Your Health is Our Mission! Welcome to the Naval Medical Center San Diego's (NMCSD) Facebook Fan page sponsored by the Department of the Navy (DON).
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This page is intended to provide updated information and discussion on NMCSD and affiliated clinics. Please visit our official homepage at http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/Pages/default.aspx. or http://www.navy.mil/local/sd
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-We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization.
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- For Official Use Only (FOUO), classified, pre-decisional, proprietary or business-sensitive information should never be discussed here. Don't post personnel lists, rosters, organization charts or directories. This is a violation of privacy. The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense. You are encouraged to quote, republish or share any content on this page on your own blog, Web site or other communication/publication. If you do so, please credit the command or the person who authored the content as a courtesy (photo or article byline can be U.S. Navy or MC2 Joe Smith, for example). For patient relations assistance, please contact: (619) 532-6418
04/03/2026
🏆 Awards at Quarters! 🏆
Acting Commander, Capt. Cindi Palacios, presented awards at quarters this morning to recognize several Sailors for their outstanding contributions to the mission of providing the highest quality medical care to our veterans, service members, and their families.
🫡Bravo Zulu to all of the award recipients on a job well done! 👏
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal:
Lt. Cmdr. David Cummiskey Jr.
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal:
HM3 Lauren Blackwell
HM3 Mikayla Blackwell
04/01/2026
Today we celebrate the 133rd birthday of the United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, the backbone of the fleet and standard-bearers of leadership, accountability, and deckplate excellence. ⚓️🇺🇸
To the Chiefs serving at , your commitment to patient care, mentorship, and mission readiness sets the tone for excellence across Navy Medicine. You lead with compassion, operate with precision, and uphold the trust placed in you every single day. 🏥✨
Your influence extends far beyond the uniform. You shape futures, save lives, and embody what it means to be a Chief. 🙌🏽
Happy Birthday, Chiefs! 🎉⚓️
04/01/2026
🚀 🇺🇸 The Artemis II mission launches tomorrow! is proud to have played a part in this historic mission, hosting members of the Navy's Fleet Surgical Team 1 at our state-of-the-art Bioskills and Training Simulation Center for training leading up to the launch! 🫡⚓
03/31/2026
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03/27/2026

🏆 Awards at Quarters! 🏆

Commander, Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, presented awards at quarters this morning to recognize several Sailors and civilian staff for their outstanding contributions to the mission of providing the highest quality medical care to our veterans, service members, and their families.
A Legacy of Healing: National Vietnam War Veterans Day
During the ceremony, we took a moment to observe National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which is this Sunday, March 29th. This day holds special significance for our medical center, historically known as Balboa Hospital.
During the Vietnam War, this facility was the largest military hospital in the world and played a vital role in the nation's efforts. It served as a primary destination for wounded service members flown back from the war, and it was here that many former prisoners of war took their first steps toward recovery during Operation Homecoming. The dedicated staff at Balboa provided crucial long-term care and rehabilitation for our returning heroes. We are proud to carry on this legacy of healing and service today.
Resilience and Readiness
The ceremony also featured an inspiring message from Lt. Cmdr. Chad Laughrey, who emphasized resilience, purpose, and the vital role of spiritual readiness in strengthening our team and our mission. Leading by example, the Command Triad showcased this powerful spiritual bond by joining hands, demonstrating that caring for our own is essential to fulfilling our duty to others—no matter what spiritual creed you subscribe to.
⚓Bravo Zulu to all of the award recipients on a job well done! 🫡

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal:
Lt. Jeremy Tran
Lt. Megan Walsh
YN2 Daejuanique Williams
Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
HM2 Craig Elsen
Civilian of the Quarter Q1, CY26
Ms. Tresa Thomas
Mrs. Sarah Haworth
Senior Civilian of the Quarter Q4, CY25
Mr. James Breay
Senior Civilian of the Quarter Q1, CY26
Mr. Darrell Mangham
Civilian of the Year CY25
Ms. Michele Gonzales
Civilian of the Year CY25
Mr. Juan Escutia-Lopez
03/27/2026
03/26/2026
🫡 Keeping warfighters in the fight! ⚓️
👀 LT Sherry Sandri 👏
🤓 This , we shift our eyes to our U.S. Navy Aerospace Optometrists (A*O) who keep our service members and allies visually ready across the globe.
