Charities Discuss Continued Support To Washington Medical Centers

By Sarah Fortney, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) met with charitable organizations Jan. 22 at NNMC to discuss continued support for troops and their families in the new joint environment.

Updating the groups on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and integration, Chief of Staff for Integration and Transition Capt. David Bitonti explained to supporters that all clinics have integrated thus far and it is now a matter of physically moving everyone under one roof.

While the America building (Building A) and Arrowhead building (Building B) are complete, construction is still underway for the new wounded warrior barracks and an underground parking garage. A new administrative building (Building 17) and a new parking garage near the Fisher Houses are also nearing completion.

Bitonti told the charitable organizations wishing to support the hospital, once the physical integration is complete; the expectation is to have all charitable groups managed by the Warrior and Family Coordination Cell (WFCC), a centralized platform to assist with coordinating services.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) is the point of contact for groups wishing to support base activities; because, a number of functions are now part of the base. In addition to the BRAC update, the meeting was also an opportunity to put a face to each organization, said Jane Gilhooly, Oakleaf Club president, who helped organize the meeting.

A first of its kind, she said, last week's meeting gave the charitable organizations a chance to see where they overlap, allowing them to move forward as integration quickly approaches. Along with the Oakleaf Club, representatives from the Walter Reed Auxiliary Club, Walter Reed Society, NNMC's Fisher Houses, Red Cross, and the Naval Dental Officers' Spouses Club, each gave a brief presentation of their organization's purpose and membership structure.

Together, they agreed that, in the future, they will plan to rely on NNMC's Red Cross chapter for volunteer training as needed for those who wish to assist with the charitable organizations, said Gilhooly. Offering similar programs and social events, Walter Reed Auxiliary (WRA) and the Oakleaf Club will work together to integrate their activities.

"They have a day book club and we have an evening book club," said Gilhooly. "We'll merge our branches."

All organizations will join efforts and extend their membership privileges across their clubs.

"That means that we'll be able to meet the [potential needs of the hospital]," said Gilhooly.

"If we know what each [group] does, we can do different things and meet different needs," added retired Col. Janet Southby, president of the Walter Reed Society.

The Walter Reed Society, founded in 1996, supports educational, patient, treatment and research activities at WRAMC. Since 2004, the society has given more than $1.53 million in grants; this month, the organization donated $34,000 to assist with a therapeutic program for family members whose loved ones suffer from a traumatic brain injury.

Southby noted that bringing the groups together ensured there wouldn't be any duplication of efforts. Coming together is a step in the right direction.

"The initial discussions and getting to know each other is really important because you have to learn [about] each other and work together," said Southby.

"It's really great for some of the key players to get together and meet each other," said Becky Woods, a Fisher House manager at NNMC. "It was really interesting to hear a little bit more detail about how it's going to play out."

The Fisher House program, established in 1990, provides military families a place to stay, at no cost, while their loved one is in treatment.

The Fisher Houses at both NNMC and WRAMC have been working together to provide support for military family members, said Woods.

"It's great we've come together behind the scenes, so to speak, because it's going to make it seamless for the families," said Woods. "It's really important to plan ahead of time."

She believes the groups will continue to work together and, in doing so, carry on their traditions, supporting patients and their loved ones.

"We care about our families, we just want to take care of them," said Woods. "It's our job to look out for them and give them a safe place. We have their best interest at heart."

In the coming months, Gilhooly said she plans to help coordinate more meetings for charitable groups to discuss BRAC and integration. Those interested in attending can e-mail oakleafdc@gmail.com. To address your BRAC-related concerns or suggestions, e-mail NNMCDCIT@med.navy.mil.

For more news from National Naval Medical Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nnmc/.