Articles

April 13, 2021

Tripler reaffirms commitment to inclusive, quality care during Black Maternal Health Week

Tripler Army Medical Center — About 700 women die per year in the United States as a result of pregnancy or its complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Feb. 11, 2021

Army Recovery Care Program Soldiers take up ax throwing and archery

ARLINGTON, Va — Soldier Recovery Units are offering sports that are causing axes and arrows to fly. It’s all part of events and programs that some Soldiers participate in as part of their adaptive reconditioning. Ax throwing is offered by an SRU in Kentucky, while archers are readying their bows at units in Texas and Hawaii. COVID-19 pandemic precautionary measures are practiced at all three locations. For those at the Fort Campbell SRU, ax throwing is a bimonthly event. It started last September at a location that reserved two hours just for them, said Adaptive Reconditioning Support Specialist Ashley Riddick. The first was devoted to practicing proper form and the second was dedicated to a double elimination tournament, Riddick said.

Nov. 30, 2020

Medical teams across Hawaii train jointly to promote mission readiness

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Over the course of four days in early October, Tripler Army Medical Center’s Emergency Department hosted a Joint Operations Medical Provider Readiness Simulation, here. Collectively the Army, Air Force and Navy contributed 23 facilitators and 80 participants, making this a true joint force exercise. “I’ve been in the military for 17 years and this is my first joint service training,” said Lt. Col. Rachel Blanton, certified registered nurse anesthetist at Tripler Army Medical Center. “We all have pretty similar jobs but we don’t see each other because we have these facilities where we don’t cross paths often.” Visit this link to read the full story - https://www.army.mil/article/241292

Nov. 25, 2020

Tripler Soldiers give Best Warrior Competition their all

TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Hawaii — Through the rain, mud, sand, heat, and ocean waves, Soldiers from Tripler Army Medical Center here competed in Tripler’s Best Warrior Competition, Nov. 18-20. Competitors were tested both physically and mentally, day and night, throughout the three-day competition. “The Best Warrior Competition challenges a Soldier’s technical and tactical skills, their critical thinking, and just flat-out grit,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony K. Forker, Jr., Tripler’s command sergeant major. “Some volunteer to participate and some are told to step up — no matter the manner in which they end up competing, every competitor comes out on the other side a better Soldier.” The first event began at midnight Nov.18 with night land navigation, followed by day land navigation. Day one ended with a mystery event, which included a one-mile beach run, drills in the sand and shore break, and a timed Army knowledge test. Visit this link to read full story https://www.army.mil/article/241249

Nov. 20, 2020

Slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii military communities

HONOLULU — Over the last few weeks, new COVID-19 cases throughout the United States have undergone a staggering increase. However, here in Hawaii, Department of Defense contact tracers stand ready to respond to potential COVID-19 surges within military communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contact tracing is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing helps protect individuals, families, and local communities by letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of the virus. As part of a joint public health working group, DoD public health officials have been working to train service members and civilian employees on how to conduct contact tracing on Oahu to help slow the spread of the virus. Visit this link to read the full story: https://www.army.mil/article/241096

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.