NHB Health Promotion Awarded for Strong Commitment to Optimizing Health

By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

April 28, 2010 - Naval Hospital Bremerton (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton was recognized on April 23 with the Navy Surgeon General's Health Promotion and Wellness Medical Command award, "The Blue H," for command excellence in health promotion.

"Our Health Promotion staff has a lot of passion and energy in doing such a tremendous job," stated Capt. Mark E. Brouker, NHB commanding officer. "They are helping to prevent damage and do great work to keep our staff and beneficiaries healthy instead of having to always rely on patching a patient up in the Intensive Care Unit years down the road."

"My thanks to leadership and our many team members who are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles at every opportunity," said Janet Mano, Naval Hospital Bremerton Health Promotion division head.

This is the 11th time NHB has received the annual award that encourages and rewards the promotion of health in Navy and Marine Corps organizations. More than 150 commands received the award this year, which includes medical treatment facilities, Fleet, Navy Reserve and Marines Corps commands.

"With the surgeon general setting the standard, it is wonderful to see so many rise to the challenge," Mano said. "This shows that many are not forgetting how important it is to be proactive in their health care."

According to Mano, NHB has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to optimizing health.

"In addition to supporting our beneficiaries through medical care, we are committed to promoting healthy self-care during medical visits by offering a wide variety of classes and reaching out to our active duty and beneficiaries where they work and play," explained Mano, who also noted that the award is a testament to deserving commands that actively engage in clinical primary prevention, carry out community health promotion, advocate medical staff health and wellness policies, and continually plan, organize and host activities and events to advance health-care delivery missions.

"The criteria and associated categories needed to be considered include clinical preventive care such as screening and counseling and arranging support when needed for weight management, tobacco and alcohol use, health promotion programs and activities within the MTF for staff and beneficiaries and also community outreach to commands and community groups," said Mano. "Heath Promotion happens at every level, from provider appointments to primary care to specialty clinics. This really is a commandwide effort and commitment."

"Physical therapy, the laboratory, mammography, nutrition management, substance abuse rehabilitation program (SARP), tobacco cessation and our mental health department are among the strong contributors to promoting wellness and self care," continued Mano. "We have strong support from our dieticians, pharmacists and hospital corpsmen and our health educators who teach classes and take health promotion outside to community events."

"Public Affairs and Marketing support enhances our partnerships throughout Navy Region Northwest with Ombudsmen, Safety, Right Spirit, Training and Workforce Development programs and makes it possible to bring Health Promotion programs to military, DoD civilians and family members throughout the region," Mano said.

Some of the Health Promotion Programs include Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention; Health Risk Assessment; Injury Prevention; Nutrition; Physical Fitness; Sexual Health and Responsibility (SHARP); Stress Management; Suicide Prevention; and Preventive Health Assessments.

Additionally, Health Promotion is also part of the planning with NHB's Population Health and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program to be an integral part supporting Navy's smoking ban on submarines by the end of the year.

"We're really presented with a huge opportunity and challenge when the smoking lamp goes out in the submarines," said Brouker. "Our goal will be to help them quit smoking and keep them out of the ICU in 20 years due to some tobacco-related illness."

Mano attests there are many resources available to support getting a tobacco cessation program. Health Promotion can provide motivational presentations and health fairs to fleet readiness groups. "Quit Tobacco, Make Everyone Proud" is the slogan for the Department of Defense online support. Appointments are available at the Naval Branch Health Clinic Bangor and NHB for individual and group cessation support. "If anyone is thinking about quitting, has quit and/or wants to stay that way, we are here to help," said Mano, adding that anyone can also call 475-4541/4997 or e-mail nhb.healthpromoiton@med.navy.mil to schedule a motivational program for any interested command.

Health Promotion provides quality products and services to every eligible beneficiary.

One of the many ways that goal is accomplished is through numerous classes such as several types of Movement Training classes with Tai Chi and Yoga, and support groups for new parents, Bariatric Surgery, Diabetes Support, and Cancer Support. The Cancer Support Group has also extended their participation far-beyond the classroom of NHB by supporting an American Cancer Society 'Relay for Life' team sponsored by beneficiary Juliet Hough, who recently passed away due to complications to cancer. Other examples of available classes are the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) classes that help provide support skills and motivation to live an active and healthy life. Some of the classes are, Long-Lasting Change; Diabetes Prevention; Healthy at Heart; Aim for a Healthy Weight; Everyday Fitness; Commissary Tour; Fitness Center and Water with Lemon.

One of the most popular events involving the community continue to be 'Car Seat Fittings. The next fitting for car seats will be during the upcoming National Child Passenger Safety Week July 20 at NHB's Level B Parking Garage. Car seat fittings are also held by appointment.

For more information on additional programs, services and events on health and wellness, please contact NHB Health Promotion at 475-4541 and to register for classes call TRICARE at 800-404-4506.