Navy Medicine East names regional Sailors of the Year

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Stephane Belcher | 161201-N-PG340-031 PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Dec. 1, 2016) Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth Richeal (center left), from Naval Health Clinic (NHC) Patuxent River, a native of Indianapolis, Navy Medicine East’s (NME) regional Senior Sailor or the Year (SSOY) stands with Rear Adm. Ken Iverson (Center right), commander, Navy Medicine East (NME); Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Hill, NME’s command master chief, and 20 command nominated Sailors of the Year during the NME annual regional SOY ceremony at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel Dec. 1. NME is one of two regional commands that manage Navy Medicine's global health care network by overseeing the delivery of medical, dental and other health care services to approximately one million patients across almost 100 facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher/Released)  

PORTSMOUTH , VA, UNITED STATES

12.01.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher 

Naval Medical Forces Atlantic

Navy Medicine East (NME) held its annual regional Senior Sailor or the Year (SSOY), Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY) and Blue Jacket of the Year (BJOY) ceremony at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel Dec. 1.

Twenty commands across NME’s eastern hemisphere—from Italy and Cuba to Texas and Key West, Florida—and its headquarters, participated in the annual competition.

“I want to congratulate our Sailors of the Year and all of the nominees. They represent Navy Medicine East’s finest Sailors. Their passion and dedication exemplify what’s needed to ensure Navy Medicine East continues to provide the best care our nation can offer to Sailors, Marines, and their families to keep them healthy, ready, and on the job,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Hill, NME’s command master chief.

Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth Richeal, from Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, was selected by a panel of senior leaders as Navy Medicine East’s 2016 SSOY.

“There’s a great group of first classes (petty officers) that represented their commands very well. I’m very humbled and honored to be selected as Navy Medicine East’s Sailor of the Year,” said Richeal, a native of Indianapolis.

Petty Officer Second Class Russell Rogers, U.S. Naval Hospital Rota, was selected as NME’s 2016 JSOY and Seaman Brett Adkins, Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point, was selected as NME’s 2016 BJOY.

Hill led the regional command master chiefs in the selection process for the regional Sailors of the Year. The selections were based on a thorough review of each Sailor’s performance, professional achievements, community involvement and educational accomplishments. And for the senior Sailors, they were all interviewed in person as the final part of the competition.

NME’s Senior Sailor of the Year will continue to the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery’s Sailor of the Year competition in January.

Rogers, Adkins and all SSOY nominees will receive Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals for their outstanding contributions to ensure the Navy and Marine Corps family stays ready, healthy and on the job.

NME is one of two regional commands that manage Navy Medicine's global health care network. It oversees the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of medical, dental and other health care services to approximately one million patients across almost 100 facilities—including the Tidewater Enhanced Multi-Service Market which brings together U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley and McDonald Army Hospitals. Plus, its public health extends globally. For more information: www.med.navy.mil/sites/nme and www.twitter.com/NavMedEast.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2016
• Date Posted: 12.01.2016 11:34
• Story ID: 216121
• Location: PORTSMOUTH , VA, US