Navy Medicine Meets with Top Leaders during Houston Navy Week

HOUSTON (NNS) -- Navy Medicine leadership met with academic, scientific, civic, sports, and corporate leaders to discuss shared initiatives in patient care models, traumatic brain injury treatment, and Navy Medicine's capabilities as part of Houston Navy Week, Oct. 23-24.

Rear Adm. William Roberts, commandant, Medical Education and Training Campus, San Antonio, and deputy chief, education and training (M7), U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, was the top medical officer representing Navy Medicine during the week.

"Our Navy is proud to serve Americans and freedom seeking people world-wide," said Roberts. "Houston Navy Week provides and opportunity to show the American tax payers what their Navy does, how it cares for its men and women who wear the cloth of our nation and opportunities for those who may be interested in joining the Navy."

Of the nearly 330,000 active duty Sailors across the Navy, nearly 40,000 come from Texas. An additional 5,000 Reserve Sailors also hail from the state, and more than 27,000 retired Navy veterans live in Texas, Roberts noted.

During a visit to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Roberts met with leadership and staff to discuss shared initiatives in patient care models, traumatic brain injury treatment, advancements in pharmacy technology, the importance of education and training, and electronic health records.

"We are pleased to have Rear Adm. Roberts come to visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, said Adam Walmus, director, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. "It was wonderful to learn about Navy Medicine and discuss the similarities between the Medical Home Port and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) models and the importance of the electronic health record. We are so thankful for the great work Navy Medicine is doing on a daily basis for our nation's heroes."

During his presentation, Roberts highlighted Navy Medicine's vast capabilities in expeditionary care, garrison care, research and development, and its key role in the maritime strategy through humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.

"Navy Medicine is absolutely a global force for good," said Roberts. "The humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions are truly life changing for all of those involved. We work closely with our sister services, non-governmental organizations, and the ministries of health in each country to complete these missions."

Other events during Houston Navy Week included a visit with The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Memorial Hermann, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas at Houston Medical School, National Space Biomedical Research Institute, the Houston Military Affairs Committee, Houston Texans medical staff, and the Helping A Hero gala.

Navy Medicine is a global healthcare network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

Houston Navy Week is one of 15 Navy weeks across the country this year. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they make in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.

For more information about Houston Navy Week, visit http://www.navyweek.org/houston%202012/index.html.

For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/local/mednews/.