Christine Bruzek-Kohler
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral
Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler was the 21st Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps
, and served as the Commander Naval Medical Center San Diego and Navy Medicine West from May 2009 to August 2010. She will be officially retired from the Navy in December 2010.
, and attended Villanova University
where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her commission as an Ensign in 1974.
, Bethesda, Maryland
; Staff Nurse, U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center, Naples, Italy; Ambulatory Care Coordinator, Naval Hospital Newport, R.I.; Director of Academic Support Department, Naval School of Health Sciences, Bethesda
; Head of Enlisted Training Programs, Naval Health Sciences Education and Training Center; Director of Nursing/Acting Executive Officer, Naval Hospital Great Lakes, Illinois; Director of Nursing, U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam
; Executive Officer, Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Florida
; Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital, Lemoore, California
; and Assistant Deputy Chief for Medical Operations Support, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, D.C.
.
in Nursing
from Villanova University
in 1974. She also holds a Master of Education
from Providence College
and a Master of Arts
and Doctor of Education
from George Washington University
. Bruzek-Kohler is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
.
(four awards), Meritorious Service Medal
(two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various service awards.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler was the 21st Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps
United States Navy Nurse Corps
The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:...
, and served as the Commander Naval Medical Center San Diego and Navy Medicine West from May 2009 to August 2010. She will be officially retired from the Navy in December 2010.
Early life
Bruzek-Kohler is a native of Camden, New JerseyCamden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
, and attended Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her commission as an Ensign in 1974.
Navy Nurse Corps career
In her distinguished career Bruzek-Kohler has served as Charge Nurse, National Naval Medical CenterNational 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...
; Staff Nurse, U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center, Naples, Italy; Ambulatory Care Coordinator, Naval Hospital Newport, R.I.; Director of Academic Support Department, Naval School of Health Sciences, Bethesda
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...
; Head of Enlisted Training Programs, Naval Health Sciences Education and Training Center; Director of Nursing/Acting Executive Officer, Naval Hospital Great Lakes, Illinois; Director of Nursing, U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
; Executive Officer, Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
; Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital, Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...
; and Assistant Deputy Chief for Medical Operations Support, 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....
Director, Navy Nurse Corps
Bruzek-Kohler was the 21st Director of the Navy Nurse Corps and the Chief of Staff, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC from 2005 to 2009. She then served as the Commander Naval Medical Center San Diego and Navy Medicine West from May 2009 to August 2010JTF CapMed
Bruzek-Kohler is currently an Executive Director for the Joint Task Force National Capital Region MedicalJoint Task Force National Capital Region/Medical
The Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical , located on the National Naval Medical Center campus in Bethesda, Maryland, also known as the JTF CapMed headquarters, was established by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon England, as a fully functional Standing Joint Task Force with...
.
Education
Bruzek-Kohler earned 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...
in Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
from Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
in 1974. She also holds a Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
from Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and Doctor of Education
Doctor of Education
The Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. Bruzek-Kohler is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
American College of Healthcare Executives
The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional association of healthcare executives Its central offices are located at 1 N. Franklin Street in Chicago, Illinois, USA. ACHE is one of the healthcare industry's top professional associations...
.
Awards
Bruzek-Kohler’s personal decorations 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...
(four awards), 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...
(two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various service awards.
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 Medal with Gold Star
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...
with Gold Star