Three officers assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) were honored at the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) centennial gala dinner, July 27 at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott hotel.

The gala featured a special commemoration of women physicians in uniformed service from countries around the world. The ceremony honored the physicians’ dual commitment to their country and to their patients.

Cmdr. Paulette Cazares, associate director for mental health; Lt. Cmdr. Danielle Barnes, pediatrician; and Lt. Cmdr. Monica Ormeno, child and adolescent psychiatrist, all of NMCSD, were honored during the ceremony.

The gala was the cornerstone event of the centennial congress of MWIA, July 25-28, hosted by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA).

“This centennial gala was particularly remarkable because over the past few years MWIA, and specifically the AMWA, has been working to be more inclusive of military female physicians,” Cazares said.

 “They (the associations) are involving us in a lot of the decision making in the medical society, outreach, and ensuring that advancement in medical careers are protected and enhanced,” she added.

The gala’s military recognition ceremony was organized by Ormeno, chair of the military and veteran’s branch of AMWA, and Barnes, vice chair. Cazares is also on AMWA’s board of directors.

MWIA is one of the oldest international associations of medical women and students from different countries and cultures around the globe.

NMCSD’s mission is to prepare to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver quality health services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training, and research. The vision of the hospital is to be the nation’s premier military medical center, providing world-class care anytime, anywhere.

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