Staff from Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi (NHCCC) observed the 68th birthday of the Navy Medical Service Corps (MSC) on the quarterdeck Aug. 4.

Commanding Officer Capt. Jimmy A. Bradley flanked by Cmdr. Nora M. Perez, most mature MSC officer, and Lt. j.g. Steven J. Kahn, right, newest MSC officer, led the staff in celebration with a cake cutting ceremony.

Director of the Medical Service Corps Rear Adm. Terry J. Moulton relayed his congratulations in a written message.

"Today, our Corps proudly celebrates our legacy of exceptional service to our Nation and Navy Medicine. I want to thank you for all that you do, every day, to provide high quality health care to our warfighters, their families, and all those we serve," said Moulton. "Our Corps has an incredibly rich history that dates back before our formal establishment."

During World War I, sixty-five pharmacists and chief pharmacists were given temporary commissions in the Medical Corps. Throughout World War II, 1,429 officers were given appointments in the Hospital Corps and 845 allied healthcare specialists and scientists were given appointments as Naval Reserve officers.

Recognizing a need for an officer corps of professional administrators, clinicians and scientists,
Congress enacted the Army-Navy Medical Service Corps Act of 1947, formally establishing the Corps.

The Medical Service Corps now has more than 3,000 active and reserve officers in thirty-one specialties serving at sea, on deployments and humanitarian missions, in clinics, impatient facilities, research and operation commands around the world.

"Our Medical Service Corps continues to lead from the front as highly skilled and professional naval officers that selflessly support Navy Medicine's mission," said Moulton.

At NHCCC, its Naval Branch Health Clinics located in Kingsville and Fort Worth, Texas, and at the San Antonio Detachment, MSC officers display incredible skill and talent while providing services and care to more than 13,000 enrolled beneficiaries comprised of military active duty, their family members, retirees and their family members.

One of those skilled officers, NHCCC Comptroller Lt. Cherie Chenault, from Fairborn, Ohio, verbalized her approval about being in the Corps.

"It's very satisfying that you can touch so many echelons within health care. MSCs are quite versatile and can be found in every directorate here. You can be an administrator, you can be a clinician, you can even run a military treatment facility. Look at our CO [Bradley], he pretty much runs all of Navy Medicine in the state of Texas," said Chenault.

Navy-wide, Moulton issued a challenge for all MSC officers to assist in recruiting the best and brightest, train and mentor the Corps' officers, and continue to develop as professional and proficient naval officers.

"As we have throughout our history, the Medical Service Corps will rise to any challenges the future may bring and will continue to provide the exceptional service to our nation that is a hallmark of our Corps," said Moulton.

NHCCC is part of a global healthcare network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who
provide high-quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine's highly trained men and women deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

For more news from Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi, visit www.navy.mil/.