A U.S. Navy occupational therapist is improving access to care, strengthening inpatient services, and advancing joint medical readiness through hands-on training and clinical excellence.

Lt. j.g.Karl Cormier, an occupational therapist assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam, has played a key role in expanding patient access to care while elevating the quality of trauma and inpatient rehabilitation services. Through targeted process improvements and a focus on high-acuity care, Cormier has helped ensure timely, effective treatment for service members and beneficiaries across the island.

Working in a geographically isolated environment, Cormier identified gaps in access to occupational therapy (OT) services and implemented solutions to reduce wait times and improve continuity of care. To reduce delay in receiving therapy for patients with non-fracture injuries of the upper extremity, he works with the Emergency Department (ED) to have the patients go directly to OT for treatment and splinting. Cormier has also performed a full audit of the ED for fall hazards and provided a list of equipment to reduce the risk of falls along with training to support patients in the ED. These efforts have directly supported operational readiness by enabling faster recovery and return to duty for injured personnel.

More Details

Lt. j.g. Karl Cormier, left, an occupational therapist assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam, trains Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alexis Hawkins on splinting techniques. In addition to training the U.S. Navy physical therapists and physical therapy technicians at the hospital, Cormier led training for U.S. Air Force physical therapy technicians from the 36th Medical Group, Andersen Air Force Base, focused on splinting as well as essential inpatient rehabilitation skills. The training equipped therapists and technicians with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to support patient care in both clinical and operational settings. Cormier has played a key role in expanding patient access to care and advancing joint medical readiness while elevating the quality of trauma and inpatient rehabilitation services. Through targeted process improvements and a focus on high-acuity care, Cormier has helped ensure timely, effective treatment for service members and beneficiaries across the island.

260217-N-OU364-1001

Lt. j.g. Karl Cormier, left, an occupational therapist assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam, trains Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alexis Hawkins on splinting techniques. In addition to training the U.S. Navy physical therapists and physical therapy technicians at the hospital, Cormier led training for U.S. Air Force physical therapy technicians from the 36th Medical Group, Andersen Air Force Base, focused on splinting as well as essential inpatient rehabilitation skills. The training equipped therapists and technicians with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to support patient care in both clinical and operational settings. Cormier has played a key role in expanding patient access to care and advancing joint medical readiness while elevating the quality of trauma and inpatient rehabilitation services. Through targeted process improvements and a focus on high-acuity care, Cormier has helped ensure timely, effective treatment for service members and beneficiaries across the island.

SHARE IMAGE:

Download Image

Image Details

Photo By: Lt. Amanda Kundrat

VIRIN: 260217-N-OU364-1001

In addition to improving access, Cormier has demonstrated clinical expertise in trauma and inpatient care, managing complex cases and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. This work has enhanced the hospital’s ability to care for critically injured patients, aligning with military health system priorities for readiness and high-reliability care.

“The USNH Guam trauma program focuses on delivering the right care, by the right team, at the right time, using a multidisciplinary approach that spans from pre-hospital response through post-discharge recovery," said Cdr. Paul Lewis, trauma medical director at USNH Guam. "Many injured patients, particularly those affected by falls, require OT services to regain function and independence. With an average consult-to-treatment time of 0.6 days, Lt. j.g. Cormier has been instrumental in elevating inpatient therapy, accelerating recovery, enhancing readiness, and improving return-to-function outcomes. His contributions to the trauma team have significantly strengthened the quality of care for our injured patients.”

Recognizing the importance of joint force integration, Cormier also led training sessions for Air Force physical therapy technicians, focused on splinting techniques and essential inpatient rehabilitation skills. The training equipped technicians with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to support patient care in both clinical and operational settings.

“As the sole occupational therapist at USNH Guam, Lt j.g. Cormier is a force multiplier, and is at the forefront of our community’s readiness mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Denise Sahm, OT assistant specialty leader. "Training across services ensures we are all speaking the same clinical language and prepared to deliver high-quality care wherever the mission takes us."

These efforts have strengthened interoperability between the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force medical personnel in Guam, contributing to a more agile and capable joint medical force. Cormier’s initiative and commitment to patient care reflect both the Defense Health Agency and Navy Medicine missions to deliver readiness and health services to support warfighters, their families, and all entrusted to their care.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guam continues to prioritize innovation, collaboration, and excellence in care to meet the unique challenges of the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guam is a 282,000 square foot military treatment facility that supports the joint forces and strengthens the island by projecting forward-deployed medical power, delivering high-quality care, and forging strategic partnerships. The MTF and its staff of nearly 700 offers a broad range of primary and specialty medical services in support of more than 27,000 beneficiaries.