October Legacy 2019

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center October 2019 Vol. 2, No. 5

LRMC Optometrist named top in Army Inside:

Col. Adrienne Ari, optometrist, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, performs an eye examination as part of regular operations at LRMC’s Optometry Clinic, Sept. 19. Ari was recently selected as the Armed Forces Optometric Society (AFOS) Army Optometrist of the Year. Read about it on page 10.

LRMC FY20 Remembrance Enhanced Campaign Sup- event for bereaved Access Clinic port Plan families to close

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Events and Training Calendar Oct. 1-3: Semi-Annual Height and Weight

Oct. 10: Basic Life Savers Course, LRC, 8 a.m.

Oct. 2: Annual Training, Heaton, 7:30 a.m.

Oct. 14: Columbus Day

Oct. 2: BLS course, LRC, 8 a.m.

Oct. 3: German Reunification Day Oct. 4: Commander’s Award Ceremony, Heaton, noon Oct. 4: Class “B” uniform day Oct. 7: ASBP Blood Drive, Heaton Auditorium, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Oct. 8: National Hispanic Heritage Month observance, Heaton, noon Oct. 8: Pediatric Advanced Life Saver Course, LRC, 7:45 a.m.

Oct. 15: Wave of Light, Memorial Prayer Garden, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15-18: Semi-annual APFT, LRMC track, 5:30 a.m. / 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 16: Annual Training, Heaton Audtiorium, 7:30 a.m.

Oct. 17: Basic Lifesavers Course, LRC, 8 a.m.

Oct. 21-25: Pharmacy Week Oct. 21-25: Respiratory Care Week

Oct. 9-13: SHARP Symposium

Oct. 25: LRMC Polo Day

Oct. 9: Advanced Liife Saver Course, LRC, 7:45 a.m.

Oct. 25: 86th MDS promotion ceremony, Heaton Auditorium, 12:30 p.m.

In this issue: Command Team Messages, pg. 3 Remembrance event, pg. 6 Around LRMC, pg. 9

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EAC closure, pg. 10

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Civilians and Soldiers traveling outside of Germany on official orders (Belgium and Italy

LRMC (Ortho) - The doctor was incredible. The moment I met him and he greeted me with a handshake using his freshly-sanitized hands I knew it would be okay. All in all, it was a great experience with a great man, Soldier, and doctor.

included) must complete an APACS request.

Those on leisure travel require the appropriate level of approval for the country requested (outlined in the Electronic Foreign Clearance

LRMC - An EOD Tech injured while on deployment was put on life support before transport to LRMC. Today, the tech is home with family back in the U.S. The kindness, financial support, medical expertise, prayers (of LRMC staff)

Guide) both found on sharepoint at: https://go.usa.gov/xVmyj

will be remembered always. Thank you to the LRMC Fisher House for the tremendous support, and the medical and support staff at LRMC. We are forever Grateful and send our love and prayers to all of you.

Baumholder (EFMP) - Extremely helpful with a short timeline that met or exceeded all expectations.

Wiesbaden (Health Clinic) - Our TRICARE enrollment rep was absolutely fantastic. She was friendly, efficient and overall very helpful. She was very knowledgeable and made sure that both my husband and I left with all the pertinent information and materials that we needed. I could not have asked for a better experience. She is definitely an employee that goes above and beyond and offers a great customer experience. Highly impressed.

LRMC (Behavioral Health) - I appreciate the outstanding and professional care that I have received in my counseling here at the clinic. Ms. W. has shown great care and compassion and shared a lot of great tools to assist

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me in my care. That is hard to find this day in age of the me, me, me generation. I appreciate all her efforts and am deeply saddened that the clinic is unable to continue giving care to the retirees and dependents. The front staff has also been very kind and great when scheduling my appointments and for follow ups. Ms. W. is a great asset to this team and I will miss continuing my care with her.

Vicenza (Army Wellness Center) - Great insight and testing resources. All soldiers regardless of fitness should complete this wellness fitness exam. Thank you!

LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER October 2019 • Vol. 2, No. 5 Commander: Col. Michael A. Weber Command Sgt. Maj. Thurman L. Reynolds Chief of Public Affairs: Gia Oney Editor: Marcy Sanchez Printed by: DLA Information Operations Europe The Legacy is published monthly by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs Office under the authority of AR 360-1 to provide the staff and families of LRMC with information on people, policies, operations, technical developments, trends and ideas of and about the U.S. Army Medical Command and LRMC. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army Medical Command. Direct communication is authorized to Public Affairs, The Legacy, Unit 33100 Attn: PAO, APO AE 09180-3100. Phone: DSN 314-590-8144 or commercial from the United States 011-49-6371-9464-8144. Or send an email to usarmy.lrmc.pao@mail.mil. Unless otherwise indicated (and except for “by permission” and copyright items), material may be reprinted provided credit is given to The Legacy and the author.

All photographs by U.S. Army except as otherwise credited. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

FROM THE COMMAND TEAM

Our strategic campaign plan Col. Michael Weber Commander Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

Leads reach an impasse or when resources

see COMMANDER on pg. 5

understanding of the mission, the commander’s intent and the unit’s priorities. When people are “in the know,” they are more likely to understand how they fit into the big picture, thus work becomes more meaningful. At LRMC, professional development is designed to be conducted two levels down -- this means that Sergeants First Class (E-7) should be developing Sergeants (E-5), Tech Sergeants (E-5) should be developing Senior Airmen (E-3), Majors should be developing First Lieutenants, and so forth. By structuring professional development for Service Members in this manner, we are encouraging that “big picture thinking” and our team members are able to see the organization from outside of their day-to-day foxhole.

As shared understanding permeates throughout our formations, relationships between

Service Members, civilians and local nationals are made stronger, and our overall ability to support the combatant commands increases.

In addition to professionally developing our Service Members from an organizational perspective, we must also do so with an individual mindset as well. Leaders need to ensure there is a level of informal coaching with junior personnel, and that they are taking advantage of every opportunity to build that individual’s confidence, capabilities and leadership qualities. Tools like hip pocket training and AAR sessions are great ways to circle back with your teams to provide immediate constructive feedback. This will only make that individual better. On the other hand, Service Members should not rely solely on their leaders for professional development.

Building trust: Command Sgt. Maj. Thurman L. Reynolds Command Sergeant Major Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

Importance of military professional development

see MENTOR on pg. 5

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As we move further along into the FY20 LRMC Campaign Support Plan discussed by the commander, it is important that military personnel on our team understand the significance of building trust both amongst ourselves, but also with our civilian and local national counterparts as well. An organization is only its best when members of the team are at their best, and trust amongst teammates is a vital component for ensuring that we successfully meet our mission requirements.

One way that organizational trust is built, is when members of the team have a shared

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Several Weeks ago, all of the senior leaders from our organization, to include the 86th MDS and outlying clinics, gathered to lay down the foundations of our FY20 LRMC Campaign Support Plan, the operational plans to achieve our strategic objectives. As addressed in my last column, our primary mission is to enhance the wellness, human performance and medical readiness of Service Members assigned to the combatant commands we support. During our Senior Leader Symposium, new mission and vision statements were developed along with a revision of our strategic lines of effort. I will address those three things in my next column.

For now, I want to highlight the campaign support plan process, what it looks like, who is involved, and why we’re doing it this way.

The point of our Campaign Support Plan is to be intentional in our efforts. In the past we may have taken credit for a successful event or milestone and assigned the achievement to a specific line of effort, however, the campaign process requires that we forecast our objectives, and deliberately plan to achieve them. We are moving from a passive strategic posture to a proactive, intentional mindset, all for the sake of ensuring that we are meeting the health service support requirements of our combatant

commanders.

Much like what is done in the operational and maneuver environments, each campaign plan is led by a Campaigner. In our case, Col. Claude Burnett, our deputy commanding officer and hospital chief of staff, is the Campaigner.

