
a TSP election this open season 
if your latest appointment to a 
position covered by FERS or 
CSRS was made before July 1 , 


1991 or it your latest 
appointment to a position 
covered by FERS or CSRS was 
made before Jan. 1, 1992, and 
you had been eligible to 
participate in the TSP during a 
prior open season. 

If you stopped your TSP 
contributions before Aug. 1, 
1991, you may resume your 
contributions this open season. 
If however, you stopped your 
contributions after July 3 1 , 1991, 
you may not begin contributing 
again until the TSP open season 
beginning May 15, 1992. 

How the investment 
opportunity affects FERS 
employees. Even if you are not 
making employee contributions, 
you may still make a TSP 
election to invest all or any 
portion of your Agency 
Automatic (1 percent) 
contributions in any of the three 
funds. This is true even if you 
are not able to make an election 


Plan open season 


to contribute this open season 
because you stopped 
contributing alter July 31,1 99 1 

If you are making employee 
contributions, your investment 
election applies to all 
contributions to your TSP 
account: i.e .employee. Agency 
Automatic (1 percent) and 
Agency Matching contributions. 

How to make an open season 
election. Submit a completed 
Election Form, TSP-1 (dates 2/ 
91 or 9/90) to Civilian Personnel 
Department. You can obtain 
this form from your supervisor 
or the Civilian Personnel 
Department. 

When open season elections 
become effective. If the Civilian 
Personnel Department accepts 
your election before Jan. 11, 
1 992, it will be effective Jan. 1 2, 
1992. Your paycheck dated Feb. 
4, 1992 will reflect this election. 
If you make an open season 
election after this date, it will be 


effective on the First day of the 
first full pay period after it has 
been aecepted by Civilian 
Personnel. 

Where to get more 
information about the ISP. 

The booklet “Summary of the 
Thrift Savings Plan for Federal 
Employees;' dated September 
1 990, describes the TSP in detai I . 
If you do not have a copy of this 


plan summary or have any 
questions about the TSP, contact 
Sydney Santos at 633-6374. 
Please read it before making a 
TSP election. 

You have already received the 
flyer “Open Season Update, 
Nov. 15 to Jan 31, 1992/’ This 
flyer contains basic information 
about this TSP open season. 


Civilian Personnel Note 

The National Academy of Administration will present a 
symposium on Downsizing Public Organizations. It will be held 
Dec. 4-5, in San Francisco. The cost is $225 per person. It is 
designed to address how public managers at all levels of 
government can effectively manage downsizing. Topics to be 
covered include: “How to plan and prepare staff reductions and 
organizational streamlining;' “How to treat employees fairly 
and minimize adverse impact,” “How to deliver to the taxpayer 
with fewer resources,” “When basic services have to be reduced 
... where to start ... where to go for help. What can be learned 
from the private sector,” and “What approaches work and which 
ones do not.” Additional information may be obtained from 
Sydney Santos, Civilian Personnel, extension 3-6374. 


Thrift Savings Plan Fact Sheet Update 


Listed below is the Thrift Savings 
Plan Fact Sheet that provides monthly 
returns for the 12-month period ending 
September 1991 for the three 
investment funds: Government 
Securities Investment Fund (G Fund), 
the Common Stock Investement Fund 
(C Fund) and the Fixed Income Index 
Imestment Fund (F Fund). 

The C Fund is invested in the Wells 
Fargo Equity Index Fund which tracks 
the S&P 500 stock index. The F Fund 
is invested in the Wells Fargo Bond 
U.S. Debt Index Fund which tracks 
the Shearson Lehman Brothers 
Aggregate bond index. The G Fund is 
invested in special issues of U. S. 
Treasury securities. 

The monthly C, F, G Fund monthly 
returns are dollar-weighted: They 
reflected net earnings on the changing 
balances invested during the month. 
The C,F and G Fund returns for the 


Center (FSC) program coordinator, at (707) 
646-2527/2188 or autovon 253-2537/2188. 
Items needed include toiletry articles for 
men and women (combs and brushes, 
shampoo, powder, soap, colognes,etc.); 
paperback books; puzzles and games; cotton 
socks; cookies and candies; home-made cards 
and decorations. 

We need people to help stuff stockings and 
to carol at the hospital. Last year over 40 
people caroled with us and, with the generous 
help of many, we stuffed more than 500 
stockings. Join us; we guarantee that this 
will be one of your most memorable events 
of the holiday season. 

Schedule of events and deadlines are as 
follows: 

Deadline to receive donations and first 
night to stuff stockings: Wednesday, Dec. 

II. 

Second slocking stuffing event: Monday, 
Dec. 16 at 12 noon. 

Final dale to receive baked goods and 
stockings: Thursday, Dec. 19. At 12:30 
p.m., we leave to carol and deliver stockings 
to the hospital. 


Christmas 
stockings for 
veterans 

North Bay ombudsmen are sponsoring their 
fifth annual drive to provide the Younlville 
Veteran’s Hospital with a little extra 
C hnstmas cheer. These veterans served our 
country in wars from World War I through 
the Desert Storm era. Many of the 1 ,400 
veterans in the hospital have no family or 
friends to help celebrate the holidays and 
not enough money to provide themselves 
w ith personal care items that can make 
institutional life tolerable. 

North Bay Area ombudsmen would like 
to till at least 500 stockings with personal 
t4re items, holiday treats, and cards for 
those veterans spending their holidays alone. 
Won t you please help? 

b you would like to donate items or 
money to purchase items, please call Ms. 
betty Harris. Mare Island Family Service 


last twelve months assume, except for 
the crediting of earnings, unchanging 
balances (time-weighting) from 
month to month and assume earnings 
are compounded on a monthly basis. 

The C and F Fund returns vary from 
the Wells Fargo returns because of C 
and F Fund expenses and changing 
balances in the C and F Funds. The 
Wells Fargo returns are time- 
weighted; they assume constant dollar 
balances invested during each month 
and throughout the period. 

Future performance of the three 
funds will vary and may be 
significantly different from the returns 
shown above. See the “Summary of 
the Thrift Savings Plan” for detailed 
information about the funds and their 
investment risks. Point of contact for 
further information is Sydney Santos 
at 633-6374. 


Months 

C Fund 

Wells Fargo 
Equity 

Index Fund 

F Fund* 

Wells Fargo 

U.S. Debt 

Index Fund 

G Fund 

1989 

(Jan. -Dec.) 

31.03% 

31.61% 

13.89% 

14.45% 

8.81% 

1990 

(Jan. -Dec.) 

(3.15%) 

(3.19%) 

8.00% 

8.89% 

8.90% 

1990 

October 

(.46%) 

(.43%) 

1.32% 

1.27% 

.76% 

November 

6.36 

6.45 

2.15 

2.16 

.70 

December 

2.72 

2.77 

1.46 

1.57 

.70 

1991 

January 

4.55 

4.37 

1.15 

1.29 

.69 

February 

7.07 

7.13 

.86 

.81 

.62 

March 

2.40 

2.40 

.67 

.67 

.68 

April 

.18 

.22 

1.05 

1.08 

.66 

May 

4.30 

4.28 

.57 

.58 

.68 

June 

(4.49) 

(4.53) 

(•01) 

(•04) 

.66 

July 

4.63 

4.65 

1.40 

1.42 

.69 

August 

2.37 

2.35 

2.12 

2.16 

.69 

September ( 1 .63) 

Last 12 Months 

(1.68) 

1.99 

2.03 

.64 


31.10% 

31.04% 

15.75% 

16.04% 

8.48% 

Percentages in ( ) are negative. ^Through 1 990 the F Fund 

was invested in the Wells 


Fargo Index Fund. 


Cal-Vet on duty helping veterans with 


homes damaged by 

SACRAMENTO, CA. — Help is 
available for veterans with Cal-Vet homes 
destroyed or damaged in the Oakland- 
Berkeley fire. 

