Professional Documents
Culture Documents
March 2008
The Mountaineer
Spc. Leopoldo Rivas (left) and Staff Sgt. Christopher Howard, Madigan Army Medical Center, finished ahead of Soldiers from Weed Army Community Hospital, Fort Irwin, Calif., and Bassett Army Community Hospital, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in the 2008 Western Regional Medical Command NCO and Soldier of the Year Competition. Howard and Rivas will represent the WRMC at U.S. Army Medical Command. For more on the WRMC competition, see Page 5.
major traffic construction project to ease traffic flow in the vicinity of Madigan Army Medical Center is under way, and is expected to last until June. The project is expected to significantly impact users of the Madigan Gate and other roadways near
the medical center. Crews will replace the signals and reconfigure traffic lanes at two intersections along Jackson Avenue the Gardner Loop intersection, at the Shoppette and Gas Station; and the Beaumont Avenue intersection, at the Medical Mall parking.
Motorists should watch for traffic control devices and flaggers, as partial lane closures and temporary rerouting of roads will be necessary. Motorists are also encouraged to use alternate routes to ease congestion at the Madigan Gate and on other nearby roads.
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L E T T E R S
My wife recently had surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center. The care she received was outstanding in every aspect. The surgical services staff was fantastic. We especially want to thank Spc. Mark Glenn for his work above the call of duty while taking care of my wife. Spc. Glenn watched over my wife while she was coming out of anesthesia, and she kept telling him she couldnt wait to get a Diet Coke. After Spc. Glenn was off work, at 9 p.m., he purchased a Diet Coke and hand carried it to my wife. Although this doesnt seem to be a life and death reaction, it is selfless and making sure patients get the utmost care. This type of professionalism is refreshing and is to be commended. Spc. Glenn helped make a tough situation much more pleasant and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts. Sincerely, Michael
The Mountaineer
iewpoint...
March 2008
which is online at http://www.consumerlab.com. What this means to the consumer is read the supplement labels and look for one of the auditors seal of approval to ensure they are getting what they want, he added. When purchasing a multivitamin, more is not better, he continued. A daily multivitamin containing 100 percent of the daily requirements is more than adequate for the general population. Paying for more vitamins and minerals may be more expensive and be equivalent to flushing your money down the toilet, literally, as your body will excrete excess vitamins and minerals not required. For more information about National Nutrition Month, visit http://www.eatright.org or contact your local nutrition professional. Nutrition Care Division
March is National Nutrition Month Join us for these events! Milk Moostache Contest March 18, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Madigan Dining Facility 5k Fun Run/Walk March 26, 6 a.m. Old Madigan Gym
COMMANDING GENERAL Brig. Gen. Sheila R. Baxter PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Sharon D. Ayala
Care with Compassion
March 2008
The Mountaineer
The Mountaineer is a monthly newspaper for the customers and employees of Madigan Army Medical Center, authorized under the provisions of AR 360-1. Circulation is about 2,000. The contents of The Mountaineer are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or Madigan Army Medical Center. For more information about The Mountaineer, or to submit a story idea, contact the Public Affairs Office, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash., 98431; or call (253) 968-3279. The editor reserves the right to edit all submitted material based on space limitation, command policy, and publication style. Submitted material will not be returned.
March 2008
The Mountaineer
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Dr. (Maj.) Keith Lemmon, a pediatrician at Madigan Army Medical Center credited with helping provide tools to children of deployed Soldiers, attended the Helping Americas Youth Anniversary Reception with President and Mrs. Bush. During the event, the President signed a proclamation that mandates all cabinet-level agencies serving children work toward improved collaboration. Lemmon addressed the Helping Americas Youth Program in 2007. The presentation is available online at http:// www.helpingamericasyouth.org/conf-tsu. cfm.
Courtesy photo
For local assistance: Contact the Fort Lewis Army Career and Alumni Program
(253) 967-3250
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The Mountaineer
March 2008
Taxing season
Sergeant 1st Class Jane Neuharth greets a customer at Madigan Army Medical Centers free tax center, located on the ground floor of the Medical Mall. Neuharth is the NCO in Charge of Madigans free tax center, which is staffed primarily by Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion. The free tax center sees customers Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. through April 15.
Be recognized!
Win something? Earn a kudos? Outstanding in your field? Contact the Mountaineer staff at (253) 968-3279 so we can tell your story.
March 2008
The Mountaineer
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Clockwise from top left: Spc. Leopoldo Rivas (left) and Sgt. Donhenry Tanchan prepare for a 12-mile road march. An NCO helps Pfc. Raul Rubio adjust his canteen prior to the road march. Staff Sgt. Victor Acevedo heads back to the line after examining his marksmanship. Rubio (left), Acevedo and Staff Sgt. Christopher Howard pen their essays. Howard concentrating on the task at hand.
