Cmdr. Marion Gregg relieved Cmdr. Jennifer Espiritu as officer-in-charge of Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit (NEPMU) 2 during a change of charge ceremony conducted at Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 11.

This event marks the 34th change of charge in NEPMU2's 67-year history.

Capt. Scott Jonson, commanding officer for the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, presided over a ceremony attended by distinguished guests including the guest speaker, Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency.

In his remarks, Jonson described how serving as officer-in-charge is in many cases the pinnacle of an officer's career and the ultimate vote of confidence by one's seniors.

"It's a position that provides great personal satisfaction, but also a great deal of pressure," said Jonson.

He went on to congratulate Espiritu on her outstanding tenure at NEPMU2, and presented her with a Meritorious Service Medal for her leadership in support of Navy Public Health and the Navy Medicine mission.

Over the past three years, Espiritu has been the driving force behind numerous public health and global force health protection endeavors.

During her tenure as officer-in-charge, NEPMU2 deployed personnel across five combatant command (COCOM) areas of responsibility, including U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Africa Command (AFRICOM), European Command (EUCOM), and Central Command (CENTCOM) in support of combat, humanitarian, and special warfare operations including Southern Partnership Station 15 and Continuing Promise 15 aboard hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). As the public health emergency officer for Navy Medicine East, she provided subject matter expertise on emerging infections.

In response to Ebola, NEPMU2 worked with U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Navy Infectious Disease physicians to create novel hands-on training for all Navy deployers bound for West Africa. In response to Zika, she oversaw a multi-disciplinary course for military and public health agencies, and sent two entomologists to support the CDC mission in Puerto Rico. She also provided analyses for two bioweapon/unknown substance incidents for Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; and managed to secure almost $200,000 in grant funds for NEPMU2 to conduct research on mosquito-borne diseases and meningococcal infections. Concurrently, training thousands of interagency students, medical students, and residents was carried out in NEPMU2's classrooms annually.

Espiritu attributes the NEPMU's accomplishments to the teamwork and dedication of the Sailors and staff who served with her.

"My tour was interesting and challenging as we balanced meeting our mission in the face of shrinking budgets and resources," said Espiritu. "Our wins are in the books -- renowned experts in our field nationally and internationally, both Sailors and officers; innovative research, lab work and surveillance; and ardent supporters of wellness by word and deed as evidenced by our string of 'Blue Hs.' I loved coming to work, we have a great team, and I'll miss working with you every day."

Gregg, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was commissioned in 2003 and began his Navy Medicine career as a diving and undersea medical officer at Naval Submarine Support Center, New London, Connecticut as the squadron undersea medical officer.

Gregg earned his doctorate of medicine from Wright State University School of Medicine and completed his residency in preventive medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

In 2011, he reported to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan as the Preventive Medicine Department head; assistant director, Public Health; and public health emergency officer. In May 2012, Gregg deployed to Indonesia and Vietnam in support of Pacific Partnership. He was then selected to serve as the director for Public Health at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa until 2014, when he transferred to U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There, he served as the chief of Preventive Medicine for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)-USNORTHCOM Surgeon General, where he helped to lead USNORTHCOM CONUS (continental U.S.) Ebola and Zika virus planning, response, and global synchronization efforts.

Upon assuming command, Gregg acknowledged the NEPMU2 staff for its work ethic and participation in the ceremony while in the middle of a field exercise.

"I'm excited to get the opportunity to lead and serve this talented group of professionals at NEPMU2," said Gregg.

He went on to thank Espiritu for her leadership and lasting contributions to public health.

"Over the years, I have known Cmdr. Espiritu as a mentor, colleague, and friend; I am truly honored to be able to follow in her footsteps," said Gregg. "You have left big shoes to fill, but I promise I will do my best to fill them and build on all of your efforts here at NEPMU2."

The mission of NEMPU2 is to provide specialized consultation, advice, and recommendations in matters of occupational health, health promotion, preventive medicine, environmental health, and deployment medical surveillance -- to include chemical, biological, radiological and environmental defense to unified and naval component commanders, naval shore activities, and fleet units of the operational forces in the areas assigned, and to perform such other functions and tasks as may be directed by higher authority.

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