An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Navy Medicine supportive care for Alabama hospital caregivers

16 September 2021

From Douglas Stutz

There’s a hand-painted sign announcing ‘Heroes Work Here’ outside of Dale Medical Center in Ozark, Alabama.The personalized statement is as much a reference to the over-worked staff as it is to the U.S. Navy Medicine team who deployed there in early September, 2021.A active duty team of nurses, providers and hospital corpsmen has been sent into
There’s a hand-painted sign announcing ‘Heroes Work Here’ outside of Dale Medical Center in Ozark, Alabama.

The personalized statement is as much a reference to the over-worked staff as it is to the U.S. Navy Medicine team who deployed there in early September, 2021.

A active duty team of nurses, providers and hospital corpsmen has been sent into Alabama as part of continued Department of Defense COVID response operations in conjunction with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer support to help deal with the spread of COVID.

“We’re part of DoD’s ongoing COVID operations to support FEMA and the state of Alabama,” said Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Rutledge, the officer in charge of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Everett. “We’re all proud to be part of the whole-of-government response and increase the medical capacity to care for COVID patients that have taxed local community assets.”

According to local reports, hospitals throughout southwest Alabama are trying to accommodate providing care for patients beyond normal intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. Just two days before the Navy medicine team arrived, approximately 2,775 new patients were admitted for care across the state. Many of these hospitalizations are attributed to the Delta variant of the virus.

Vernon Johnson, the Dale Medical Center chief executive officer, delivered a stark reminder on the current concerns of an overwhelmed staffing trying to stop the spread of the pandemic and deal with increased COVID cases.

“Now’s not the time to have a heart attack or a major car wreck, or something serious because there is nowhere to send you,” said Johnson while addressing local media outlets.

The Navy medicine response team arrived Sept. 6, 2021 to relieve pressure on the hospital and its staff. There are 16 from Naval Medical Center San Diego, two from Navy Hospital Twentynine Palms, one from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and four from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Bremerton; Lt. Cmdr. Andrew C. Rutledge, Lt. Candice Carter, Lt. Adeline Guina and Hospital Corpsman 2ndClass Tessa Hazard, one of two corpsmen with specialized skills as respiratory therapists .

“Our job is to support FEMA and the state of Alabama to provide medical assets in the COVID response,” said Rutledge, a 16-year Navy Medical Service Corps officer from Sarasota, Florida.

Rutledge, as Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Everett officer in charge (OIC), is handling operations officer responsibilities to assist coordination of the daily operations for both military and community medical assets to ensure the mission is accomplished.

“I will assist the OIC in administrative and operational duties to maximize our clinical staff’s proficiency in patient care,” Rutledge said. “I’m thrilled to be supporting my fellow citizens and to help alleviate suffering from the pandemic.”

Rutledge and others began their mission with a familiarization briefing to learn the local hospital guidelines and mission, background information and insight on the local surrounding community. Four days after their arrival, they began working side-by-side with their civilian colleagues.

Twelve hour days – at minimum – are now the norm for the team. They’ve been helping provide care for COVID and non-COVID cases in the ICU, multi service unit and emergency room. The ICU, being full, is the busiest. When a bed does open up, it is quickly filled. Dale Medical Center has all but rolled out the welcome mat in their appreciation for the DoD medical professionals.

“They have been outstanding and extremely thankful for our help. We are enjoying a lot of southern hospitality,” said Rutledge, noting that all Navy personnel have been adaptable in fitting into their new working environment.

“Although not the same as where many of the team members come from, the Sailor’s prior experiences in many different medical treatment facilities and deployments in unique environments over the years make adaptation more of the norm for us,” Rutledge continued. “Many of the staff have been working at Dale Medical Center for 30 years or more. Our goal is to acclimate to their schedule and be like them as much as we can in how they support their community.”

There are five military bases in Alabama, including Fort Rucker located in Dale County, but none belonging to the Department of the Navy. As such, the Navy uniform and insignia have caught the attention of the locals.

“When we have had the opportunity to have meals and such while in uniform in the local area, our staff have been well received and thanked for their service both for what they normally do and what they are doing today” said Rutledge. “In speaking with the manager at the Dairy King who noticed our uniforms, she commented her thanks and how folks in her town really need the help and how much it has affected the community,”

As in any deployment, there are some days which are more trying than others. For over a year and half, dealing with the pandemic has taxed many, if not all, in most clinical settings. Rutledge affirms he understands the adversity and complexity the Dale Medical Center staff has had to handle, yet still they persevere in caring for those in need.

“Seeing the loss that many of the local staff have had to endure these past 18 months, and the challenge ahead in preventing more has been difficult for them,” observed Rutledge, adding that it has been gratifying to see Navy medicine working well alongside the hospital and “strong Alabama National Guard support.”

The Navy medicine team’s mission is open-ended with no definitive end date.

Yet.

“Our team is very honored, humbled and we're excited to be part of this holistic approach to responding to the crisis. We look forward to working alongside the Dale Medical Center staff, providing medical support and treatment to our fellow Americans in this local community during this time of need,” said Cmdr. Maggie Parks, Naval Medical Center San Diego Industrial Hygiene department head, and team lead.

Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon