MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- With health-care costs skyrocketing nationwide, a local retired surgeon's long volunteer hours are especially extraordinary - totaling no less than $66,000 in services, if not double that amount.
That's how a Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton business manager quantifies the tireless contribution of Dr. Roger Schmitt, a former Marine artillery officer.
During wartime, military treatment facilities are sometimes stretched thin due to personnel deployments. Deployed personnel are often augmented by reservists and contract civilian health-care professionals. However, it's rare that one of them will volunteer their time.
Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the hospital here is one of those staff-strapped facilities. But Schmitt is doing way beyond his share to help ease that crunch.
"Dr. Schmitt, an orthopedic surgeon, has been volunteering to help us maintain patient access to care here," said Lt. Cmdr. Larry Loomis, director of Musculoskeletal Services (MSS) for the hospital.
MSS Business Manager Maureen Parker said Schmitt has seen more than 660 patients since arriving here more than one year ago. In the civilian community, such visits with an orthopedic surgeon cost between $100 and $200 each. Schmitt has contributed between $66,000 and $132,000 of service to the hospital, she calculated.
Schmitt's generosity has not gone unnoticed. During a recent gathering of orthopedic colleagues, Capt. R. R. Jeffries, the hospital's commanding officer, gave Schmitt a commanding officer's coin.
"This is different from the command coin," Jeffries explained. "I've only given six of these out. You've definitely earned one.
"You're the silent kind who does all these great things that nobody really knows about. You've done so much to help out at the hospital," Jeffries added.
Schmitt also received a coin from the hospital's executive director for Specialty Care, Cmdr. Wayne Inman. The coin signifies that Schmitt is now an honorary member of the Navy Medical Corps.
Schmitt said administering medical care is a labor of love.
"I got arthritis in my hands and had to retire from surgery prematurely," Schmitt said. "That was about six years ago.
"After that, I really missed patient contact. I read in the paper about a retired radiologist helping out here at Pendleton. When Operation Iraqi Freedom began, I decided it would be a good time to get back into practice."
Schmitt helps wounded Marines and sailors rehabilitate from their injuries and, if necessary, prepare for surgery.
"These are young guys who are otherwise healthy," Schmitt said. "I appreciate their desire to get their mission accomplished, and I think that carries over in how they take care of themselves medically, too. When I tell them what's wrong with them and what's going to make them right, they're very motivated to follow through."
Schmitt says working here is almost like coming home.
"I really am happy to be back working with the Marines and sailors," he said.
Schmitt's work also has been recognized outside of the hospital. He was the base's Volunteer of the Month for August and recently received the President's Call to Service Award for distinguished volunteer service.