Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Emmanuel T. Dadzie, from Accra, Ghana, West Africa, commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade in the Medical Service Corps (MSC) during a ceremony at Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi (NHCCC) ceremony, Oct. 2.

Capt. Miguel A. Cubano, NHCCC commanding officer, presided, remarking that Dadzie proved anyone from anywhere can succeed by investing the time and the effort.

"[Dadzie] is always striving for excellence and it is reflected not only in his work as a student, but as a corpsman," Cubano said. "He will be an incredible edition to the MSC community."

Dadzie is a graduate of University of Ghana, Legon, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business in 2006. He is operating department practitioner certified from Coventry University, United Kingdom, and he earned a master's in health care administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2016.

He was selected for commissioning through the Navy's Medical Service Corps Direct Accession Program, which allows active duty service members with graduate degrees to apply.

Dadzie's naval career began in 2012 at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, followed by Hospital Corpsman "A" School where he was a Dean's List graduate in the top 1 percent of his class. After successful completion of Field Medical Service School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in August 2013, he reported to NHCCC, his first duty station, as an E-3.

While serving in Corpus Christi, Dadzie managed a variety of general duty corpsman assignments at NHCCC including Medical Home Port team leader; patient administration/medical record assistant leading petty officer; Medical Cognizant, Regional Overseas and Exceptional Family Member Program coordinator; and regional assistant limit duty coordinator. He was also advanced to petty officer 3rd and 2nd class, earned Junior Sailor the Quarter recognition, and completed his post-graduate degree.

During his remarks at the ceremony, Dadzie expressed his pride in being a member of the United States Navy, and he attributed his military advancements and recognition to a team effort.

"That's what the Navy is about, being there for each other irrespective of where you come from," said Dadzie. "I come from Ghana - Accra. It is so amazing that the Navy celebrates diversity, and it is the diversity that makes the Navy the greatest organization on Earth. You are able to work hard. You are able to study, and your dreams will be accomplished."

Dadzie is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives and Honor Society. His awards and accolades include the Good Conduct Medal (1), National Defense Medal (1), and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, as well as NHCCC Junior Sailor of the 3rd Quarter for fiscal year 2016, command sexual assault prevention and response victim advocate Letter of Appreciation, and Customer Service Awards (10).

Dadzie will attend Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island, in October. From there he will report to Naval Hospital Bremerton for his first MSC officer assignment.

The MSC was originally called the Navy Hospital Corps during World War I. The military later recognized the need for a permanent, all-officer medical category comprised of individuals trained in administrative, professional and scientific specialties. Today it is the most highly varied corps in Navy Medicine, with 31 diverse specialties, in the areas of health care administration, health care science, and clinical care.

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