It is an honor and a privilege for both of us to welcome you to the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC), one of the largest and most renowned military medical institutions in the world. NNMC has nearly seven decades of rich history and tradition. The hospitallocation was chosen by President Franklin D. Roosevelt who saw the spring-fed pond on the land and wasreminded of the Biblical ‘‘Pool of Bethesda,” a place of healing and renewal. Since its dedication in 1942, NNMC has been providing world-class, state-of-the-art patient and family centered health care to military members, their families, and many of our Nation’s leaders,including the President of the United States. It is known as the ‘‘Flagship of Navy Medicine” and ‘‘the President’s Hospital.”

People come to Bethesda for many reasons: to heal, learn, teach, or stay fit and ready to serve our country. Whether you’re an enlisted service member, a retired military member, family member, a newly-reporting health care practitioner, or a student, you will be receiving the best medical care and⁄or educational experience available anywhere. We look forward to fulfilling your health care and⁄or educational needs. If you are a patient, please know that it is our honor to care for you and your family members’ medical needs, and to educate you aboutpreventive health care and ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Our team of nearly 4,000 professionals and support staff are ready andcommitted to delivering the finest and most advanced treatment possible. With the patient’s total health and wellness in mind, including the needs and concerns of family members, it is our primary objective to provide the best course of action for a fast and accurate diagnosis, a well laid plan for treatment, proper follow-up care and rehabilitation, when necessary. While working together asa close-knit team, our staff pridesthemselves in their commitment toexcellence, a friendly and compassionate attitude, excellent customer service, and a focus on patient and familycentered care.

As our Nation continues to beinvolved in conflict, so does ourheartfelt commitment to our service members who have been injured on the battlefield. It is our most distinct honor, responsibility and privilege to provide care to those that have given so much to preserve the rights and freedoms we all hold dear as Americans. We will continue to do everything in our power and focus our energy in order to care for their medical and personal needs, and the needs of their family members. We do this with great pride and theutmost respect.

As you look around the base, it’s hard to miss the evidence of our construction related to the Base Realignment and Closure mandate to become fullyintegrated with Walter Reed Army Medical Center by September, 2011. Please pardon our growing pains as we create the future Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda. It will be the first of its kind, world class tri-service military medical and referral center. These are exhilarating andchallenging times as we join forces with our sister services and move closer to making military medical history.

Once again, welcome to the National Naval Medical Center and remember we are dedicated to providing the finest patient and family centered medical treatment for our patients and their families, the best educationalexperience for our students and a warm⁄team-oriented atmosphere for our staff members.