The role of the Campaigner can be best understood by first identifying Col. Michael Weber, commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, interanother role – LOE (Line of Effort) acts with Dr. Mark Marilley (left side of monitor), during the first virtual health Lead. technology communication with the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Medical Facility Five LOEs were identified at Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 28. must be reprioritized. the Senior Leader Symposium, and each will have an identified LOE Lead. At Each LOE Lead is responsible for assigning a LRMC, the LOEs will be led by specific deputy LOE Integrator and assembling a LOE Working commanders, and they are responsible for set- Group. Each LOE Integrator is someone who is ting and achieving the intermediate objectives committed to driving achievements toward the for each LOE. For example, if the LOE is “Health desired end state. For example, a LOE Integraand Readiness,” the LOE Lead will define what tor will chair the interdisciplinary working group that means, determine the intermediate objec- meetings to develop options and courses of tives we need to achieve toward the desired action that are sensitive to other operations and end states, and then decide on effective ways budgets. The LOE Lead will prioritize options in which to assess, measure, and evaluate our and make recommendations for approval to the actions.

Campaigner during the CSB. During the weekly Campaign Synchronization Each LOE Lead is responsible for briefing their Board, the Campaigner, will make decisions on respective actions during the monthly Campaign how resources (means) will be allocated (ways) Decision Board, which includes Command Sgt. in order to achieve success in each LOE as defined by the LOE Leads. In some cases, the Maj. Reynolds and chaired by me. The CDB is Campaigner will be the tie-breaker when LOE the venue where course corrections are made,

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the year LANDSTUHL, Germany -- In the early 90s, Army ROTC cadet Adrienne Ari graduated college with a degree in physics. Although she had long desired a medical career, medical school’s course load seemed daunting at the time so she insisted on pursuing a traditional four-year secondary education and began her career as an Army engineer officer.

Ari, now an Army colonel, was recently named the Armed Forces Optometric Society’s Army Optometrist of the Year for 2019.

“My first assignment (as an engineer) was down the road at Karlsruhe, Germany,” said Ari, now Regional Health Command Europe’s optometrist consultant. “I couldn’t see myself doing it for 20 years. Some of it was the timing because of the (Gulf) War. It was a challenging time for many lieutenants.”

After her obligated tour of service as an Army engineer officer, Ari followed her desires to work in the medical field and transitioned to optometry. Still, Ari had found a home in the Army and a passion for caring for America’s sons and daughters in uniform.

Each year, AFOS selects a federal employee or service member from each of the five services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Veterans Affairs, and Public Health - to represent their respective service as the optometrist of the year. An additional judging rivals those individuals to select an optometrist that goes on to represent the federal government at the American Optometry Association’s competition which represents over 44,000 doctors of optometry. “(The Army) currently has over 130 Active Duty Optometrists,” said Maj. Jason Hales, chief of optometry at Raymond W. Bliss Army Health

Center, Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. “I was prompted others. One thing that inspires me is her ability to recognize her when I realized she had never to be involved and effective in many avenues of received any type of award from AFOS (or any life. From motherhood to patient care, adminisother optometric association) that I was aware trative responsibilities to Army leadership, she of despite her many years of service to Army finds a balance and succeeds.”

For Ari, a mother of four who also leads the optometry.”

While awards and recognition may be local Girl Scouts of the United States of Ameriimportant to some professionals, Ari’s service ca’s overseas committee, service to community to country, patients and community is the true is essential to teaching others how to succeed and overcome obstacles. In addition to clinical definition of her professionalism.

“I do what I do not for recognition, but care, Ari’s involvement in professional organibecause I enjoy being a part of the community, zations, residency programs and even fostering taking care of patients, mentoring other officers new operational initiatives to support combatant and Soldiers and providing the best care we can commanders across Europe exemplifies her provide,” said Ari, a native of Mercerville, New involvement in the profession resulting in her Jersey. “What I really love about our profession selection.

“In some ways it’s more rewarding (to be a is helping patients with vague complaints or uniformed optometrist) because what we do is long-term issues. You’re able to help diagnose important on the battlefield. Many take vision for the problem and walk away knowing you helped granted.

But (in combat) your life depends on somebody see better or be more comfortable your (fellow Soldiers’) abilities to see,” said Ari. visually. That is the most rewarding aspect of “What we do is important, it’s rewarding.” the profession.”

Selection for the recognition goes beyond patient care and is a culmination of efforts throughout the field of optometry and also evaluates social responsibility and contributions in their communities.

“I admire many things about (Ari),” said Hales, who now serves as the AFOS president and nominated Adrienne Ari, optometrist, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, performs Ari for the recognition. “She Col. an eye examination as part of regular operations at LRMC’s Optometry Clinic, is a great human being who Sept. 19. Ari was recently selected as the Armed Forces Optometric Society cares about the success of Army Optometrist of the Year.

