Naval Medical Center Portsmouth budget team was recognized by the under secretary of the Navy for developing a portal that saved money and improved financial decision making which ultimately supported the delivery of healthcare.

The portal offers real-time, accurate financial information to 13 directors and 80 department heads responsible for developing material requirements for the disbursement of NMCP's $500 million annual budget. The Budget Department is responsible for the complete budget operations necessary to support the operation of NMCP and the 10 Hampton Roads Branch Health Clinics.

Cmdr. Sergio Chavez, director for Resource Management/Comptroller, said the portal eliminates the need for clinic-level tracking because the portal displays a same-day status of funds.

"This gives the customers the ability to be more hands on, they can see their budget real time instead of making a phone call or a trip here," said Chavez. "It also allows department heads and managers to look online and see their contract, when it expires; all of this information is there for them and more."

The portal is accessible for all of NMCP on the internal intranet to view contracts, support agreements, Operating Target (OPTAR), and to be able to see active documents and those about to expire. The system takes away human error by automatically sending an email stating a particular agreement, or contract, is about to expire within six months with an additional reminder sent at three months. Notifications for upcoming annual review are also generated by the portal.

"The portal gives a newfound visibility over the commands annual contracts and drop shipments," Chavez said. "By having this better contract management, we are not allowing contracts to lapse, which allows us to evaluate if we need money there or if we should recouped and reprogram for other uses."

The idea for the portal was developed by the budget team and is an ongoing process improvement.

Chavez explained the budget team is deserving of this award as they do the heavy lifting -- they do all the work and deal with the customers.

"In the financial world, they are the unsung heroes because if the supplies aren't bought, or if the wrong equipment was purchased we wouldn't be able to take care of our patients, then the hospital can't run," Chavez said. "Not to take anything away from our providers or doctors, but if they don't have the staff or equipment to do their job, then they can't. With us taking care of the administrative and financial part, they have the time to focus on patient care."

The budget team members include Debra W. Blanks, Lt. Cmdr. Michael Schwartz, Ranjan Shirley, Pamela Alderman, Caitlin Barth, Alvera Brisco, Edna Burke, Cassandra Calloway, Juanita Dorsey, Michael Ennis, Mylyn Hinkle, Ann Howington, Tara Linebarger, Gretchen Ocampo, Aurora Penning, Joanne Robinson, Della Sanders, Tyrone Washington, and Joy Wesner.

A representative from the budget team has been invited to an awards ceremony at the Pentagon in August where Dr. Susan Rabern, assistant secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller, will present the award.

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For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/.