NMCSD officially unveils the DOD's first Comprehensive Women's Health Clinic of its kind

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Indra Beaufort | 181101-N-IE405-1080 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 1, 2018) Naval Medical Center San Diego commanding officer Capt. Bradford Smith, executive officer Capt. Shannon Johnson, Command Master Chief Patrick Mangaran, and Cmdr. Paulette Cazares, associate director for mental health and chair of the BUMED women's health clinic community, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of hospital staff during the grand opening celebration of the Comprehensive Women's Health Clinic (CWHC) at Naval Branch Health Clinic, Naval Training Center. CWHC is a pilot program aimed at serving the unique health needs of active duty Sailors and Marines. The clinic is also the only women's health clinic within the Department of Defense. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Beaufort/Released)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

11.01.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Indra Beaufort 

Naval Medical Center San Diego

SAN DIEGO - Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) marked the official
opening of its Comprehensive Women's Health Clinic (CWHC) in a special
ceremony held this morning at Branch Health Clinic, Naval Training Center in
Point Loma.

The pilot program was spearheaded by Cmdr. Paulette Cazares, associate
director for mental health for NMCSD, chair, Navy Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery Women's Health Community, and liaison to the American Medical
Women's Association.

Cazares says the program highlights NMCSD's penchant for developing
breakthroughs that not only benefit its patients, but the greater military
medicine community.

"We are the heart of innovation within Navy Medicine and
we expect to set the standard for these types of programs going forward. We
hope to export this model to other (military treatment facilities) within
Navy Medicine and hopefully beyond throughout the (Defense Health Agency)."

The CWHC is a program that focuses on the unique needs of the "previously
underserved population" of active duty women in a truly comprehensive
manner, according to Cazares.

"So, not just including OB-GYN services, but having a primary care team dedicated to active duty
women. Headache management, back pain, down to the feet. It really does
address that whole body person in a health care setting."

After Cazares provided the opening comments, Capt. Bradford Smith,
commanding officer, NMCSD, addressed an audience of more than 50 active duty
staff, civilian staff and distinguished guests gathered in the clinic's
courtyard.

"We here at Naval Medical Center San Diego are known for being
innovators in the (Military Health System), and it is a great honor to have
that," said Smith, adding that the program is currently the only one in the
DOD to exist.

Active duty women can call [phone] for more information about the
CWHC.

• Date Taken: 11.01.2018
• Date Posted: 11.01.2018 22:17
• Story ID: 298574
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US