"Doc" by any other name

Hospital corpsmen enjoy a diverse choice of jobs. As the largest rate in the Navy, the title Hospital Corpsman has evolved through several names, but always focused on caring for the sick and injured.

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Some corpsmen work in hospitals--on wards, pharmacies and operating rooms--while others work in tactical areas, like out in the field with the Marines. The best ones have a mix of experiences in different environments - like Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Aaron Begaye at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), Va.

Begaye's first duty station was in Hawaii with the 3rd Marine Division, where the title of "Doc" is hard earned. Entrusted with the medical well-being of more than 900 Marines at Battalion, Begaye taught preventative medicine classes, held sick call, went on 21-mile "hikes" and was ready to administer emergency aid if a mishap occurred at a weapon qualification range. A major accomplishment was earning his FMF insignia. He had to prove his competency in land navigation, NBC, combat casualty and weapon qualifications, then went before two mock boards before taking exams and being awarded his FMF pin.

Always interested in the science of surgery, he went to surgical technologist training at Portsmouth. After 24 weeks of learning to assist surgeons and scrubbing in on a myriad of surgical procedures, Begaye used his training while deployed to Iraq. Once again he was hailed as "Doc" while taking care of "his" Marines.

"It was an honor to serve with the Marines, especially as their corpsman," Begaye said. "The camaraderie, the lack of luxuries .... After an experience like that you have a better appreciation about what you really have. It changes your outlook on a lot of things."

In February 2006, Begaye returned to NMCP's main operating rooms (OR) where he is now senior division leader in charge of junior surgical techs. Working the night shift has its challenges and Begaye's responsibilities are many. It takes thousands of manhours each month to ensure all of the instruments used the day before are disseminated for the next day's surgical cases throughout the 17 operating rooms.

While all of this is going on, Begaye and his nighttime skeleton crew know they may have to drop everything to help in an emergency. It's a fast-paced environment and the crew often has little notice when emergency cases come in. It may be the middle of the night, but patients can rest assured they'll get top-notch care when Begaye is on floor.

Stone is assigned to Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va

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Story and photo by Lt. Richard Stone

COPYRIGHT 2008 U.S. Navy
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning