Navy Surgeon General Visits Naval Hospital Oak Harbor

From Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The Navy surgeon general visited Naval Hospital Oak Harbor (NHOH) located on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Aug. 3 as part of his tour of Navy medical facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

While visiting the hospital, Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson Jr. toured the facilities, met with hospital leadership and hosted an admiral's call with civilian and military hospital staff.

"I'm here to say thanks for your superior work caring for the base and the community here, as well as, your support of global operations," Robinson told the hospital staff. "I want to let you know I appreciate you and appreciate all your hard work."

According to hospital commanding officer, Capt. Susan Lichtenstein, her staff of 445 provide medical support to 36 tenant commands including Naval Air Station Whidbey Island; Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10; Electronic Attack Wing; Naval Air Reserves and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53. These five major commands are known as Team Whidbey.

The hospital provides garrison healthcare services to Team Whidbey and their family members, in addition to routinely deploying Navy medical personnel in support of the warfighter and humanitarian assistance missions worldwide.

"We currently have 22 members of our team deployed in support of a variety of missions including medical support roles in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to participating in the Pacific Partnership 2010 mission onboard USNS Mercy in the Pacific," said Lichtenstein.

Robinson said Navy Medicine is more involved around the world than ever before and is making a lasting positive difference in three key roles including garrison care of military personnel and families in the United States and overseas, support to the forward deployed operational forces and being a linchpin in humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions

"The work you do here and around the world epitomizes the notion of the Navy as a global force for good," said Robinson. "You represent the best of what America has to offer."

Robinson and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Force Master Chief Laura Martinez met with NHOH enlisted Sailors at the galley to share a meal and get to listen to their thoughts on the Navy Medicine mission before speaking to the entire staff in the Mount Olympus auditorium during an all hand's call.

"The quality of care and ethos of service present here at Oak Harbor represents the best in patient and family-centered care," Robinson said. "I'm humbled to be your surgeon general."

Robinson's Pacific Northwest tour also included a visit to Naval Hospital Bremerton.