Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part series covering the Marine Centered Medical Home. Part 2 covers the ribbon cutting ceremony.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2nd MLG’s French Creek Medical Clinic here, Aug. 22.
Brig. Gen. Edward Banta, the commanding general of 2nd MLG, and Medical Officer of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Charles Harr were two of the distinguished guests present at the ceremony.
The French Creek Medical Clinic is the second of six sites across the Marine Corps to open the new Marine Centered Medical Home, which is aimed at bettering the care and treatment given to service members in a garrison environment.
“The act of cutting the ribbon was a symbolic way to show [other pilot sites] that the French Creek site is officially established and recognized by the Medical Officer of the Marine Corps,” said Cmdr. David Stevens, the group surgeon for 2nd MLG.
The Marine Centered Medical Home consolidates medical assets in one location, where service members are able to be seen for various ailments. Civilians were added to the staff and nurses working at the clinic cannot be deployed, to maintain consistency. They also incorporated wireless systems and secure email so patients can communicate with physicians and request refills for their prescriptions without having to go to the clinic.
“The manual of the medical department dictates the in-garrison care of our Marines be equal to the same high standards of care we give our dependents and retirees,” said Stevens. “This means being able to give them same-day care, having a one-stop shop to get x-rays, labs, hearing tests, mental health and having case management to help with referrals.”
Harr, the guest speaker at the ceremony, said the Navy is also pushing the envelope in areas such as applying skin rather than performing skin grafts, and planning on incorporating sports medicine in future care.