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FY20 LRMC Campaign Support Plan COMMANDER continued

MENTOR continued

this area, I encourage you to reach out to Mr. Sherman Fox, the chief of LRMC’s Workforce Engagement Office or your company command teams who can facilitate leadership development sessions. The more we invest in professional development, the more we commit ourselves to fostering an environment of trust.

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Everyone should have a mentor they can reach out to for guidance and pointers. Mentors can help you see different perspectives, walk you through a variety of scenarios and help shape your actions. If you don’t have a mentor, seek one out! The senior leaders at LRMC have plenty of experience navigating the military life, both professionally and personally. I would venture to say that not one would turn down another Service Member requesting a mentor.

The benefits of investing into professional development all points back to trust. When Service Members feel confident in their roles, and trust that their leaders have their best interest in mind, the level and quality of work increases.

And, when our civilian, local national, contract and volunteer staff trust the military personnel on our team to perform and make decisions for the betterment of the whole organization, we begin to build a work life that everyone can enjoy. Additionally, by “paying it forward” and taking time to professionally develop both your

subordinates and yourself, you are essentially setting yourself up for success. It is a small world when it comes to the military life and you never know who you will work for – or who will work for you – in the future. Building a relationship with your colleagues that is founded on trust will ensure that you will always be associated with being a team player and someone who is committed to the mission of the organization.

I encourage everyone on Team LRMC to take a few minutes to determine how you are building trust amongst your teams through professional development.

If you need assistance in

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disputes are resolved, and the assessment-monitoring-evaluation process is formalized.

For some of you, the final decisions of the Campaign Decision Board may be the only things that interest you. However, I challenge you to understand the process so you know how and why things are decided – ultimately, those processes and decisions will affect you.

We talk a lot about patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction as important areas on which to focus. I want to move way past satisfaction, though. Rather than being satisfied, I want patients and staff members to be delighted – delighted to be receiving care at LRMC, and delighted to be part of the LRMC family. We want our combatant commanders to be delighted when we take care of their troops, and more importantly, we want our joint warfighters to be delighted when they know they are being evacuated to LRMC. I believe by implementing the Campaigning Process, and being intentional and strategic with our actions, not only will we be successful in our mission to support the combatant commands, we can do so with joy.

I look forward to my next column for you, where I’ll go into detail about our new mission and vision statements, and our new lines of effort. Until then, keep up the great work, Team LRMC. October is going to be a phenomenal month!

Selfless Service.

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LRMC to hold remembrance for parents suffering loss

By Marcy Sanchez Public Affairs Specialist Landstuhl Regional Medical Center LANDSTUHL, Germany -- Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Mother Baby Unit will host a remembrance ceremony for International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on Oct. 15, at 6:45 p.m.

The ceremony is slated to take place at LRMC’s Infant Memorial Prayer Garden, located between buildings 3762 and 3763, and is intended to offer families with a pregnancy or infant loss an opportunity to heal and share experiences.

“There are a lot of people in our community in Germany that have experienced loss of this kind,” said Holly Bryant, a registered nurse and coordinator of this year’s remembrance.

“This ceremony isn’t just for people who have had a loss here, it’s for anybody that has ever experienced a loss in their lives and they want to honor that memory.”

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day focuses on the celebration of life for those who have lost an infant or suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or any newborn death.

Candle-light vigils around the world signify a wave of light and commemorate each loss.

“A lot of times you (move) over here and

you may not have any support, nobody to talk to about that grief,” said Bryant. “I hope the ceremony helps get the word out that there are people with similar losses whether it’s a very early trimester loss or infant loss.”

Although LRMC keeps a record of pregnancy and fetal demise, Bryant states it doesn’t account for all losses within the Kaiserslautern Military Community as some individuals experience loss in environments other than medical facilities.

“We don’t see everybody, but that doesn’t make their loss any less significant,” said Bryant.

This year’s remembrance welcomes U.S. Air Force Maj. Lisa Gonzales, a certified nurse midwife at LRMC, who has experienced loss herself and found healing through past remembrance ceremonies.

