Rear Admiral Kim Sandberg is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of San Diego and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University. She received her commission in the Navy Nurse Corps in 1991. She is board certified as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Her graduate degrees include a Master’s in Science in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Southern California and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Executive Healthcare Leadership from American Sentinel University. She is a graduate of the Naval War College Command and Staff Program and the Joint Forces Staff College Joint and Combined Warfighting School.

Sandberg served as a critical care nurse at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and deployed in support of Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994. She also served as Division Officer of Family Practice Medicine Clinic. She affiliated with the Navy Reserve in January 1996.

In the Navy Reserve, her previous assignments included Executive Officer for Operational Health Support Unit San Diego, Navy Reserve Nurse Anesthetist Specialty Leader, Senior Nurse Executive, Director for Operational Programs, Navy Reserve Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, and Affiliate Faculty for Basic Life Support Programs. She was recalled to active-duty service twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was mobilized with the USNS MTF Mercy (T-AH 19) for Pacific Partnership. Sandberg deployed with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Alpha in Afghanistan, where she served as the Medical Director for Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt, and OIC of the Joint Damage Control Surgery Team providing multiservice care to joint coalition international special forces and Afghan forces.

Sandberg’s Navy Reserve command tours include Commanding Officer for Navy Reserve Adaptive Mobilization Medical Unit (AMMU) Pacific and Commanding Officer Navy Reserve Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego. Her Post Command assignments included Deputy Chief of Staff, Naval Medical Forces Support Command. Sandberg assumed the duties as Reserve Deputy Director, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic and Chief, Navy Reserve Nurse Corps in October 2025.

Sandberg’s awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards) and Navy Commendation Medal (five awards) in addition to various unit, campaign and service decoration awards.

She is designated as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer (SWMDO).

Last Updated: 1 October 2025