The Department of Health Services (DHS) Action Plan

How DHS supports our Mission and Vision

Mission

To optimize and maintain Midshipmen physical and mental health in support for successful education and graduation of inspired leaders of exemplary character so they meet medical criteria required to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and Commissioned Officers in the Armed Forces.

Our Vision

• Maximize overall health and readiness of USMMA Midshipmen and future maritime, transportation industry and Armed Forces Reserve duty leaders
• Deliver quality patient care respectfully through excellent customer service and with a compassionate approach.
• Foster a healthy and safe environment that supports academic training initiatives, sea worthiness and all regimental activity.
• Ensure that the medical staff is optimally trained to support and enhance our mission.

How We Support Our Vision

• Maximizing overall health and readiness of USMMA Midshipmen and future maritime, transportation industry and Armed Forces Reserve duty leaders
  • Midshipmen may visit DHS during sick call with no appointment necessary or they may contact our services to make an appointment that fits their academic schedule. Medical Services can be reached by calling 516.726.5682, Dental services, 516.726.5674 and Counseling Services 516.726.5679. They can also confidentially email medical@USMMA.EDU
  • Before deployment for sea year training assignments, applying for U.S. Coast Guard/National Maritime Licensing as a Third Mate and applying for Commission in the Strategic Sealift Officer U.S. Naval Reserve program Midshipmen are assessed by NY State licensed clinicians for physical & mental health wellbeing using Department of Homeland Security/National Maritime Center/US Coast Guard and Department of Defense medical examination procedures
  • The Department of Health Services tracks all contact with Midshipmen using internal department tracking to ensure their health & safety and to make sure all Midshipmen receive the care they are entitled to.
  • DHS maintains a de-identified report of the types of patient encounters so that resources may be targeted to where they are most needed.

• Deliver quality patient care respectfully through excellent customer service and with a compassionate approach.
  • DHS follows strict standards for respect, honor and integrity and has a specific requirement to respond to all patient care complaints and to resolve them to the patient’s satisfaction.
  • DHS defines compassion as being able to identify, comprehend and empathize with a person’s concerns, discomfort, pain or suffering with a dedicated desire to assist them to wellness.

• Foster a healthy and safe environment that supports academic training initiatives, sea worthiness and all regimental activity.
  • All Midshipmen receive in person presentations from USMMA Professional Development & Career Services Staff, DHS Staff and various other interdisciplinary staff/faculty presenters. Topics discussed are the academic components of sea year, health/wellbeing, tips for managing stress, getting a better night’s sleep, time management skills, how to help a friend in need and many other guidelines for self-help.
  • A “Sea Year Manual” is printed for all Midshipmen during their sea year in person lectures. Midshipmen also have access to this manual via The Academy’s “Blackboard” online software, via use of their sea year jump drive and at Sea Year Handbook
  • Midshipmen departing for sea have 24/7 access virtually to Academy counseling resources at Midshipman Counseling & Personal Development (MCPD)
  • All Midshipmen at sea are provided with a Satellite Phone. The phone can be used to reach counseling resources, friends & family for needed support.
  • Midshipmen who enroll and maintain medical coverage in SHIP have access to “CareConnect”. CareConnect is an integrated behavioral health program offering students easy access to licensed behavioral health clinicians 24/7/365 days a year via their USMMA satellite telephone or personal cell phone. “Care Connect” provides direct access to a registered nurse within seconds for assistance in managing their health concerns. Midshipmen can download an app, “Wellfleet Student” which will provide the same connection capability if preferred over telephone use. Access to more information about SHIP and “Care Connect” are published at two USMMA websites, Midshipman Counseling & Personal Development (MCPD) and Health Services
  • The Department of Health Services (DHS) Consults weekly with Academics, Professional Development / Career Services (PDCS) & The Commandant via the USMMA Periodic Updates Licensing, Sea Duty Commissioning Committee (PULSC) - see publicly published Superintendent Instruction 2023-01)
  • KP Cares (see publicly published Superintendent Instruction 2018-10)  is  a resource providing support and care for Midshipmen at risk across academic, regimental and social aspects of Academy life. KP Cares serves as a central point of contact for a Midshipman in distress to determine what interventions may be required.

• Ensuring that the medical staff is optimally trained to support and enhance our mission.
  • All Medical Providers, Counselors, Psychologists & Dental Providers on staff at DHS are licensed by NY State to provide care and listen without judgment while providing reassurance.
  • A network of providers for emergent or non-emergent referrals to higher levels of care offsite USMMA are well established and available for all Midshipmen
  • Midn receive care from highly recognized & credentialed providers under contract from Northwell Health-The largest health system in NY State. This care is provided under government contracting. The Director of Health Services is a federally employed position with oversight and responsibility for ensuring the contract terms are met adequately. In the event of any concerns about the care received, Midshipmen may present these concerns directly to the Health Services Director.

• Who can be contacted for emotional support, medical concerns, dental concerns and emergencies such as self-harm or suicide ideations
  • USMMA publishes a website available publicly and to all Midshipmen that provides names of mental health counselors, their hours and contact information at: Midshipman Counseling & Personal Development
  • There is a 24/7 emergency services contact number at USMMA, 516.726.5858. NY State Certified Midshipman Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) are on watch 24/7 to respond as peers to their fellow Midshipmen. The EMTs have direct access to The Department of Health Services key staff and are able to provide transportation to an offsite emergency support location for either mental health or physical health emergencies.
  • The USMMA Regiment of Midshipmen /Commandants Office have established a Midshipman Human Relations Officer Program (HRO). Midshipmen are able to reach out to the HROs for peer support. HROs meet with DHS counseling staff periodically to discuss their role and how to best support Midshipmen.
  • All EMTs and HROs are trained in the SafeTALK suicide awareness and as available Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) by the chaplain. Chaplains are certified trainers through LivingWorks and must maintain their credentials annually.

• Contacts at a glance:
  • • National 24 Hour Suicide Hotline, dial 9-8-8
    • New York State Mental Health Hotline 844-863-9314
    • Nassau County, NY Behavioral Health Helpline 516-227-8255
    • Emergency Medical Services 24 hours, 7 days weekly 516.726.5858
    • Students enrolled in the USMMA Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) can call CareConnect behavioral health clinicians 24/7/365 days a year via telephone. (888) 857-5462 or, download the app “Wellfleet Student”
    • DHS Medical, 516.726.5682
    • Counseling 516.726.5679
    • Chaplain 516.726.5709