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The Mountaineer
discussion in the future, said Casscells. In addition to my regular blog which is available 24/7 for questions and concerns, I plan to host a regular webhall with my senior staff. Questions not answered during the hour long live webhall will be answered within 24 hours of the event at the web site. Participants and viewers should surf to http://www.health. mil for more information about the webhall. TRICARE offers behavioral health support PHOENIX Service members and their families can meet deployment-related challenges and transitions through resources available from TRICARE, the Military Health System and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. TRICARE Prime beneficiaries do not need a referral for the first eight routine outpatient behavioral health visits per fiscal year, Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, for most categories of behavioral health providers. Beneficiaries can avoid point-of-service charges by receiving care from a TRICARE-network provider. Active-duty service members must have a referral from their primary care manager for all behavioral health care. Family members using TRICARE Standard or Extra, as well as reserve component members and family members enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select will be responsible for the annual deductible as well as applicable cost-shares associated with receiving care. For most categories of clinical behavioral health providers, no referrals are necessary under TRICARE Standard, Extra or Reserve Select. After the initial eight outpatient visits each fiscal year, prior authorization from TriWest will be required. The behavioral health provider is responsible for requesting additional visits when medically necessary. Certain categories of behavioral health providers, such as pastoral counselors, mental health counselors and licensed professional counselors, will always require a referral, even for the first eight visits. The Behavioral Health Portal on http:// www.triwest.com provides links to local and national resources as well as information on post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, stress, substance use, family issues and more. An online post-deployment support video series is available on http://www.triwest.com. The Help From Home video series includes Getting Home ... All the Way Home, in which behavioral health experts veterans themselves discuss common symptoms of combat stress and the importance of early detection and treatment; and On the Homefront, featuring military Families who have faced the challenges of deployment and reintegration offering practical advice for families of military service members. Other TriWest programs to help service members and their families include: w Personalized depression support and education from a clinical health coach for eligible beneficiaries through TriWests Condition (Disease) Management program. w Continuing education to help civilian health care providers in TRICAREs West Region identify and treat symptoms of combat stress or post-traumatic stress disorder. w Annual sponsorship of Operation Purple summer camps for the children of deployed service members and wounded warriors. w A toll-free Behavioral Health Crisis Line, (866) 284-3743, recently certified by the American Association of Suicidology, and staffed around the clock by trained clinicians, providing nonemergency behavioral health assistance to West Region beneficiaries. w A Behavioral Health Provider Locator and Appointment Assistance Service number (866) 651-4970, is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in all West Region time zones to help Prime-enrolled active-duty family members find local behavioral health care providers and set appointments; active-duty service members must have a referral from their PCM before making an appointment. Note that the Appointment Assistance Service is not a help line for treatment, counseling or advice. TRICARE beneficiaries seeking emergency behavioral health assistance should call 911, proceed to the nearest emergency room for treatment or call TriWests Crisis Line. For an overview of these benefits, visit the Beneficiary Services section on www. triwest.com then select Handbooks and Brochures and Behavioral Health Care Benefits to view a printable brochure. Visit the Mental Health and Behavior section at www.tricare.mil for specific coverage and associated costs. TriWest recognizes the ongoing sacrifices of the military community and is committed to doing whatever it takes to assist service members and their families. For further assistance, contact TriWest at (888) TRIWEST (874-9378). Members of the military can anonymously take a voluntary self-assessment test online; the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program contains assessments for mental health and alcohol use for service members and their families affected by deployment. Its offered online at http://www.militarymentalhealth. org and over the phone at (877) 877-3647, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. A series of guided questions will help the beneficiary discover if there are symptoms that may benefit from treatment or further evaluation. Regional contractors are the crux of TRICARE benefit FALLS CHURCH, Va. For beneficiaries, managing TRICARE health care is only a phone call or mouse click away. TRICARE managed care support contractors (MCSC) are standing by to answer benefit questions and provide health care services and support beyond whats available at military treatment facilities. TRICARE partners with civilian managed care support contractors, Health Net Federal Services, Inc., Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc., TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Corp., and Wisconsin Physicians Service to administer the health benefit for more than 9.1 million Service members, retirees and their families.
