Vice Adm. Matthew Nathan, Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery retired during an official ceremony at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Dec. 7.

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve in the United States Navy," said Nathan. "We're a maritime service, and that makes us very unique among the services. Our job is to be away from home; our job is to be underway, out and about, already on scene, ready to put out any fire before it grows bigger."

Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations was the ceremony guest speaker. He highlighted the significant contributions of Navy Medicine's mission throughout history and still today.

"We're here to recognize the Navy Medicine team distinguished by the leadership of Vice Adm. Nathan," said Richardson. "From ship to shore, you are everywhere our Navy and Marine Corps team are."

A native of Napa, California, Nathan graduated from Napa High School and earned his medical degree in 1981 from The Medical College of Georgia. He was commissioned in the Navy Medical Corps in 1984 and completed internal medicine specialty training at the University of South Florida before serving as the Internal Medicine department head at Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In 2004, Nathan assumed command of Naval Hospital Pensacola which included additional oversight of 12 clinics in four states. During his tour at Naval Hospital Pensacola, he oversaw Navy medical relief efforts following Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, and Katrina. Despite all facilities experiencing crippling blows, his command still garnered a TRICARE patient-satisfaction award.

Nathan also served as commander, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Navy Medicine, National Capital Area where he was the Navy component commander to the largest military medical integration and construction project in Department of Defense history.

During his tenure as the Navy's surgeon general, Nathan made invaluable contributions to the future of Navy Medicine through his vision and ability to implement change. In addition to directing the world-class health care system of Navy Medicine, he also contributed significantly to transforming the Department of Defense Military Health System to deliver the highest quality of care in one of the safest environments.

Nathan is board certified and holds fellow status in the American College of Physicians and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also holds an appointment as clinical professor of medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He is a recipient of the American Hospital Association "Excellence in Leadership" award for the federal sector.

"Every day, no matter what environment, Navy Medicine is there putting service before self to care for those in need," said Nathan. "I could never be so proud and humbled to be able to call you shipmates, colleagues, battle-buddies, friends, and family."

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provide health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

For more information about Navy Medicine, visit www.med.navy.mil


For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/.