Naval Hospital Jacksonville (its hospital and five naval branch health clinics), Navy Operational Support Center Jacksonville, and 15 of Operational Health Support Unit Jacksonville's detachments have earned the Navy Surgeon General's Health Promotion and Wellness Blue H Award for 2017.

"Health promotion is vital to ensuring our Navy and Marine Corps team has the best readiness and health in the world," said Capt. Matthew Case, NH Jacksonville commanding officer. "The Blue H Award is a reflection of our active duty, reserve, civilian, contract, and volunteer staff all working toward this goal."

Gold Star (highest level) was achieved by the hospital; NBHCs Jacksonville, Key West, and Kings Bay; NOSC Jacksonville; and OHSU Jacksonville Detachments A, B, C, G, H, I, K, N, P, and R. OHSU Detachments D and M earned Silver Eagle recognition, while NBHCs Albany and Mayport, and OHSU Jacksonville Detachments E, J, and L received the Bronze Anchor.

The Blue H, which is in its 10th year of existence, recognizes Navy medical commands for excellence in clinical primary prevention, community health promotion, and medical staff health. The award assesses areas such as: responsible drinking, injury and violence-free living, healthy eating, active living, reproductive and sexual health, psychological health, tobacco-free living, and weight management.

"Our reservists' work to support healthy Navy and Marine Corps workplaces is a key part of maintaining both a medically-ready force and a ready medical force," said Capt. Karen Young, OHSU Jacksonville commanding officer.

To take advantage of Navy Medicine's wellness programs, contact your local Wellness Center or Health Promotions, or visit the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center at www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/health-promotion.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville's priority, since its founding in 1941, is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is the Navy's third largest medical treatment facility, comprised of a hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. Of its patient population (163,000 active and retired sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, guardsmen, and their families), about 84,000 are enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities. To find out more or download the command's mobile app, visit www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Hospital Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/.