March 2008
Health coverage is one of the most important benefits of military service, said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. We work consistently with the MCSCs to help them understand how important their role is to those who serve and have served our nation. They are there to answer questions and provide support. When beneficiaries need help we encourage them to contact the appropriate contractor first its the best way to get the right information, Granger said. Beneficiaries in the continental United States belong to one of three regions North, South and West with each region assigned its own MCSC. The regional contractors manage the TRICARE Support Centers, or TSCs, which provide administrative support, such as enrollment, care authorization, and claims processing. The regional contractors also distribute educational information in print and online to beneficiaries and providers. TRICARE beneficiaries overseas are supported by the TRICARE Overseas Program, administered by Wisconsin Physician Services. In addition to administrative support, the regional contractors establish targets for the number of physicians required to ensure a sufficient supply of providers to TRICARE patients in civilian provider networks. The MCSC system has enabled TRICARE to gain control of quality of care, said Granger. The contractors provide a tremendous service to our beneficiaries by managing a very large and diverse program. Regional contractors do not provide retail pharmacy or dental claims processing services. For more information about these TRICARE benefit programs, visit the My Benefit portal at http://www.tricare.mil.
Make an appointment with your Madigan provider from just about anywhere ...
TRICARE Online!
Register and log on today! at
https://www.tricareonline.com
March 2008
The Mountaineer
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udos
s Awards
s Promotions
s Recognition
Outstanding Performance
The following people received letters of appreciation for providing outstanding care and customer service: Intensive Care Unit West Capt. Johnnie Robbins Spc. Daniel Axson Julia France Esperanza Serna Jocelyn White Department of Medicine Col. Howard Cushner Lt. Col. Cynthia Clagett Lt. Col. Troy Denunzio Lt. Col. Michael Eisenhauer Lt. Col. David McCune Lt. Col. Michael Wilson Maj. Jeremy Pamplin Dennis Batchelor Samuel Bevans Charles Coleman Howard Davidson Ann Goodenberger Janice Hansen Larry Monks Maria Turner Rose Sessoms Department of Anesthesia and Operative Services Col. Joseph Miller Amber Davis Graduate Medical Education Col. Bernard Roth Capt. John Hotchkins Civilian Personnel Division Sandra Jones Information Management Division Michael Bowlsby Charles Oliver
Staff Sgt. Christopher Howard (center left) and Spc. Leopoldo Rivas (center right) are Madigan Army Medical Centers NCO and Soldier of the Year, respectively. Both went on to represent Madigan in the Western Regional Medical Command competition. Department of Surgery Col. Darryl Ainbinder Lt. Col. Steven Brady Lt. Col. Keith Havenstrite Lt. Col. Michael Meyer Maj. John Thordsen Capt. Nathan Frost Charles Anderson Joe Augustyn Beverly Ciesinski John Dunsmore Bonnie Goodman Pogisa Leatimua Cheryl Ledford Spc. Abraham Lengacher Thomas Roukis Araceli Trinidad Department of Family Medicine Christina Wills Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Steven Travers Department of Nursing Spc. Mark Glenn Department of OB/GYN Col. Jeffrey Clemons Lt. Col. Jeffrey Clemons Capt. Daniel Sessions Department of Pediatrics Capt. Eleane Liesemer Melinda Behrens Michele Gross Tonia Ruzyla Kirstin Van Houte 7 North 2nd Lt. Caroline Glover 2nd Lt. Penny Decker Spc. Brian Anderson 6 South Sgt. Josiah Karch 2 South Carla Hart Sgt. Oscar Moreno Linh Nahum Joyce Benoit-Dastous Department of Family Medicine Thomas Michels Service Awards Maureen VanVleck Felicita Olmeda 30 years 10 years
WRMC Coins
Col. Darryl Ainbinder Col. William Raymond Col. Dennis Allison Lt. Col. David Zenger Capt. Jodi Brehmer Sgt. First Class Enoc Santos Staff Sgt. Jason Jacobs Sgt. Molly Juma Sgt. Adrian Marfil Spc. Hosea Bickerstaff Spc. Leopoldo Rivas Spc. Antonio Paredes
Third Party Collections Incentive Award Mi Rix $1000 Darlene Anselmo $500 68D Graduation Spc. Marcus DeSilva Pfc. Lawrence DeGrandis Pfc. Brigitte Miller Pvt. 2nd Class Adrian Casas Pvt. 2nd Class Amber Davis Pvt. 2nd Class Maria Laris Pvt. 2nd Class Vincent Lopez
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Upcoming holiday
In observance of a training holiday on Monday, March 24, Madigan Army Medical Center will be operating with limited services. Emergency room services will remain open.
