ountaineer

A Madigan Army Medical Center PublicationDecember 2007 “Care with Compassion”Volume 14, No. 11

Photo by Jeremy O’Bryan

Stepping up

Sgt. Elvia Soto, Alpha Co., Madigan Army Medical Center, steps into her new role as a non-commissioned ofcer

Dec. 6 at MAMC’s NCO Induction Ceremony. Also taking on new responsibilities from Alpha Co. were Sgt. DarylBryan, Sgt. Megan Caswell and Sgt. Jason Westfall; and from Charlie Co., Sgt. Billie Fuller, Sgt. Delvin Jonesand Sgt. Brian Threatt. The ceremony also featured the induction of two Madigan NCOs into the Sergeant AudieMurphy Club: Sgt. 1st Class Sharon Carson, a senior instructor with the M6 Course, and Staff Sgt. Jeff Ebert, aclinic manager in the Department of Psychology.

Private sector studies matching troops to jobs

Wounded warriors’ care was focus of regional conference

by Sharon Ayala

Public Affairs Ofcer

by Jeremy O’Bryan

Mountaineer Editor

Since the beginning of the Global War on Terror in 2001, thousands of Soldiersfrom the Western Region have beendeployed. A little more than 70,000 of thoseSoldiers who redeployed have subsequently been diagnosed with possible war-relatedinjuries.Ensuring that those wounded warriors,and the others that follow, don’t fallthrough the cracks, but instead receive wellcoordinated care from point of injury torecovery was the focus of a conference heldearlier this month in Tacoma, Wash.The two-day Warrior Care CoordinationConference was hosted by the TRICARE

Regional Ofce-West and the WesternRegional Medical Command. This rst-of-

its-kind gathering was attended by hundredsof representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, TriWest, the Veterans’Administration and several Congressional

ofces.

The goals, according to Rear Adm. NancyLescavage, western regional director, TRO-West, were to discuss the current health care process for wounded warriors in the region,

specically those living in remote areas;

enhance partnerships with other agencies that

contribute to the care of wounded warriors;share challenges; and identify areas for

performance improvement.“Our purpose for the next several daysis to look at our system and look at how wecan provide that help,” Lescavage told theaudience. “Each person in this room is partof the solution, and I call on each and everyone of you to apply your great knowledge,leadership and experience in helping our

patients that so richly deserve this benet.”

And, there was no shortage of expertise

present. Day one was packed with briengs that

covered topics ranging from traumatic braininjury to mental health care to polytrauma/amputee care. There was even a presentationthat discussed an ongoing physical disabilityevaluation pilot program that’s in place at twomedical centers. Under the current system,Soldiers going through a physical evaluation board must have physicals performed at themilitary treatment facility and the VA. Under the pilot, service members would only needto have one physical.Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, commandinggeneral, I Corps and Fort Lewis, made brief remarks during the conference. He told theroom full of medical professionals thatkeeping faith with our Soldiers is how

See

Warriors

, Page 3

More than 400 people with keen interest

in the Pacic Northwest job market recently

converged on the Microsoft campus inRedmond, Wash., to study how to match upexiting service members who need jobs withcompanies who need solid professionals ontheir teams.The conference, hosted by Hire

America’s Heroes, a non-prot organization

born to help companies do just that, lastednearly eight hours. Presentations from Gov.Christine Gregoire’s husband, Mike Gregoire,also known as “First Mike,” and WashingtonState Veteran’s Administration Director JohnLee, were followed by military leaders andcivilian leaders alike.Hire America’s Heroes president,Marjorie James said the event will show tothose who hire people that former servicemembers typically have essential leadershipskills and a stong work ethic – raw materialsthat make them great employees.First Corps Command Sgt. Major Frank Grippe and Madigan Army Medical Center’sdeputy commander for administration Col.Julie Martin shared the podium with SeanKelley, diversity director at Microsoft, andJohn Matthews, a senior vice president atCostco. Others from both camps spokeas well. The differing perspectives of thespeakers on one hand help corporate recruitersunderstand why hiring veterans makes sense,and on the other hand help Soldiers and their leaders understand what corporate Americareally needs.“Our corporation, the U.S. Army, is oneof the most ethnically diverse, technically

procient and radically competent work

forces on the planet,” said Grippe. “Our Soldiers live risk assessment and professional

training – they work, ght and live together

every day, and have a respect for culture, raceand gender that is second nature.”Also present among the guests werethe transition program managers from areamilitary installations, who were given timeto interact with corporate hiring managers.The information shared during the break-outtimes would help them better understand howto help service members prepare for exitingthe military.More syposiums are planned, said SeanKelley of Microsoft, who is also the vice president of Hire America’s Hereos.

