Photo by Capt. Jerry Cunningham, Tripler Army Medical Center, PAO. Capt. Andrew Osten, MD, 3rd year resident physician in pediatrics working in a newly renovated exam room.
By Capt. Jerry Cunningham, Tripler Army Medical Center, PAO
HONOLULU -The Army Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) has a unique and important mission assisting active duty Soldiers and their dependents with any special medical treatment through therapy, education, training, or counseling. EFMP assists Soldiers by coordinating with Human Resources Command (HRC) to align active duty Soldiers to duty assignments with the necessary medical facilities available to meet the needs of their family members. This maximizes the health and well-being of the entire family and saves the military money by preventing unnecessary PCS moves.
The creation of the EFMP was spearheaded by Dr. Thomas Gallagher in 1984, when he joined TAMC. “The original mission of EFMP was to find qualified families to enroll into the program at TAMC, and in other clinics within the Pacific Region, such as Japan and Korea” said Mr. Alan Gamble, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the EFMP clinic. “Since then the mission has expanded its focus to include the neurodevelopmental pediatric mission,” added Gamble.
EFMP offers pediatric services including – developmental behavioral pediatrics, pediatric neurology, pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology evaluation for children less than 3 years of age – as well as Social Workers to assist family members with their needs.
In May 2015, EFMP relocated to the 3rd floor of TAMC at 3B-1, Oceanside. In their new location, the clinic created pediatric friendly rooms that provide children a fun atmosphere so they feel comfortable while interacting with the EFMP staff. The relocation to the 3rd floor also gave the EFMP staff the opportunity to tailor a space which meets the needs of all the services offered by the program.
“The new location of EFMP-right next door to the TAMC’s Command Staff Offices-also provides us with more visibility,” said Dr. Michael Ching, a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician in EFMP. “This high traffic area provides visitors, and staff, of TAMC, an opportunity to find out what services are available through the EFMP. The move has also improved workflow and patient satisfaction” added Ching.
Ms. Lorna Hu, a speech therapist in the Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics Section, enjoys the new working space and environment. “Some patients miss the great view of Honolulu from the old location on the seventh floor,” said Hu. However, the patients agree, the new location is very accommodating and is set up to provide services in a better environment,” added Hu.