“As we did in the aftermath of Loma 
Prieta, Cal-Vet is ready to assist veterans 
and families to recover from this latest 
tragedy ,” said retired Navy Rear Admiral 
Benjamin T. Hacker, director of 
California Department of Veterans 
Affairs (CDVA). 

To report a fire insurance claim, CDVA 
is encouraging Cal-Vet homeowners to 
call the General Adjustment Bureau 
(G A B) toll free at 800-626-54 1 0, Monday 
through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For emergencies at any other time, call 
800-62 1 -5410. Veterans may also contact 
Cal-Vet 's Concord office immediately at 
(510) 676-5152 for assistance, or they 
may wish to visit the office at 2520 


Bay Area Fire 

Stanwell Drive, Suite 160, in Concord. 

Under contract with Cal-Vet, Cravens- 
Dargen and Company administers fire 
insurance on all Cal-Vet properties except 
mobile homes and some condominiums. 
GAB, under contract with Cravens- 
Dragen, adjusts all fire insurance losses 
for Cal-Vet, 

The fire insurance does not cover 
damage to personal property or contents. 
However the Cal-Vet policy covers 
additional living expenses if the veteran 
must move to a temporary residence while 

the Cal-Vet property is repaired or rebuilt. 

To contact CDVA in Sacramento, the 
toll-free number is 800-952-5626. 

Point of contact for further information 
is Steve Janosco, Acting Chief, 
Legislative and Public Affairs Office, 
1227 “0“ Street, Sacramento, CA., 

95814, or phone at (916) 653-2561 . 



Page 8 


Red Rover 


December 6, 


Burnout: 


cause and effect 


By Vicki Caldwell 

WASHINGTON (NES) — 
There is no standard definition 
of burnout. New York psycho- 
analysts Herbert Freudenberger 
and Geraldine Richelson, in their 
book. Burnout , the High 
Achievement , state that to burn- 
out is “to deplete oneself, to 
exhaust one’s physical and 
mental resources, to wear oneself 
out by excessively striving to 
reach some unrealistic expecta- 
tion imposed by oneself or the 
values of society.” 

Burnout is a serious problem. 
The burnout victim is disillu- 
sioned. irritable, exhausted and 

Great 

American 

Smokeout 

B\ JOSN Kvna S. Kirkpatrick 

On Nov. 21, 1991, Naval 
Hospital Oakland (NHO) 
hosted the Great American 
Smokeout which was estab- 
lished in 1978, when Cali- 
fornia was the first state to 
observe it. The American 
Cancer Society sponsors this 
program on every third 
Thursday in November to 
promote a smoke-free envi- 
ronment. 

“In recognition of the 
smoke-out the command 


WASHINGTON (NES) — 
Navy members, both enlisted 
and officers, had the opportu- 
nity to make their attitudes 
and priorities known on a va- 
riety of subjects during the 
second annual Navy Person- 
nel survey done this fall. 

About 24,000 randomly- 
selected officers and enlisted 
members received their 
questionnaires by mail dur- 
ing the month of October. The 


depressed. He or she loses touch 
with family and friends — to 
their loss as well as his or her 
own. 

The cost of burnout in ineffi- 
ciency and wasted dollars is 
staggering. The burnout victim 
becomes the clock watcher, the 
chronic absentee, the work 
dodger and the negative cog in 
the wheel. Burnout victims are 
not as enthusiastic, motivated or 
as energetic as they once were. 

The cause of burnout is a 
mismatch between efforts and 
results. Burnout victims start 
out tull of fire and good inten- 
tions, but their efforts are not 
rewarded in kind. The stress, 

[wellness department] put up 
static displays in the Outpa- 
tient Records lobby and dis- 
tributed smoke- 
out posters 
throughout the 
base,” said 
head of the 
Wellness De- 
p a r t m e n t , 

HMCM Leo 
Rosario. He added 
that 50 packages for 
smokers wanting to quit 
were also made and distrib- 
uted at the hospital. 

“We didn’t record statistics 
or have sign-up sheets for 
people who participated, 
NHO just gave people the ini- 
tiative to make the command 
smoke-free for a day,” stated 
HMCM Rosario. 

According to the American 


surveys included questions on 
subjects as pay benefits, child 
care and housing. 

“it’s important to know the 
attitudes and concerns of sail- 
ors,” said Vice Admiral mike 
Boorda, Chief of Naval Per- 
sonnel. “The results help us 
concentrate on the right pro- 
grams and identify areas 
needing attention.” 

The survey was conducted 
for the first time October to 


which causes burnout, is cumu- 
lative. It does not just go away. 
The impact shows up in men and 
women in their late twenties or 
early thirties, and it tends to af- 
flict the super copers and doers 
the most. 

Most burnout victims blame 
themselves for their misery, but 
the fault more often lies in their 
environment. The person expe- 
riencing the phenomenon must 
come to the realization that there 
is very little he or she can do to 
change the organization, much 
less the society that spawns 
burnout. However, it is up to the 
individual worker to do what he 
or she can within those param- 

Cancer Society, following the 
first Surgeon General’s Re- 
port on Smoking and Health, 
the nation es- 
l a b 1 i s h e d 
stop-smok- 
ing pro- 
grams. In 
1971, the 
city of 
Randolph, 
MA., asked its 
residents to give up 
tobacco for a day. In 
1977, California was the 
first state to observe and give 
this day the name “Great 
American Smokeout.” In 
1 978, it was observed nation- 
wide for the first time. 

In the nationwide Gallup 
Poll of the 1990 Great Ameri- 
can Smokeout. 37.8 percent 
of the nation’s estimated 1 8.9 


December 1 990. Some of the 
findings of the first survey 
included: 

* Most sailors enjoy their 
Navy careers and like the work 
they do. 

* The six-month advance- 
ment notice for orders is a 
well-received initiative which 
sailors want continued. 

* Leadership training, es- 
pecially the Navy Leader De- 
velopment (NavLead) Pro- 


cters. What the individual can 
do is become aware of the prob- 
lem, separate work from the rest 
of life, develop outside inter- 
ests, get additional training and 
abandon unrealistic expecta- 
tions. 

It is also a good idea to rede- 
fine the job whenever possible, 
or to change jobs when necessary 
or possible, in order to reduce 
the work load or otherwise im- 
prove working conditions. 

Some other things that can be 
done are stress management 
techniques such as relaxation, 
exercise, attitude and awareness 
and a balanced diet. Avoid the 
false cures such as alcohol, drugs, 

million smokers participated, 
up about one million from the 
previous year. 

“Enthusiasm and commit- 
ment are keys to a successful 
smokeout strategy,” said Vice 
Admiral J.M. Boorda, Chief 
of Naval Operations. VADM 
Boorda also stated that the 
Navy will have a smoke-free 
working environment by Jan. 
1 , 2000, as written in the Nov. 
1 1 issue of Navy Times. 

Referring to the Health Pro- 
motion Program Instruction 
(SECNAVINST 6100.5), 
HMCM Rosario concluded 
that the benefits of having a 
smoke-free environment at 
NHO and in the Navy are that, 
“it will help maintain an op- 
erational readiness, maximize 
individual performance and 
help reduce health care cost.” 


gram, is highly regarded. 

* Recreational services and 
family support programs re- 
ceived high marks. 

* Most respondents per- 
ceive strong command sup- 
port for equal opportunity and 
feel the Navy is doing things 
to improve the Equal Oppor- 
tunity climate. 

Officials plan to compare 
results of this survey Irom 
last year to establish trends 
and identify changes and at- 
titudes. Although some other 
issue-specific surveys, such 
as the Equal Opportunity 
Survey, will continue to 
measure lo-priority or sensi- 
tive issues more clearly, the 
Navy Personnel Survey will 
be a key pulse-take Tor the 
Navy. 

