Naval Hospital Bremerton's Surgical Services and Obstetrics Department director was a recipient of the Military Medical Personnel Award at the 2nd annual Kitsap Sun Health Care Heroes Awards Program, June 17.

For Cmdr. Thecly Scott, leading a team of nearly 50 physicians who provide care to approximately 36,000 patients is a regular part of her daily routine.

Being thrust into the spotlight of accomplishment and praised in front of a sizable crowd at Bremerton's Admiral Theater is quite another.

"I'm beside myself," said Scott. "I'll accept this award, but on behalf of all our staff. What I do is just what all our staff does on a daily basis. We all have the passion to be the best that Navy Medicine has in our jobs in caring for our patients. I thank my family and my leadership for all their support."

Scott is a nurse practitioner midwife who also directly impacts the health and well-being of more than 700 babies born every year at NHB.

According to Mike Stevens, Kitsap Sun Marketing director, members of the extended community identifying themselves as friends, family members, co-workers, colleagues and patients submitted 135 nominations for their choice of Health Care Heroes in a range of 10 health care categories.

"We more than tripled the number of nominees from last year," said Stevens. "The awareness of the event has obviously grown and so has the support of those who have submitted on behalf of those nominated. We poured over 300 pages to find the best of the best."

An independent judging panel comprised of local community leaders reviewed those nominations and made their selections of exemplary health care professionals, each one considered top among all nominees of their specific health care award category.

"The honorees are the stars of the show," said Stevens. "By their nature, they would likely go on doing what they do without the fanfare."

Scott and the other honorees were called forward from their dining table as a detailed synopsis of their nomination was shared to the audience.

Along with her additional credentials as a nurse midwife, Scott is also a certified nurse in electronic fetal monitoring, inpatient obstetrics, and women's health nurse practitioner.

Scott always wanted to be a Navy officer, starting out as an aviation electronics technician. The thought of applying for a Navy ROTC scholarship and then attending medical school gave way to taking up the offer to become a Navy Nurse Corps officer. It was in the Nurse Corps that Scott said she found her true calling.

Additionally, Scott and NHB's main operating room nurses were recognized in March with the True North Award for their superior certifications and licensure in nursing care.

"Being certified means that our patients can know that we have reached the pinnacle of our specialty," Scott said. "It says that we're serious and dedicated to improving our knowledge and skill levels. Navy Medicine as a whole is constantly changing. Keeping up to date to practice evidence-based nursing for our patients is vital for our readiness."

The determination to achieve her additional nursing certifications, the dedication to her patients, and the desire to lead her doctors, nurses, hospital corpsmen and support staff are all a by-product of Scott learning from her mother, her hero, she said.

Scott said her mother taught her that nobody can limit her goals and dreams, and that she can do anything if she trusts in God. She still lives by that wisdom every day and hopes to be a role model for others. Even if it means the occasional need for public speaking.

Scott is also head of the Puget Sound Military Health System and Surgical Consortium, and has improved collaboration with Madigan Army Medical Center to levels that have not been previously achieved.

"No one is more deserving of being recognized for this award," said Capt. Christopher Quarles, Naval Hospital Bremerton commanding officer.

Occupational Medicine and Population Health officer Dr. Dan Frederick represented NHB last year in the inaugural event.

Other awards included the Volunteer Excellence Award to Robert Vettleson as a volunteer at Harrison Medical Center; Healthy Tomorrow Award to Eric Miller, DC, Chiropractor, Miller Chiropractor; Excellence in Emerging Medical Service Award to Joe Schweiger, training coordinator, Kitsap County Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Council; parademic/firefighter, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue; Quality of Care Lifetime Achievement Award to Flo Kempton, registered nurse (RN), volunteer at Martha & Mary and also to Mary DeMers, RN, clinical access manager, Hospice of Kitsap County; Non-physician Excellence in Health Care Award to Gary McFarland, physical therapist, Harrison Wellness Center; Physician's Excellence in Health Care Award to John Lubetich, MD, anesthesiologist, Olympic Anesthesia; Veterinarian Excellence to Lisa Newham, DVM, medical director and co-founder, Companion Animal Wellness Center; Dental Excellence in Health Care Award to Jennifer Thornton, DDS at Poulsbo Dental Center; and Administrative Excellence Award to Linda Brown, executive director (recently retired), the Doctors Clinic.

Health Care Heroes is a recognition program of the Kitsap Sun, enabled by the sponsorship of Martha & Mary, KPS Health Plans, Group Health, Kitsap Credit Union, Hospice of Kitsap County, Kitsap Physical Therapy and Bainbridge Skin Surgery and presented by the Admiral Theatre.

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