A special visit to National Naval Medical Center’s wounded service members

  • Published
  • By Patricia Opong-Brown
  • AFDW Public Affairs
Bolling AFB, D. C --  Air Force District of Washington commander, Major General Robert L. Smolen, Mrs. Smolen and other AFDW staff visited wounded Service members at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD on Mar. 12.

Gen. Smolen and guests were escorted through the hospital by Chief Petty Officer J. D. Wilson, NNMC casualty affairs representative where he and others visited five combat-wounded Soldiers and Marines. During his visit, Gen. Smolen also spent time with the patients' families. He showed genuine concern for everyone's welfare, but most importantly, he thanked the injured patients for defending our country's freedom. "The wounded warriors and their families are all real heroes and we as comrades in arms are proud of their service and their sacrifices - it is an inspiration to be with these brave service members and their proud and supportive family members," said Gen. Smolen.

NNMC is one of two (Walter Reed Army Medical is the other) military treatment facilities in the National Capital Region that is responsible for the medical care of critically injured service men and women returning from the war. According to Chief Wilson, NNMC currently has about 132 patients, but has the capacity to handle about 500.

Injured patients from Iraq or Afghanistan are transported by a medical flight through the military's medical evaluation system from Landstuhl, Germany to Andrews AFB, MD. Once they are state-side, the injured are transported by ambulance to NNMC or WRAMC.
"NNMC specializes in traumatic brain injury primarily due to IED blasts or other penetrating head injuries," said Chief Wilson.

Since the length of care at the NNMC can vary, family members stay at the Navy Lodge or at one of the two Fisher Houses in the local area in order to provide necessary support to their loved one during the recovery process.

"Given that the patients' hospitalization time varies, getting discharged depends on many factors such as the specific type of rehab needed and the geographic location of the wounded members' support system, whether that be the family's hometown or our Wounded Warrior Barracks in Camp LeJeune or Camp Pendleton," said Wilson.

According to the Chief, some patients are sent to one of four poly-trauma centers located in Richmond, VA; Tampa, FL; Minneapolis, MN; and Palo Alto, CA.

The casualty care office at NNMC is staffed by two Navy personnel. "Our office with the help of the Marine Corps Liaison office and the Army staff onboard consistently displays the attitude 'One Fight, One Team' evidenced by the quality care we give our Service members and families," said Chief Wilson.