Medical Officer of the Marine Corps Visits MCRD San Diego

DVIDS – News – Medical Officer of the Marine Corps Visits MCRD San Diego

Medical Officer of the Marine Corps Visits MCRD San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

08.14.2026

Naval Medical Center San Diego

Courtesy story by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Antoine C. Duplessis, Jr.

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Guido Valdez, the medical officer of the Marine Corps, visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego to observe the comprehensive healthcare services provided to recruits, permanent personnel, and staff, Aug. 6

Valdez toured several work centers at Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) MCRD, including Administration, Recruit Health, Staff Health, Ancillary Services, Dental, and the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapy Clinic. Staff members provided a first-hand look at their respective operations and highlighted how each department supports the health, readiness, and mission effectiveness of the depot’s personnel

As the Medical Officer of the Marine Corps, Valdez works directly with Headquarters Marine Corps and the Commandant of the Marine Corps to ensure appropriate medical care is provided to service members and their families. His visit provided an opportunity to recognize the dedication and professionalism of the Sailors, Marines, and civilian staff who work together each day to deliver high-quality healthcare and support the recruit training mission at MCRD San Diego

“Our mission at the MCRD San Diego branch medical and dental Clinics is to deliver the medical and dental readiness that directly fuels Marine Corps force generation and keeps our warfighters in the fight,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joselyn Mercado-Abadie, officer in charge, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit MCRD San Diego. “Admiral Valdez’s visit highlighted the strength of our partnership in securing a medically ready force, ensuring that both our recruits and the elite leadership cadre of Drill Instructor School and Recruiter School are physically resilient, ready to win, and fully prepared to advance the vital mission of MCRDSD and the Western Recruiting Region.”

During the visit, Valdez also presented a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Hailey Arp, whose swift and decisive actions helped save the life of a Marine recruit during a field training event. After the recruit fainted and lost a pulse, Arp immediately applied lifesaving interventions and rendered assistance until additional medical support arrived

Her actions demonstrate the importance of medical readiness, continuous training, and the ability to respond effectively during emergencies, and underscore the critical contribution of Navy Medicine, particularly at MCRD, where the next generation of America’s warfighters are being forged

Naval Medical Center San Diego, the parent command of NBHC MCRD, employs more than 5,600 active-duty military personnel, civilians, and contractors in southern California to deliver exceptional care afloat and ashore

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