USNH Yokosuka Honors Caregivers with Appreciation Day

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mike Mulcare, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Japan

May 13, 2010 - YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka's U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) honored its caregivers by declaring May 12 Caregiver Appreciation Day.

Caregivers are the civilian volunteers, Department of Defense medical personnel and service members who provide care to patients such as Hospital Corpsman, chaplains, medical officers, and others who play a role in caring.

"Today, we're celebrating our caregivers with Caregiver Appreciation Day," said Lt. j.g. Michael Anderson, hospital chaplain and Bay City, Mich., native. "We'd like to recognize all the sacrifices caregivers and their families give for the benefit of the mission."

This year marked the first Caregiver Appreciation Day in Yokosuka. The day offered caregivers and their families a magic show for children; a symposium on operational stress, self care, and spirituality and an open floor question and answer session with Anderson.

"I came out here to offer my personal thanks to caregivers," said Mike Applegate, a Red Cross volunteer and magician for the event. "This is the first time anything has been done on this level. We're recognizing what the caregivers do and I thank them for that."

The goal of the symposium was to offer caregivers tools and training on how to care for themselves. Numerous service members from USNH agree that in caring for others, caregivers often neglect caring for themselves.

"Caregivers, because they take care of so many people, often neglect self-care. This conference today has professionals who provide tips and methods for self-care," said Anderson. "Care for the caregiver is very important with all the stresses and high-tempo operations they take part in."

Capt. Kevin D. Moore, the hospital's commanding officer shared his gratitude to caregivers.

"I'd like to thank you all for the things you do and the sarifices you make," said Moore. "It truly is an honor to serve next to each and every one of you."