“I’ve personally had a loss myself so I can relate to patients. My loss was a loss of twins,” said Gonzales. “It was a surprise pregnancy and then even a bigger surprise because it was twins. Come to find out my pregnancy was high-risk and when I went in for a 14-week prenatal appointment neither one of the babies had a heartbeat.”

According to Gonzales, as a health care provider it helps her relate to her patients

Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante

who experience a loss. Typically, patients are offered bereavement counseling and depending on the stage of pregnancy, may also receive a memory box with keepsakes.

“Often when I share my story with patients, they thank me for sharing it with them because they thought they were alone in this loss,” said Gonzales. “To know it was a high-risk pregnancy and to know that they might not make it or I was going to have complications, when it happens to you it’s devastating, and it was devastating for my husband.”

Because loss is felt by the whole family, Bryant states the remembrance is open to all military ID card holders.

“It’s so nice we offer this ceremony for any patient because it helps you be able to celebrate the life of the baby,” said Gonzales, a mother of three. “It’s a remembrance to say we remember that loss, we celebrate their life and will move through the loss. To be around others who have gone through the same thing, it’s really strong and helpful. I would encourage anybody to come to this because it’s not about bringing up bad memories and causing pain; it’s about beginning the healing process and celebrating that life.”

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the LRMC Chapel.

TROOP COMMAND

Leadership has no boundaries Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Forker Command Sergeant Major Troop Command Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

Leadership has no boundaries. It does not exist, or cease to exist, based on geographic location. The need for leadership does not depend upon what type of organization you are referring to. Its importance to the success or failure of an organization does not ebb and flow based on the mission. Leadership is leadership no matter where you go, what organization you work for, or the task at hand. People thirst for it, they rely upon it for direction, development, counsel, correction, and praise. Our team is no exception; whether it is the Service Member, Civilian, contractor, or local national, we all need, and deserve, leadership.

LTC Buchner and I see the quality of leaders in our organization; we see the potential that resides in all of you. From Spc. Iturri earning three of the highest accolades at the Basic Leaders Course, to Col. Ari’s recognition as the 2019 U.S. Army Optometrist of the Year, to the 12 Soldiers and Airman who graduated Air Assault, or Ms. Carson’s selection as Charlie Company’s Civilian of the Month…the talent on this team is inspiring.

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Many argue that leaders are born, as though they possess some kind of genetic imprint that make them natural leaders. In contrast, some say they are the product of study, experience, training and desire. Whether a matter of skill or will, leadership requires nurturing. Seize the opportunity to lead, to nurture your own potential as well as that of others.

How often are you stepping away from your computer to say hello to your team; to ask them how their lives are going or simply to thank them for what they do? Are you checking on what plans they have for the weekend before they leave work? Are you having the necessary conversations with people when they do not meet expectations? None of this requires you to be a formal leader that sits in an Officer in Charge (OIC) or Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) position. These are inherent behaviors that any leader can display whether

addressing teammates up, down or laterally.

For those of you who are sitting in formalized leadership positions, how often are you checking your subordinates’ barracks rooms?

Do you actively track when your teammates are due to expire in their mandatory training? Are you engaged in the personal and professional development of those under your charge?

Maybe you are doing all of these things routinely and maybe you are not. Perhaps you are doing exceptionally well in every facet as a leader, or maybe you are struggling with all of it. Is there room for you to improve? Are you willing to seek improvement?

It is always easiest to look outward and to point a finger. In order to lead you have to have someone that follows. In “followership” you will often find leadership. The good follower seeks to identify how to help the team succeed; they do not wait for it to fail or focus on how it is failing. Followers, like the leader, share the responsibility of remaining objective to find root causes to problems and make earnest attempts to fix them. They are able to reflect and acknowledge how they too can be contributing to problems. Are you a good follower?

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Aaron Castle, a primary care physician at Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic, practices acupuncture as a form of pain management during Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Rehabilitation Clinic’s TBI Champion Training Conference, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 6.

