Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Brigade Visits NMCSD

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Celia Martin

Naval Medical Center San Diego

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Brigade leadership visited Naval Medical Center San Diego to connect with NMCSD leadership and tour the campus, April 24, 2024,

During the visit, the USUHS Brigade, including Col. Albert Kinkead, USUHS brigade commander, Lt. Col. Angela Yarnell, USUHS deputy professor of military science, and Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Jimenez, USUHS Brigade’s senior enlisted leader, toured various departments around NMCSD’s campus, including the bio skills and simulation training center, and the comprehensive combat and complex casualty care (C5) department.

“USUHS is our partner and making these connections is very beneficial,” said Capt. Eugenio Lujan, NMCSD’s director for professional education. “Together we’re creating the next generation of healthcare professionals. A lot of their graduates will either rotate here as medical students or follow on as interns and residents, so we have a vested interest in ensuring that they have the best education possible. I think this visit and tour was very informative from their standpoint and from ours.”

During the simulation and bio skills center tour, the team had the opportunity to speak with Capt. Cory Gaconnet, NMCSD’s bio skills and simulation training center department head, and see the various spaces and equipment that students and staff use for training including everything from wound identification and care, simulating labor and delivery, and various surgical and non-surgical procedures.

The team was then led on a tour of C5 by Tabitha Shannon, NMCSD’s C5 division officer, where they were able to tour the rehabilitation courtyard, see the physical therapy center and meet with NMCSD’s prosthetist, Nathaniel Leoncio.

“Getting to see the simulation center and speaking with Capt. Gaconnet was very beneficial,” said Col. Albert Kinkead. “C5 was amazing too, we got to see the courtyard that was developed in a way that allows the patients to adjust to their new prosthetics on different terrains. I also really enjoyed seeing the prosthetic lab and meeting and speaking with Leoncio, and hearing about what actually goes into making the prosthetics.”

Following the tour, USUHS leadership met with Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, NMCSD’s director, Capt. Marcy Morlock, NMCSD’s executive officer, and Command Master Chief Petty Officer Adolfo Gonzalez, NMCSD’s senior enlisted leader, for a discussion before departing.

“The visit went very well, the team here is fabulous and I got to meet a lot of really good people who are doing amazing things,” said Kinkead. “From my standpoint as the brigade commander, I’m trying to meet as many people as I can where our students come and interact so I can be a conduit of information and give them the best experience possible. Our goal is to be good teammates with the facilities that are hosting our students.”

The mission of NMCSD is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality health care services, and shape the future of military medicine through education, training, and research.

NMCSD employs more than 5,000 active-duty military personnel, civilians, and contractors in southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere. Anchored in Excellence, Committed to Health. (U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Celia Martin)