Medical Service Corps Birthday Celebration Focuses on Mentorship

By Rebecca A. Perron, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth celebrated the 67th Medical Service Corps birthday Aug. 4 with the reading of birthday letters from the chiefs of the Medical, Dental, Nurse and Medical Service corps and the force master chief before cutting the ceremonial cake.

Cmdr. Paul Allen, Nutrition Management Department head, began the ceremony by reading a brief history of the MSC, before turning the floor over to those reading the letters.

In the letter written by Rear Adm. Terry Moulton, NMCP commander and MSC chief, he thanked the corps for "providing high quality health care to our warfighters, their families and those entrusted to our care.

"Since 1947, the Medical Service Corps has led from the front in clinical, scientific and administrative specialties while supporting the mission of the Navy Medical Department," Moulton wrote in the birthday letter. "The hallmark of the Medical Service Corps has been mentoring and grooming junior officers to develop into leaders of choice for Navy Medicine. This year, I challenge you to find a mentor, become a mentor, or continue to mentor, and emphasize the leadership and professional fundamentals that make our corps strong and prepared for any challenge that may lie ahead."

After the reading of Moulton's letter by Cmdr. Tim Richardson, director for Resource Management, Moulton spoke personally about his experience as a junior MSC officer and the great mentors he was surrounded by, reiterating the importance of mentorship.

"As I was beginning at my first duty station, I had great mentors, including nurses, doctors and fellow MSC officers," Moulton said. "We are standing on the shoulders of giants. If we focus on mentorship, we will continue to make our corps strong. Today, we celebrate our 67 years, and we have a lot to be proud of. With that, I wish everybody a happy birthday."

The ceremony concluded with Moulton cutting the cake with Ensign Akakpossa Ananou, the most junior MSC officer at NMCP.

In his letter to the Medical Service Corps, Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general, wrote about his experience with those in the corps.

"I truly have great appreciation for the MSC and its more than 30 individualized specialties," Nathan wrote. "It is such a diverse corps and I am constantly amazed by the breadth and knowledge that these officers possess. Their passion for science - from research, to operational medicine, to health care administration - is unmatched.

"Over the past year, I have witnessed their many achievements and contributions at home and abroad," Nathan continued. "Whether serving at sea, on deployments and humanitarian missions, clinics, inpatient facilities, and research units around the world, MSC officers continue to lead from the front lines. Their commitment and service have left an unprecedented mark on the history of the United States Navy and the care we provide each and every day."

Today, there are more than 3,000 officers on active and Reserve duty, serving within the 31 specialties of MSC.