By Marcy Sanchez Public Affairs Specialist Landstuhl Regional Medical Center RAMSTEIN, Germany -- For centuries, nurses, and medics here and share TBI inforhead injuries have been a consequence mation with them,” said Casey Becker, DVBIC of war and violence, sometimes leading to regional education coordinator at LRMC. “We unexplained physical and behavioral changes discussed TBI and why it’s important in the in patients. Landstuhl Regional Medical Cen- military, the new information coming out about ter’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Rehabilitation TBI, and acute concussion management so Clinic hosted medical professionals during a they can take it back to their clinics and share three-day TBI Champion Training Conference with their colleagues to standardize that TBI at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to standardize care.”

TBI clinical care by sharing knowledge, current The platform also introduced medical recommendations and best practices. professionals to the most recent head injury According to the Defense and Veterans assessment tool, the Military Acute ConcusBrain Injury Center (DVBIC), a TBI is a blow sion Evaluation (MACE 2), a multimodal tool or jolt to the head assisting providers in the that disrupts the “Providers are aware that assessment and diagnosis normal function of TBIs and acute concussion of concussion. The tool’s the brain. Severity are prevalent and even effectiveness immediately is determined at though it isn’t in the news, after the time of injury can the time of the it impacts everyone.” help medical professionals injury and may - Casey Becker determine the severity of be classified as Regional Coordinator the concussion and the mild, moderate or Defense and Veterans Brain steps to take to optimize Injury Center severe. Since 2000, care, thereby increasing more than 380,000 medical readiness for the service members combatant commands. have sustained a TBI from various activities “Many people [at this conference] would be ranging from military training and sports activ- identified as the first person to see (potential ities to combat.

TBI patients) in an emergency room, primary “The goal was to bring medical providers, care clinic or urgent care clinic,” said U.S.

Air Force Capt. Philip Oro, family medicine physician, 86th Medical Group, Ramstein Air Base. “In (medical school) we learn to look at patients and determine sick versus not sick and that seems very black and white. The environment of learning in the last three days gave us what we needed to watch for and disposition patients to a higher level of care if needed.”

Individuals between the ages of 18 to 24 are at the greatest risk for TBI since they are more likely to engage in high-risk activities, a demographic which represents 45 percent of today’s active-duty force. Common symptoms of mild TBIs include headaches, sleep disturbances, dizziness, balance problems, nausea, fatigue, visual disturbances (blurred vision, double vision), light or noise sensitivity, cognitive changes, and emotional changes.

The DVBIC research portfolio includes robust studies examining the effects of brain injury and exposure, as well as ways to support individuals in recovery.

“We’re trying to make sure that all providers in all branches have an understanding of what to do and the resources available,” said Becker, a native of Clinton, Missouri. “Providers are see TBI on pg. 10

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AROUND LRMC Baumholder Army Health Clinic hosted a “Right Arm Night,” an old Army tradition designed to promote camaraderie, esprit de corps and helps build relations, Sept. 6. Over 100 Soldiers from units across Baumholder attended the inaugural event.

BAUMHOLDER

VICENZA

NCO Excellence

Maj. Dustin Donofry, chief, Physical Therapy Clinic, Baumholder AHC, identifies proper footwear for various foot arches for runners during injury prevention training with Baumholder Middle High School student athletes at Baumholder Middle High School, Sept. 17. (U.S. Army photo

by Gia Oney)

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Caserma Ederle hosted a Civilian Health Care Expo where approximately 50 local health care professionals provided information about services available to VMC personnel and families.

Vicenza AHC provided information on space available services still accessible by the American civilian population. (Photo by Laura Kreider/USAG Italy PAO)

Commander’s Awards

Alpha Company Change of Command

Women’s Equality Day 9/11 Remembrance October 2019

HRC visits

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Knowing your Wellness Status

What exactly is wellness?

Wellness is the process of becoming aware, making choices that support you toward a healthy and fulfilling life. It’s not just about being free of illness, it is a dynamic process and involves growth, change and the evolution of self.

How can you identify your wellness status?

AWC offers a Health Assessment Review measuring general health, risk stratification and biometric screening. The HAR is a great first step in determining where you are on your wellness journey. It allows you to identify if you are at risk for any diseases and possible changes to mitigate those risks.

The HAR appointment is 60 minutes long and consists of interacting with a highly-trained health educator to determine your wellness goals and needs. The health educator will go over your dietary, exercise and sleep habits, discuss possible stressors and make some helpful recommendations on the next steps in your journey. Many of our clients have seen great

improvements by following those suggestions.

