Sailor Named Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month at NMCSD

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Erwin Jacob Miciano | 200724-N-VI515-1102 SAN DIEGO (July 24, 2020) Senior Chief Navy Diver Ryan Steinkamp, a Sailor assigned to Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme, Calif., poses for a photo in Naval Medical Center San Diego’s (NMCSD) Physical Therapy department July 24. NMCSD's mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services, and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erwin Jacob V. Miciano)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

07.24.2020

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob L. Greenberg 

Naval Medical Center San Diego

SAN DIEGO – Senior Chief Navy Diver Ryan Steinkamp, a Sailor assigned to Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme, Calif., was named Wounded Warrior of the Month and conducts his physical therapy at Naval Medical Center San Diego’s (NMCSD) Physical Therapy department and Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care clinic.
Steinkamp has been in the Navy for 21 years and has deployed all over the world. Most of his work as a Navy diver includes underwater hull maintenance and salvage work. He lost part of his left leg in a rock climbing incident at Stoney Point, just north of Los Angeles, which resulted in a below-knee amputation October 25.
“It’s been an arduous recovery process, but I’ve enjoyed the challenge,” said Steinkamp. “I can’t say enough great things about the staff here, and I wouldn’t want to be treated anywhere else.”
As for his newly-bestowed accolade, Steinkamp received his recognition with humility and modesty.
“The Navy Wounded Warrior program is an outstanding resources, and I’m proud to represent them,” said Steinkamp. “The program has allowed me to focus entirely on my rehabilitation. They have meticulously identified and eliminated all outside stressors that could possibly impede my recovery. Their top priority is my health and well-being.”
Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Marcus Pace, has spent four years with the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, and has been a Navy Wounded Warrior recovery care coordinator assigned to NMCSD for three years.
“We assist wounded, or otherwise injured service members with non-medical care,” said Pace. “We help them with their medical board process, administrative work, setting and achieving goals and everything else we can do to help them. We’ll provide them with everything and anything we can.”
Steinkamp’s physical therapists work tirelessly to get him used to using his prosthetic limb.
Steven Gerak, a physical therapy assistant assigned to NMCSD’s Physical Therapy department, said he works with Steinkamp on core exercises to builds strength and agility.
“With below-knee amputees, balance, strength and core exercises are key to a patient’s rehabilitation,” said Gerak.
Steinkamp’s rehabilitation was temporarily interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he has resumed his physical therapy with vigor.
“I’ve been working with Ryan [Steinkamp] since his amputation in October [2019],” said Dawn Golding, a physical therapist assigned to NMCSD’s Physical Therapy department. “He has not let his injury stop him from rock climbing, and we work on the climbing wall here [in the Physical Therapy department] whenever we can.”
Steinkamp’s next challenge will be getting used to running on a running prosthetic leg.
“I look forward to working [with Steinkamp] on his next challenge,” said Golding.
Steinkamp’s physical therapy program treatment plan is scheduled to end mid-August, which is when he will be reevaluated to see if he can return to his assignment in Port Hueneme.
As a testament to the Navy Sailor’s resiliency, Steinkamp has faced his challenges head-on and has not let his injury define him.
NMCSD’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.
Visit navy.mil/local/sd/ or facebook.com/NMCSD for more information.

• Date Taken: 07.24.2020
• Date Posted: 07.27.2020 14:42
• Story ID: 374561
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US