Articles

Oct. 16, 2020

The Importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month: One Woman’s Story

Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic — By 1st Lt. Shaniek Tose, Clinical Social Work Intern, October 16, 2020 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For most, the purpose of DVAM is to become educated about the warning signs, prevention, and treatment of domestic violence. For one woman, though, DVAM serves as a reminder of her own heart-rending experience as a survivor of domestic violence. I met Brandy Sloan when I was stationed at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. I was looking for a piano teacher for my daughter and a quick internet search returned her studio as the top result. On our first visit, she swung the door to her studio open with a warm, welcoming smile stretched across her face. She spoke in a melodic lilt that demanded the attention of young ears. Within months, Brandy ignited a passion and appreciation for music in my daughter. After learning more about Brandy and her path to becoming a music teacher, however, I realized that her entry into our lives would not have been possible if a violent ex-boyfriend had succeeded in taking her life eight years earlier.

Oct. 5, 2020

Tripler’s Warrior Transition Battalion deactivates, re-designated as a Soldier Recovery Unit

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — By Kayla Overton October 5, 2020 Tripler Army Medical Center’s Warrior Transition Battalion was deactivated and re-designated a Soldier Recovery Unit during a ceremony here Oct. 1. The newly renamed SRU is one of 14 to stand up across the nation, marking a major milestone in the Army Recovery Care Program restructure. The re-designation of WTUs to SRUs across the Army will allow caregivers to more adequately concentrate medical and administrative resources on the Soldiers who need them. “The Soldier Recovery Unit continues to provide critical support to meet the needs of Soldiers who are wounded, ill or injured, and who require medical case management through the triad of care and other medical and non-medical providers,” said Dr. (Col.) Martin Doperak, Tripler’s commander. “Change brings opportunity; the restructuring of a WTB to a SRU signifies a paradigm shift to support our Soldiers.”

Aug. 7, 2020

Donating plasma may be the key in the fight against COVID-19

TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, HONOLULU — By Mackenzie Walsh August 7, 2020 Maj. Gen. Michael Place sits in a chair, squeezing a red droplet-shaped stress ball. The apheresis machine, which separates plasma from blood, beeps like a video game, echoing something Place said earlier. “It’s a virus – we can win.” COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate against who it infects – even general officers are susceptible. Place, commanding general of the 18th Medical Command as of July 31, contracted COVID-19 in March of this year before coming to Hawaii for his current assignment. He is an example of the importance of getting tested even with mild symptoms. He never developed a cough but experienced a few days of fatigue and was febrile overnight. He stresses the importance of seeking medical guidance and self-isolation to protect your loved ones, even though it is difficult after you no longer feel ill.

July 1, 2020

Tripler celebrates 100 years of trusted care

TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Hawaii — By Mackenzie Walsh July 1, 2020 Tripler Army Medical Center, the big pink hospital on the hill, celebrated 100 years of the name Tripler, June 26. The celebration, marking 100 years of trusted care, began with a fitness team challenge among departments comprised of a 100 meter swim, 6.5 mile ruck, 3.2 mile run, and plank challenge in which the winner lasted more than 20 minutes. The day included an awards ceremony, specialty 1940s themed lunch, and cake cutting. During the ceremony, congratulatory notes from Governor David Ige and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Kirk Caldwell expressing their gratitude and appreciation of the military ohana were read. Caldwell, in recognition of this important milestone, proclaimed June 26, 2020 as “Tripler Army Medical Center Day” in recognition of their significant contributions over the past century.

April 29, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic spurs increase in telemedicine

REGIONAL HEALTH COMMAND-PACIFIC — By Christopher Larsen April 29, 2020 Restrictions put in place to help control spread of the novel coronavirus have resulted in a large increase in telemedicine appointments, according to providers across the region. “Currently, for RHC-P on-island, all MTFs are using telemedicine in one form or another,” said Michelle Huml-VanZile, synchronous program director at Honolulu's Tripler Army Medical Center. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, telemedicine is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance. A provider in one location uses a video setup to deliver care to a patient at another site, likely their home. Regional Health Command-Pacific's large geographic area - covering the West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, and Korea - means telemedicine's ability to bridge long distance gaps is a real advantage.

April 20, 2020

Tiny patients and technology

TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Hawaii — By Kayla Overton, Regional Health Command-Pacific April 20, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many go about their daily lives. The challenge is especially great for parents of the tiny newborns who require special care in Tripler Army Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit here. Generally, visitation is supported in the NICU to include siblings and family support, but with COVID-19, extra precautions have been put in place to help protect and safeguard newborns in the NICU. At this time, only essential personnel are allowed in the NICU. With these restrictions in place, some siblings and family members have yet to meet the newest addition to their families.

March 5, 2020

Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash — By Mr. Christopher Larsen (Regional Health Command Pacific) March 5, 2020 Novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, continues to spread worldwide. As COVID-19 spreads, so does information about the disease. If one surfs the Internet, everything from scientifically-proven medical information about the virus to debunked conspiracy theories can be found. More than 95,000 cases have been reported worldwide, and COVID-19 has killed more than 3,300 people, mostly in mainland China. The disease has spread wider in Washington state, where ten people have died. A 71-year-old-man in California with underlying health conditions passed away from the disease this week, bringing the nationwide death toll to 11.