Page 2December 2007T

ountaineer

A Madigan Army Medical Center PublicationDecember 2007 “Care with Compassion”Volume 14, No. 11

COMMANDING GENERAL

Brig. Gen. Sheila R. Baxter

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Sharon D. Ayala

EDITOR

Jeremy O’Bryan

CONTRIBUTORS/STAFF

Hylie Jan Pressey Janis KinneyThe 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 3,000. The contents of

The Mountaineer

are not necessarily the of

-cial 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 Ofce, Madigan ArmyMedical 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.

Want to shareyour thoughts withBrig. Gen. Baxter?

Write to:

Madigan Army Medical Center ATTN: Commanding GeneralTacoma, WA 98431-1100

LETTERS

iewpoint

...

WASHINGTON – Ill and wounded Soldiers and their Families only needto make one phone call if they are running into problems navigating the Army’smedical system, including receiving letters about bonus repayment.“If you are ill or were injured while on duty, the Army will not ask you to repay any portion of your recruitment bonus, said Brig. Gen. MikeTucker, assistant surgeongeneral for Warrior Careand Transition, after news reports surfacedearlier this week thatthe service was seekingrepayment of bonusesfrom ill and woundedSoldiers.“This money willstay in the hands of our Soldiers,” he said. “It just does not pass thecommon sense test. Wehave a policy in place to protect these Soldiers,and that is exactly whatwe are going to do.”Tucker said thatSoldiers who receivedletters from the serviceasking for a repaymentof a recruitment bonusshould contact Army

ofcials immediately.

“If there is a problem,

we are going to x it,”

said Tucker. “But weneed to know about it, sothat we can help.”Tucker urges Soldiers and Families to contact the Wounded Soldier andFamily Hotline to report this issue. The toll-free hotline is staffed by subject-matter experts 24 hours a day to help speed the resolution of the issue.

The hotline can be reached by phone at (800) 984-8523. Callers will

receive a response within one day of their call. Soldiers and their Families may

also call from overseas assignments on DSN (312) 328-0002 and stateside

DSN 328-0002.The hotline also receives messages via email at wsfsupport@conus.army.mil. Other helpful resources can be found at

http://www.armyfamiliesonline.org.

“What makes the Army strong is our Soldiers and Families, and we arecommitted to honoring our Warriors and Families in transition. Tell us if thereis a problem,” Tucker said.

Dear Brig. Gen. Baxter,

While I was home on leave from the1st Marine Brigade in Okinawa recently,I witnessed a group of Soldiers, studentsassigned to Bravo Company, Madigan ArmyMedical Center, attending the Practical Nursing Program, quickly respond to theaide of a homeless man who was struck by avehicle in the Lakewood area.The Soldiers present at the scene werePrivates 1st Class David Smith and ChristinaZiegler, and Privates 2nd Class Daniel Grady,Roger Riddle and Pheona Young.The Soldiers were on their way back toFort Lewis when they noticed a man rolledover on the side of the road. After I saw thevehicle strike the man, I turned my vehiclearound. As I arrived on the scene, the Soldierswere already taking charge.

Pfc. Smith redirected approaching trafc

while the other nursing students quicklyassessed the man. Grady quickly bandagedthe man’s head wound with his own t-shirtwhile applying manual cervical collar

spinal immobilization. Young assessed his

breathing while recording his respirations.Simultaneously, Riddle assessed his pulse,while Ziegler prevented further injury by

stabilizing the man’s feet. She relayed thevital signs to the rst responders as they

arrived.They were already set – everything wasalready done. I was completely and utterlyimpressed, and I didn’t have anything tocontribute. The patient was taken to a near by medical facility for further treatment. Icommend them in a great way.