“1 urge every' person who 
receives the questionnaire to 


1991 


gambling and sex. These offer 
no more than temporary relief 
Learn closeness. The bun,o ul 
victim must look deep within to 

discover hisorher true self, Thj 

is when lost energy may be re . 
captured. 

Finally, one of the most f Un . 
damcntal steps to curing burnout 
is to “accept the given," th 0St 
things over which one has ro 
control. Once these are identi- 
fied. the individual may con- 
centrate on changing those things 
which can be changed. 
Caldwell was program coordina- 
tor and counselor for Family Ser- 
vice Center, NAS, Corpus Christi, 
TX„ when this article was written. 


Do a good deed 
over the 
holidays! 

You can make a different 
in a child's holiday season 
by donaiing now, 
unwrapped toys to Toys for 
Tots. Beginning Friday. 
Nov. 15, Sea West Federal 
Credit Union has “Toys for 
Tots" collection sites in 
each Sea West Federal 
Credit Union branch. 

Oakland 

8750 Mountain Blvd. 
(510)568-4100 

Alameda 

Coast Guard Island 
(510) 532-5160 

Petaluma 

USCG Training Ctr. 
(707)765-1075 

Long Beach - 1 1 th Coast 
Guard District 
400 Oceangate, Ste. 608 
(213) 499-5455 

Don’t delay. The holiday 
season is fast approaching 
and the collection process 
for 1991 Toys for Tots w ill 
end the second week in 
December! Point of 
contact for further 
information is Robin Boyle 
at (510) 568-4 100 


will be used to help make 
informed decisions on matters 
that affect their careers and 
their lives. 

Courtesy of Bureau of Ha** 1 ' 
Personnel's public affair > 


Share the “Spirit of Oakland” 


The community of 
Oakland has extended an 
invitation to military 
personnel and their 
family members to 
participate in a day of 
family entertainment 
icentercd around the 
theme “Share the Spirit 
of Oakland”, on Dec. 7. 


Featured activities include 
two parades, a lighted 
yacht parade and a 
Christmas tree lighting at 
Jack London Square. 
These events arc readily 
accessible by public 
transportation, and 
parking is complimentary 
all that day at Jack London. 


Square. 

Flyers containing a 
schedule of events will be 
available at Easi Bay 
Safeway stores, and the 
command Public A I fairs 
Office also has a schedule. 

For more information, 
call 633-6367 or 633- 
59 1 8. 


put some honest effort into 
it,” said Boorda. “This input office. 


Survey measures attitudes and 



priorities on personnel issues 







The Navy's First Commissioned Hospital Ship 


Red Rover 



Volume 3-Number 17 


Naval Hospital Oakland, California 94627-5000 


December 20 , 1991 


Happy holidays from the Commanding Officer 



While participating in the annual 
lighting of the Oak Knoll Christmas 
tree, I took the opportunity to reflect 
on the holiday season and events of 
the past year. One year ago, over half 
the staff was in the Persian Gulf, either 
on USNS Mercy or with supporting 
ground units. Whether celebrating 


1991. The professionalism and 
dedication demonstrated by the staff 
continues to please our many 
customers. We have seen the 
satisfactory completion of a two-year 
building project (P-122), 
implementation of Total Quality 
Leadership principles and 



(above) CAPT Noel Hyde (left) adds his voice 
to Chaplain Peter Nissen to sing a Christmas 
carol at the tree lighting ceremony . 


„ 




> ; 
a 


(right) RADM William Buckendorf (second 
from right) joins Chaplain Herman Kibble 
and other celebrants in a song during the tree 
lighting ceremony. (Official U.S. Navy photos 
by JOSN Kyna S. Kirkpatrick.) 


Christmas abroad or at home last year, 
it was a holiday that will be 
remembered in the context of world 
events. We are thankful to be reunited 
with our families and friends for this 
holiday season. 

It is with great pride that 1 look back 
on the accomplishments of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and the San 
Francisco Medical Command during 


establishment of a new cardiac 
surgery program. We have overcome 
the effects of high staff turnover 
during the transition from Operation 
Desert Storm to peacetime, and have 
enhanced our abi 1 i ty to pro v ide pat ient 
care through resource sharing 
agreements with the CHAMPUS 
Reform Initiative subcontractor. 

The new year promises to be 


another exceptional one 
in the history of Naval 
Hospital Oakland. It will 
begin with a Navy 
Inspector General (IG) 
visit which will 
document the 

outstanding 
performance 
of our 

command. 1 
see no reason 
to believe that 
IG will be any 
different than 
JCAHO, 
NAVOSH, or 
any of the 
other 
inspections 
we had aver 
the past year. 
All audit 
— results have 
been outstanding, and I 
am confident that we 
will be equally 
successful with IG. 

As we enter this 
holiday season, please 
accept my best wishes 
for a Happy Hanukkah, 
Merry Christmas and a 
safe and prosperous New 
Year. 


Mental Health Department 




Keeping military force healthy 


By Andree 

Marechal- Workman 



A Sailor has been at sea for six 
years, with only limited shore 
leaves between his tours. He is 
lonely , bored with the monotony 
ol the seascape, stressed about 
hL cramped quarters and the lack 
°1 privacy, and he is sick of 
seeing the same faces day in and 
day out. To complicate matters, 
be has not heard from his wife in 
months and, with the holiday 
season approaching, he worries 
about what could be happening 
home . In short , he ’ s depressed 
and overwhelmed by 
circumstances. 


He talked to the chaplain on 
board, went to the local Family 
Service Centers for counseling 
when he was in port, but he 
needs more help than they could 
offer. He can no longer cope 
with day to day activities, and 
his command is concerned about 
his ability to perform his duties. 

In short, says Commander 
Linda Fuller, MC, of this 
hypothetical scenario, that 
sailor is ripe for psychiatric 
intervention if referred by the 
medical officer of his command. 

“ That individual may be 
experiencing adjustment 
disorders and, after evaluation, 
we could recommend a shore 
duly assignment lor a six-month 


period to help him understand 
the situation and readjust,” she 
explained. 

CDR Fuller, who was acting 
head of Naval Hospital 
Oakland's (NHO) Mental Health 
Department at the time of the 
interview, was very happy to 
report that, by mid-December, 
her department would not only 
be reunited at NHO in one unit, 
but also strengthened with the 
addition of the resource sharing 
clinical psychologists heretofore 


assigned to the Pediatric Clinic. 

“Over the last six months,’’ 
CDR Fuller clarified, “the 
department has been in a very 
unusual position in that, with the 
combined impact of P-122 and 


the closure of Letterman Army 
Medical Center's (LAMC) 
training program. Ward 5-South 
(In-Patient Psychiatric Clinic) 
was closed, and 50% of our 
psychiatric staff had to report 
TAD to provide psychiatric 
services at LAMC.” 

According to CDR Fuller, her 
department has played a 
tremendous role in the history of 
Oak Knoll with its residency 
training. In fact, she said that 
Captain Michael J. Little, NHO’s 
director of Medical Services, was 
trained here, as are many still 
practising Navy active-duty 
psychiatrists. 

“ b was unfortunate that, w ith 
the opening of the residency 


training at [Naval Hospital] San 
Diego, the Oak Knoll program 
was eventually phased out,” 
CDR Fuller continued. “But the 
Department itself, here at Oak 
Knoll, has made unlimited 
contributions to the hospital, 
and I don’t think that should be 
overlooked.” 

