Navy Medicine West (NMW) staff marked the first anniversary of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps with a cake-cutting ceremony, April 30.

The Civilian Corps was established to support Navy Medicine's civilian employees by focusing on three primary goals:

* Establish a robust and dynamic civilian talent development program to include career development and succession planning
* Provide civilian professional growth within the federal government
* Retain exemplary employees by offering them opportunities to learn and excel

"Navy Medicine West has the benefit of an incredible civilian workforce, at headquarters and throughout the region," said Rear Adm. Paul Pearigen, commander, NMW, and chief of the Navy Medical Corps.

The event was coordinated by Susan Ryder, the NMW deputy chief of staff for total force and regional point of contact for Navy Medicine's Office of Civilian Workforce Development.
"Talent management of our civilian professionals," says Ryder, "is critical to ensuring we are always growing the next generation of civilian leaders."

With Navy Medicine's military staff rotating every few years, the civilian workforce maintains the corporate memory and knowledge. The Civilian Corps aims to attract and retain future generations of employees by offering development and growth opportunities.

"Our civilian cadre bring several benefits to the Navy Medicine team by providing technical expertise, professional experience, diverse viewpoints, and continuity," said Pearigen. "Integrating civilian perspectives broadens our approach to decision-making and support to commands around our region."

Navy Medicine West (NMW) leads Navy Medicine's Pacific health care system and global research and development enterprise. Throughout the region, NMW provides medical care to more than 675,000 beneficiaries across 10 naval hospitals, two dental battalions, and 51 branch clinics located throughout the West Coast of the U.S., Asia, and the Pacific. Globally, NMW has oversight of eight research laboratories across the U.S. and overseas that deliver high-value, high-impact research products to support and protect the health and readiness of service members.


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