Locals’ daughter watches sailors’ vision

Dick Benoit

Thursday, June 5, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.

With the cost of health insurance and medical care rising, concerns often surface about the quality of health care an individual can afford. The free care provided to the military eases this stress, and the staff of Sewells Point Medical Clinic at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., assures the care provided to patients is top-notch.

A key member of this team is Lt. Kelly Stetson, daughter of Robert and Claudia Hutson of Las Vegas.

Personnel at the medical clinic work in various departments, much as in civilian hospitals. Each department specializes in a medical field to give each patient the best care possible.

"My job enables deployed personnel to be visually ready for their task at hand," said Stetson, a staff optometrist. "Eye health as well as visual devices such as glasses and contact lenses are addressed for every patient."

The staff of the medical clinic enjoys assisting others while learning valuable skills.

"I love the patient population and the chance to make someone's day a little better," said Stetson, 28. "I enjoy the constant challenge and chance to learn more about my field."

Life in the Medical Corps can be stressful because a doctor's work reflects directly on the well-being of the patient, but as in any other job there are advantages.

"The Navy keeps life interesting," said Stetson, entered the service in July 2001. "There is a lot of variety, as well as opportunity to advance."

Juggling act of a reservist

The Air Force's senior reservist pledged to reduce unnecessary pressures on reservists in statements this week.

"I want to say thank you to families and employers -- they make great sacrifices in order for Reserve members to participate with us and do the things we ask of them," said Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command.

"It's a real juggling act for the reservist, who must do the things we ask, their employers and, most importantly, their families," he said. "The sacrifices each of them (makes) in support of that Reserve member are very much appreciated.

"We have just over 14,000 members still activated," he said. "We're working with the combatant commanders and Air Staff to bring them home."

Although it is still too early to tell if the increased operational tempo caused by operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom will adversely effect retention, Sherrard said the Air Force Reserve is working on ways to ensure its airmen want to remain in uniform.

Besides being concerned with reconstituting the readiness of his forces, Sherrard said he is committed to protecting Reserve airmen and their families from degraded benefits.

"We need to make certain we don't do anything that puts them in a circumstance not befitting their service," he said. "More importantly, we need to protect their families so we don't have someone who loses medical coverage or has a real financial hardship ... as they transition back into their civilian jobs.

"What we never want to lose sight of is that our members are volunteers," he said. "We need to do everything humanly possible to provide the requisite benefits and protections for their families as they do the things that are asked of them."

In brief

Pepin earned distinction as an honor graduate.