When the In-Patient Clinic 
staff came back from LAMC on 
Dec. 11, Oak Knoll Mental 
Health Department staff 
returned to its full complement: 
three psychiatrists. Medical 
Corps officers CDR Steven 
Gibbs — the Department head 
— Lieutenant Michael Torricelli 


see HEALTHY page 4 &5 





Red Rover 


Perspectives 


December 20, l^j 



Greetings from the Executive Officer 



CAPT Noel A. Hyde 


The Oak Knoll Christmas 
tree is aglow with tinsel and 
lights, spreading its message 
of good will and peace on 


earth. Memories of Hanuk- 
kah still linger. The holiday 
spirit is burning brighter than 
ever, with Navy families back 
together, sharing happiness, 
merry making and the joys of 
loving and giving. 

On Dec. 14, the command 
had its annual Christmas 
party, with door prizes, good 
food and a spirit of convivial- 
ity which, I know, will reach 
far into the New Year. 

Many of you will be going 
on leave to spend time with 
your families and friends, 
sometimes driving many 
miles in treacherous wintry 


landscapes. With just a few 
days until that magical 
Christmas moment, I don’t 
want to spoil the mood of joy 
and anticipation. But I also 
want you to return whole and 
healthy, and feel dulybound 
to add “be careful” to my 
greetings. 

I hope this Christmas will 
be a happy occasion for all of 
you and that its spirit will 
prevail throughout 1992. Be 
merry, be happy, but, please 
“be careful" and come back 
safely — ready to face all 
things the New Year will have 
in store for us. 


CPOAssociation lumpia sale 



On Dec. 13. the Chief 
Petty Officers Association 
had a lumpia sale to raise 
funds to help the 
Chaplain's Office make 
life for needy families a 
little brighter during the 
holidays. According to 


HMC Jean McColley of 
Preventive Medicine, $294 
were raised and presented 
to the head of Pastoral 
Care, CAPT Herman 
Kibble, on that same after- 
noon. Shown from left are 
HMC John Coleman of the 


Laboratory, HMC Michael 
Gorman of Nursing Ser- 
vices, HMC Marty 
Manalastas of Pharmacy 
and HMC Derrick Scott of 
Manpower. (Official U.S. 
Navy photo by HM2 Cindy 
Malone) 


Red Rover 

The Kcd R«‘i «*r is published bimonthly by and for the employees of Naval 
Hospital Oakland and its branch clinics. The Red Rover is printed commer- 
cially with appropriated funds in compliance with NAVSO P-35. 

Responsibility for Red Rover contents nest primarily with the Public Affairs 
Office. Naval Hospital. 8750 Mountain Blvd.. Oakland. CA 94627-5000. 
Telephone (415) 633-5918 Text and photographs (except any copyrighted 
material l mav be reproduced in whole or in part as long as byline or photo credit 
is given. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Depanment of 
Defense. Navy Department Bureau of Medicine and Surgery ot of the Com 
manding Officer Printed on recyclable paper 


Commanding Officer 
Rear Admiral William A. Buckendorf 


Executive Officer 
Captain Noel A. Hyde 


Public Affairs Officer 
Paul W. Savercool 


Assistant Public Affairs Officer 
JO I Kay Lorentz 


Editor 

Andree Marechal-Workman 


Editoral Assistants 
J02 Stephen R. Brown 
JOSN Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 



Red Rover 
Listening Box 

Q- Several comments have been 
received requesting Keller Gate 
remain open past 6 p.m. 

A: An analysis of the number of 
pedestrians who utilize Keller Gate 
has shown that 90 percent of 
personnel use this entrance between 
the hours of operation, 6-8 a.m. and 
3:30 - 6 p.m. At this time, due to 
staffing shortages, it is not possible 
to open Keller Gate lor longer hours. 
Security can meet a group of 
personnel after 6 p.m,, lo let the 
group leave, but this cannot be done 
on an individual basis. 

S/ Rear Admiral William A. 

Buckendorf 

Commanding Officer 


1 ' ' " " " 1 1 - - 

NHO December Awards 

Navy Commendation MSC Edison Dizon 

Medal: 

(First) Good Conduct: 

(First) 


CAP! Donald Greenfield 
CDR Paul Garst 
CDR Melissa George 
CDR Bernadette Grice 
CDR Joseph Honeywell 
CDR John Miller 
LCDR Lee Ras 
LT Althea Coetzee 
LT Pamela Tucker 

Navy Commendation 
Medal: 
(Second) 


HM2 Efren Bumanglag 
HM3 Douglas Amis 
HM3 Tony Concjo 
DT3 Robert Holt 
ABH3 Lonzie Jones 
HM3 Randall Litzenberge 
HN Sammie William 

Good Conduct: 
(Second) 

BT2 Dionisio Gocong 
HM2 Robert Thompson 
HM2 Allen Vintola 
HM3 Scott Inglis 




CAPT Robert Cave 
CDR Richard Mattie 


. Good Conduct: 
(Third) 



Navy Commendation ENl Camilo Padua 

Medal: HM2 Kymyvette Jackson 


(Third) 

CDR Ernest Ghent 

Navy Achievement 
Medal: 
(First) 

LCDR Albert Cook 
LT Craig Mallack 
LTJG Charles Moore 
HM1 Edgar Alayon 
DK1 Elisha Dickerson 
PCI Robert Medina 
HM3 Raulito Dalisay 

Navy Achievement 
Medal: 
(Second) 
LCDR Carol Bohn 


Length of Federal 
Service Awards: 

10 years 

Larina Balacy 
Richard Meyers 

Length of Federal 
Service Awards: 

20 years 
Jerry^ Wilsford 

Outstanding score on 
the 

September 1991 PRT: 

LCDR Peter Sharkley 
LT Paul Gillbanks 


NovemberSailor of the Month 


PN3 Wernher C. Heyres, 
who was presented the award 
for November Sailor of the 
Month, is a personnelman 
who works in the Enlisted 
Performance Evaluations 
section of the Manpower 
Department. Heyres, who is 
a native of the Philippines, 
said “ the most challenging 
part of my job is taking care 
of people. I help them 
[enlisted] out in 

[completing] their 

evaluations and then process 
them meticulously so that it 
will help them out tor 
advancement/' 

PN3 Heyres was nominated 
for the award by one o! his 
co-worker, HM2 Connie l 
Pfahl, and his supervisor 
PN 1 (AW) Alfredo Pineda for 
lus outstanding performance 
as a Team Player/ 4% PN3 
H e y re s’ extraordinary 



professional ability, 

enthusiasm and exhaustible 
energy enables his section to 
smoothly process over 1 .500 
performance evaluations in-* 
timely and efficient manner- 
said HM2 Pfahl 
Congratulations to PN3 
Heyres for a job well done 
He is a great asset to NHO 
and the Nav) 



* 


Red Rover 


Page 3 


December 20, 1091 


Oak Knoll gas station undergoes repairs 


B> JOSN Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 

The Naval Hospital Oakland gasoline 
station is closed Staff and base residents 
must now purchase gasoline off base. 
According to Captain John Kelly, MSC, 
USN. and Daniel O. Yee. the reason for 
the closure was due to a leak discovered 
in one of the three tanks being used to 
store gasoline. CAPT Kelly is the director 
for resources and Yee is the 
environmental coordinator for NHO. 

LIS. environmental laws require all 
facilities selling or using gasoline 
■ products to protect the environment 
from damages that may be caused by 
leakage of gasoline, fuel oil or kerosene 
stored in tanks. Whenever a fuel leak is 
discovered the tanks must be dug up, the 
dirt turned over several times and fuel 
eating bacteria put into the dirt to eat up 
any fuel. 

According to Yee, the leak at NHO’s 
service station was discovered in 
February 1989 during the routine annual 
jesting of the tanks. The leakage was 
reported to the County of Alameda and 
the State of California, who are the local 
enforcement agencies for environmental 
laws. “Using guidelines developed by 
the state and the county, we proceeded to 


determine when and why it occurred and 
what damage (contamination) was done 
to the soil,” Yee added. During the two 
year hiatus the damaged lank was closed 
and monthly inspections of the two 
remaining tanks were performed to 
ensure that the command had no new 
leaks or contamination. 

