Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman's (CVN 75) Medical department was awarded a 2016 Blue H - Navy Surgeon General's Health Promotion and Wellness Award May 12 for excellence in workplace health promotion policies, activities and outcomes.

The annual award recognizes Navy and Marine Corps commands, both afloat and ashore, that excel in health categories 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.

The Blue H is meant to guide, encourage and reward the promotion of health throughout the Fleet and is available at three levels - Bronze Anchor, Silver Eagle and Gold Star. Truman received a Gold Star, which is the highest recognition of the three, for excellence in workplace primary prevention policies, activities and outcomes.

"Our Sailors did a lot of work on deployment and through the yard period to help win this award," said Lt. Katelyn Howenstine, Truman's physical therapist and director of the ship's Health and Wellness program. "From the health risk assessment surveys done by our Sailors, to fitness activities put on by Fit Boss, to sexual health awareness and contraceptive use and STD prevention from our preventive medicine techs and the SAPR team, this award really encompasses everything the ship has to offer. If there is a program on this ship that impacts Sailors' health and well-being, there's a good chance it contributed to this award."

Lt. Tahney Johnston, Truman's command psychologist and co-chair of the health promotions committee, implemented a meditation class that was open to the entire command as a new resource to promote mental health and wellness.

"Health is really all-encompassing," said Johnston. "It's not just the things we see in sick call. We take the whole person into account because you can't separate the mind and the body. This award reaffirms that we all work together as a team."

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Christopher Lamacchia said another way Sailors work together as a team to improve the health all hands throughout the ship can be as simple as reminding each other to hydrate, eat healthy and get enough sleep.

"Sailors can often become so focused in the mission they forget to take care of themselves," said Lamacchia. "That's what we are here for. We make maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle our main priority and this award is a reflection of our dedication to our fellow shipmates."

"While this award shows what a tremendous job our department has done, it's truly a reflection of the interest of all hands in staying healthy," said Capt. George Semple, Truman's senior medical officer. "The Sailors aboard this ship truly care about each other's well-being and when there's a genuine concern about the health of the crew, the awards just come naturally. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment and our contributions to the excellence of this ship."

Truman will receive a pennant and annual streamer in addition to being announced as a recipient of the award by the Navy Surgeon General.
Truman is currently undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for maintenance and refurbishment of shipboard systems to prepare for future operations. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn75.

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For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.