Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor Commemorates Newly Remodeled Facility with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Marc Cuenca | 190829-N-HC646-0052 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (Aug. 29, 2019) Capt. Christine L. G. Sears, commanding officer of Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor (NHCOH) and Rear Adm. Colin Chinn, Joint Staff surgeon and principal medical advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, prepare to cut a ribbon during a ceremony observing NHCOH's newly remodeled facilities on Ault Field. The NHCOH modernization project began in March 2015 to repair and improve the configuration of more than 55,000 square feet of the existing clinic facilities including the women's health clinic, orthopedics, immunizations, physical therapy, and pediatrics. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released)  

OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES

08.29.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Cuenca 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor’s (NHCOH) revamped facilities have been officially opened for use with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Ault Field, Aug. 29.

The NHCOH modernization project began in March 2015 to repair and improve the configuration of more than 55,000 square feet of the existing clinic consisting of the women’s health clinic, nursery, Northwest Beginnings Birthing Center, physical therapy, immunizations, pediatrics and orthopedic/general surgery to better serve Sailors, their families, and maintain mission readiness.

“The majority of our newly remodeled spaces are largely centered on family readiness, and in medicine, we tend to think of the family as part of the readiness quotation,” said Cmdr. Tim Coker, administration director of NHCOH. “We want to ensure that when Sailors are forward-deployed that their families are taken care of.”

The repairs were divided into two project phases. Phase 1 was completed in October 2017 with Phase 2 being completed in July 2019.

Capt. Christine L. G. Sears, commanding officer of NHCOH, was present for opening remarks to kick off the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Sears said that the modernization project was completed due to the hard work from contractors and staff who have worked on the renovation process over the past three years and was achieved through incredible teamwork.

Also present for the ceremony alongside Sears was Rear Adm. Colin Chinn, Joint Staff surgeon and principal medical advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former commanding officer of NHCOH, who assisted in the ribbon-cutting.

“This has always been about our patients and their satisfaction,” said Chinn. “We are going to see the fruits of that labor because these updated spaces are going to benefit patients, beneficiaries, and most importantly the Sailors and Marines of this base who need to be medically ready if there is ever a need for them to be called upon.”

Further plans for expansion include constructing a new clinic in close proximity to the flight line on Ault Field. Coker said that the new clinic would provide active-duty care services to further enhance the readiness side for Sailors. The idea being this would allow ease of access for Sailors in need of healthcare near the flight line. As NHCOH continues to expand its facilities, the staff pushes forward with hard work and dedication into a future of success focused on readiness, quality, and health.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded with a tour of the remodeled spaces with refreshments and a cake cutting performed by Sears and Chinn in the NHCOH courtyard.

Alongside these renovations, there were substantial upgrades to the clinic’s building systems. This included nurse call systems, infant abduction systems, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire safety equipment. Hallways were adorned with art from the hospital staff along with restructured tile floors, roofing, and hanged interactive displays to direct patients to their destinations making navigating the corridors easier. The updates to the facility aim to foster a comfortable, as well as streamlined, hospital environment for patients for years to come.

• Date Taken: 08.29.2019
• Date Posted: 08.30.2019 01:30
• Story ID: 337951
• Location: OAK HARBOR, WA, US