YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN -- Faison was accompanied by Force Master Chief Terry Prince, director of the Hospital Corps. After discussions with the USNH Yokosuka command directorate, Faison conducted office calls with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, and Commander, Naval Forces Japan, Rear Adm. Matthew J. Carter.

Faison returned to USNH Yokosuka to have lunch with enlisted Sailors in the hospital galley then proceeded to an all-hands call held at the Fleet Theater. He began the speaking engagement by emphasizing appreciation for the staff members and their day-to-day efforts.

“You are making a difference out here every day at a time when our nation needs you to make a difference,” said Faison. “I want to say thank you for that. If you don't remember anything else I say today, please remember those two wishes. Every day you make a difference in the lives of the people that depend on us. Every day they and their families back home are hoping, praying and depending on us to do all in our power to care for their loved ones, and that one day they will return home safely.”

Faison spoke on several medically-related topics, discussing at length the course of direction that Navy Medicine was planning to take in the foreseeable future. He then used the venue as an opportunity to acknowledge specially-selected Sailors with outstanding performance by presenting the Surgeon General’s coin to Lt. Kathleen Tilman and Chief (Select) Hospital Corpsman Victoria Cruz.

“This past week has been truly a world wind of excitement for me and my family,” said Cruz. “First off, I find out that I have become a chief petty officer selectee. Second, I reenlist and then this; I receive a coin from the Surgeon General himself. I cannot begin to truly express how honored I was to stand in front of my teammates to receive something that I feel represents more than just myself; this coin represents all of those who have helped me all along my career up to this point. I have nothing but appreciation for my immediate family as well as my Navy family.”

Upon conclusion of the all-hands call, Faison proceeded back to USNH Yokosuka to receive a guided tour of the facility, led by the hospital Commanding Officer, Capt. Rosemary Malone. Faison was briefed on various areas of interest such as the operating suite, command laboratory and physical therapy; mental health, the maternal infant unit and the hospital’s Storks Nest, a facility designed to provide the mother-to-be close proximity to the hospital for the labor and delivery of her child.

USNH Yokosuka is the largest U.S. military treatment facility on mainland Japan caring for approximately 43,000 eligible beneficiaries.