Guantanamo Gazette Vol. 45 -- No. 51 --U.S. Navy's only shore-based daily newspaper -- Monday, March 20, 1989 Navy's Blue Ribbon Panel: commitment to high-quality care This situation was unacceptable. The of view, is the understanding that we must apparent, but you should see tangible By ADM. CARLISLE A. H. TROST Navy's senior leadership recognized that more fully use existing treatmentcenters to improvements within a year. Chief of Naval Operations something had to be done - not just provide better in-house care. This means Some examples of the new programs because of our spiraling health care bill, but getting the patient back into the Naval are: hiring more administrative personnel Every individual who has entered the because we could not allow circumstances Hospital or clinic where he or she may be to relieve doctors of these tasks and allow naval service since World War II, whether to force us into breaking our promises to seen by caring and concerned Navy doctors them to treat more patients; lengthening as an active duty or a family member, has the 814,000 active duty Navy and Marine in a prompt and efficient manner. This is Hospital Corps "A" school and increasing received an important promise: that he or Corps personnel and nearly 1.7 million not an abstract goal, but a firm commit- the number of corpsmen attending ad- she would receive high-quality, caring other beneficiaries who relied on us to ment. It is simply an example of "taking vanced schools to improve their medical medical treatment for the duration of serv- provide them medical care. care of our own," a Navy tradition which training; expanding the Health Care Find- ice, or upon retirement from a naval career. In May 1988, Secretary of the Navy, will not wither on my watch. ers program to aid patients in finding For most of the past 40 years, we have William Ball, and I agreed to establish a To ensure we are able to fulfill this reasonably priced private medical care made good on that promise. Navy doctors Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) which would commitment, we must simultaneously when necessary; elimination of geographic were recognized as some of the best in the carefully study the forces affecting Navy move ahead with other initiatives: give top medical commands and clinics commands world. They were on active duty in ade- medicine and make specific recommenda- priority to our medical education and re- to put more medical personnel back into quate numbers to treat most of our eligible tions to allow us to correct deficiencies and tention programs; develop systems to bet- patient care duties and streamline the chain beneficiaries. In recent times, however, it become more responsive. Secretary Ball ter measure medical performance and of command; obtaining state-of-the-art has been increasingly difficult for us to directed the panel to report before the end measure this performance against high but medical equipment; and improving the fulfill this important moral obligation. We of the year. realistic standards; ensure our changes are performance of our contractors. have had to tell increasing numbers of cost-effective; let our beneficiaries and The Blue Ribbon Panel is a significant dependents and retirees to seek care from The panel was considered so important Congress know what changes are required milestone for Navy Medicine and a major civilian practitioners through the Civilian that it was chaired by the Vice Chief of and why; and continually monitor our step forward in giving our Navy family Health and Medical Program of the Uni- Naval Operations. Its other members were progress to ensure that our medical system access to high quality medical care. The formed Services (CHAMPUS) and, as also very senior Navy leaders who were in more effectively meets the demands placed programs that will result from the BRP medical costs rose, to pay more for that positions to implement recommendations on it. report are a demonstration of the Navy's privilege. At the same time, CHAMPUS in very short order once they were ap- Wecannotbecertain, butitappears that commitment to giving Navy families the costs rose to nearly a third of the $3.6 proved. The BRP came to six general Congress will support these recommenda- care they deserve and were promised when billion that the Navy spends annually on conclusions. Foremost among these, from tions with the funds needed to implement they signed on. Navy leadership will not medicine. the average medical care recipient's point them. Changes may not be immediately waver from that commitment. W. T. Sampson Elementary School holds medieval fair jesters and Merlin the Wizard entertained castles to show different kinds of architec- By JOSN