Celebrating their 69th anniversary, the Medical Service Corps (MSC) Association of Hampton Roads hosted their annual symposium Aug. 8 at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP).

The event focused on the state of the MSC, high reliability within the corps, and the expectations of MSC officers.

Capt. Christopher Culp, NMCP commanding officer, welcomed MSC officers to the medical center and wished them a happy anniversary.

"We are the most diverse corps within Navy Medicine," stated Director, Medical Service Corps Rear Adm. Anne Swap, in regards to the 31 specialties within MSC.

There are three main categories the specialties fall into -- health care administration, health care scientists and health care clinicians. While discussing the state of the MSC, Swap noted health care administration now makes up 36 percent of the corps, health care scientists include 24 percent, and health care clinicians now hold the largest spot with 40 percent.

Swap went on to discuss the number of billets the corps currently has along with the manning rate, loss rate, and the number of people within the corps.

Capt. Matthew Case, NMCP executive officer, spoke about high reliability organizations (HRO), and how MSC officers contribute to them. A HRO is defined as an organization which has succeeded in avoiding catastrophes in an environment where normal accidents can be expected due to risk factors and complexity.

"HRO is characterized by five key principles that facilitate both problem detection and problem management," Case said. "Characteristics include preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify interpretations, sensitivity to operations, commitment to resilience, and deference to expertise."

Case led a discussion asking the various specialties within the community how they each play a role in maintaining a HRO.

Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Aaron VanDall, director of Strategic Operations, spoke to guests about "Excellence and Integrity: Sailors' Expectations of MSC Officers."

VanDall reminded officers of the importance of being visible on the deckplate, to be approachable to Sailors of all ranks, to provide mentorship, and understand and apply servant leadership.

Following keynote speakers, officers were able to participate in multiple break-out sessions specific to their area of expertise. The symposium concluded with a group photo on the front steps of historical Building 1 -- the oldest, continuously-operating hospital since 1830.

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