Surgeon General
SG July 4th Message – A Salute to Independence
Shipmates,
As the Fourth of July dawns, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you – the dedicated men and women of Navy Medicine. This week, we celebrate with fireworks and barbecues the foundational principles upon which our nation was built. The belief that an independent nation governed by its people could form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and provide for the common defense of our people.
The Declaration of Independence and the establishment of our Navy are directly related to providing for the common defense of our people. For 248 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has been one of the most powerful symbols of our freedom and global power: protecting our shores, securing trade routes, serving as a deterrent to our adversaries, and a testament to our ability to project power abroad.
The men and women of Navy Medicine are an essential component of this proud history and an assurance to those who courageously serve our nation that they and their families will be cared for while deployed at sea, in hostile territories around the world, and at home.
So, as you celebrate this Fourth of July, take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of the holiday. Remember the sacrifices made by those who dared to dream of a free nation and the innovative spirit that led to the creation of our service. Let the fireworks remind you of the battles fought and won to secure our liberties and let the laughter with your families be a testament to the peace we strive to protect.
Finally, as you enjoy this well-deserved time off, please remember that our safety and the safety of our loved ones is paramount – please make safe and responsible choices.
Your dedication and sacrifice are what make our nation and our Navy strong. I wish you a happy, safe, and meaningful Fourth of July!
SG #40, Corpsman Up!
RADM Darin K. Via
Medical Corps, United States Navy
Navy Surgeon General
Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Surgeon General of the Navy – Memorial Day Message
Shipmates,
As the final Monday of May arrives, Navy Medicine joins our nation in solemn pause to remember those who died in service to our country and the families they left behind. Memorial Day is not just a marker of barbeques, summer blockbusters, televised car races, and long weekends; it’s a day dedicated to the more than one million brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
For all of you in Navy Medicine, your dedication mirrors the heroism we honor and is the greatest tribute. You serve on the front lines, not just in wartime, but EVERY DAY. You mend broken bodies, comfort grieving families, and keep our forces healthy and deployable. You carry the weight of this responsibility, knowing that your actions can mean the difference between life and death.
This Memorial Day, let us reflect on the legacy of those who came before us. Their courage and devotion remind us of the sacred trust we hold—to ensure the well-being of our warfighters, wherever they serve.
Every fallen hero has a story, and it is our duty to remember those who served and died for our freedom. Let us continue to push the boundaries of medical care, offering the best possible support to those who defend our nation.
As we honor our American heroes this Memorial Day, I extend my deepest gratitude to every member of Navy Medicine. Your unwavering compassion, expertise, and commitment are a cornerstone of America’s Navy’s strength!
SG #40, Corpsman Up!
RADM Darin K. Via
Medical Corps, United States Navy
Navy Surgeon General
Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
SG 1-Year Legacy Message: A Year of Progress, A Future of Promise
Shipmates,
A year ago today, on March 27, 2023, I assumed the helm of the Navy Medicine Enterprise. It has been a whirlwind year filled with both challenges and triumphs. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, but even more excited about the future of Navy Medicine.
We have made significant strides in each of our four Lines of Effort:
(1) Delivering Expeditionary Medicine (EXMED) capabilities
(2) Increasing Deployability
(3) Providing Quality Healthcare across the Naval Force
(4) Recruiting/Retaining Navy Medicine Shipmates
We have aligned our people to EXMED billets and formally stood up and deployed our two-person Patient Movement En-route Care System (ERCS) and our Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System (ERSS). We are also on track to send our first Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU) to begin training and testing aboard EPF Flight II – USNS CODY. More EXMEDS are on their way with Secretary of the Navy naming our new Expeditionary Medical Ships: USNS BETHESDA and USNS BALBOA.
We have increased warfighter deployability by implementing conditions based LIMDU for the 175 top medical issues. This has streamlined care and reduced the number of non-deployable Sailors waiting to return to duty.
We continue our drive to deliver quality healthcare across the Naval forces, requiring all Chief Medical Officers and Operational Surgeons to complete Navy Medicine’s Quality Service Leadership Academy (QSLA). This course will soon be mandatory for all milestone billets.
We continue to instill a “Get Real, Get Better” culture by encouraging people to self-assess, self-correct, and improve the organization. Leadership’s job is to help remove barriers to success. We must be transparent up and down the chain of command and “embrace the red” so we can work together to solve problems and increase our warfighting advantage.
We published our first Navy Medicine Campaign Plan to achieve our strategic objectives of delivering agile, trained, and certified medical units for the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and the Joint Force. This five-year roadmap outlines our path forward to win the future fight and aligns to Navy’s Priorities of Warfighting, Warfighters and building our Foundation.
Our course is clear – and it will take the entire Navy Medicine team (blue side, green side, and our Active-Duty, Reserve, and Civilian shipmates) – to get us there. Still, your dedication and expertise will drive our success as we execute our mission.
Finally, and most importantly, as I reflect on being the “acting” and then our official SG this past year, I want to thank you for your tireless commitment to the health and well-being of our Sailors, Marines, and their families.
You are valued and you are making a difference!
Together, we will continue pushing toward our North Star, ensuring that Navy Medicine remains a beacon of light and hope for generations to come! See you in the Fleet!
SG #40, Corpsman Up!
RADM Darin K. Via
Medical Corps, United States Navy
Navy Surgeon General
Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
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