“The investigation revealed that 
approximately 7,000 gallons of fuel were 
lost after the tank was damaged and the 
three tanks must be removed to correct 
any environmental damage,” said Yee. 
NHO requested funds from the 
Department of the Navy to correct the 
damage and those were granted in 
September 1991. 

Using a contract awarded by Naval 
Facilities Engineering Command 
Western Division, San Bruno, NHO 
began digging up the tanks in early 
November. “So far, to-date we have dug 
up and collected over 1,000 tons of soil 
that is contaminated, and we are 
continuing to check more of the soil for 
high concentrations of contamination,” 
said Yee. However, Yee further stated, 
“the equipment used by the contractor 
can only dig up to 1 7 feet into the ground. 
After that we must use other methods of 
treatment.” The Navy has agreed to 
work with the County of Alameda on 


other acceptable methods of treatment, 
including using a different more effective 
bacteria to accelerate the natural 
decomposition of the contamination, or 
flushing the ground with water and 
pumping out the contamination. 

CAPT Kelly stated that the Navy is 
working to correct the contamination 
problem. “The Navy must be a good 
citizen and neighbor; therefore, it has 
accepted the responsibility for ensuring 
that it cleans up any damage to the 
environment,” he said. “Federal law 
requires that by 1998 all single-walled 
storage tanks be replaced with puncture- 
resistant double-walled tanks.” 

Depending upon the damage 
discovered in the clean-up, the command 
does not expect to reopen the gasoline 
sales until around April 1992. “ At this 
point the command is concerned that the 
three replacing tanks will not pay for 
themselves,” said CAPT Kelly, “we need 
to know how people feel about the sale 
of gasoline on the compound.” 

Included is a command survey that 
people should fill out and return to the 
information desk or the Listening Box 
with their suggestions. They should also 
indicate whether they use the gas station ; 
and if having a gas station on base would 
be of benefit to them. 


I 1 

Gas Station Survey 1991 

I Did you know that there is a 
Navy Exchange gas station on the 
hospital compound? 


2. If so, 

(a) Do you use it? 

(b) How frequent is your use? 


(c) Average number of gallons 

purchased? 

(d) Type of gas purchased: 

- regular unleaded 

- high octane unleaded 

(e) If the gas station is not 
reopened, where would you buy 
gasoline? 


3. Thank you for your cooperation. 
Please return form to the suggestion 
box (Listening Box) or to the front 
desk in the main hospital. 

i i 


CDR Ernie Ghent leaves his mark at Oak Knoll 


By Andree Marechal-Workman 


Commander Ernie Ghent may have spent 26 
years in the Navy, but it is his one-year tour in 
Vietnam as a combat corpsman with a U.S. Marine 
Corps unit that he remembers as one of his most 
3 memorable experiences. 

“I remember that year most vividly because it 
V is the year I learned how to survive," he said in an 
interview shortly before he left Naval Hospital 
^Oakland (NHO) for a Permanent Change of Station 
(PCS) at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in 
Washington, D C. 

His tour in Vietnam happened in 1968-69, and 
since then, his Navy career has taken a dramatic 
swing upward. 

C DR Ghent joined the Navy “three days out of 
high school" in 1964 as an El. Since then he’s 
served as administration officer aboard USNS 
Mercy in the Persian- Gulf; as executive officer of 
Naval Medical Clinic in New Orleans, LA, and as 
Patient administrator at Roosevelt Road in Puerto 
Rico, where he was “patient coordinator lor the 
Grenada invasion.” He’s also been in New 
Hampshire, in Sigonella, Sicily, and in Florida, 

Civilian is awarded honorary naval officer rank 

Naval Hospital Oakland.” The Letter of Appreciation 

was also signed by R ADM Stratton. 

Mrs. Reuling was very suprised by her awards “I 
am truly speechless. I thought I was going to go in 
and the ICU staff were going to say, 'things have 
been going great and we just wanted you to know 
that we appreciate you coming in.'" she said. 

“I always try to go in and thank the ICU nurses 
who work with our students. 1 know most of them 
enjoy it hut I know it takes time and effort, and often 

times in our areas we are not thanked for what we 
do.” 

Along with NHO staff members, her husband 
Ldwin Reuling, MD, and her daughter Anne and her 
amily were present lor the joyous occasion. “1 am 
glad you told me thank you. 1 keep gettine 
satisfaction out of that.” she said to a well deserved 
round ol applause. 



By JOSN Kyna S. Kirkpatrick 


j AI>[ Maria Carroll (right) and CAPT Linda 
"Hock pin an ensign barandoakleafon Pamela 
1 tiling. (Offical U. S. Navy photo) 


On Dec. 4, in the Clinical Assembly, people 
smiled and cheered as Pamela Reuling was given her 
honorary Nurse Corps Ensign bars. Captain Maria 
Carroll, director for Nursing Services, and CAPT 
Linda Pollock, assistant director for Nursing 
Services, pinned the bars on Reuling as Lieutenant 
Commander George Morrison read the citation from 
the Nurse Corps Director, Rear Admiral M. Stratton. 
Reuling was also presented a Letter of Appreciation 
by LCDR Susan Griffin, division officer for the 
Cardiac Observation and Rehabilitation Ward, for 
her 15 years ol selfless dedication in the 
coordination ol student nurse training experiences 
between California State University, Hayward, and 


among other Navy shore duty stations. 

He spent the last three years right here at NHO, 
where he’s been untiring in his efforts in behalf of 
the Patient Administration Department. 

“Hopefully, I’ve spread the word about how 
important the department is to the quality operation 
in the hospital,’ he said on the eve ofhis departure 
for Washington, D.C. 

According to the commander, after spending a 
year at the Northwest Region, he transferred to 
the hospital as the head of the Patient- 
Administration Department. His first year was 
spent preparing for the JCAHO, which the 
department passed with flying colors. “In fact,” 
remarked the native of Milford, CT, “we received 
some special comments from the inspectors at the 
outbrief.” 

But his eight-month deployment aboard USNS 
Mercy also stands out as a hallmark in his military 
life. “It was kind of a shock,” he recalls. “My wife 
had been visiting her family in France for seven 
weeks, and I left for the Persian Gulf one week 
after she came back.” 

In conclusion, CDR Ghent said that “you leave 
a little bit of yourself in every place that you’ve 
been, and a lot of the people here will have a 


special place in my heart.” 

CDR Ghent is married to the former Marie- 
France Girault of Marseille, France. The couple 
have two children: 21-year-old Kelly and 24- 
year-old Mark. The latter is serving in the U.S. 
Army in Winter Harbor, ME. 



A very happy CDR Ghent displays the American 
Spirit of triumph when he returned from the Persian 
Gulf aboard the USNS Mercy. (Offical U. S. Navy 
photo) 


Mental Health Department 


They keep our 
military force healthy 

(Official U. S. Navy photos by SN Wael Issa) 



HM3 Thomas Schmidt runs the TRIPAS computer terminal for appointments. He 
also facilitates transition groups. 



Psychometrician, HM3 Heath Owens, administers psychological testing. He 
is also QA coordinator. 



Healthy: continued 


and CDR Fuller. The staff also 
includes a clinical neuropsychologist. 
Lieutenant Commander Laslo 
Navradszky, MSC, a team of 
psychiatric nurses and 24 
neuropsychiatric technicians. The 
latter are 8485 corpsmen who have 
completed a specialized Naval School 
ol Health Sciences (NSHS ) two-phase, 
12-week course in the discipline. 

Yet, even with a staff reduced by 
50% for the past two years, CDR 
Ful ler said that they ’ ve been ik on target 
with most of their goals,” the only 


exception.bein& 


routine 
list longer ifc? 