Benefits of knowing your Wellness Status When you are aware of your wellness status, you will be better equipped to make a plan to achieve your health and wellness goals. Everything we do is related to our wellbeing. Knowing your status will help you face challenges head on.

concussions, mindfulness-based intervenaware that TBIs and acute concussion are tions, neuropsychology, management of prevalent and even though it isn’t in the news, persistent post-concussive syndromes, sleep disruption, TBI research and future initiatives. it impacts everyone.”

Although combat-related TBIs have been Additionally, alternative treatment options were publicized due to the wars in Afghanistan and introduced, such as acupuncture for pain manIraq, TBI is not uncommon in non-combat agement and the role of occupational therapy environments and can occur during regular in TBI rehabilitation. Attendees embodied all aspects of military medicine, including activedaily activities.

The conference included discus- duty service members, civilians, and National sions led by TBI experts on acute Guardsmen, representing Department of Defense medical facilities across Europe and Western Asia.

“Last year we were in a base in eastern Turkey where there was nothing around. To talk to a specialist and get that help (for TBI), I had to call LRMC,” said Oro, a Tucson, Arizona native.

“Now having realized the types of resources out there through the conference, what websites U.S. Army Pfc. Steven Moreno, a healthcare specialist at Landstuhl Regional are available, the clinical deciMedical Center, practices acupuncture as a form of pain management during LRMC’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Rehabilitation Clinic’s TBI Champion Train- sion-making tools that are out there, it’s just incredibly helpful to ing Conference, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 6.

do exactly what’s expected of me as a primary care doctor either in the acute or chronic period going forward.”

Oro believes the information gained from the conference will not only help his ability to assess TBI severity, but encourage other medical professionals to utilize these tools to prevent delayed care.

“It’s not just about me and my learning, it’s about me going back to others and making sure they are on the same page. The medic can do point-of-care in the field, (diagnosing) takes 10 - 15 minutes and they’ll get a full (evaluation to) identify if there are red flags and immediately consult a higher level of care or evacuate the patient if needed,” said Oro. “Help and resources are available. The information will help make sure that the military personnel that I care for are more ready, capable and at their best to complete the mission, and if they’re not, to identify it and get them the right care.”

By Kenrese T. Carter MSc. CHC Health Promotion Technician Army Wellness Center

AWC’s AIM The primary aim of AWC is to improve and sustain health, performance and readiness of our military personnel. We cater to active duty, family members, Department of Defense civilians, retirees and if space is available we also see Reserve/National Guard.

Make an Appointment If you are ready to make that step in improving your health and wellness, then contact us and set up your HAR appointment today: 06371-94645881 or find us on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/LandstuhlArmyWellnessCenter/

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LANDSTUHL, Germany -- It’s another work day, your alarm goes off and you literally drag yourself out of bed. You feel listless and tired. You are constantly feeling like you simply need more energy. If it’s a Monday, some people call it the Monday blues; however you seem to have the same feeling every day. So what’s up with that?

As you reflect, you recognize your diet and exercise regimen has not been the best.

Can you relate?

Would you like to shift your perspective and eliminate those work blues? Knowing your wellness status could be the first step in helping regain your vitality.

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TBI continued

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ONE TEAM. ONE PURPOSE. Selfless Service.

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TROOP COMMAND TEAM SPOTLIGHT Combatives Instructors Lead: Staff Sgt. Mason Idom Medical Transient Detachment

Soldiers dressed in historic uniforms, signifying the generations of NCOs that have served in the Army since its inception, participate in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s noncommissioned officer induction ceremony, Sept. 20. The ceremony is a celebration of newly promoted Soldiers joining the ranks of a professional noncommissioned officer corps.

DCMS SPOTLIGHT

DCSS SPOTLIGHT

DAHC SPOTLIGHT

86th MDS SPOTLIGHT

Spc. Brittanee Harris Behavioral Health Technician Multi-Disciplinary Clinic / Embedded BH Clinic

Ms. Melanie Wolf Administrative Assistant Deputy Commander for Surgical Services

Maj. Sean O’Brien Chief, Ancillary Services Vicenza Army Health Clinic

Staff Sgt. Michael Kile Respiratory Therapist Pulmonary Services