MCPON Visits NBHC NASP

Photo By Carter Denton | PENSACOLA, Florida (December 20, 2019) Sailors assigned to Naval Hospital Pensacola pose for a photo with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith during Smith’s visit to Naval Branch Health Clinic Naval Air Station Pensacola. Smith visited the facility to express his appreciation to the hospital staff who responded in support of victims affected by the shooting that took place on board NASP December 6, 2019.  

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

12.23.2019

Story by Marcus Henry 

NMRTC Pensacola

NAVAL HOSPITAL PENSACOLA, Fla. – Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russ Smith visited Naval Branch Health Clinic Naval Air Station Pensacola Dec. 20, following an active shooter incident, to praise Sailors' response during and after the event.

Smith met with the clinic's officer in charge, senior enlisted leader, and Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team (SPRINT) to hear their stories and thank them for their efforts during and after the incident.

During the visit, Sailors shared with Smith their concerns and stories about the first aid care and initial response given to victims and other students in the clinic during the event.

"What you've already been able to do here is substantive," Smith said, addressing the team. "But I think that probably more work is coming your way, especially after the holidays."

After the incident, NHP activated its SPRINT team, which is responsible for providing short-term mental health support to the command immediately after a disaster. The goal is to prevent long-term unit and individual psychiatric dysfunction or disability.

"I've used mental health services," said Smith, highlighting NASP's Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team. "I use myself as an example to de-stigmatize that type of care, and I hope it's having some impact."

Smith also spoke about readiness and what combat might look like in the not-so-distant future. He encouraged the Sailors to capture all of their lessons learned from the incident.

"Lessons learned, and how you did what you did here could be the seedling behind how we start to think through how we're going to do what you did here in different environments." Smith stated.

"MCPONs message was in lockstep with what I think about the Corpsman, Providers, and Doctors that see our patients across the region," said Command Master Deidrick Walker, NHP's command master chief. "They're professional class-acts; to be able to see a person in need, and render the appropriate care."

"I think that it's important for the Sailors to be able to sit and share stories with the MCPON," Walker said about Smiths' visit. "And I think they felt he heard their concerns."

Established in 1826, Naval Hospital Pensacola's mission is to deliver high-quality health care and to ensure a medically ready force and a ready medical force through strategic partnerships and innovation.

• Date Taken: 12.23.2019
• Date Posted: 12.23.2019 15:48
• Story ID: 357131
• Location: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US