However, al 


available |C 
semcememba If 
especially pro* fc 
of her depi 
evaluations: 

She’s also! 
Stress Managa 
been availabh t 
personnel. “The ^ 
that runs on Tut 





4 page I 

lily oflimel> a.m.,” she said. “It covers basic 
id a waiting understanding of stress, explains its 
ould like causes and [physiological ] effects on 
ervices were the body and gives active-duty 
ictive-duty servicemembers a greater 
OR Fuller is understanding of the negative effects 
loroughness of stress. For example, it includes 
two-hour modules on relaxation training, 
assertiveness training, time 
>ed with the management and more.” 

.ting that has CDR Fuller reinforced the 

active-duty anticipated reorganization of the 
week course department to include the resource 
n 10 to 11:30 sharing clinical psychologists. “With 


Lhe reorganization currently going on, 
these providers will now be members 
of the Mental Health Department, 
under the director of Medical 
Services,” she said, emphasi/ing they 
will eventually be able to sec 
adolescents, children and dependents. 

However, the commander was 
quick to point out that “the services 
available will be the same, but they 
will be administered in a more efficient 
manner.” It will also have greater 
impact, she added, because the 
psychological testing services will be 
combined under Dr. Navradszky. 

“Our greatest challenge,” CDR 
Fuller concluded, “is meeting the 
needs of the active-duty 
servicemembers in a compassionate 


way while working within the 
boundaries and limitations of navai 
fitness for duty requirements. 
Sometimes there's a fine line because 
what the servicemember would like is 
not something that would agree with 
Navy standards.” 

But, with the staff's approach to 
treatment CDR Fuller described 
“an attempt to expand (clients ) 
understanding ol their situation and 
help them see whatever conflicts 
they're dealing with from a different 
perspective” — there's no doubt that 
Oak Knoll’s Mental Health 
Department can make a difference in 
the maintenance of a mentally healthy 
Navy force. 



Assistant LPO, HM3 Brian Legg, coordinates the department's 
clinical services. 




HM.« N. Christopher And,™, ls , h . departs suppl , 


Page 6 


Red Rover 



December 20, 199, 


f 


9{ava( ‘J-Cospitat Oakland 
Optometry ‘Department 

Up Close 


VYhat is your job? To provide comprehensive eye exams which 
involves checking a person's vision, eye muscle balance and ocular 
health status. 

Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: San Francisco, CA. 

Hobbies: Biking, classical movies and art. 

Likes: People who use their full potential and have a cheerful spirit. 
Dislikes: A negative attitude. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? Trying to provide eye 
exams for the retired population, who, due to the shortage of optometric 
appointments for them, become frustrated about having to wait to be 

seen. 

I v* ish I could stop: The health care system from imposing restrictions 
on who can receive medical care. 1 believe everyone should be entitled 
to health care, especially preventive medical care. 

Role models/heroes: Biblical character, Esther. 



LT Pearl L. Yee, MSC, USN 



What is your job? Serve as the leading petty officer, patient contact 
representative and supply petty officer of the department. 

Marital status: Married. 

Spouse: Jennifer S. Ramirez. 

Children and ages: Nathaniel Ramirez, 2 months. 

Hometown: Baguio City, Republic of the Philippines. 

Hobbies: Table tennis and tape collecting (video and audio). 
Likes: Good movies, computers and fast cars. 

Dislikes: Unhappy patients. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? Working with patients 
who can't get optometry appointments. 

What is your immediate goal? Advance to first class petty officer 
the earliest possible time. 

What is your long-term goal? Take and pass the Graduate 
Management Admission Test in preparation for a master's degree in 
Business Administration. 

If I could do it all over again. I'd: Enlist in the U. S. Navy. 

I wish I could stop: The killing of endangered animal species and the 
destruction of the tropical rain forests of the world. 

I respect myself for: Becoming what I am now, considering where 
I am from and things I have had to go through. 

Role models/heroes: Gandhi, Ninoy Aquino. 


What is your job? Answering phones and checking in patients. 
Marital status: Single. 

Hometown: Washington, D.C. 

Dislikes: Active-duty enlisted with the means of continuing their 
education who don't take advantage ot it. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? Dealing with irate 

callers over our appointment system. 

What is your immediate goal? To continue as a lull time student 
throughout my tour at Naval Hospital Oakland. 

W hat is your long-term goal? To become a pharmacist. 

If I could do it all over again. I'd: Still join the Navy. 








From 

the 

Chaplain 



By LT J. Lynne Kenned), CHC, USN 


When I think back on the Christmases that had mean** 
for me, they were, more often than not, not the ones at whici 
I raked in the biggest haul of presents, but ones thai had 
glimpses of genuine love, trust and hope. 

I think of one of the Christmases I spent in England. I had 
no family and no plans to "go home for the holidays," but a 
school friend, from a family without very much mone*, 
invited me to “bunk in” with' them. None of us had money - 
sort of similar to this year of lean times - yet the gifts were 
special because they were meaningful both ways - for the 
giver and receiver. 

Hand-made mittens from left-over yam was a gift that 
warmed my heart as well as my hands. Since American-made 
tomato soup was a favorite, I brought a bit of America in a 
present of Campbell’s tomato soup. The gift exchanges were 
small, but memorable. They came from the heart. 

We also shared our respective traditions. I shared our 
Christmas tradition of singing American carols and playme 
my guitar. We went to their Evensong and midnight Mass. 
Then, cultures merged as I, the American, had the privilege o! 
making “Christmas English tea." The tradition was the first 
one to rise in the morning put the kettle on to boil, made the 
tea and brought steaming mugs to each family member. 

My new-found friends opened their home to me - one who 
was alone, far away from home. Their actions impressed a 
permanent Christmas memory' of genuine love, trust and 
hope. 

If you are not into the Christmas spirit yet ... listen ... you 
may hear someone who needs you and your traditions ...just 
as you may benefit from theirs. 

Share a smile, share a moment, share a song, share d 
tradition; share yourself ... that 's w hat Christ did. and. afterall. 
it s his birthday we celebrate. Let’s be like him. 

Celebrate New Year’s 
Eve at Club Knoll 


On Dec. 3 1 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.. Club Knoll will hold 
a New Year's Eve party. There w ill be a D.J. from 8 p.m 
to 1 a.m. in the Caduceus Room. Dinner will be served 
in the La Hacienda Room from 8-10 p.m. 

A $25 fee per person includes; dinner, dance music, 
hats and favors, glass of wine w tth dinner, champagne 
toast at midnight and continental breakfast after mid- 
night. For those who prefer no dinner, there is a $6 cover 
charge that includes: hats and favors, dance music, glass 
of champagne at midnight and the continental breakfast. 

All dinner reservations are required and must be 
placed by Thursday, Dec. 26, to allow for adequate 
ordering. For more information call Club Knoll at 633- 





Red Rover 


Page 7 


December 20. 1991 



For your health 


Vegetables: Have you hod your 
3 to 5 servings today ? 

B> F.NS Su/an E. Dunaway 
MSC, l ; SNR 

Mom id way s told us to eat our vegetables, but what possible 
benefits could there be in this? Besides adding a variety of 
textures, colors an d flavors to meals, vegetables also provide 
essential vitamins and minerals as well as fiber Another plus 
, s that vegetables naturally contain no cholesterol, and most 
(excluding olives and avocados) are very low in fat and 
calories. The primary nutrients found in vegetables are 
vitamins A and C and fiber. 

Vitamin A is a fat soluble v itamin which plays a key role in 
maintaining healthy skin. In particular, vitamin A plays a 
m a , or role in keeping the cornea of the eyes healthy, restoring 
the ability to see in dim light and proper secretion of mucus 
by cells in the lining of the stomach, intestines, lungs and 
many others. Beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A 
is found in such vegetables as spinach, sweet potatoes, 
carrots and other dark green and orange vegetables. 

