Photo By Sgt. Mary Carmona | Navy Capt. Rick Freedman, commanding officer of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune aboard...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Almost every morning the commanding voice of Navy Capt. Rick Freedman broadcasts over the hospital intercom system announcing the days’ events and motivating the staff of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune.
He began this duty, shortly after taking command of NHCL on Aug 15. He then returns to his office to focus on the day’s tasks, taking care of his staff and assessing the needs of the hospital.
“My predecessor left a fantastic organization, so nothing needed to be changed right away,” said Freedman, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native. “I’ve gone around to the staff and patients and have seen where we need to focus our energy.”
Freedman leads the hospital through a unique leadership style, taking a step back from himself and focusing more on those in his charge.
“I developed my leadership style from great leaders I’ve had,” said Freedman. “I lead through servant leadership, where it’s not about you. It’s about your job as a leader to serve those you work with and give them what they need to do their job.”
Servant leadership is one aspect of Freedman’s philosophy which he wants to leave as a legacy to the hospital.
“What I enjoy most about the hospital is the staff,” said Freedman. “I enjoy watching miracles happen every day, where people go about their job doing incredible things. I want to pass on my philosophy to the staff. The main aspects are readiness, quality training, education and research, living in the spirit of service to others and bringing the best every day.”
Through his philosophy, Freedman plans to improve the hospital by increasing enrollment and improving primary care.
“We want to reach out to the community and focus on our primary care, which centers on the patient,” said Freedman. “We sent letters out to retirees asking them to join us. No one will be more committed to their health than us.”
In addition to taking care of retirees, the hospital cares for service members and their dependents. Ultimately, caring for the families of service members benefits the operational readiness of deployed service members.
“Freedman is all about taking care of the patients,” said Senior Chief William Stewart, manpower and deployment senior enlisted at NHCL and Houston, Texas native. “Service members don’t have to worry about their families if they are well taken care of.”
Freedman’s career began at Camp Lejeune and his family was cared for at the naval hospital. He went through an experience through which he has gained a personal attachment to the hospital.
“My oldest son was born at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune 21 years ago,” said Freedman. “I feel a great connection not just to Camp Lejeune but also to the hospital. My family began here and returning as commanding officer is an honor.”
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2014 09:33 |
| Story ID: | 145187 |
| Location: | NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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