NMCP Commemorates 115 Years of Hospital Corps

Portsmouth, Va. (NNS) -- During an uncharacteristically cool and breezy morning, about 350 Naval Medical Center Portsmouth staff commemorated the 115th birthday of the Hospital Corps June 14 with a 1.5-mile group run, the first of several events planned to mark the day.

Although the official birthday is June 17, the run kicked off the celebration a little early, with the annual NMCP Hospital Corps Ball planned for the evening of June 14. On the 17th, a cake-cutting ceremony will complete the annual celebration.

The sunrise run started with a few words from NMCP's acting commander, Capt. David C. Collins, and Command Master Chief Michael C. James.

"It's an honor and privilege to be here at 'The First and Finest' for the 115th Hospital Corpsmen birthday, because this is where it all began," James said. "Fortunately for myself, I have been part of two outstanding rates, dental technician and hospital corpsman, so I am very ecstatic to be here."

Then, after forming into ranks in three groups, the course took them from historic Bldg. 1, around the medical center's track and back to Hospital Point, ending in front of Bldg. 1, with the color guard and flags leading the way.

The idea of the run may be simple, but for many participating, there was a deeper meaning.

"I think it's important to gather as a group to celebrate ourselves, it's our birthday," said Hospital Corpsmen 1st Class April S. Roots, Laboratory Department leading petty officer and president of NMCP's Hospital Corps Ball Committee. "The history, evolution and diversity of the corpsman rate is important. That is why I believe it's important that we all get together - different people, ranks and cultures all coming together to demonstrate part of what we will be celebrating tonight at the Corpsman Ball."

"The Hospital Corps birthday is very important to our rate," said Hospitalman Harold Gladden, NMCP Command Fitness Department. "I ran because I wanted to support the Hospital Corpsman rate and everything it stands for."

Following the run, participants got to indulge in gourmet doughnuts from O'doodleDoo's in Suffolk. One was overheard extolling the virtues of the Maple Bacon doughnut.

The Hospital Corps came into existence as a unit of the Medical Department with an Act of Congress on June 17, 1898. This act provided for appointment to the warrant rank of pharmacist and established hospital steward (chief petty officer), hospital apprentice first class (third class petty officer) and hospital apprentice. The first appointments were made by the Secretary of the Navy: 25 senior apothecaries appointed as pharmacists. These original 25 are considered the charter members of the Hospital Corps.

For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/local/NMCP/.