SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Members of the Warrior Transition Battalion - Hawaii (WTB-Hawaii) cadre and staff recently traveled to Guam for a semi-annual remote care visit March 30 to April 3, 2015.
According to participants, the trip proved to be productive for all involved in the engagement.
The WTB-Hawaii's main priorities, which drove the mission during the visit, centered on continued care for Soldiers attached to the WTB-Hawaii.
The trip's main focus was on the discussion of resources and access to those resources for Soldiers in the Guam Remote Care Program. The Guam Remote Care Program was established June 2014 to assist Guamanian Soldiers in Transition originally seeking care in Hawawaii, to heal in Guam, allowing a more family integrated Traid of Care.
Donna Gatewood, lead WTB-Hawaii Social Worker, Sherri Camacho, WTB-Hawaii lead Occupational Therapist, and Capt. Renae Lauterbach, WTB-Hawaii Battalion Nurse Case Manager, met with the Guam Naval Hospital Command Group to discuss the Guam Remote Program and the need to establish more Behavioral Health programs and related medical resources to meet the needs of Soldiers in Transition (STs) in Guam.
Together they were able to compile a roster for direct contact with the hospital Chain of Command (COC), Patient Administration and department heads for each specialty.
The creation of the roster is expected to enhance communication between the organizations and facilitate quicker care of STs.
"The progress we made will allow for smoother transition for STs in the remote care program," expressed Lauterbach. "The Guam remote care platoon and the Guam Naval Hospital command are extremely supportive of the mission of the WTB and getting the Guam STs the best care possible".
Additionally, cadre were able to work with 1st Lt. Michael Taman, Guam Remote Care Platoon Leader, to complete the Pacific Regional Medical Command's top 13 training priorities and inspect all administrative items to ensure compliance with Warrior Transition Command guidance.
"It's important to be on ground and observe the unit (Guam National Guard Remote Care Platoon) operations, medical care, and the unique challenges they are facing," said Staff Sgt. Alicia Andrews, the WTB-Hawaii Guam Remote Care Platoon Sergeant. "By connecting with the Guam leadership, we are able to understand their concerns and assist in addressing those concerns better."
Over the past eight months, the program has successfully transitioned 88% of the Soldiers selected to participate in the Guam Remote Care Platoon.
According to Capt. Christopher Phillips, WTB-Hawaii Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) Commander, the program has without a doubt been a great opportunity to allow Soldiers to transition closer to their families, which assists in the reintegration process.
"From the commander's foxhole, it was a very humbling experience to be afforded the opportunity to view and experience the culture of Guam, which allowed better understanding and connection to the STs from Guam," stated Phillips. "It is a great honor to be charged with this unique mission to strategically make a difference for our Soldiers."
This program will continue to remain one of the top priorities for WTB-Hawaii due to the impact it has on the ST's ability to heal, and the additional value of the ST being located in Guam where their family can be incorporated in the healing and transition plan.
The staff and cadre will continue to build on the progress achieved during the trip to continue to improve the remote care program and build stronger relations with the Guam Naval Hospital Command Group and the Guam Remote Care Platoon COC.
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