The United States and Cambodia Working Together to Improve the Health of all Cambodians

Phnom Penh
July 7, 2017

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces awarded the Royal Order of Monisaraphon to three U.S. Navy officers who have been crucial to this partnership.

Receiving the awards last Friday were Navy Commander Gary Brice, Navy Lt. Commander Jamal Dejli, and Navy Lt. Commander Catherine Berjohn.

They were recognized for their work in supporting the renovations of three medical laboratories in Cambodia and providing technical training to laboratory technicians.

All three are assigned in Phnom Penh to the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-2 Detachment (NAMRU-2), which identifies infectious disease threats of military and public health importance and evaluates ways to mitigate those threats. Gary is the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit 2 director.

Also recognized for her contributions was NAMRU-2 staffer Bun Chankesey.

The awards were presented by Health Department of the Cambodian Ministry of Defense director Lt. Gen.Kong Saly, and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Julie Chung.

(From left to right) Health Department of the Cambodian Ministry of Defense director Lt. Gen.Kong Saly, Navy Commander Gary Brice, and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Julie Chung [Photo: Un Yarat]
(From left to right) Health Department of the Cambodian Ministry of Defense director Lt. Gen.Kong Saly, Navy Commander Gary Brice, and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Julie Chung [Photo: Un Yarat]
Participants take a group photo after the award ceremony. [Photo: Un Yarat]
Participants take a group photo after the award ceremony. [Photo: Un Yarat]