GROTON, Conn. (NNS) - Mr. Steven Difilippo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker on staff at the Embedded Mental Health (EMH) Program located at Naval Submarine Support Center (NSSC), New London, Conn., was presented with a Meritorious Civilian Service Medal by NSSC Commanding Officer, Commander Brian J. Nowak on September 28, 2018.
As the citation reads, Difilippo “has improved access to waterfront mental health services and established and maintained an ‘always available’ standard of care for high quality mental health on the waterfront. This high level of patient care has ensured a successful implementation of critical Navy Medicine initiatives.”
As a clinician, Difilippo provided counseling for more than 120 patients and maintained a 90% return to duty rate, directly increasing the operation readiness for the submarine fleet. Additionally, over the course of one year, his efforts and dedication reduced Sailors mental health medical evacuations by 10%.
He was also a vital asset to the waterfront Submarine Force Rapid Psychiatric Response Team for three different missions, which included one mission where he voluntarily embarked outside of his normal work hours to psychiatrically triage and treat an entire submarine crew following an at-sea suicide attempt by a crew member.
Difilippo stated that it was an honor to be recognized, however, he is only a small part of a much larger team who work tirelessly to support submarine operations. “It is a privilege for me to be able to work every day with dedicated staff from NSSC, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), SUBASE New London, Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Groton, Squadrons 4 and 12, and Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT),” he said. “None of this would be possible without Naval Health Clinic New England’s (NHCNE) steadfast commitment to providing the best possible support to the fleet which allows me to do my best work regardless of the time and place.”
The NHCNE command headquarters is located in Newport, RI, with Naval Branch Health Clinics at Groton, CT; Portsmouth, NH; and Saratoga Springs, NY. Over 100,000 beneficiaries receive their primary and specialty care from the four health care sites.