Commander, Navy Medicine West Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, and Navy Medicine West Command Master Chief Hosea Smith visited Sailors and civilians at U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka, Oct. 20-21.

"Today I am here primarily for two reasons: to set eyes on issues pertaining to medical services provided to the fleet and their families, and also to say thank you," said Gillingham, in an auditorium packed with senior enlisted sailors and civilians. "It's clear that you all understand your mission and are conducting it well. You are all at the tip of the spear giving your best efforts. For that, I thank you."

Gillingham discussed several topics, such as the selection of a newly appointed Surgeon General, the five-year rule for the civilian workforce, training, maternity leave and promotions for active duty personnel.

However, what he emphasized most was the importance of promoting a culture of high reliability, where patient safety is the focus and everyone regardless of rank, can feel free to speak up whenever unsafe conditions exists

"No matter what rank you are, if you see something that is not being done properly, by all means, stop and question it," the admiral said. "I'd much rather be the surgeon in the operating room having a corpsman saying, 'Excuse me sir, I think you are about to make a mistake.' I'd much rather have a corpsman having the courage to speak up and be wrong, than not having the courage and for something to go wrong."

Prior to his tour of the main Yokosuka hospital facility, Gillingham visited Sullivan's Elementary School to meet staff members of the Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS).

"It was really nice to be remembered," said Lt. Donald Kallail, EDIS division officer. "By being located here, we are physically separated from the main facility. It was an absolute honor for us to have the admiral come and listen to the concerns of both our active duty and civilian counterparts, as well as having our immediate chain of command come out to support us."

Amongst the main hospital facilities visited by Gillingham were the Multi-Service Unit, Optometry, General Surgery Clinic, Labor and Delivery, Post-Partum Ward, Physical Therapy and the Operating Suite.

Upon completion of the facility tour, Gillingham and Smith attended a command BBQ, which gave them the opportunity to further engage with all staff members.

"The impression that I have of Rear Adm. Gilingham is that he truly cares," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Cory Brandon, the command's Sailor of the Year. "He seems to fully embrace his job as commander and shows a genuine concern for all personnel, to include those at the deckplates."

USNH Yokosuka is the largest U.S. military treatment facility on mainland Japan caring for approximately 43,000 eligible beneficiaries.

For more news from U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, visit http://www.navy.mil/.