WakeMed Partners with United States Navy to Provide Trauma Training to Corpsmen

February 1, 2021 marked the debut of a new trauma training program at WakeMed in partnership with the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). Navy Corpsmen will work alongside WakeMed’s emergency medicine and ICU teams, trauma surgeons and other clinical staff as part of the Hospital Corpsman Trauma Training program.

The program is centered around practice and preparation for military medical staff to ensure future combat readiness in high-trauma locations by providing specialized training and experience in evidence-based clinical practices and civilian care not often available in Navy Medical installations. WakeMed is one of four hospitals nationwide selected as a U.S. Navy BUMED training site. WakeMed Raleigh Campus was chosen for its role as a well-respected, high-volume Level 1 Trauma Center and its robust emergency preparedness and simulation training capabilities.

The training program kicked off on February 1 with an official welcome ceremony led by Donald Gintzig, RADM, USN (Ret.), WakeMed president & CEO and retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Over the next three years, groups of 16 Corpsmen will train at WakeMed Raleigh Campus for seven-week rotations, including two weeks of didactic and simulation training followed by five weeks of clinical rotations.

“It’s an incredible honor to be able to help train these men and women who sacrifice so much for our country daily,” said Gintzig. “This partnership speaks to our expertise and leadership as a Level 1 Trauma Center and the experience of our doctors, nurses and staff. We’re humbled to aid in preparing the Hospital Corpsmen for future trauma situations during deployment.”

The Corpsmen will train in WakeMed’s Emergency Department, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit and Wound Clinics during their rotation. In addition, WakeMed will welcome 11 permanent Navy Staff to its Raleigh Campus to support the training efforts.

“The opportunity for our Corpsmen to work alongside nurses and doctors at WakeMed is one of great importance to Navy Medicine,” said Michael J. Roberts, Navy Medicine's Force Master Chief and Director of the Hospital Corps. “This partnership will ultimately help to maximize life-saving capabilities and survivability in future operating environments, and among our Service members.”

The first graduation ceremony, also led by Gintzig, will take place March 18. With the partnership, WakeMed becomes one of only four hospitals in the country to participate in this type of training program with Navy Hospital Corpsmen. The other three locations are James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Great Lakes and John H. Stroger, Jr Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois; Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Jacksonville NAS and University of Florida Health (Shands), Jacksonville, Florida; University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

To learn more about WakeMed, visit www.wakemed.org.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 946-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 9,800 employees, 1,500 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 580 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

# # #

For Additional Information

WakeMed Health & Hospitals


Kristin Kelly | Phone: 919-350-5921


Email: krkelly@wakemed.org