Rear Admiral Martin became Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy/Vice Chief, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery on 3 October 2002.
A native of Arnold, Penn., Kathleen L. Martin was commissioned an Ensign in May 1973 after graduating from Boston University. Following Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, R.I., she served at Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune, N.C., as a staff nurse and later a charge nurse in pediatrics. In 1976, she reported to Navy Recruiting District, Philadelphia, as the Medical Programs Officer.
From 1979 to 1982, Rear Adm. Martin was assigned to Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla., as the charge nurse of the pediatric ward. Following this tour of duty, she was assigned to Naval Medical Clinic, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During this period her duties included Division Officer of Military Medicine, Credentials Coordinator, Risk Manager, and Quality Assurance Coordinator.
In 1986, she was transferred to Naval Hospital, San Diego,and served as head of the Ambulatory Medical Nursing Department, which encompassed eight medical specialty clinics. Rear Adm. Martin attended the University of San Diego from 1990 to 1992, earning a Master's of Science degree in both nursing administration and as a family health nurse specialist. Following duty under instruction, she was assigned to Naval Medical Clinic, Port Hueneme, Calif., as the Director of Nursing Services.
Rear Adm. Martin assumed her first command in 1993 as Commanding Officer of Naval Medical Clinic, Port Hueneme. Subsequently, she served as Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital, Charleston, S.C., from July 1995 to June 1998. She was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and assigned as the Medical Inspector General from August 1998 to October 1999. From November 1999 to October 2002, she served as Commander, National Naval Medical Center. She also held the position as the 19th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from August 1998 to August 2001.
Military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Society for Public Administration, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and Sigma Theta Tau.
Updated: 8 September 2004
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