August 22, 2025, BETHESDA, Md. – The Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center (NBIMC) held a change of charge ceremony at the United Service Organization (USO) Bethesda, marking the transfer of leadership from Cmdr. Marshall Hoffman to Capt. Joel Sklar. The event honored Hoffman’s accomplishments and welcomed Sklar as the new officer in charge, reaffirming the center’s role in medical readiness, force health protection, and compassionate care for service members.

"The change of charge we mark today is a bridge and not a break — it is a symbol of continuity in service, of the unbroken chain of responsibility that ensures our Sailors, Marines, and all who serve remain healthy, ready, and protected," said Sklar, highlighting the enduring mission of NBIMC.

During Hoffman’s tenure, he oversaw more than 330,000 force screening tests for bloodborne pathogens, ensuring timely and accurate results for military members worldwide. His leadership supported evaluations for 80 new HIV diagnoses, linking service members to early treatment and preserving mission continuity. He also directed 64 medical suitability screenings for personnel with HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, providing precise assessments for overseas and operational assignments.

Hoffman’s impact extended beyond clinical oversight, often making a direct difference in individual cases. He coordinated HIV care at an Army medical center in Hawaii to support a Sailor’s overseas assignment and arranged flight physical requirements for a Navy pilot, ensuring medical readiness at their next squadron. “Hoffman offered true customer service that made a real difference at the individual level,” said Capt. Darryl Arfsten, Commander, Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command, presiding officer of the ceremony.

These accomplishments directly supported Navy Medicine’s operational mission to strengthen readiness, protect the force and uphold the well-being of Sailors and Marines.

Looking ahead, Sklar emphasized the importance of confronting stigma and fear surrounding bloodborne infections. “It is our charge to confront those barriers: to provide accurate information, to protect confidentiality, to advocate for evidence-based policy and to ensure every service member knows that health status does not define worth or diminish service,” he said.

“Together, we will carry this mission forward with clarity of purpose, courage to face challenges and a shared commitment to our charge,” Sklar added, affirming the center’s dedication to safeguarding the health of the force and sustaining trust in Navy Medicine.

The Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center (NBIMC) leads the Department of the Navy in managing bloodborne pathogens by delivering specialized expertise and advancing medical readiness and policy development related to HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. NBIMC plays a critical role in safeguarding the Navy’s blood supply through centralized screening, surveillance, and comprehensive infection management. As a key component of force health protection, NBIMC supports operational readiness by ensuring Sailors and Marines have access to the latest diagnostic, treatment, and prevention strategies for bloodborne infections.