FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Womack Army Medical Center hosted a community health engagement with 20th U.S. Surgeon General as the keynote speaker Feb. 4 at the Iron Mike Conference Center.
Vice Adm. Dr. Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., spoke to the Fort Bragg community about the opioid crisis, flu prevention and the importance of carrying naloxone, an opioid reversal medication.
The event’s audience consisted of local and military leaders and community partners.
“It’s so important that events are held like this one today, bringing together individuals and organizations across government and healthcare sectors to share our work and to discuss ways to encourage further collaboration,” said Dr. Adams.
Dr. Adams spoke intimately on the opioid crisis and how it has affected his own family.
“It’s painful to talk about, but I think it’s important to talk about. If this can happen to the family of the surgeon general of the United States, it can happen to any of us,” said Dr. Adams.
Dr. Adams has a brother that is serving time behind bars for crimes he committed while addicted to heroin.
He also spoke on trending issues such as the coronavirus, youth vaping, smoking cessation, and the flu.
According to Dr. Adams, the biggest health risk that we should be worried about, is the flu.
“Currently, there hasn’t been a single coronavirus case (in this state), he said. The nearest coronavirus case is 12 hours away in Boston, Massachusetts.”
Dr. Adams took time to talk and take pictures with service members and community partners of Womack.
He concluded his visit by presenting an Order of Military Merit award to Cmdr. Scott Klimp, the director of the Intrepid Spirit Center, Fort Bragg.
Col. John Melton, the Womack Army Medical Center commander, summed up the importance of the engagement by stating, “This gathering represents the unwavering commitment of our community and is a testament to the motto of our nation’s 20th U.S. surgeon general, ‘better health through better partnerships.’”