Sincerely,Chula

Dear Brig. Gen. Baxter,

Please express our sincere appreciationto Gail Jackson. She recently served as acase worker for our daughter, who had beenseriously injured in Afghanistan. Ms. Jackson

was very efcient in helping us organize our

trip to Fort Lewis and was really a gem inhelping our daughter. Ms. Jackson is verydedicated, caring – a true professional whoknows how to get things done.Unquestionably, Ms. Jackson is a veryvaluable asset to Madigan Army MedicalCenter and the Warrior Transition Battalion.It is obvious she cares deeply about our Soldiers and our country.During our week at Fort Lewis, shemade us feel comfortable and secure aboutthe U.S. Army, Fort Lewis, Madigan ArmyMedical Center and the Warrior TransitionBattalion. Without a doubt, our daughter’sspeedy recovery was due in part to Ms.Jackson’s outstanding work. Please thank her from the bottom of our hearts. Andthank you for an outstanding job of takingcare of our daughter and our AmericanSoldiers.

Stanley and Norma

Dear Brig. Gen. Baxter,

In early October, my grandson, a

petty ofcer in the U.S. Coast Guard, was

admitted to Madigan Army Medical Center to receive care for a severe fracture of his

tibia. I ew out from Maine to be with him.

As a nurse educator for 30 years, I wantto express my gratitude for the excellentcare he received from the nursing staff on 7 North, the surgeon and the physicaltherapy department. I was especiallyimpressed by Pamela Bowe, an RN there,and her commitment to keeping mygrandson comfortable while encouraginghis independence.

I must mention the resident, Capt. (Dr.)

Stephen Parada, who was excellent. Eachtime we met, he answered our questions,spent time with us, and explained everythingthoroughly and encouraged us to call if wehad any concerns. This was important, because my grandson is stationed in LaPush,Wash., four hours away from MAMC.I was also impressed by the physical plant itself, as MAMC is a state-of-the-artfacility, has lovely grounds, offers manyservices and has an outstanding staff.Congratulations and thank you.

Sincerely, Beverly

Concern over bonus repayments?

Call Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline

December 2007Page 3T

ountaineer

WASHINGTON (ARNEWS) – One

of the Army’s top advocates for the careand treatment of its ill and woundedSoldiers and their families now will serveas assistant surgeon general for warrior care and transition.The Army has assigned Brig. Gen.Michael Tucker, who has been deputycommander of the Army’s North AtlanticRegional Medical Command as well asdirector of the Army Medical Action Plan

(AMAP), to lead the service’s warrior care

and transition effort.Tucker, a two-time combat veteran,has been known by the media as a“bureaucracy buster,” and was chargedwith transforming wounded warrior carein March following news reports a monthearlier about substandard living conditionsand procedural obstacles for woundedSoldiers at Walter Reed Army MedicalCenter in Washington, D.C.“As a leader of Soldiers, I am humbled by this responsibility and the implicationsit will have on the force for years to

come,” said Tucker, a 35-year Army career

veteran. “What we do today to transformthe military health care system and respondto the needs of our Soldiers and their Families – at a time in their lives whenthey need us most – will shape the forcefor years to come. Anything other than acomplete transformation of the system isunacceptable.”Tucker and his staff have spearheadedefforts to create Warrior Transition Unitsto give better leadership and supervisionto soldiers recovering from wounds, toimprove their housing and other servicefacilities and to establish centers to provideadministrative and social-work servicesfor Soldiers and families.Maj. Gen. Gale Pollock, who turnedover Army Surgeon General duties Dec.13, said that Soldiers who are recoveringfrom injuries or illnesses in our hospitals,or who are leaving the Army for civilianlife or to receive care from the Departmentof Veterans Affairs, have earned the very best service and support we can provide,and that they “have an advocate in MikeTucker.”“He impresses everyone with hisenergy and enthusiasm as he aggressivelytackles these important issues. He willcontinue that focus in his new position asassistant surgeon general for warrior careand transition,” Pollock said.While Tucker’s title has changed, histeam remains focused on providing policy

and program oversight of 35 WTUs. In the

WTUs, each patient is assigned a squadleader, a case manager and a primary-care manager to make sure the woundedsoldier receives appropriate treatment andadequate administrative support, and hisor her family’s needs are met.Tucker, a former drill sergeant, saidthat during his career he has faced manychallenges, but the personal responsibilityhe feels for improving the lives of hisfellow Soldiers is what drives him to bustthrough the bureaucracy.The general is quick to credit theteam of Army physicians, nurses, social

