GW Hosts Senior Medical Leader to Discuss Challenges, Successes at Sea

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted the deputy chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, April 25.

Rear Adm. Michael Mittelman conducted an office call with the ship's commanding officer, met with medical leadership to discuss challenges faced at sea and toured medical spaces.

"(George Washington) has a 5,500 personnel population and we have to fill these little medical footprints that take care of them," said Mittelman. "The challenges are to keep the Sailors healthy, ensure that they maintain healthy habits, keep them safe in various industrial environments, and then be able to effectively respond to either small or large scale medical emergencies."

George Washington's senior medical, dental and industrial hygiene officers discussed with Mittelman their challenges and successes to keep in line with the U.S. Navy's mission of safety and good health for all Sailors.

"It feels great that the deputy surgeon general visited George Washington," said Lt. Wayne Simonds, George Washington's medical administration officer. "He's one of five medical service corps officers, and it's great to see our corps coming out and talking to not only the hospitals but also to the fleet to see what issues we're having."

In addition to touring the ship's medical spaces, Mittelman met with the enlisted medical team in each space to express his gratitude for their service and hard work.

"I was most impressed with the people," said Mittelman. "You've got the most motivated medical staff that I've ever seen. It doesn't matter what spaces they're working in; it's what the people bring to the game and your medical staff here is top notch."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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