Naval Medical Center San Diego will hold a ceremony here 1 p.m. Friday to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

On May 20, 1917, the Navy's first permanent medical facility in Balboa Park, the War Dispensary, was established to provide medical support for a Navy training camp on the old Exposition Grounds in Balboa Park.

Since then, the Navy's medical footprint in Balboa Park would evolve into the extensive state-of-the-art medical facility it is today, with more than 6, 400 military and civilian personnel providing care to an enrolled population of 125,000 active duty service members, retirees and their families.

"You've represented hope, caring and compassion to countless thousands whose lives have been touched or saved by those who came before you," said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy Surgeon General and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, in a special video addressing the staff at NMCSD. "While much has changed during the past century, your commitment to providing America's sons and daughters the best care our nation can offer has never changed or waivered."

Guest speakers will include Rear Adm. Paul D. Pearigen, Commander, Navy Medicine West and chief of the Navy Medical Corps, and retired Vice Adm. Harold M. Koenig, who commanded Naval Hospital San Diego from July 1985 to June 1987, and served as the Navy Surgeon General and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery from June 1995 to June 1998.

Captain Joel A. Roos, Commanding Officer, Naval Medical Center San Diego, will preside over the ceremony.

**************************Coordinating Instructions*****************************
Please R.S.V.P. to usn.nmcsd-pao@mail.mil by no later than 4 p.m. Thursday.
A public affairs representative will meet you at NMCSD's main gate just off of Florida Drive Friday at 12:15 p.m., and will escort you to the ceremony.



For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information on Naval Medical Center San Diego visit: http://www.navy.mil/local/sd/