Denver Navy Week Injects Strong Navy Medicine In Community

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Susan Hammond, Navy Office of Community Outreach

DENVER, Colo. (NNS) -- Navy Medicine leadership met with local Denver health care providers, medical researchers, civic and educational groups, and the FBI to discuss Navy Medicine's role in the maritime strategy and shared medical initiatives as part of Denver Navy Week 2011, May 2-8.

Rear Adm. William M. Roberts, Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, was the senior medical officer

representing Navy Medicine during Denver Navy Week.

"We are here to thank the citizens of Denver for the great job they are doing supporting the men and women of our armed forces," said Roberts. "Our Navy is proud to serve Americans and freedom seeking people world-wide."

Of the nearly 330,000 active duty Sailors across the Navy, 4,200 come from the Denver area. An additional 1,500 Reserve Sailors also hail from the state, and more than 6,000 retired Navy veterans live in Colorado, Roberts noted.

During a meeting with leaders at the FBI Denver Division, Roberts shared Navy Medicine's critical role in the maritime strategy and its shared initiative of building inter-agency and community relationships while protecting the United States.

"We are proud to have the opportunity to advance the relationship between the FBI and Navy Medicine," said Roberts. "The relationship between the FBI and other agencies is crucial in developing partnerships to protect our citizens and their freedom."

Roberts also met with emergency medical and rescue staff at the Denver Fire Department (DFD) to discuss trauma care, lifesaving techniques, and procedures currently used by Navy medical personnel on the battlefield in Afghanistan. Roberts further acknowledged DFD's nationally recognized advances in first responder procedures, and its cutting-edge professionalism, dedication, and courage which regularly saves lives.

"Navy Medicine has made great strides in providing resuscitative skills and medical/surgical interventions on the battlefield and at home, which have made a difference in saving lives of our Sailors and Marines," said Roberts. "Denver Navy Week has provided a great opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with over-the-top organizations like the Denver Fire Department."

As a global force for good, Roberts shared Navy Medicine's critical research and development role with executives of GlobeImmune, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for infectious diseases and cancer.

During the visit, Roberts noted that research and development is a top priority of the Navy Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr.

Roberts explained how research and development plays a critical role in the maritime strategy through not only vaccine research but also advances in life-saving technology on the battlefield such as a one handed tourniquet that can be applied quickly in combat.

Roberts noted that these lifesaving advancements have made a significant impact on the amount of lives saved, whereas many would have been lost in the past.

"Navy Medicine also plays a vital role in supporting the five 'hard power' capabilities of the maritime strategy: forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and maritime security, because no ship, submarine, aircraft or other Navy asset deploys without the support of Navy Medicine," said Roberts. "In addition, Navy Medicine projects and executes 'soft power', the maritime strategy's final priority, through its most visible role in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) missions."

Other Navy Medicine engagements during Denver Navy Week included a visit with leaders at Denver Health; speaking with the physicians, residents and medical staff at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center; a presentation for the Rotary Club of Aurora, Colo.; and a discussion regarding post traumatic stress disorder and chaplaincy with professors at the Iliff School of Theology, among others.

Denver Navy Week is one of 21 Navy weeks across the country this year. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they make in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. Denver Navy Week events continue through May 8.