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water soluble vitamin 
which is responsible for the production and maintenance of 
collagen (a substance that forms the base for connective 
tissues in the body-bones, teeth, skin and tendons). Vitamin 
C al>o helps to increase the absorption of iron. Since vitamin 
C in w ater soluble, the kidneys excrete unused amounts. For 
this reason the diet should contain at least one good source ol 
vitamin C per day Vegetables which are considered good 
sources of this vitamin are broccoli, members of the cabbage 
family and green leafy vegetables. Tomatoes and potatoes 
are also considered good sources if two or more servings of 
either is consumed. 

Fiber is a residue of plant foods which is not broken down 



by digestive enzymes. Fiber may help with weight reduction 
by promoting a feeling of fullness. It can also prevent 
constipation by keeping foods moving through the digestive 
tract at an optimal rate. Fiber has also been linked to lower 
blood cholesterol levels and, possibly a reduced risk ol colon 
cancer. Good sources of fiber include sweet potatoes, beans 
and peas, spinach and corn on the cob. 

To increase vegetables in your diet, try snacking on 
vegetables rather than candy or chips. Add chopped vegetables 
to main dishes such as meatloal and casseroles. Also use 
vegetables as a base in foods such as stuffed potatoes or 
stuffed tomatoes’. 

If you don't care lor the flavor of a particular vegetable, 
try using a different method of preparation. Meat broth, 
lemon juice and herbs and spices can make dramatic changes 
in the flavor of many vegetables. Also don’t be afraid to try 
new vegetables from lime to time. 


Safety Corner 



Roben Woodford, Occupational Health and Safety Manager 


HOME FIRE SAFETY 

How to make your home fire-safe 

Fire is perhaps the most dangerous and deadly of 
all home emergencies. Protecting your home from 
accidental fire is one of the most important things you 
will ever do for yourself and your family. Let this 
checklist be your guide for making sure your home is 
safe from accidental fire. 

Fire Prevention Checklist 

Hazard Prevention 

Keep burnable materials away from heat sources 
such as chimneys, water heaters, radiators, portable 
heaters, etc. 

* Store burnable materials away from stairways 
and walkways (if a fire did break out, they could block 
your exit) Do not store, use or carry flammable liquids 
in open containers. 

Clean ovens, rangetops and exhaust fans to keep 
them tree of grease. 

Make sure that all electrical appliances have 


been approved by a testing lab (such as Underwriters’ 
Laboratory). 

* Replace worn or frayed cords, plugs or wiring 
immediately (or have them repaired by licensed electri- 
cian). Turn off gas pilots when working with flam- 
mable adhesives. 

* Never overload circuits. 

* Quench fireplace and barbecue fires completely 
before retiring. (Even if there is no visible llame, hot 
embers can re-ignite). 

* Never smoke in bed or when drowsy. 

* Never empty ashtrays into a wastebasket 
keep a can tilled with baking soda to dispose of butts or 
douse them first with water. 

Safe Practices 

* Install at least one smoke detector on each floor 
of your home. 

* Vacuum smoke detectors monthly to keep them 
dust-free. 

* Inspect detectors monthly to ensure that batter- 
ies and lights work. 

* Make sure that security gates and window 
guards can be opened easily from within the home. 

* Establish escape routes from every floor of your 
home and know where to meet outside. 

* If you do not have a fire-escape, keep portable 
escape ladders on the upper floors of your home. 

* Have regular home fire drills. 

* Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher on each 
level of your home — and learn how to use it. 

* In the event your clothing should catch fire, stop 
what you’re doing, drop to the floor and roll around 
until llames are extinguished. 

Have a very Merry Christmas 


Clean up 
your world — 
recycle 

WASHINGTON (NES) — So you’ve decided to do 
your part for the environment by recycling. How do 
you get started? 

Recycling doesn’t need to take up a great deal o 
space About 10 square feet of space in the garage, 
closet or kitchen will store a month’s worth of 
recycling materials. 

You can begin by storing your separated trash in 
different boxes — one each for glass, aluminum 
cans, tin cans. etc. Used motor oil can be recycled 
as well. Don’t be a polluter by simply tossing waste 

oil down the storm drain. 

Depending on the area, you may be required to 
separate glass by color. You probably won’t need to 
remove the label, but you should rinse out the bottles 
and remove the caps. 

Newspapers can be bundled up with twine or 
stored inside paper bags. High-grade paper such as 
computer and typing paper should be kept separate 
from newsprint. Cardboard that is not plastic-coated 
or tar-lined can be recycled. Many grocery stores 
bundle their cardboard for recycling — ask who 
handles recycled paper products. Scrap paper 
products, which includes anything not already 
mentioned, can be recycled into egg cartons and 
cereal boxes, hut leave out magazines. The high 
clay content that produces their slick appearance 
makes them difficult to recycle. A better plan of 
action would be to recycle them by sharing 

There are seven different types of plastic in 
common use, but not all may be recycled. Look tor 
the voluntary code on the container bottom to 
separate by type. 

While the act of separating trash to preserve 
recycled material isn't difficult, not all communities 
have organized recycling programs. 

Check with city employees to determine what 
services are available in your area. 

Recycling makes economic sense. For example, 
one ton of aluminum made from ore requires 16.000 
kilowatt-hours of electricity while one ton created 
from recycled material needs only 187. Recycling 
paper, cans and glass can greatly contribute to energy 
conservation. 

As much sense as recycling makes, society still 
throws tons of unseparated trash into landfills each 
year. By beginning your personal recycling program 
now, you are preparing for a future in which recycling 
will become increasingly import ant for economic as 
well as environmental reasons. 

Reprinted from The Navigator, Naval Training 
Center, Orlando. FL 


NHO recycling program 

All Naval Hospital Oakland employees and 
interested personnel are encouraged to participate in 
and support the newly established Recycling Materials 
program. Proceeds from the sale of these recyclable 
items will be utilized by the command's Morale, 
Welfare and Recreation Department. 

The following items will be accepted for recycling: 
White paper (unclassified information, in compliance 
with the Privacy Act) and newspapers that must be 
tied in neat bundles. Also accepted are aluminum 
cans and cardboard that must be broken down and 
flattened, plastic beverage containers and glass bottles 
that must be separated as to color-ie: clear, brown or 
green. 

The following items will not be accepted: 
Magazines and books of any type, plastic bags, paper 
grocery bags or plastic milk cartons. 

Recyclable materials may be dropped off at the 
back loading dock of building 133, Monday through 
Thursdays between 8 and 9 a.m., and 1 and 2 p.m. 
Point of contact for further information is ENS Holland 
or HMC (SW) Nelson at 633-6805. 


New four-year Nurse Corps 
NROTC scholarship offered 


WASHINGTON (NES) — Reel 
sailors joined newcomers to the 
Navy in a new Nurse Corps com- 
missioning program this fall. The 
first recipients of the new four-year 
Nurse Corps Naval Reserve Officer 
Training Corps (NROTC) scholar- 
ship began their educational pro- 
grams at various educational insti- 
tutions in September. 

The four-year option was added 
this year to help increase Nurse 
Corps accessions, however, the two- 
year Nurse Corps NROTC scholar- 
ship. introduced in 1989, is still 
available. Nurse Corps scholarships 
are available to midshipmen from 
civilian sources and to active-duty 
personnel including graduates of 
Broadened Opportunity for Officer 
Selection and Training (BOOST). 

Fleet applications are considered 
equally with civilian applications, 
and there are no set quotas for either 
category, according to Commander 
Mary Anne Gardner, Nurse Corps 


officer community manager at the 
Bureau of Naval Personnel. The 
goal of the new four-year program is 
to eventually graduate 100 new Navy 
nurses each year. As ol September, 
nearly a dozen interested fleet sail- 
ors had already been offered the new 
tour-year scholarship for the current 
school year, and more than 20 
BOOST graduates had also enrolled. 