DIRK ROSE the crowd. ture, a stained glass demonstration was held However, before people moved on to by Robert Ross and there was also a dem- The Talented and Gifted (TAG) stu- the displays, a parade was held with the onstration of basket weaving. In addition, dents of W.T. Sampson Elementary students dressedin medieval fashion. Once education and calligraphy were displayed School held a medieval fair, dubbed the the group moved to the end, Daniel Wilson along with medieval fashions, weaponry "Middle Ages Fayre," Tuesday at the ele- heralded King Fred Costin and Queen and a special section was set aside for the mentary school. Kathy Rohe, who came riding out on jail, complete with stocks. According to Margaret Kennedy, TAG magnificent steeds. "The kids made some really fantastic teacher, the fair was as much a learning Time, effort and preparation were weapons," saidKennedy. "Onemadeareal experience as a good time. apparent in the whole event and Kennedy nice morning starand Homer Gonzalez and "The TAG students had studied the noted that work has been going on since his son Edward made the catapults." Middle Ages in class and the fair was to January. And while the students were having a inform them as to what the Middle Ages "The TAG classes have been working ball and learning all about the Middle Ages, was like," said Kennedy. on and off since January," she stated. "We the teachers weren't left out. Some of the activities at the fair were haven't worked on it everyday and each "Students from the high school painted very much the same as in the Middle Ages, class had different responsibilities." a large dragon for us and the teachers however, some had to be modified. The second grade's job was entertain- competed in an archery contest," Kennedy "We had calligraphy displays, samples ment, which was quite authentic. said. "Larry Wall, sixth-grade teacher, and of bread and juice, a modified version of Pam Whitmore, kindergarten teacher, both jousting and scaled-down versions of cata- "In the main court we had a dummy set up forjousting and also had rings set up for hit the heart to be co-winners. pults," Kennedy mentioned. "Everything went well and the commu- Daniel Wilson announces the arri- Tents were set up by the Marine Corps a race," Kennedy said. nity involvement was great," she con- val of the king and queen. (Photo around a large display area where court As for the tents, sixth graders made cluded. by JOSN Dirk Rose) Holy week schedule Catholic Services: Base Chapel Monday, March 20 - 7:00 p.m. - Sunday, March 26 - 9:00 a.m. - Parish Reconciliation Service at the Base Catholic Easter Mass at the Base Chapel Chapel - 11:00 a.m. - Catholic Easter Mass at the Leeward Chapel Tuesday, March 21 - 4:30 p.m.- Sta- tions of the Cross at the Base Chapel Protestant Services Thursday, March 23 - 7:00 p.m. - Celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) Anniver- Friday, March 24 - 11:30 a.m. - sary of the First Eucharist and the Sacrament Good Friday Worship at the Base Chapel of Holy Orders at the Base Chapel - Noon - Good Friday Worship at the Leeward Chapel Friday, March 24 - 6:30 p.m. - "Living" Stations of the Cross at the Base Sunday, March 26 - 5:45 a.m. - Chapel Easter Sunrise Service at the McCalla Ly- 7:00 p.m. - Proclamation of the Passion, ceum Veneration of the Cross, Reception of Holy - 5:45 a.m. - Easter Sunrise Service at Communion at the Base Chapel Upper Chapman Beach, Leeward Point - 8:45 a.m. - Easter Service at the Leeward Saturday, March 25 - 3:30 p.m. - Chapel Blessing of Easter Baskets at the Base Chapel - 11:00 a.m. - Easter Service at the Base - 4:30 p.m. - Sacrament of Reconciliation Chapel at the Base Chapel - 6:00 p.m. - Gospel Hour at the Base - 7:00 p.m. - Vigil Mass of Easter at the Chapel CAPTAIN'S CORNER Captain John S. Boyd, USN BAY NEWS Naval Base Commander NEX special Central Fidelity Bank Central Fidelity Bank will have a teller at the Wisdom. My dictionary says vided. Of course, wise King Solo- The Navy Exchange will be offering a dry cleaning special through March 24. Cleaning of all Leeward Point facility Tuesday, March 21. that wisdom is "that quality of mon knew then which was the real is 50 percent off. judging rightly and following the mother and presented the living men's uniforms soundest course of action, based on baby, whole, to the first woman. PGD Board meeting knowledge, experience, understand- I guess that story points out a Easter Special The Naval Station Professional Growth and ing, good judgment and - get this - couple things. First, King Solomon The Marine Corps Exchange and McDonalds Development Board will meet Tuesday, March 21, sagacity." That pretty much says it was a pretty wise fellow.