A prize give-away to recognize the Month of the Military Child is available to children of active-duty, National Guard and Reserve sponsors enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program. To enter, visit the TDP Web site at http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com and complete a contest entry form between March 27 and April 23. One entry per child is permitted. The winners of the drawing will be announced on the Web site on May 22. Madigan Army Medical Center presents the annual National Nutrition 5K Run/Walk on March 26 at 6 a.m. at Keeler Sports Complex, Bldg. 9993, on Fort Lewis. The free event is open to all Military I.D. Card holders. Registration is required. To register, email 1st Lt. Mary Johnson at mary. johnson2@amedd.army.mil with: full name, address, email address, the runners age as of March 26, gender and shirt size. For more information, call Johnson at 968-0573.
staff in all Military Health System facilities worldwide will be asked to complete in Spring 2008. When you receive notice to complete this survey, please take a few minutes to link to the survey and respond. It asks for your opinions about patient safety issues, error, and event reporting in this facility. It will only take about 10 minutes to complete and all responses will be anonymous. This is your opportunity to voice your opinions and contribute to patient safety improvements in our facility. If you have questions, please contact Madigan Army Medical Centers Patient Safety Manager, Marion Christiansen, at 968-0663.
The Mountaineer
March 2008
adigan minute
s News Briefs s Upcoming Events s Other Fun Stuff
5k Run/Walk
Text messaging is not authorized on Blackberries and Cellular Telephones furnished by Madigan for Official use. This service is extremely expensive and must not continue. Sending pictures on cell phones is also not authorized and extremely expensive. Blackberries have unlimited E-mail access included in their cost but text messaging incurs added fees. Cellular telephones are provided for voice use only. Bills for text message costs will be forwarded to division chiefs with provision for reimbursement by the user.
The Department of Defense Tri-Service Survey on Patient Safety is a web survey that
Army Knowledge Online and Defense Knowledge Online have begun blocking the forwarding of AKO/DKO e-mail messages
Last month, Madigan Army Medical Center celebrated the grand opening of the Stanley Newman M.D. Resident Gymnasium. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by family and friends of the late Dr. Newman, Brig. Gen. Sheila Baxter, commanding general, retired Maj. Gen. Leslie Burger, president, Madigan Foundation, and a handful of Madigan staff and residents. The gym, located on the 8th floor, is open to residents and interns 24/7, and is equipped with all new exercise equipment and a wall-mounted flat screen TV, all of which were donated by the Madigan Foundation and the Newman family. Stanley, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, was assigned to Madigan Army Hospital in the early 1960s. During his tenure at Madigan, he served as the assistant chief of medicine, chief of endocrinology and director of clinical research. In 1965, Lt. Col. Newman deployed to Vietnam where he commanded the 51st Field Hospital in Nha Trang. He retired from active-duty service in 1966. Pictured: Brig. Gen. Sheila Baxter, commanding general, and retired Lt. Col. Robert Newman, son of Lt. Col. Stanley Newman, and other members of the Newman family, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new gym. to Internet-based e-mail services like Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! and others. To set forwarding options in AKO, log-in, select My Account, then Mail Options. Click either AKO Only, or Forward Email. It is a violation of Army Regulation 25-2, Army Information Assurance, to forward official mail to nonofficial mail accounts. information, contact Hylie Jan Pressey at (253) 968-3086.
TRICARE Online
Photo by Sharon Ayala
Band of Brothers
Dressed in leather jackets and chaps, five members of the local Band of Brothers Motocycle Club of Puget Sound presented a check for $1,527 to the Fort Lewis Fisher House last month. The Band of Brothers consists of active-duty and retired veterans from all services. Their goal is to support Soldiers, veterans and charitable organizations. The group raised the money by conducting a 125-mile Poker Run. This was the third donation the group has made to the Fisher House. Pictured L to R: Gordon Guru Winter, Jim Snap Brannan, Lt. Col. James Jester Stitt, Col. Julie Martin, Madigan Chief of Staff, Jodi Land, Fisher House Manager, Chris Surge Sargent, and Mike Spider DelaMore.
Did you know you can schedule routine appointments with your primary care manager via the internet? Surf to https://www. tricareonline.com to register with TRICARE Online. The web-based service also provides customers with a comprehensive health library, a health assessment tool and lots of other information.
If you will be deployed or otherwise serving outside the United States when the 2008 Presidential election occurs, but want your vote to be counted, surf to http://www. fvap.org. United States citizens who are members of the Uniformed Services (or family members of them) can follow the absentee voting process to ensure their voices are heard.
Foreign travel
The next two Commanding Generals Calls will be March 20 and April 17 at 3:30 p.m. in Letterman Auditorium. For more
A military member or civilian employee planning overseas travel are required to receive a threat briefing at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to travel. To receive a briefing, staff members may fax a copy of their Anti-Terrorism Level 1 Training Certificate to 968-3265 and provide rank, last four of social security number, purpose of visit, country visiting and fax number.