Branch Health Clinic China Lake

12/23/2025

🎖️ Bravo Zulu HM1 Grant! 🎖️

On Dec. 17, 2025, Hospital Corpsman First Class (HM1) Brandon Grant was recognized for his exceptional service and dedication to Navy Medicine. HM1 Grant was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal by LT Nicole Thomas, Department Head of Branch Health Clinic Bridgeport, in recognition of his outstanding performance and commitment to patient care.

In addition, HM1 Grant received the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Twentynine Palms Desert Rat Certificate from CDR P.J. Martin for his significant contributions to the patients and staff of Branch Health Clinic China Lake. His professionalism, teamwork, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on our clinic and the community we serve.
HM1 Grant will truly be missed. We thank him for his exemplary service and wish him continued success in his next chapter. Fair winds and following seas! ⚓

12/23/2025

🩸 BLOOD DRIVE AT BRANCH HEALTH CLINIC CHINA LAKE 🩸

We’re excited to announce that the Houchin Community Blood Bank's Branch Health Clinic China Lake Blood Drive is officially confirmed and ready for donors!

📅 Thursday, January 8
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎯 Goal: 40 units collected

Every donation has the power to make a difference. With full participation, this blood drive could help save up to 120 local patients in our community. ❤️

🎁 Donor Thank You Gift:
Every successful donor will receive a fleece Houchin blanket (while supplies last).

📲 Appointments are encouraged:
👉 CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: https://connect.hcbb.com/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/8394

Thank you for supporting this lifesaving mission and helping care for our community—one donation at a time. 💪🩸

12/22/2025

PATIENT ADVISORY | HOLIDAY CLOSURE NOTICE

Branch Health Clinic China Lake will be closed to all routine services from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26, in observance of the federal holidays.

Due to a recent Executive Order designating the days before and after Christmas as federal holidays, only the service listed below will be available during this period. Patients with appointments scheduled during the closure will be contacted by our staff to assist with rescheduling.

Service Available During the Holiday Closure:
Pharmacy: Open 0730–1200 on Dec. 24; Closed Dec. 25–26

We appreciate your understanding and wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

12/19/2025

12/16/2025

Branch Health Clinic China Lake gathered on Saturday, December 13, to celebrate the holiday season with a festive command holiday party. Sailors and staff came together to enjoy good food, great company, and time to reflect on the hard work and dedication shown throughout the year. The event provided an opportunity to strengthen camaraderie and celebrate the teamwork that supports the clinic’s mission year-round.

Happy Holidays from Branch Health Clinic China Lake! 🎄✨

12/12/2025

China Lake Corpsmen Strengthen Skills Through Case-Based Medical Training

Over the past couple of months, Lt. j.g. Christian Woodie, a physician assistant at NMRTU China Lake, led twice-weekly medical training sessions for junior hospital corpsmen. The program reinforced foundational skills such as patient history-taking, hand-offs, and documentation, while using case studies and hands-on practice in areas including back pain evaluation, cranial nerve and abdominal exams, headaches, and basic suturing. Corpsmen reported increased confidence in patient communication and clinical decision-making, applying new skills directly in the clinic. The training strengthened medical readiness, built a strong knowledge base for future roles, and prepared corpsmen for both routine and operational care.

"I figured it would be useful to describe a clinical scenario including a history and physical exam… rather than simply giving them the information without context. They enjoyed how they were able to apply what they had learned into a real clinical setting."
-Lt. j.g. Christian Woodie

“Based on some of the knowledge we learned from Corps School, he helped me understand so much on how everything in the body works together… identifying what might be going on with the patient by having us do realistic scenarios."
-Hospital Apprentice Larie Belle Urbano

Read the full story linked in the comments 👇

12/12/2025

Sailors from NMRTU China Lake spent the afternoon at Bella Sera Nursing Facility on December 9, sharing Christmas carols and holiday cheer with local residents.

Nine corpsmen volunteered for the visit, helping brighten the season and strengthen ties within the Ridgecrest community. 🎄💙

Check out the full story below 👇

12/05/2025

Branch Health Clinic China Lake is proud to recognize HM3 Wasiq as our Sailor of the Month for November 2025!

HM3 Wasiq performed his duties with exemplary professionalism, delivering exceptional customer service while setting the standard for teamwork and mission accomplishment across Navy Medicine Readiness Training Unit China Lake. His strong work ethic, positive attitude, and dedication to our patients and staff reflect the highest ideals of Navy Medicine.

Please join us in congratulating HM3 Wasiq on this well-deserved recognition! Bravo Zulu! 🎉⚓️

09/08/2025

🩸Help us save lives THIS THURSDAY at the Branch Health Clinic China Lake Blood Drive!🩸

Join us in giving the gift of life at our next Houchin Community Blood Drive.

📅 Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
💻 Donors can schedule their appointment here: https://connect.hcbb.com/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/8169

✨ As a thank you, all successful donors will receive an HCBB In Remembrance of 9/11 T-shirt (while supplies last).
Every donation counts. Your generosity could help save lives and honor the spirit of service and remembrance.

09/04/2025

🩸 Branch Health Clinic China Lake Blood Drive 🩸
Join us in giving the gift of life at our next Houchin Community Blood Drive.

📅 Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025

🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

💻 Donors can schedule their appointment here: https://connect.hcbb.com/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/8169

✨ As a thank you, all successful donors will receive an HCBB In Remembrance of 9/11 T-shirt (while supplies last).

Every donation counts. Your generosity could help save lives and honor the spirit of service and remembrance.

08/28/2025

On August 18, Branch Health Clinic China Lake welcomed a delegation from the U.S. Senate, represented by Mr. Sean O’Keefe and Mr. Jonathan Clark, Professional Staff Members from the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the clinic’s capabilities and the essential healthcare services we deliver in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWD). Discussions also emphasized the critical role of healthcare in sustaining the rural, remote, and isolated workforce at China Lake.

The delegation was escorted by Capt. Katherine Noel, USN, Legislative Liaison (Office of Legislative Affairs), and Mr. Jeremy “JV” Vaughan, Chief Strategy Officer for NAWCWD.

We extend our appreciation to our visitors for their time and interest in the mission of Branch Health Clinic China Lake and the service we provide to our service members and their families.

Navy Medicine | Defense Health Agency | Military Health | U.S. Navy

08/22/2025

🏅 Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Blue H Gold Star Award for the 14th consecutive year.

This achievement recognizes our ongoing commitment to promoting health and wellness for our service members, families, and the community. We are especially honored that all three of our locations—Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, Branch Health Clinic China Lake, and Branch Health Clinic Bridgeport—earned the highest level of recognition, the Gold Star.

This award reflects the dedication of our Health and Wellness Council, led by our expert Public Health team, who continue to innovate and collaborate to ensure our programs support healthy lifestyles across the installation and beyond.

We are grateful to our staff, partners, and community for their commitment to sustaining a culture of wellness. Together, we continue to uphold the standard of excellence in military healthcare.

Navy Medicine | Defense Health Agency | MAGTF Training Command/Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms | Naval Medical Forces Pacific | U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps