U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Opens Renovated Primary Care Clinic

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay (USNH GTMO) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Primary Care Clinic Jan. 9.

More than $500,000 was spent on upgrading equipment for the clinic which includes new patient exam tables, a cardiac ultrasound scanner, new workstations for clinic staff, a defibrillator, and IV stands. It is the first major upgrade to the clinic and hospital (built in 1954) in more than 20 years.

Rear Adm. David Woods, commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo; Brig. Gen. Jim Lettko, deputy commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo; Capt. Kirk Hibbert, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay; and Capt. Richard Stoltz, commanding officer, USNH GTMO took part in the ceremony.

"This ribbon-cutting symbolizes what we are trying to accomplish with the entire refurbishing of the hospital," said Stoltz. "With our renovated Primary Care Clinic we can better provide the full range of primary care services to everyone who resides at GTMO - DoD beneficiaries, foreign nationals, and contractors. The new clinic has more space allowing us to provide more services. It also allows us to move further along toward the medical homeport model of care."

Woods said care of the troops and their families is one of the priorities of the Navy's strategic plan for the defense of the 21st century, and the care provided at USNH GTMO is second to none.

"This [care of our troops and their families] is important, and it is an important part of our mission," said Woods, addressing the hospital staff. "I really appreciate the effort all of you do."

Hibbert echoed the same sentiments. "I always bring visitors to the hospital, and every time I come here, there is a sense of customer service."

The newly renovated Primary Care Clinic is located in the same area of the hospital as the previous clinic, and is part of the $15 million renovation which began in October 2009, and continues. The Primary Care Clinic was one of the first spaces renovated.

One of more noticeable differences is the space said nursing assistant Maria Brissett, who has worked at the hospital for more than six years.

"There is a lot more room," Brissett said. "The front desk has been moved, and it has more space to move around in. There are more treatment rooms, an extra exam room, more storage space, and the doctors now have their own office space."

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