People Week of 7/06/20

By: 
Staff writer

Genoa native ends tour as commanding officer of Naval hospital

Capt. Kevin Brown, a native of Genoa, turned over leadership of Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) – M, to Capt. David Barrows during a change of charge ceremony on June 25 at Naval Hospital Jacksonville.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony included face coverings, social distancing and a limited number of on-site participants.
Brown served as EMF-M’s commanding officer, as well as executive officer for Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Command Jacksonville.
EMF-M consists of more than 400 sailors, including medical staff and support personnel. EMFs are staffed and sourced by Navy Medicine personnel from Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Commands (NMRTCs) at military treatment facilities across the country.
Under Brown’s leadership, EMF-M earned its Tier 1 readiness capability certification in February 2019. This certifies its ability to provide combat operations medical support to U.S. Fleet Forces.
Brown led EMF-M during its deployments this year in the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff deployed to sites including Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; New York (aboard USNS Comfort); Dallas, Texas; and Stamford, Connecticut, to provide relief to area hospitals strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EMF coordinates closely with local, state, and federal authorities.
Brown was awarded the Louisiana Legion of Merit medal, for EMF-M’s work in that state.
“The deployments in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response were special for us,” said Brown. “EMF personnel volunteer to leave the security of home in times of crisis, and go into harm’s way to save lives. And that’s what we did.”
As executive officer for NH Jacksonville and NMRTC Jacksonville, Brown facilitated the commands’ daily safety brief, which starts each day with a focus on patient safety. Leaders and staff (from the commands’ six locations) meet in person and by phone to identify potential risks early, so they can be acted on promptly.
At the ceremony, Capt. Matthew Case, NH Jacksonville commander and NMRTC Jacksonville commanding officer, presented Brown with the Meritorious Service Medal on behalf of Rear Adm. Anne Swap, commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, for outstanding meritorious service while serving as executive officer.
Brown’s next assignment will be as fleet surgeon for U.S. Fleet Forces. A Medical Corps officer, Brown is board-certified in family medicine and aerospace medicine. Past assignments include the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital; Naval Health Clinic Annapolis; Naval Medical Center Portsmouth; Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12) surgeon aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and force surgeon for Commander, Naval Air Forces.

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