workers, benets counselors, platoon

sergeants, squad leaders and other supportstaff members who have stepped up to thisnew challenge and who have repeatedlyshown their dedication and commitmentto serving and caring for their brethren.“Our team has worked hard to changethe way we provide care to our ill andwounded,” Tucker said. “I am proud of their work.”The AMAP chief of staff agrees,adding that it has taken courage andleadership to see this vision through.“We are determined from top to

bottom (of the organization) to transform

this process,” said Col. Jimmie Keenan,chief of staff for AMAP. “General Tucker has empowered all of us to make adifference. Of course, it is not perfect.We will have to make adjustments as wemove through this process to make surewe are truly meeting the needs of our troops, and we will. There is so much passion and commitment at all levels of

the organization from our specialists to

senior Army leaders to make sure we are

serving our fellow Soldiers as ercely

at home as they served the nation on the

battleeld. I can see the sense of duty and

responsibility in the eyes of everyoneon the staff. We all know what we aredoing is the right thing for our fellowSoldiers.”Keenan said the transformed militaryhealth care system focuses on the totalcare of ill and wounded soldiers and their Families, including the severely injured. No longer will a Soldier or a Soldier’sloved one have to search for the ID cardsection, how to get billeting or even a rideto the airport.The WTUs will also link families towarrior medical care, rehabilitation and

benets as they have never been before

with the addition of Soldier and FamilyAssistance Centers. The InstallationManagement Command-sponsoredassistance centers will provide help withdocuments, payments, access cards,insurance and more. Ill and woundedsoldiers will also receive legal assistanceconcerning Medical Evaluation Board andPhysical Evaluation Board cases.“These warriors have risked life andlimb to defend our nation’s freedoms, andit is our duty to honor and serve them withcompassion and dignity,” Tucker said.

Tucker tackles AMAP, selected as assistant to SG

With valor

Sgt. Christopher Hoyt,an infantry Soldier fromthe 4th Stryker Brigadeat Fort Lewis, shakeshands with Brig. Gen.Donald Campbell, deputycommander of I Corps,after being presented withan Army CommendationMedal with Valor for actions he took whiledeployed to Iraq. Hoytmade national newsrecently when, just hoursafter he and his comradeswere ambushed with an

IED on the batleeld, he

reenlisted.

Photo by Jeremy O’Bryan

we keep our Armed Forces and our country strong.“The health care system is more than justtreating Soldiers and Families and warriorsfrom other services. It is the ultimate act of keeping faith with them,” Jacoby said. “It isempowering as a warrior to know that you aresupported by the most effective and caringhealth system there is.”Dr. Lynda Davis, deputy assistantsecretary of the Navy for Military PersonnelPolicy, was the keynote speaker. During her presentation, Davis, who also serves as theDoD lead for Case Management Reformunder the DoD/VA Support and Care for theWounded Senior Oversight Committee, toldthe group that a number of reforms and newinitiatives are underway to better streamlinethe care coordination processes for woundedwarriors and their families.One of those initiatives is theestablishment of the Federal RecoveryCoordinator Program, which is scheduled tokickoff early next year. Under this program,wounded, ill, injured service members,veterans and their Families would be assigneda VA recovery coordinator who would serveas their primary contact for navigating andunderstanding the health care coordination process.“We need a single, ultimate point of contact that the family can be introduced to,and stay connected to across their continuumof care,” Davis explained.She added that these Recovery CareCoordinators will not be replacing any of thework currently provided by case managers, but added, “We are complimenting all of these folks with one person that the woundedservice member and their family member

will be introduced to (at the MTF) as their

recovery care coordinator for life.”On day two, attendees broke into smaller groups to further discuss challenges and

possible solutions that are of specic concern

to wounded warriors and their families.“Through careful assessments andstrategic thinking during the various breakoutsessions,” Lescavage said, “we were able

to more clearly dene the issues facing our

wounded.”Overall, Lescavage said that conferenceattendees seemed committed to bringingforth a plan to improve the current methodsof caring for America’s heroes who have

sacriced so much.

“This strategic forum served to bringabout increased collaboration not onlyamongst the services and the VeteransAdministration, but with other government

organizations and with the healthcare

industry,” she said.

From

Warriors,

Page 1For more informationabout Warriors In Transition,surf to http://www.army.mil