MCAS Cherry Point  –   A team of three Sailors and a civilian staff member ensure the medical readiness and eligibility of over 1000 service members across six Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point units.

The Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point Readiness Department embodies the facility’s mission of “Keeping the Warfighter in the Fight” by coordinating critical medical screenings and evaluations required for the various specialties serving aboard the base.

“Readiness Team’s work is crucial because it ensures personnel are fully prepared to execute the mission at a moment’s notice,” said Hospital Corpsman Third Class Krista Brownell, an Aerospace Medical Technician and native of Palatka, Florida.  “It directly impacts operational effectiveness and safety.”

The team tracks and coordinates essential medical procedures such as flight physicals for air traffic controllers and pilots, screenings for special duties, courses and reenlistments and evaluations for service members separating from active duty. 

Readiness ensures completion of all screenings and specialized physicals said Hospital Corpsman Third Class Adelia Nutter-Garcia, an Aerospace Medical Technician and native of Arlington, Washington.
Nutter-Garcia and her team oversee coordination of the annual Periodic Health Assessment for servicemembers across those six units, just one of the critical tasks required to maintain the overall medical readiness of the base. 

“I’m helping service members stay healthy and medically ready so they can perform their duties effectively” said Hospitalman Lauren Kreitemeyer, an Aerospace Medical Technician and native of Shelby, Ohio.  “Even if it’s behind the scenes, I know the work I do makes a real impact on their well-being and overall mission success.”

Day-to-day, the Readiness team coordinates with elements across MCAS Cherry Point and throughout the clinic to align the proper medical professional with the service member requiring evaluation and screening. 

A delay in care or evaluation could affect the ability and eligibility of a service member or civilian to conduct their duties aboard the base. 

“We make sure everyone is healthy enough to fulfill the mission,” said Ms. Logan Misenhelder, the team’s Medical Records Technician and native of Harker’s Island, North Carolina.