The Adm. Joel T. Boone Branch Health Clinic held a change of charge ceremony here, June 22.
Cmdr. Dawn Freeman relieved Cmdr. Kathleen Cooperman as the officer in charge (OIC) of the health care triad that includes Boone Branch Health Clinic, the Northwest Branch Health Clinic and TRICARE Prime Clinic Virginia Beach.
“Two exemplary officers will cross paths on this stage today. This rotation of staff is somewhat unique to us in the Navy. Bill Gates has always been Microsoft, Bill Forbes always been Forbes. Majority of our corporate leadership has essentially run from the beginning, but not here, we have two or three years,” said the presiding officer present at the ceremony, Capt. Christopher Culp, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s commanding officer. “Additionally, commands benefit immensely from the frequent infusion of new ideas, philosophies, direction, and style. It prevents anything from sitting on the back burner.”
Cooperman assumed the duties as OIC in September 2015, and she will be staying in the area since her next duty station is Navy Medicine East, located within the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth campus in Portsmouth, Virginia.
“As Boone triad OIC, I have been afforded the opportunity to serve with so many phenomenal people who are the ones who make it happen,” said Cooperman. “My job was really to move the barriers and clear the way for this incredibly talented staff could ensure we maintained access to care for the 43,000 beneficiaries that are enrolled to the triad.”
Cooperman was presented the Meritorious Service Medal for her accomplishments while OIC of the Boone Branch Health Clinic triad. Some of the accomplishments during her time as OIC included overseeing a triad that provided health care to beneficiaries every day of the year. More than 750 medical and 150 dental visits were completed, and 1,400 prescriptions filled for active duty and dependent beneficiaries. The triad also supported hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico late last year. Recognition included the Vickie Garner award for excellence in quality and the Navy Surgeon General's Blue H gold level award.
As Freeman accepted the OIC position, she said, “To the staff, I am truly humbled by the opportunity to be your OIC. It is an honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly.”
Freeman, a Green Bay, Wisconsin native, becomes the newest OIC after completing a successful tour at the Navy Warfare Development command. Other tours of duty include director for administration at Naval Health Clinic Quantico, NMCP associate director for Health Care Business Operations, associate director for operations for the Director of Surgical Services, in addition to deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Let us be reminded that the building that we occupy to administer healthcare to our beneficiaries was dedicated in 1972, after Admiral Joel T. Boone, a true American hero and patriot,” said Freeman. “We will strive to maintain our clinic’s reputation as the number one branch clinic in Navy medicine. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead. Let’s get to work.”
The Boone Branch Health Clinic triad is part of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth umbrella of care for beneficiaries throughout the Hampton Roads area. NMCP is the U. S. Navy's oldest, continuously-operating hospital since 1830 and is a nationally acclaimed, state-of-the-art medical center, along with the area’s branch and TRICARE Prime clinics. The medical center also supports premier research and teaching programs designed to prepare new doctors, nurses and hospital corpsmen for future roles in healing and wellness.