Innovative new accession pro- 
grams and rising retention rates have 
led to good news for the Nurse Corps, 
according to CDR Gardner. ‘The 
Nurse Corps will meet its end 
strength goals in Fiscal Year 92, for 
the first time in several years,” she 
said. “The NROTC program should 
help us maintain authorized end 
strength and, with more nurses, be 
able to provide care to more benefi- 
ciaries.” 

Gardner described the Nurse Corps 
option NROTC scholarship as “a 
tremendous opportunity for indi- 
viduals to complete a baccalaureate 


degree in nursing and receive a com- 
mission as a Nurse Corps officer 
upon graduation. 

‘it also provides the Navy with an 
additional source for nurses,” she 
continued. This is particularly im- 
portant because ol the nationwide 
nursing shortage and competition for 
hiring not only from the civilian sec- 
tor, but also from the other ser- 
vices.” 

Although eligibility requirements 
specify an age limit of younger than 
25, fleet applicants may be eligible 
for age waivers based upon their 
time in service. For other eligibility 
requirements and application proce- 
dures, interested sailors should con- 
tact their career counselors, nearest 
Navy recruiter or call CDR Gardner 
A V 223-2326 or commercial (703) 
693-2326. 

Information courtesy of public 
affairs staff. Bureau of Naval Per- 
sonnel, Washington , D.C. 



Social Security 


Lack of numbers costing VA millions 


By Rudi Williams 

American Forces Information 

Service 

Department of Veterans' Affairs 
pensioners and compensation ben- 
eficiaries be warned: Tell VA your 
Social Security number or your 
monthly check could be stopped or 
reduced starting as early as January. 

Those who ignore the warning are 
getting an unexpected break. A 
change in VA regulation governing 
these payments has been delayed, 
and VA officials do not expect it to 
be finalized until sometime in De- 
cember. 

Discounting benefits for some is 
being held in abeyance until the 
regulation is finalized, said Bob 
Yurgal, chief of the projects staff 
for VA’s Compensation and Pen- 
sion Service. After that, reductions 
and cutoffs begin until beneficiaries 
provide their Social Security num- 
bers. 

Missing Social Security numbers 
are blamed for hundreds of millions 
of dollars in overpayments, Yurgal 
noted. Computer matches by the 
general Accounting Office and VA’s 
inspector general revealed some 
beneficiaries may be receiving VA 
payments that should be offset 
against payments from another fed- 
eral agency. 

People are underreporting earn- 
ings from other sources, too, such as 
private pensions, gambling winnings 


and unemployment compensation, 
Yurgal said. The biggest case of all 
involves more than $220 million in 
interest and dividends, he added. 

VA has mailed more than a mil- 
lion letters to veterans and depen- 
dents receiving benefits, asking them 
to provide their Social Security 
numbers to remain eligible for 
monthly payments. Most beneficia- 
ries have complied, Yurgal said. 

Beneficiaries whose addresses 
have changed should contact the VA 
regional office. VA has toll-free 
numbers for every state. Beneficia- 
ries can check the government list- 
ings in their telephone book for the 
office nearest them. 

In addition to recouping more than 
$ 1 00 million when all beneficiaries' 
Social Security numbers are com- 
piled, VA expects to save taxpayers 
more than $250 million annually 
thereafter. Yurgal said Office of 
Management and Budget savings 
estimates were conservative because 
it had nothing to base its figures on 
— VA officials believe the depart- 
ment stands to save far more. 

VA’s pension provides monthly 
payments to bring an eligible 
person’s income to a support level 
established by law. The support 
level, however, is reduced by the 
annual income from other sources 
such as Social Security benefits that 
may be payable to all veterans, sur- 
viving spouses or dependent chil- 
dren. Countable income may be 


reduced by certain unreimbursed 
medical expenses. VA pensions are 
not payable to those who have assets 
that can be used to provide adequate 
maintenance. Pensioners are per- 
manently and totally disabled veter- 
ans. Payments are made to bring 
their total income, including retire- 
ment or Social Security income, to 
an established support level. Again, 
pensions aren’t payable to those 
with enough assets to support them- 
selves. 

The Omnibus Budget Reconcilia- 
tion Act of 1990 gives VA the right 
to solicit Social Security numbers 
and match them with information 
maintained by the Internal Revenue 
Service. The Treasury Department 
has alerted the banking industry that 
VA is soliciting Social Security 
numbers, Yurgal said. He said V A is 
also working with the Social Secu- 
rity Administration on alternative 
methods to obtain the information 
needed without having to ask benefi- 
ciaries to cooperate. 

V A is dangling the proverbial car- 
rot in front of those who have not 
provided their Social Security num- 
bers. “People whose checks are 
stopped have a year to appeal to VA 
for reinstatement,” Yurgal said. 
“They may wind up not losing any 
money. The biggest thing is that 
people who are playing the game 
straight — the overpayment was just 
an oversight — will get their money 
back.” 


December 20, i^, 


Civilian Personnel 
vacancy listing 

This is the list of current and open continuous vacancy * 
serviced by Civilian Personnel Department at Naval \iT V 
Oakland. Applicants who are qualified federal employee T* 
;ompctitivc status, qualified former federal employees a^j, - " 
statement eligibility, or qualified individuals eligible i< r 'IT 
appointments, such as those authorized for the severe! , 

:crtain Vietnam Era and disabled veteraas, may apply f 0r 
announcements. 

Applicants should refer to the individual vacancy announce^ 
or complete information and qualifications. Announcement m* 
>e obtained by calling 633-6372 or Autovon 828-6372 \j ,, u ^' 
through Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., or visiting the Civilian Pervnn J 
Office. 

Location Closing Date 


Position 


Physical Science Technologist Navy Drug 

GS- 1311 -4/5/6 ScreeningLab OC 


Medical Technologist Laboratory Department OC 
GS-644-7/9 

Medical Technologist Navy Drug Screening Lab OC 
GS-644-7/9 


Industrial Hygienist Various Locations 
GS-690-7/9/1 1 


OC 


Chemist 
GS- 1320-7/9 

Vocational Nurse 
GS-620-05 


Navy Drug Screening Lab OC 
Nursing Services OC 


Physicians Assistant Branch Clinic, Mare Island OUF 
GS-603-1 1 


Onhotist or 

Orthotist-Prosthetis 

GS-667-9 

Medical Record Technician 
GS-675-7/8 

Medical Record Technician 
GS-675-04 


Orthopaedic 


OUF 


Patient Admin OUF 

Patient Admin. OUF 


OC= Open until closed OUF= Open until filled 

Editor's Note- the remainder of the vacancy listing 
will be published in the next issue of the Red Rover. 


Sports Corner 

Congratulations to the three finalists in the 8-ball 
tournament held in the Bowl-n-Cue, recently. First 
place, Jeff Hutchinson: second place, Leotis Jones; 
third place, Brett McClarey. Winners will represent 
Naval Hospital Oakland at the Central Sports Straight 
Pool Tournament on Feb 8, 1992, in Vallejo, CA. 
Good Luck!! 


Team Standings 


NHO Intramural Basketball Game Standings 
(As of Nov. 20) 



WINS 

LOSSES 

PCT. 

DENTAL 

1 

0 

1.00 

TOP COPS 

I 

1 

.50 

TERM1N. 

1 

1 

.50 

PHARM. 

1 

1 

.50 

LAB 

1 

1 

.00 

NHO Intramural Volleyball 

« 

Match Standings 


(As of Nov. 25) 



WINS 

LOSSES 

PCT. 

PT/OT 

2 

0 

LOO 

MED. 




REPAIR 

2 

0 

1.00 

PHARMACY 1 

1 

.500 

PT/ADMIN 1 

2 

.333 

OB/GYN 

0 

3 

.000