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USNS Mercy Accepts First Patients in Los Angeles
U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs (NNS) — The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) accepted its first patients in Los Angeles March 29 during its support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our crew for all the hard work they did to get us here and ready in such a short time,” said Capt. John Rotruck, Mercy’s Military Treatment Facility commanding officer. “Being able to accept our first patients is a true testament of the teamwork between Mercy, the Navy, the State of California, the county of Los Angeles, and the City and Port of L.A.”
While in Los Angeles, the ship will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals, and will provide a full spectrum of medical care to include general surgeries, critical care and ward care for adults. This will allow local health professionals to focus on treating COVID-19 patients and for shore-based hospitals to use their Intensive Care Units and ventilators for those patients.
“The men and women embarked on board Mercy are energized, eager, and ready to provide relief to those in need,” said Rotruck.
Mercy is a seagoing medical treatment facility that currently has personnel embarked for the Los Angeles mission, including Navy medical and support staff assembled from 22 commands, as well as over 70 civil service mariners.
Mercy’s primary mission is to provide an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facility to the U.S. military that is flexible, capable, and uniquely adaptable to support expeditionary warfare. Mercy’s secondary mission is to provide full hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide.
U.S. 3rd Fleet is operating as the Maritime Command Element, West, for U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH), under U.S. Northern Command for Defense Support of Civil Authorities in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead agency.
Headspace Plus is Free for Healthcare Professionals for 2020
Meditate your way to this link to claim your free membership for this meditation app:
SECNAV Wants Your Ideas for COVID-19 Response
Here is a quote from the SENAV’s 17th weekly vector:
Sometimes even the most unlikely person steps up with an idea, with inspiration, with
confidence, and leads when they are needed most. In this time of national crisis, that person may be YOU…I’ve asked the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps to think creatively about how the entire Department of the Navy can further assist our civilian sisters and brothers, directly and indirectly. They (and we) need to hear your ideas, too. We have set up an email address to capture all of them and every one of them will matter, because good ideas have no rank:
Pain Medicine Fellowship Director – San Antonio
Here’s the announcement for this position.
Candidates must be eligible to PCS to San Antonio NLT 1 Sep 2020 and meet qualifications described in the ACGME requirements. Detailer concurrence should be obtained before applying. Packages (CV, Bio, Letter of Intent, OSR/PSR, two Letters of Recommendation, and three References) should be submitted to CDR Melissa Austin (contact info is in the global) NLT 30 April 2020.
Army Corps of Engineers Creates Alternative Care Facilities
Here’s a link to this interesting article about what the Army is doing. Is this where some of our Expeditionary Medical Facilities would go if activated?
Principal Deputy to the Assistant Director for Management, DHA – O6
There is a short fuse opportunity for an O-6 to become the Principal Deputy to the Assistant Director for Management, DHA. The desired report date is June 1, 2020; duty station is Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, VA. Although the position description says they want an MSC officer, it is open to applicants from any Corps. Nominations are due to DHA on April 1, so any potential applicants should reach out to CDR Melissa Austin (contact in the global) immediately.
Military Times – After Trump’s Order, DoD Reviewing How Many Guard, Reserve Troops to Bring Back for COVID-19 Fight
Here’s a link to this article that mentions activating the Ready Reserve:
After Trump’s Order, DoD Reviewing How Many Guard, Reserve Troops to Bring Back for COVID-19 Fight
Here’s a Washington Post article as well:
Trump issues order to bring former troops back to active duty to assist in coronavirus response
Message from the Navy Surgeon General
Esteemed Navy Medicine Shipmates,
As front-line protectors of our Sailors, Marines and their families against the coronavirus, I want to provide you with an update of our efforts, highlight the great work Navy Medicine is doing to support our country and share my intent for the way forward as we meet this unprecedented challenge with the full force of our Navy Medical Power.
