I am Navy Medicine: Mr. Edward Sorzano, Cherry Point Clinic Plank Owner Retires

24 February 2025

From Thomas Cieslak

A civilian staff member who “owns” a plank of Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point will soon retire after more than two decades of service aboard the facility.

Mr. Edward Sorzano retired in late February 2025, ending his civilian career as Department Head for the clinic’s Radiology team. He served at the clinic during its first year of operation in 2007 and was given the honor of “Plank Owner” that year.

A “plank owner,” according to Naval History and Heritage Command, is “an individual who was a member of the crew of a ship [or a facility, in this case] when that ship was placed into commission.”

Sorzano retired in February 2005 from active duty military service in the U.S. Navy while serving aboard the clinic and transitioned into a General Schedule civilian role.

During his time at the clinic, he helped train more than 100 Radiology students from Carteret Community College while increasing the department’s radiology capabilities to include Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography.

r. Edward Sorzano, Department Head of Radiology aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point, is a “Plank Owner” of the organization, having served at the clinic during its first year of operation in 2007. He retired from the clinic in late February after more than two decades of service as a General Schedule Civilian. During his time there, he helped train more than 100 Radiology students from Carteret Community College while increasing the department’s radiology capabilities to include Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography.

Mr. Edward Sorzano, center right with certificate, stands with the Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point Radiology Team on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Sorzano is a “Plank Owner” of the organization, having served at the clinic during its first year of operation in 2007. He retired from the clinic in late February after more than two decades of service as a General Schedule Civilian. During his time there, he helped train more than 100 Radiology students from Carteret Community College while increasing the department’s radiology capabilities to include Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography.

The “Plank Owner” certificate presented to Mr. Edward Sorzano on October 1, 2007 for his service aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point during its first year of operation. He retired from the clinic in late February after more than two decades of service as a General Schedule Civilian. During his time there, he helped train more than 100 Radiology students from Carteret Community College while increasing the department’s radiology capabilities to include Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography.

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