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Volume 15, Number 5 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • www.irwin.army.mil May 3, 2019
Month of the Military Child festival helps
families support their young dependents
By Janell J. Lewis Ford experience different cultures. 1,200-1,400 people came out
Military families and children to enjoy activities and games
Garrison Public Affairs also have to maintain the for children of all ages, includ-
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — mental strength to endure the ing bounce houses, train rides,
They constantly move from sacrifices of their mother or face painting and glitter/
base to base (or in the Army’s father’s job. airbrush tattoos, balloon art-
case—post to post), overseas ists, a DES Smokehouse and
and stateside, experiencing Fort Irwin’s Child and fire engine, mascots McGruff
a seemingly never-ending Youth Services (CYS), along the Crime Dog and Sparky
series of short-term homes, with the Family Morale, Wel- the Fire Dog, and the USO
jobs, and schools. The term fare and Recreation (FMWR) and other organizations had
“Military Brat†can be worn as organization sponsored their several giveaway items.
a badge of honor— children annual Month of the Military
who have one or both parents Child Festival on April 20 to “Military kids experience
serving in the Armed Forces bring awareness and atten- so many changes in their lives
are resilient, as they travel tion to Fort Irwin’s youngest and this often helps to develop
the world, relocate often and dependents, and to celebrate resiliency and adaptability
their service. An estimated and I think it’s important to
take a moment and celebrate
our military kids,†April Ca-
marena, CYS Outreach Ser-
vices Director, said.
During April, military
and private organizations
try to put emphasis on pro-
grams they offer that can
assist military children
and families year-round.
So, besides the fun activi-
ties, the event also provides
See CHiLd, Page 10
Historic changes to military electronic
health records system will benefit patients
Garrison Public Affairs Patients will have access to their medical information Casey Slusser
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Assistant Director for Combat from anywhere on the planet and that is one clear advantage What we hope to do better this time is to help you understand
Support for the Defense Health Agency, Maj. Gen. Lee Payne, of MHS Genesis. why we’re making this change and do a better job of helping
visited Weed Army Community Hospital (WACH) at Fort you make the change.â€
Irwin’s National Training Center on April 18 to introduce “In the legacy systems, medical information is stored on
the command to the new electronic health record. The imple- local servers. Medical treatment facilities don’t have access See HeALtH, Page 11
mentation of MHS GENESIS, the new electronic health to each other’s information; and the VA is the same,†Payne
record (EHR), is part of an historic change in our Military said. “With MHS Genesis, medical information is stored in
Health System (MHS) that will improve the way care is the cloud. All of the data is in one place, yet we can access it
provided to service members, retirees and family members. from anywhere in the world.â€
MHS Genesis replaces the stand-alone legacy systems
(CHCS, Essentris, Ahlta) and integrates all aspects of care Payne is an emergency-department physician with nearly
in the military health system into one, seamless portal. It 32 years in the military and in 2006, was charged with
connects the provider to the patient and offers a host of implementing the legacy electronic health record. He said
user-friendly features from messaging to prescription refills. although many people may want to keep that system, it’s
time for change.
“The earlier systems served us well,†the general said, “But
they are outdated in terms of security, safety and accessibility.