⚓ Their training includes a six-week Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) which involves intense physical fitness, water survival (swimming in flight suits), and aviation physiology, followed by primary flight school in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
⚓ By integrating into the aviation culture, the A*O is acutely aware of all of the stressors of flight, training, scheduling and deployments and is able to meet the needs of all wing wearers.
⚓ In addition to performing regular eye examinations on pilots, aircrew and their families, A*Os also serves as the expert on all ocular and vision related aviation matters and serve as specialty consultants for pre-operative and post-operative refractive surgery cases for aviators.
03/23/2026
03/20/2026
🏆 Awards at Quarters! 🏆
Commander, Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, presented awards at quarters this morning to recognize several Sailors for their outstanding contributions to the mission of providing the highest quality medical care to our veterans, service members, and their families.
👏 Congratulations to the following March Shipmates of the Month:
HM3 Dajahn Outland
HM3 Julien Wyldhart
HM3 Ivett Luna
HN Jasmine Medina
HM3 Clara Shirley
IT3 Maryah Christensen
HM2 Kieran Monteblanco
HM3 Christian Paulo
HM3 Antonio Mcglothlin-Valenica
HN Justin Shipley
⚓Bravo Zulu to all of the award recipients on a job well done! 🫡
03/19/2026
🫡 Wisdom forged on the deckplates ⚓
Last week, honored a legacy of enlisted leadership as we bid farewell to Command Master Chief Adolfo Gonzalez.
Before retiring, Master Chief Gonzalez sat down with us to share powerful lessons from his 25-year journey as a Hospital Corpsman—inspiration for the Sailors who carry on that legacy.
Bravo Zulu on an incredible career of service and leadership, Master Chief. Your impact on our sailors will not be forgotten.
03/18/2026
Hospital Corpsman John Mark Mislang, dental assistant at Naval Branch Health Clinic Naval Base San Diego, discusses his role as a corpsman and his contribution to warfighter readiness.
03/17/2026
❗️Important Announcement❗️
Please see below ⬇️
TRICARE beneficiaries who are displaced back to the United States from overseas can still access health care.
If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you need urgent care, visit a TRICARE-authorized provider with urgent care services.
If you need routine care, call International SOS at 877-451-8659 and they will help connect you with a provider.
If you need health care advice, help finding an urgent care or emergency care facility, or to schedule a virtual urgent care appointment call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE (874-2273).
If you need mental health support, dial 988 then press 1, text 838255 or call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE (874-2273).
If you need to fill a prescription call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303 to receive help finding a network pharmacy.
At we keep our skills sharp to ensure our providers are ready for the call, any time, anywhere.
03/13/2026
03/11/2026
🫡🇺🇸 Fair winds and following seas to Command Master Chief Adolfo Gonzalez and welcome aboard Command Master Chief Phillip Woods! ⚓🦅
has a new senior enlisted leader! If you missed our live stream of the Change of Charge ceremony, check out this video of the highlights 🎥
03/10/2026
A new senior enlisted leader has taken the helm at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego. 🇺🇸⚓
During a time-honored change of charge ceremony on March 9, Command Master Chief Petty Officer Phillip Woods officially relieved Command Master Chief Petty Officer Adolfo Gonzalez, assuming the role as the command’s top enlisted advisor. The ceremony marked the formal transfer of responsibility for guiding and advocating for Sailors across one of the military health system’s premier medical centers.
For Woods, the assignment carries special meaning.
Years ago, while deployed aboard the USS Pearl Harbor, an unexpected medical issue forced him to be evacuated to for treatment—an experience that left a lasting impression on him and shaped his perspective on Navy Medicine.
Now, he returns to the same command not as a patient, but as its senior enlisted leader.
Read the full story to learn more about the journey that brought Woods back to NMRTC San Diego—and the leaders guiding the mission forward. 👇
Our hard charging U.S. Navy Sailors and civilians are vital to the warfighting mission and support the world's most powerful Navy.
