Former city residents serve in U.S. Navy at Surface Warfare Medicine Institute

Feb. 16, 2017 | Lt. Cmdr. Katy Gray

SAN DEIGO, CA – A 2003 Sabis International Charter School graduate and Springfield, MA native is serving in the U.S. Navy at Surface Warfare Medicine Institute (SWMI).

Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Gordon serves as a hospital corpsman at the San Diego based training center. According to Navy officials, the institute’s purpose is providing medical education, operational training and certification for medical, dental and fleet personnel ashore and afloat.

“I am currently a student in the independent duty corpsman program,” said Gordon. “We are learning an advanced level of health care here as students. We are getting to become more of a provider than an assistant. I like the opportunity that I will get to have a direct impact on the health and well being of my sailors and their quality of life.”

The sailors who are part of Navy medicine are the most highly trained, educated and specialized force in history, said Navy officials. The role of Navy medicine in preserving the healthy and fighting readiness of that force has never been greater or more critical.

“The Surface Warfare Medical Institute teaches 13 courses to over 800 students annually,” said Cmdr. Steven Parks, Officer in Charge of the Surface Warfare Medical Institute. “The training we provide enables our physicians, nurses, medical service corps officers, and Corpsman to directly support the Navy and Marine Corps combat teams. The leadership, mentorship and influence that our staff has on our students is second to none.”

Parks added that he is proud that SWMI’s mission will have long lasting positive impact and benefits to Navy Medicine for years to come.

Gordon said he feels honored to be able to serve at a command that is continually raising the bar in healthcare.

“We have the opportunity to work with senior corpsman and doctors,” said Gordon. “SWMI has done a great job of integrating senior enlisted and doctors into teaching our courses.”

Those who serve in Navy medicine understand that they play a key role in meeting the missions of our armed forces, according to Navy officials.

“The Navy means giving back to my country and fulfilling an honorable role that impacts my fellow Americans,” added Gordon.

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