Photo By Lt.j.g. Gabriela Santesteban | Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Natalia Stallings and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maria...... read more read more
SIGONELLA, Italy – Every day, inside the operating room at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, a team of Sailors work quietly but powerfully behind the scenes . These Sailors, assigned to Navy Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Sigonella, are known as Surgical Technologists, or Surg Techs. Their daily efforts strengthen patient care and sharpen the surgical readiness they will need when called upon to support the Navy Medicine operational mission around the globe.
“Our surgical techs are the unsung heroes of the operating room — their precision, preparation, and teamwork ensure that every surgery runs flawlessly, no matter how complex,” said Cmdr. Radhames Lizardo, Director of Surgical Services.
Surg techs serve in combat zones, on humanitarian missions, and in Fleet hospitals, bringing their knowledge and adaptability wherever it’s needed most. At the hospital, their efforts sustain readiness across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while honing their skills to remain ready for operational deployments any time.
Surg techs are far more than instrument specialists. They are leaders, mentors, and trusted hands who bring calm and confidence to moments when lives hang in the balance. At Sigonella, the team reflects the diversity, drive, and resilience that define Navy Medicine.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kandice Cullison, is described by her shipmates as the “cornerstone” of the operating room, leading from the front with poise and positivity. Whether it’s mentoring junior Sailors, running safety checks, or stepping into high-stakes cases, her leadership lifts the entire team.
For Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bret Burns, energy and morale go hand in hand. She manages the watch bill, drives customer service, and still finds ways to keep spirits high.
“Burns is the lifeblood of our crew,” said Lizardo. “Her energy and work ethic ripple across the entire Operating Room.”
Some Sailors, like Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Natalia Stallings, joined the Navy for a direct path into medicine. “Surgery intrigued me the most — being part of a team that literally saves lives every day was something I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
Stallings said she thrives in the fast pace of the Operating Room, where no two days are the same. Beyond the operating room, she serves as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response advocate, extending her impact across the command.
According to Cmdr. Radhames Lizardo, at her very first duty station, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maria Lozano Mungia, has already proven herself indispensable. From leading orthopedic support to managing supply and hazmat responsibilities, she tackles every task with determination. “Knowing you set up and were part of a surgical procedure to help someone is extremely rewarding,” she said.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Vincent Nella, a seasoned corpsman, who joined the Navy in 2017 after working as a medical assistant, highlights the trust surgeons place in him. “Being able to do things most corpsmen don’t get the chance to do — from holding retractors to making the first incision — is an honor,” he said.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kayman Welsh brings both passion and discipline to her role. She joined the Navy in 2022 to serve something greater than herself. Today, her mastery of sterile processing and tireless work ethic make her a quiet force in every procedure.
“What makes our team special is that they don’t just pass instruments — they bring calm, confidence, and commitment to every case, lifting up the surgeons and the Sailors beside them,” said Lizardo.
All these Sailors agree, being a surgical technologist isn’t just about skills or certifications. It’s about purpose — the opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with surgeons, safeguard patients, and ensure that America’s warfighters are ready to fight tonight. For those considering a career in Navy Medicine, becoming a surgical technologist means joining a tradition of service, skill, and sacrifice.
Ultimately, the skills these Sailors home in the operating room today, ensure they are ready for tomorrows operational deployments, bringing critical surgical capability wherever the Navy needs it. “They are the steady hands and sharp minds that keep the surgical world turning,” said Lizardo.
Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Sigonella ensures the medical and combat readiness of active-duty personnel. As a key medical asset in the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility, NMRTC Sigonella supports operational forces with expeditionary medical capabilities, force health protection, and readiness training. Aligned with Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL), the command remains mission-focused on sustaining a medically and combat ready force to support global operations.
United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Sigonella is one the Defense Health Agency’s Overseas Military Treatment Facilities (MTF). The staff are comprised of active-duty service members, General Service (GS), contractors, and Local Nationals. It ensures maximum readiness by providing high-quality, safe patient and family-centered care to maximize force health protection for all beneficiaries, to included NATO and transient DoD forces in the U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Sixth Fleet areas of operation.
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2025 05:15 |
| Story ID: | 549126 |
| Location: | SIGONELLA, IT |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Unsung Heroes of the Operating Room: Surgical Technologists, by LTJG Gabriela Santesteban, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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