Commander, Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, presented awards at quarters this morning to recognize MA1 Johnathon Lewis for his outstanding contribution to the mission of delivering the highest quality medical care at sea and ashore, providing an unmatched advantage in ensuring the health and readiness of our warfighters. MA1 Lewis was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his unswerving determination, wise judgment, and dedication to duty.
Bravo Zulu on a job well done! 👏
03/02/2026
Heightened security measures may impact gate traffic. Please plan accordingly when coming to NMCSD.
MARCH 2, 2026 - Naval Base San Diego has implemented heightened security measures at all entry gates until further notice. These measures include but are not limited to 100% ID checks and the suspension of the Trusted Traveler Program.
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The Trusted Traveler Program previously allowed DoD-affiliated sponsors to vouch for vehicle occupants for installation access. Personnel requiring escorted access to the installation must present a valid state, federal or government-issued identification to the sentry and be accompanied by an individual with authorized escorting privileges.
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Drivers should expect delays at all entry gates and should plan accordingly.
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Gate 13 (South Access/19th Street) will be secured until further notice.
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Surface Warriors
Fleet and Family Support Center San Diego
02/27/2026
🏆 Awards at Quarters! 🏆
Commander, Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, presented awards at quarters this morning to recognize several Sailors for their outstanding contributions to the mission of providing the highest quality medical care to our veterans, service members, and their families.
Bravo Zulu to all of the award recipients on a job well done! 👏
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal:
Lt. Cmdr. Victoria Kay
Lt. Robert O'Donnell
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal:
Lt. Matthew Welborn
HM3 Carter Reynolds
Junior Officer of the Year, FY 2025:
Lt. Amy Bodea
Junior Officer of the Quarter, Q4 FY2025:
Lt. Nicole Roddy
Junior Officer of the Quarter Q1 FY2026:
Lt. Karen Richardson
02/27/2026
⚓🦅 Building warfighter readiness through spiritual resiliency 💪🫡
🎉Congratulations to Lt. Cmdr. Chad Laughrey on his recent board certification by the National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains! Laughrey now enhances with his expertise as a member of the pastoral care services department, where he serves as the department’s senior clinician and as the pastoral care residency program manager.
Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) Director, U.S. Navy Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, presented U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chad Laughrey, chaplain at NMCSD, with his board certification from the National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains at NMCSD, Feb. 17. As a board-certified chaplain, Laughrey now....
02/26/2026
🎥 🫡Sailor Spotlight ⚓🦅
HM1 Nina Sandoval talks about her job as the district leading petty officer for NBHC Naval Base San Diego, her role as a leader over a 15-year career in the Navy, and all the things she does in addition to her primary duties.
02/24/2026
🦅⚓ Future Sailors on deck! 🫡🇺🇸
The NJROTC from Eldorado High School in Las Vegas, Nevada stopped by last week to check out our state-of-the-art bioskills lab. Thanks for visiting!
02/20/2026
🏆 Awards at Quarters! 🏆
Commander, Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, presented awards at quarters this morning to recognize several Sailors for their outstanding contributions to the mission of providing the highest quality medical care to our veterans, service members, and their families.
👏 Congratulations to the following January Shipmates of the Month:
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Per governing federal ethics regulations, Military members and civilian employees of Naval Medical Center San Diego(NMCSD) are prohibited by federal law from soliciting gifts. The privilege we have been given to serve our patients and their families is reward enough.
However, we understand that the American Public, the San Diego community in particular, often desires to give back to our Sailors, Marines, their families and our medical professionals who care for them. Due to this outpouring of generosity and support for our service members and NMCSD, we have received legal authority to accept unsolicited gifts intended to further our mission.
This information is not provided to solicit gifts but simply to inform you of the means by which individuals, organizations, and businesses can give cash, goods, or services to benefit NMCSD, its patients, its staff, and their families.
The process is as simple as a written offer explaining the gift, its value, any cost to the Navy, and any conditions you wish to include.
Next, submit your offer to the department or program which you intend to receive or manage the gift.
If you have any questions regarding gifts of cash or goods, please contact NMCSD's gift program coordinator, Mr. Duane Sandvick, at (619) 532-9762. If you have any questions regarding gifts of services, please contact NMCSD's volunteer coordinator, Ms. Amy Ash-Welch at (619) 532-5040.
