Navy Medicine Flies to Trauma Center During Chattanooga Navy Week

By Valerie A. Kremer, Navy Medicine Public Affairs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (NNS) -- Erlanger Health Care System and Navy Medicine examined shared initiatives in emergency medicine and trauma care as part of Chattanooga Navy Week, Tenn., June 16.

Rear Adm. Donald Gintzig, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, deputy chief medical operations and future plans, was the top Navy medical officer during the visit.

"We are honored Rear Adm. Gintzig visited our facility during Chattanooga Navy Week," said James Brexler, chief executive officer, Erlanger Health System. "It was a great opportunity to show our MEDEVAC transport capabilities and share best practices on patient care with the Admiral. In addition, it provided great insight as the care provided to service members on the battlefield is similar to the care we provide to our trauma patients every day."

During the visit, Gintzig was taken by helicopter to Erlanger Health Care System where he met with leadership, staff, and patients and toured the facility.

"As this region's trauma center, Erlanger sets itself apart in terms of a tertiary level referral center with their MEDEVAC capability to reach out to a wide population of those in need," said Gintzig. "Meeting with Erlanger leadership was a great exchange in discussing the similar roles in the care Navy Medicine provides to our patients."

During his presentation to staff, Gintzig shared how Navy Medicine's emergency medicine and trauma care is a critical piece of the chief of naval operation's maritime strategy. Along with traditional roles like deployments and projecting power abroad, Gintzig discussed how international partnerships and providing care through humanitarian assistance missions has further demonstrated how Navy Medicine's emergency medicine and research and development has made an impact on a global scale.

Erlanger, located in Chattanooga, Tenn., is a non-profit, academic teaching center affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. Erlanger is also a Level-One Trauma Center for adults and the only provider of tertiary care services for the citizens of an entire four-state region, encompassing southeast Tennessee, north Georgia, north Alabama and western North Carolina. In addition it offers both emergent and non emergent care to Children's Hospital located on the Erlanger campus.

Navy Medicine is a global healthcare network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

Chattanooga 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.