Army had contract with firm tied to meningitis

Army signed contract with firm tied to outbreak
Ameridose voluntarily halted production after meningitis outbreak began
By Walter F. Roche
The Tennessean
Posted : Tuesday Oct 16, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Army recently signed an exclusive, five-year purchasing agreement with a Massachusetts company that has shut down in the midst of a meningitis outbreak.

The sole-source purchase agreement with Ameridose LLC was issued June 29 by the U.S. Army Medical Command. The contract is to supply specialized compounded pharmaceutical products for the pediatric intensive care unit at the Army’s Tripler Medical Center in Honolulu.

Ameridose voluntarily halted production last week at its Westborough, Mass., plant under an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Massachusetts Health Department.
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Wife of Capt. Michael McCaddon talks about his suicide

Widow says Army stress, apathy led to husband's suicide
March 30, 2012
CNHI  ROCKPORT, Mass. - Army Capt. Michael McCaddon, M.D., died on duty nine days ago. He wasn't shot, he wasn't blown up, and he wasn't a victim of the other horrible ways soldiers die in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

McCaddon, 37, killed himself on March 21 at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he delivered babies and cared for women brought to the hospital.

His widow, Leslie McCaddon, 36, says her husband fell victim to the heavy stress the military inflicts on all soldiers -- no matter their mission -- and a tough-guy military culture that discourages them from seeking assistance for mental health issues.

She said her husband had been "severely depressed" for seven years, became verbally abusive and that eventually it became too much for her to bear. So she returned with their three children -- ages 10, 8 and 6 -- to her hometown of Rockport, Mass., five months ago. read more here

Feds pay suicidal Air Force vet’s family

Feds pay suicidal Air Force vet’s family

The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 6, 2008 16:14:02 EST

HONOLULU — The federal government has paid $800,000 to the family of a suicidal Air Force veteran who jumped to his death from Tripler Army Medical Center after his pleas to be admitted went unheeded.

Robert Roth died in January 2007 after he jumped from a 10th-floor balcony at Tripler. Roth suffered from a bipolar mood disorder and had a long history of depression.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_suicidepayment_110608/

Maj. J. Scott Sanford falls to cancer at age 37

Former Misawa Security Forces chief falls to cancer at age 37
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, October 29, 2008



Former 35th Security Forces Squadron commander Maj. J. Scott Sanford died Friday at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii while battling cancer.

He was 37.

Misawa Air Base will hold a memorial service at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Mokuteki Community Center ballroom, base officials said Monday.

Sanford led Misawa security forces from June 2007 until August.

"The men and women of the 35th Security Forces Squadron wish to extend their deepest sympathy to Major Sanford’s friends and family," stated Capt. Jeffery Day, 35th Security Forces commander, who worked for Sanford at Misawa. "We were fortunate to have him as our commander for a year and value everything he has done for our defenders, Misawa, the Air Force and our great country."
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http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58449

Former PTSD Team Director Says More Needs To Be Done

Family Concerned For Soldier After HPD Standoff
Former PTSD Team Director Says More Needs To Be Done

POSTED: 2:29 pm HST July 9, 2008

HONOLULU -- A Schofield Barracks soldier who barricaded himself during an 18-hour standoff with police could be released from the hospital Thursday, but his family worries he is not ready.

Sgt. Jesse Kerry, an Iraq war veteran, went to Tripler Army Medical Center after threatening suicide and holding police at bay last week at the Villas at Royal Kunia, authorities said.

His sister-in-law Brooke Kerry said she is worried about post-traumatic stress disorder. She said doctors told the sergeant he can be released
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http://www.kitv.com/news/16837641/detail.html

Troops in Hawaii Tell Adm. Mullen what's on their minds

Hawaii troops grill Mullen

The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted : Thursday Feb 21, 2008 10:13:23 EST

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii — The top-ranking official in the U.S. military held an "all hands call" at the Hickam officers club Wednesday to take service members' questions, and he got an earful.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is visiting commanders here and making a stop at Tripler Army Medical Center to see recovering troops before heading to Australia.

Many of the questions from the approximately 200 service members in attendance Wednesday had to do with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mullen was asked about short deployment notices for sailors who deploy as individual augmentees to other units, and regulations against Marines using after-market gear in place of items the Corps can't deliver on time.

A Hawaii Marine with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment asked why some deployed Marines are stuck with older M16 rifles, while officers are issued new M4 carbines.

"Marines are stuck with what's left over," the Marine said.

Mullen replied, "That's a great question, and I also got this question yesterday at [Camp] Pendleton. I haven't got a good answer yet, but I'll get you one, and I'll get this question, quite frankly, very quickly to the commandant."

A soldier asked about private contractors who are making six-figure salaries in a combat zone, and the disparity in pay received by U.S. service members.

Mullen said re-enlistment money available to the Army is hundreds of millions of dollars more than it was just a few years ago.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/gns_mullenhawaii_080221/

Thus proving what we talk about, they talk about.