Corpsmen Four To The Fore At Naval Hospital Bremerton
by U.S. Navy Douglas Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs
May 23, 2019

It’s not infrequent for hospital corpsmen in varied career stages to share a common connection.

Such proved to be the case for Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Chad Galvin, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Blake Chastain, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Dylan Stuart, and Hospitalman Richard Medina.

The quartet were all selected for Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Sailor of the Quarter, for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2019.

The Senior Sailor of the Quarter was HM1 Galvin, Director for Medical Services Leading Petty Officer (LPO); Sailor of the Quarter was HM2 Chastain, Director for Surgical Services and Orthopedics Department LPO; Junior Sailor of the Quarter was HM3 Stuart, Clinical Support Services’ Physical Therapy Department; and Blue Jacket of the Quarter was HN Medina from the Directorate of Nursing Service and Multi-Service Unit (MSU).

Medina, an Inglewood, Calif. native and Morningside High graduate, is currently assigned to NHB’s MSU where he uses his clinical skills to aid patients back to full health. Providing such patient-centered care has been the most rewarding aspect of his approximately two years in the Navy.

“The most gratifying moment I have experienced since I've joined the Navy has to be the recognition I get from the patients I've helped whilst there stay on the ward. Their satisfaction with the care I provide assures me I am doing my absolute best,” said Medina.

His best memory so far in his relatively short career?

“I'd have to say the best memory I've had since joining the Navy Medicine team is the time I assisted one of our providers on our Labor and Delivery floor with a delivering a baby,” related Medina.

When asked ‘what does being in the Navy mean to you,’ Medina replied, “Being in the Navy, to me, means that I am part of a bigger force that not only keeps our country safe but is also willing to help those in need. We are one big, strong, family, who are all connected through three things: honor, courage, and commitment,” he said.

Medina’s goals include being able to advance on his career and hopefully beyond.

“One of my main goals, someday soon, is to continue my naval career as a Navy Nurse Corps officer,” he said.

For Stuart, a Revere, Mass. native and Revere High School graduate with six years in the Navy, NHB is his second assignment after an initial tour at Branch Health Clinic Iwakuni, Japan.

The most rewarding aspect of his career has been interacting and helping others he has worked for and worked with during his assigned duties.

“The relationships formed with my peers throughout the years has been the most gratifying. And saying goodbye to those people that I’ve grown close to and having to form new relationship has been the most difficult,” shared Stuart, the leading petty officer of NHB’s Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy department.

Stuart’s duty in the Far East has provided him his favorite memory as part of Navy Medicine.

“As a lead emergency medical technician instructor at Iwakuni, I was seeing the students I taught put their knowledge to good use and work together to take care of our Sailors, Marines and their families,” Stuart said.

Although Stuart is transitioning in several years back to Revere to work for the fire department, he plans to continue to do all he can to assist others with their goals.

“There are two other third class petty officers in my department. My goal before I separate is to help them both advance in rate,” stated Stuart.

Cleveland, Tenn. native and Bradley Central High School graduate Chastain is the leading petty officer for NHB’s Orthopedic Department and also an orthopedic cast technician.

“As an orthopedic tech, I work closely with orthopedic surgeons to evaluate and treat orthopedics and sports medicine related injuries. As the leading petty officer, I work with six other Sailors guiding and mentoring them through their career choices,” explained Chastain, adding that helping younger Sailors find their way in life has been the most gratifying facet of his Navy career.

“Being in the Navy means service to my fellow man and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. Been able to see the world has been amazing,” Chastain said.

Galvin’s Navy career encapsulates the diverse responsibilities of being a Navy hospital corpsman. Before his current position leading Sailors in accomplishing multiple responsibilities, sharing his technical knowhow and assisting command leadership with administrative and communication tasks, he served as an instructor for the Joint Navy/Army respiratory therapist program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He has been assigned to Navy platforms in Groton, Conn., and Charleston, S.C., and deployed with Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8 out of Norfolk, Va.

“The most gratifying part of my Navy career has been deploying, and the most difficult part of my career has been deploying,” remarked Galvin, a Western Michigan native from Hesperia High School.

Galvin has continued to demonstrate Navy corpsmen traits of being able to serve in a score of environments and handle the most advanced technology and sciences to support Sailors, Marines and their families. During his time with FST 8, he did two deployments – that included providing emergency care - between Sept. 2011 and Nov. 2013. He also deployed three times on the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.

Galvin has also added an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Thomas Edison University to his Navy schooling.

The common connection amongst the four goes well beyond being recognized as Sailor of the Quarter. Each observes the Hospital Corps pledge to hold the care of those sick and injured to be a sacred trust, as well as dedicate heart, mind, strength to their work, and do all within their power to carry themselves as an example of all this is honorable and good throughout their Navy career.

“Congratulations on your selection and thanks for your hard work, dedication and sustained superior performance! Our Sailors, Marines and their families depend on you. You deliver readiness and safe high quality healthcare on a daily basis. Keep up the great work,” said Capt. Jeffrey Bitterman, NHB commanding officer.