Maureen M. Pennington, Biography

Maureen M. Pennington
Commander
Nurse Corps
United States Navy
Senior Nurse
Directorate Medical Services
Naval Medical Center San Diego

A native of Naples, Maine, Commander Pennington earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1986 from Saint Joseph's College. The same year she began active Naval service as a Staff Nurse at Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island.

Following her Newport duty Commander Pennington was accepted into the Navy's Perioperative Training Course. Completing training she reported to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA as the charge nurse of Neurosurgery. During this assignment she deployed for 8 months on the USNS Comfort TAH-20 in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield. During this deployment, she developed the skills required for operational medicine and her passion for working within the multinational healthcare system. Over the next 7 years she was accepted for annual volunteer missions with Operation Smile to third world countries providing healthcare to children. While assigned in Virginia she completed her Masters of Nursing Administration at Old Dominion University.

Her follow on tours were: Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy as Department Head of Main Operating Room (DEC 97-NOV02), Naval Hospital 29 Palms, CA as Department Head of Primary Care (NOV02-SEP04) and Naval Medical Center San Diego, Senior Nurse, Directorate Medical Services. (SEP04-Current) During Commander Pennington's assignment at Naval Medical Center she volunteered for assignment and deployment to Iraq as Company Commander of Charlie Health Services Company 1st Medical Battalion, 1st MLG (fwd) for 7 months.

She is certified by the Certification Board of Perioperative Nursing. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Sigma Theta Tau and is a board member of the San Diego Operating Room Nurses Association. She is the recipient of the Bronze Star, 3 Navy Commendation Medals, 2 Navy Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Medal and various other ribbons and campaign medals. She also achieved designation as a Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer.

Commander Pennington is married to Dan Pennington. They have two children: Travis 25 and Grace 14.

Biography written by the US Navy. Last updated 2006.

For more information please contact:

Naval Medical Center Public Affairs
34800 Bob Wilson Drive
Suite 106
San Diego, CA 92134
Phone: (619) 545-9380
Fax: (619) 532-6333

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