PEOPLE: First, I want to thank all of you for your hard work and commitment to our nation in this time of great challenge as we face this global pandemic. We are taking all necessary measures to protect our active-duty, reserve, and civilian work force. Protecting our people is our top priority. To that end, all DoD installations are operating at HPCON level Charlie and starting March 31, all medical and dental treatment facilities will postpone most elective surgeries, invasive procedures, and dental procedures for 60 days. These actions will enhance medical staff safety, prolong the supply of personal protective equipment, and allow us to refocus our skills and expertise directly to the front lines of the COVID-19 response.
PLATFORMS: As I write this, USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) is pulling into the pier in Los Angeles. Tomorrow, the crew, which includes almost 100 volunteer reservists, will begin seeing patients. The goal is to unburden the Los Angeles Health Care System of non-COVID-19 patients so that its providers can focus on the care of those afflicted with the virus. USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), also supplemented with reserve volunteers, will sail from Hampton Roads this weekend and be on station, ready to see patients in New York City by the beginning of the week. Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) – Mike assigned to Naval Hospital Jacksonville has been activated, and an additional EMF is on standby awaiting notification. Combined with our existing deployments around the world, almost 4,000 Navy Medical personnel are out forward, protecting our nation. This will be the largest deployment since Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Those who remain at our medical treatment facilities are also on the front lines in this fight given the ubiquitous nature of this virus.
PERFORMANCE: As we collectively face this challenge head on, teamwork, and an even greater vigilance to ensure continued safe, high quality care will be critical. We also need to be willing to rethink our usual hierarchies of care. Those not directly involved in treating COVID-19 patients should seek out opportunities to support those who are. As our primary care clinics and emergency rooms get busier with COVID patients, I would ask our specialists to lean forward and treat conditions within their specialty areas without the requirement for a consultation where feasible. The unprecedented nature of this situation means that we must adapt quickly at the local level. As an organization that values high velocity learning as the means by which we continuously improve the quality of our performance, please practice rapid cycle feedback within your work teams and share the lessons you learn widely so that our entire organization can benefit.
POWER: You and the critical work that you are doing is the source of Navy Medicine’s power. Whether you are on the front lines treating patients; in the laboratory processing diagnostic tests, doing the science necessary to defeat this pathogen, or providing the support that keeps our system running, YOU need to stay healthy. This campaign will be a marathon, not a sprint. Find a sustainable battle rhythm and monitor your energy level. Know when to take a knee and recharge your batteries, both physically AND mentally. Practice all of the recommended preventative measures to protect yourself and your family. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement. Stay in close touch with those who matter to you and reach out virtually to those who would benefit from your moral support. We are the medical experts our Sailors, Marines and their families rely upon for their health and readiness. Preserve your health so that we can preserve theirs. Thank you for YOUR compassion, professionalism, and selfless dedication to duty.
The mission may be non-traditional, but you have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to fight and win. This challenge will be no different. To the people of the world, just the sight of Navy Medicine on the horizon fills them with a sense of hope. Now we get to instill that same sense of hope to our own Nation.
Stay strong America….We are on our way!
With respect and admiration, SG
Federal Tax Deadline Changed and Finance Friday Articles
Please note that tax day is now July 15th. This means you have until then to contribute to retirement accounts for 2019.
Here are my favorites this week:
How Are Diversified Portfolios Holding up During the Crash?
Should I Sell When the Market is Low? Dealing with the Bear Market
Here are the rest of this week’s articles:
6 Financial Takeaways From the Coronavirus Outbreak
9 Reasons NOT to Tax-Loss Harvest
A recession at hand—and a quick end
Bond ETF discounts during recent volatility
Diversification, Beating the Market, and Telling the Future
How Ben Carlson is Managing His Own Money Through the Crisis
How Does the Market Crash Impact Retirees?
How Much Time Does It Take To Manage Your Own Rental Properties?
How To Get Started in Telemedicine
Inject Discipline Into Your Investing Right Now
It’s Never Too Early to Start: The Rapid FIRE Approach of One Enterprising Medical Student
Random Thoughts on the Crash As We Catch Our Breath
The Impact of Coronavirus on Real Estate Markets
The Marginal Value of the Backdoor Roth. Is it Worth the Trouble?
The Market Is Rocky. Will Target-Date Funds Change Their Strategy?
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 