From a Seaman Recruit to Captain

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Stephane Belcher | 170304-N-PG340-002 NORFOLK (March 4, 2017) Capt. Douglas Stephens, deputy chief of staff of manpower and personnel at Navy Medicine East stands with his daughter, Hannah Stephens, during his promotion ceremony held aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) March 4. 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 across the eastern hemisphere. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)  

PORTSMOUTH , VA, UNITED STATES

03.04.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher 

Naval Medical Forces Atlantic

After 31 years of service in the United States Navy, Capt. Douglas E. Stephens, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, Navy Medicine East, was promoted aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) March 4.

Stephens was born into the Navy Medicine life at Naval Hospital (NH) Beaufort, South Carolina and graduated from Seneca High School, Seneca, South Carolina in 1983. After high school, he decided to become a hospital corpsman in U.S. Navy.

“At 19-years-old, I went to sea on a U.S. Navy destroyer,” said Stephens. “It was at that moment that I told myself that I was staying in the Navy forever.”

Stephens did just that. He went on to continue his education and now holds two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Business from San Diego State University and a Master of Business Administration from University of San Diego. His dedication and hard work paid off when he was commissioned into the Navy’s medical service corps in 1996.

Stephens has held various positions within Navy Medicine, including serving as health care administrator at U.S. NH Okinawa, Japan; radiation health officer/division head onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during the initial phases of Operation Enduring Freedom; and director for administration for Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, Maryland; officer-in-charge for the David. R. Ray Health Center at Naval Station Everett, Washington.

And now, over 30 years after his initial deployment on the Navy destroyer, Stephens is the deputy chief of staff for one of only two regional commands that manage Navy Medicine's global health care network. In this capacity, he supports Navy Medicine’s strategic goals of readiness, health and partnerships by ensuring the planning, operations and medical intelligence positions—active duty, reservists and civil service—are filled at NME’s facilities that span the eastern hemisphere.

“I've been blessed to serve in a variety of positions that allow me to understand Navy Medicine, from operational and overseas commands to military treatment facilities,” said Stephens. “I am incredibly loyal to what we do here at Navy Medicine.”

The next stop for Stephens in his naval adventure is U.S. NH Naples, Italy, where he becomes the executive officer.

He has been awarded many decorations but is most proud of his 14 unit awards and commendations because they recognize the participation and accomplishments of the entire team.

“Most importantly, I have been blessed with so many mentors that are directly responsible for me being able to serve in the Navy. If it were not for them, I would not be where I am today. I’m very thankful,” he said.

NME oversees the delivery of medical, dental and other health care services to approximately one million patients across almost 100 facilities in the eastern hemisphere—including the Tidewater Enhanced Multi-Service Market which brings together Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, McDonald Army Health Center and U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley. Plus, its public health activities extend globally. For more information, visit www.med.navy.mil/sites/nme.

• Date Taken: 03.04.2017
• Date Posted: 03.06.2017 09:31
• Story ID: 225800
• Location: PORTSMOUTH , VA, US