NMCSD's Face to Face Program Virtually Brings Families Together

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chelsea A. Radford, Naval Medical Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- One deployed service member was able to meet his son for the first time utilizing Naval Medical Center San Diego's (NMCSD) Face to Face program, Sept. 10.

Using the Face to Face program, a service that connects family members with their hospitalized loved ones, Marine Corps Sgt. Jesse A. Schneider, currently deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, was able to sit virtually in the delivery room as his son, Caiden A. Schneider, was born.

"It was amazing," said Tiffany A. Schneider, Schneider's wife. "I think about it, and it brings tears to my eyes. Although he wasn't here in person, it made our family complete."

"He loved it," said Tiffany of her husband. "He wants to help as much as possible, and being in Afghanistan he feels it's really hard to do. He was able to be supportive and get to see his son before the rest of the world did."

Face to Face is available for a broad spectrum of patient needs, from pregnant women with a deployed significant other to service members who are facing medical emergencies.

Face to Face utilizes a video teleconference system called Defense Connect Online that permits the use of streaming video and audio from a secure feed.

"This program helps families by uniting them at a stressful time," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Charles M. Powers, Face to Face program coordinator. He went on to explain how technology allows a visual and audio connection that was previously unavailable.

The program was established in 2007, with only 26 participants to date. NMCSD Patient Relations hopes to raise awareness so more beneficiaries will utilize this service.

"If we did one Face to Face a year, gave one service member and their family the opportunity to either welcome a baby while deployed, or even to say goodbye one last time, this program would be a success," said Powers. "That would give the service member a peace of mind and help allow them to concentrate on the task at hand."

Patients using the program can use the teleconference system in the privacy of their own room, for up to an hour. Face to Face is typically conducted during normal business hours, but special cases may be granted after working hours. The program works on a first come first served basis, but is available for multiple patients in a single day.

For more information on NMCSD or the Face to Face program, visit www.navy.mil/local/sd or contact Patient Relations Department at 619-532-6418.