Bonnie Burnham Potter
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Bonnie Burnham Potter was the first female physician in the Navy Medical Corps to be selected for flag rank. She served as the commanding officer of the National Naval Medical Center
at Bethesda, Maryland
and Chief of the Navy Medical Corps.
, Rear Admiral Potter graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1968 with a bachelor's degree
in Animal Science. Following completion of medical technology training, she attended graduate school at the University of California at Davis in Animal Physiology. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1975.
, where she was Chief Resident from 1978 to 1979. She remained at NRMC Oakland as a staff internist and Residency Training Officer until 1983.
She was assigned as Assistant Head, Internal Medicine Department, Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va. from 1983 to 1987. She also served as the Command Intern Coordinator and Transitional Residency Program Director.
In 1987, Potter transferred to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
, where she performed duties as the Medicine Clerkship Coordinator, and Physical Diagnosis Coordinator for National Naval Medical Center
, Bethesda, Maryland
.
From January 1989 to April 1993, she served as the National Naval Medical Center
, Bethesda, Chairman and Program Director, Department of Internal Medicine.
As Head, Medical Services, USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)
from August 1990 until April 1991, she deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
From May 1993 to May 1995, Potter was stationed at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va. as the Deputy Commander and Director of Academic Affairs.
She was the Commanding Officer of Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, California
from June 1995 to January 1997.
In 1997, her promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half) marked her as the first female physician in the United States Navy to be selected for flag rank.
Potter was then appointed as Commander of the National Naval Medical Center
, Bethesda, Maryland
where she also served as the Chief, Navy Medical Corps, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, D.C.
from April 1997 to September 1999 and as the Chairman, Region 1 TRICARE Executive Board (Lead Agent) from July 1998 to August 1999.
In 1999, Potter was nominated to the rank of Rear Admiral (upper half), and in December 1999, reported as fleet surgeon, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
. Additional duties included Command Surgeon, U.S. Joint Forces Command and medical advisor, Allied Command, Atlantic.
Rear Adm. Potter and her husband retired to California in 2003 where she is active in the Navy League and raises alpacas.
with gold star, the Meritorious Service Medal
with gold star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Medal.
In 2000, while serving as Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Rear Adm. Potter was awarded the Laureate award by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) in the U.S. Navy Region for her abiding commitment to excellence in education, research and medical care.
degree in Animal Science. Following completion of medical technology training, she attended graduate school at the University of California at Davis in Animal Physiology. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1975.
Rear Adm. Potter is a fellow of the American College of Physicians
and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine
, with a certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics
. She holds faculty appointments at both the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
and Georgetown University
Schools of Medicine.
National Naval Medical Center
The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, USA — commonly known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital — was for decades the flagship of the United States Navy's system of medical centers. A federal institution, it conducted medical and dental research as well as providing health care for...
at Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
and Chief of the Navy Medical Corps.
Early life
A native of Piedmont, CaliforniaPiedmont, California
Piedmont is a small, affluent city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is surrounded by the city of Oakland. The population was 10,667 at the 2010 census. Piedmont was incorporated in 1907 and was developed significantly in the 1920s and 1930s...
, Rear Admiral Potter graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1968 with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Animal Science. Following completion of medical technology training, she attended graduate school at the University of California at Davis in Animal Physiology. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1975.
Navy career
Potter completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at the Naval Regional Medical Center (NRMC), Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, where she was Chief Resident from 1978 to 1979. She remained at NRMC Oakland as a staff internist and Residency Training Officer until 1983.
She was assigned as Assistant Head, Internal Medicine Department, Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va. from 1983 to 1987. She also served as the Command Intern Coordinator and Transitional Residency Program Director.
In 1987, Potter transferred to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a health science university run by the U.S. federal government. The primary mission of the school is to prepare graduates for service to the U.S. at home and abroad in the medical corps....
, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
, where she performed duties as the Medicine Clerkship Coordinator, and Physical Diagnosis Coordinator for National Naval Medical Center
National Naval Medical Center
The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, USA — commonly known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital — was for decades the flagship of the United States Navy's system of medical centers. A federal institution, it conducted medical and dental research as well as providing health care for...
, Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
.
From January 1989 to April 1993, she served as the National Naval Medical Center
National Naval Medical Center
The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, USA — commonly known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital — was for decades the flagship of the United States Navy's system of medical centers. A federal institution, it conducted medical and dental research as well as providing health care for...
, Bethesda, Chairman and Program Director, Department of Internal Medicine.
As Head, Medical Services, USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)
USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)
USNS Comfort is the third United States Navy ship to bear the name Comfort, and the second to join the navy fleet. The USNS prefix identifies the Comfort as a non-commissioned ship owned by the U.S. Navy and crewed by civilians. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, USNS Comfort and her...
from August 1990 until April 1991, she deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
From May 1993 to May 1995, Potter was stationed at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va. as the Deputy Commander and Director of Academic Affairs.
She was the Commanding Officer of Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
from June 1995 to January 1997.
In 1997, her promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half) marked her as the first female physician in the United States Navy to be selected for flag rank.
Potter was then appointed as Commander of the National Naval Medical Center
National Naval Medical Center
The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, USA — commonly known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital — was for decades the flagship of the United States Navy's system of medical centers. A federal institution, it conducted medical and dental research as well as providing health care for...
, Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
where she also served as the Chief, Navy Medical Corps, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
from April 1997 to September 1999 and as the Chairman, Region 1 TRICARE Executive Board (Lead Agent) from July 1998 to August 1999.
In 1999, Potter was nominated to the rank of Rear Admiral (upper half), and in December 1999, reported as fleet surgeon, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
. Additional duties included Command Surgeon, U.S. Joint Forces Command and medical advisor, Allied Command, Atlantic.
Rear Adm. Potter and her husband retired to California in 2003 where she is active in the Navy League and raises alpacas.
Awards and decorations
Rear Adm. Potter's awards include the Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with gold star, the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with gold star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Medal.
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with gold star
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with gold star
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
Combat Action RibbonCombat Action RibbonThe Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
In 2000, while serving as Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Rear Adm. Potter was awarded the Laureate award by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) in the U.S. Navy Region for her abiding commitment to excellence in education, research and medical care.
Education
Potter graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1968 with a bachelor of scienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Animal Science. Following completion of medical technology training, she attended graduate school at the University of California at Davis in Animal Physiology. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1975.
Rear Adm. Potter is a fellow of the American College of Physicians
American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is a national organization of doctors of internal medicine —physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illnesses in adults. With 130,000 members, ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in...
and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine
The American Board of Internal Medicine is a non-profit, independent physician evaluation organization committed to continuously improving the profession for the public good by certifying physicians who practice internal medicine and its sub-specialties...
, with a certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics
Geriatrics
Geriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician, or...
. She holds faculty appointments at both the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a health science university run by the U.S. federal government. The primary mission of the school is to prepare graduates for service to the U.S. at home and abroad in the medical corps....
and Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
Schools of Medicine.
See also
- Women in the United States NavyWomen in the United States NavyWomen have served in the United States Navy for over a century. Today, there are over 52,391 women serving on active duty in an array of traditional and non-traditional ratings or careers...
- Medical Corps (United States Navy)