Naval Branch Health Clinic Key West hosted the grand opening of an on-site American Red Cross office on Monday, April 9. In attendance were about 40 service members, retirees, family members, volunteers, as well as leaders from the American Red Cross, the Keys community, Naval Air Station Key West, and major commands located aboard the air station.

The new Red Cross office, located at NBHC Key West, will provide: emergency communications and messaging for military members and their families; resiliency and reconnection workshops for military members, veterans, and families; disaster preparedness support; and information and referral services. Office hours are Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It joins a world-wide network of Red Cross offices providing emergency communications and other services to members of the U.S. military and their families.

"The American Red Cross office on-site at our clinic will enhance the services offered to our patients," said Cmdr. Duneley Rochino, NBHC Key West officer in charge. "This is part of a strong network of support - in both the community and the military - for local service members and families."

"We are excited to expand American Red Cross services to the Keys and Monroe county, specifically for our military families and veterans," said Greater Miami & The Keys Chapter Executive Director Emily Borababy.

American Red Cross volunteers contribute over 11,000 hours annually to Naval Hospital Jacksonville's hospital and branch health clinics.

To find out about volunteer opportunities at NBHC Key West, please visit http://www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida or call 305-293-4842.

The American Red Cross South Florida Region, comprised of five community chapters, serves eight million people across 13 counties.

NBHC Key West is one of Naval Hospital Jacksonville's six health care facilities located across Florida and Georgia. NH Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. 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 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/.