BEAUFORT, S.C. - Navy Rear Adm. Alton Stocks, commander of Navy Medicine East and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va., visited Naval Hospital Beaufort, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, May 17 and 18.
The visit gave Stocks a chance to interact with the sailors under his charge. He spent the two days inspecting medical clinics aboard the three installations, speaking with personnel and gathering ideas on how to improve operations.
“The main purpose of this visit is to ensure that we at Navy Medicine East are doing everything to support the mission of Naval Hospital Beaufort,” Stocks said. “We want them to have everything they need in order to serve the most important patients – those who serve, those who have served and their families.”
The sentiment about meeting one of their top bosses was that of excitement and gratitude among the hospital’s sailors.
“It’s always good to see your boss’ boss and have him recognize all the hard work we do here,” said Navy Lt. j.g. Derrick Randle, legal officer at Naval Hospital Beaufort.
Stocks noticed the hard work and dedication of the sailors and commended them for it.
“The hospital exceeds all of my expectations,” Stocks said. “The staff here are leaders in medicine.
“The good attitude and high morale of the staff here is very good,” he added.
In a time of conflicts across the world, Stocks wanted to leave the sailors with the sense that even though they serve stateside, they all still serve a vital purpose.
“Having the admiral here reiterates to all the sailors that we are in the fight and that we are part of the team,” Randle said. “He’s showing the sailors that what we do here is relevant.”
“I want to leave the staff here with an understanding of the sense of pride they should feel for the things they do here at home and on the front line,” Stocks said.