Medical Corps
150th Medical Corps Birthday Challenge Coin Design Competition
In anticipation of the 150th Medical Corps Birthday, we are looking to design a new challenge coin. Please submit your designs to LCDR Jennifer Eng-Kulawy (e-mail address on the image below) and the winner will be named at the virtual birthday celebration (more information to come). We are looking for innovative designs and we’re excited to see the creativity that our Corps has to offer.

Medical Corps Chief’s Office is on Twitter
You can follow our new Twitter feed (@navy_physician) here:
Medical Corps Symposium at NMC Portsmouth on 3 APR 2020 is Cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Medical Corps Symposium that was to be held on 3 APR 2020 at NMC Portsmouth will be cancelled. Our preliminary plan would be to hold one at some point in 2021.
Happy 149th Medical Corps Birthday!
Happy birthday! Here is RDML Hancock’s message, and the other birthday messages are here:
Dear Medical Corps Colleagues,
It is my honor to represent you, the nearly 4,300 physicians on active duty and in the reserves on the occasion of our 149th birthday! Let us continue to reflect on our respected Corps and our noble profession that has served the Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Commands around the globe for 149 years. As you carry on the proud tradition of Navy Medicine, realize that everything you do as medical professionals continues to ensure that the defenders of our nation, past and present along with their family members have received the best health care our country has to offer. We are an unparalleled medical force that stands ready to support any operational requirement that arises in the future whether it be on land or at sea.
The Medical Corps has a proud and time-honored tradition of providing the highest quality healthcare to our Sailors, Marines, and their families. We have stood the watch in diverse environments whether it be operational or at a military treatment facility; setting the standard for compassionate-care, unswerving service and exceptional leadership and professionalism. As our operational environment evolves we continue to advance the innovations of military medicine. Our Graduate Medical Education programs and your continued dedicated mentorship and guidance within our community have ensured the next generation is ready to carry the tradition of excellence and ensuring the readiness of our warfighters. As the Corps Chief, I am proud to serve with you- and for you!
My heartfelt gratitude to you all as we celebrate another year of exemplary service to our Corps, our Navy and Marine Corps comrades-in-arms and our Country. Happy Birthday!
Sincerely,
JAMES L. HANCOCK
Rear Admiral, Medical Corps
United States Navy
Deadline is Friday for the 149th Medical Corps Birthday Ball – 7 MAR in Coronado, CA
The Medical Corps Ball will be held on the evening of 7 MAR 2020 on North Island in Coronado, CA in celebration of our 149th birthday. The details and registration info are available here:
Please disseminate this as widely as possible to all MC officers. We’re looking for an excellent turnout!
Also note that although uniforms are strongly encouraged, formal civilian attire is permissible as an alternative to dress uniforms for ALL Ranks ALL Services at this event.
149th Medical Corps Birthday Ball – 7 MAR in Coronado, CA
The Medical Corps Ball will be held on the evening of 7 MAR 2020 on North Island in Coronado, CA in celebration of our 149th birthday. The details and registration info are available here:
Please disseminate this as widely as possible to all MC officers. We’re looking for an excellent turnout!
Also note that although uniforms are strongly encouraged, formal civilian attire is permissible as an alternative to dress uniforms for ALL Ranks ALL Services at this event.
Save the Date – Medical Corps Ball (San Diego, 7 MAR) and Symposium (Portsmouth VA, 3 APR)
This fiscal year we are going to move the Medical Corps Ball out of the DC area. It is tentatively scheduled to be held in San Diego on 7 MAR 2020. Further details are being finalized and will be disseminated once they are firmed up.
We are also going to join our MSC colleagues and start a one day Medical Corps Symposium, currently scheduled to occur at NMC Portsmouth on 3 APR 2020. There will be CME available to attendees, and this is a chance to get up to speed on Medical Corps issues such as graduate medical education (GME), professional development, and where we’re headed as an enterprise and a Corps. Here is a save the date graphic they created:
Medical Corps Symposium Save the Date
There is no central funding for either of these events, so you have to find your way there if you are not local. Because of this, the plan is to rotate these to various sites every year.
A Hearty Thanks to MCCareer.org Readers – CDR Schofer is Now CAPT Schofer and the Incoming Deputy Chief of the Medical Corps
Starting a blog about how to promote to Captain is perhaps a little nerve racking until you’ve actually done it yourself. Today is that day!
(Note – Neither the Department of the Navy nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this blog.)
Whew! I guess I no longer need to worry about being that guy who told everyone how to promote to Captain but couldn’t do it himself.
Also of note, this week I check-in to BUMED as the next Deputy Chief of the Medical Corps, which is a dream job of mine. Thanks to all the readers of this blog who definitely contributed to this unexpected turn in my career.
Hometown Hero Program
In order to assist the Navy’s Medical Corps recruiting mission, Commanding Officers have been encouraged to authorize permissive TAD to Medical Corps Officers who engage in recruiting activity.
In other words… if you were planning on taking leave, but spend some of your time helping to recruit for the Uniformed Services University (USU) or Medical Corps Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), you can apply for no-cost TAD and not have to burn your leave. This is a great opportunity for young medical officers to network and build their leave bank.
Process
- Make contact with your alma mater, Medical Officer recruiter, or any optimal group that may be interested in HPSP or USU. Email MedicalVIP.fct < at > navy < dot > mil for assistance. Feel free to email LCDR Brett Chamberlin (e-mail address is in the global) if you encounter any difficulties.
- Develop a plan to recruit, discuss, or generally represent Navy Medicine.
- Request Permissive TAD through your command.
Upcoming Events:
Below are some upcoming USU recruiting events (HPSP recruiting welcome as well). Please contact margeaux.auslander.ctr < at > usuhs < dot > edu
Dates | USU Event Name | Location |
9/25/2019 | Middle Tennessee State University Career Fair | Murfreesboro, TN |
9/25/2019 | Rhodes College Graduate School Expo | Memphis, TN |
9/26/2019 | Christian Brothers University Graduate School Expo | Memphis, TN |
9/26/2019 | University of Memphis Graduate School Information Fair | Memphis, TN |
10/1/2019 | Xavier University visit | New Orleans, LA |
10/2/2019 | LSU Health Professions Fair | Baton Rouge, LA |
10/15/2019 | UT Knoxville Health Professions Fair | Knoxville, TN |
10/16/2019 | UIUC Graduate and Professional School Fair | Champaign, IL |
10/16/2019 | East Tennessee State University Health Professions Recruitment Fair | Johnson City, TN |
RDML James Hancock is the New Medical Corps Chief
Last Saturday, RDML James Hancock assumed the position of Medical Corps Chief from RDML Paul Pearigen. For those of you who would like to learn about RDML Hancock’s background, here is his military bio:
Thanks to RDML Pearigen for his years of leadership in the position.