Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Boatright | PORTSMOUTH, Va. (June 17, 2026) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Venessa Anzures, and...... read more read more
PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The hospital corps, signed into action by former President of the United States William McKinley, June 17, 1898, was the solution to the need for well-trained enlisted medical personnel, a need which was emphasized by the Spanish-American War. Hospital corpsmen were meant to be able to deploy with multiple units around the world to maintain the fleet’s medical readiness abroad.
128 years later, NMCP celebrates the legacy of the hospital corps with a traditional cake cutting ceremony in NMCP’s auditorium June 17, 2026.
“Today we honor all of those who have served as hospital corpsmen, their bravery, and dedication to helping those in need,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Seth Brown, assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Portsmouth. “The hospital corps has proven itself ready to support Marines and Sailors by rendering aid whenever and wherever necessary.”
Before the establishment of the hospital corps, medical care was done by legacy ratings such as surgeon’s stewards, later superseded by the apothecary ratings. These ratings, unlike hospital corpsmen, were limited in their capabilities and depended on the civilian experience of those who were recruited. The hospital corps opened the gates for the U.S. Navy to provide its own standardized training for its enlisted personnel to meet increasing needs on both land and sea.
Keeping within Navy Medicine tradition, the cake-cutting was performed by the youngest hospital corpsman present at the command, Hospitalman Apprentice Winnie Li, alongside the oldest at the command, Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Louis Raiford, using a ceremonial cutlass.
“I feel happy to represent the youngest Sailor in the community, it felt like I was a part of a tradition that many Sailors had followed before me,” said Li. “I take pride in the work that we as hospital corpsmen do, and I am most proud of the teamwork and dedication we as hospital corpsmen have to make sure each patient gets the help they need.”
Building on the words of Li, Raiford is happy to see the development of corpsmen as they strengthen their skills and step into roles of increased responsibility and authority.
“It is a distinct honor to watch the development of future leaders within our rating as they operate within this environment,” said Raiford. “Witnessing junior corpsmen execute clinical procedures flawlessly, assume leadership roles, and demonstrate ownership of their clinics, their operational areas, and their peers is truly inspiring. Each day, I observe corpsmen consistently earning the privilege of wearing the caduceus.”
Having served in the Navy for nearly 31 years, Raiford takes honor in the legacy of the hospital corps and looks forward to seeing junior corpsmen learn and grow throughout their careers as they exemplify what it means to be a corpsman.
“You’re part of the most decorated rating in the U.S. Navy, go out and earn the title ‘Doc’ every single morning. Excel in your current role, master your clinical and tactical skills, and protect the sacred trust of caring for our Sailors and Marines,” said Raiford. “Train like someone’s life depends on it, because one day it will, and continue building the foundation for those who will come after you.”
NMCP is the U.S. Navy’s premiere healthcare facility, having supported the maritime readiness of the U.S. Navy’s and U.S. Marine Corps’ forward-deployed units with high-quality medical care for nearly 200 years. NMRTC Portsmouth trains a staff of over 4,000 enlisted, commissioned, and civilian medical personnel across multiple specialties to provide high-quality medical care to patients at NMCP’s facilities and branch health clinics.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2026 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 568159 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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