Rear Adm. Kenneth Iverson, commander, Navy Medicine East (NME), a Texas native, spent day two of his Navy Week Houston tour visiting students at the first high school for health care professions in the nation, Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions (HSHP), Oct 21.

During Iverson's visit, he spoke to more than 150 DeBakey HSHP students pursuing careers in medicine, health care, and science about the fascinating health care careers in Navy Medicine. More than 12,000 physicians, dentists, and nurses provide world-class, hands-on care. And more than 2,600 administrative, research and clinical specialists offer vital support in hospitals, labs, and research facilities in the U.S. and around the world.

"Whether you decide to go into nursing, pharmacy, dental, health administration, or medicine as I did -- just be sure to give it your all," said Iverson. "And if you choose military medicine, along with caring for patients, you'll have the added opportunity of providing battlefield, disaster, and humanitarian care around the world. So, follow your heart and passion, and always keep your mind open to the many opportunities out there."

Iverson discussed the mission of America's Navy and how it's important to develop a holistic approach to achieving medical capabilities that are ready and relevant wherever the military operate for maritime missions. He also highlighted ways Navy Medicine is keeping the Navy and Marine Corps family healthy, ready and on the job, emphasizing its ability to save lives at a moment's notice -- on, above, below the sea, and on the battlefield.

DeBakey HSHP has received many awards from organizations such as the Governor's Committee for Educational Excellence of the State of Texas, the National Science Teachers Association, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Houston Mayor's Office. Ninety-eight percent of students attain a post-secondary education.

The night concluded with a football game between Manvel, the highest recruited high school in the state of Texas, and Texas City High School. The Alvin Independent School District Athletic Director, Mike Bass, invited Iverson to be the honorary captain during the game's coin toss, while The Leap Frogs jumped into action.

Houston Navy Week is the 14th of 15 Navy Weeks in 2016 that focus a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

NME is one of two regional commands that manage Navy Medicine's global health care network. It oversees the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of medical, dental, and other health care services to approximately 1 million patients across almost 100 facilities -- including the Tidewater Enhanced Multi-Service Market which brings together U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley and McDonald Army Hospital; Lovell Federal Health Care Center, the Department of Defense's only integrated Navy/Veterans Affairs facility; a joint initiative between NMCP and the 633rd Medical Group at Joint Base Langley-Eustis; and a Navy, Army and Defense Health Agency collaboration of staff assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Its public health also extends globally.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Navy Medicine East, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nme/ or http://www.twitter.com/NavMedEast/.