Executive Officer

Capt. Shari Gentry
Executive Officer, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Jacksonville
and Naval Hospital Jacksonville
 
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Capt. Shari L. Gentry started her naval career as a student at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine in Health Professional Scholarship Program. She graduated in 2004 and commissioned as a lieutenant and a Doctor of Medicine. 

In 2005, after completing a surgical internship at National Naval Medical Center, she served as a general medical officer in Okinawa, Japan. During this time, she was the senior medical officer (SMO) for 9th Engineer Support Battalion & 3rd Transportation Support Battalion. In 2007, she completed residency training in Family Medicine at Naval Hospital (NH) Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, and North Carolina. Upon graduation, Gentry served as the SMO for the Group Aid Station, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), Jacksonville, and North Carolina from 2009-2012. During this time, she also served as a regimental surgeon for Combat Logistics Regiment-25, deployed with Combat Logistics Battalion-2 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and returned as the regimental surgeon for Combat Logistics Regiment-2 and the interim 2nd MLG surgeon. 

In 2012, she returned to NH Camp Lejeune’s Family Medicine Residency Program as a faculty member while supporting 2nd MLG in standing up their first Marine Centered Medical Home. In 2015, Gentry went to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, where she served as the SMO for the Oceana Triad, and then as the SMO for the Directorate of Primary Care. During this tour, Gentry obtained a Master of Healthcare Administration from George Washington University. Gentry became the officer-in-charge (OIC) of Fleet Surgical Team-Two in 2018. There, she served as the commander, Amphibious Task Force Surgeon for the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group that deployed to the 6th & 5th Fleets from 2018-2019. In 2019, she was also selected to chair the Female Force Readiness Advisory Board and Clinical Community with a focus on improving Women’s Healthcare across the Fleet and Fleet Marine Forces. 

Upon return from deployment, Gentry served as the deputy force surgeon for Naval Surface Forces Atlantic as well as the OIC of the Norfolk Medical Readiness Division helping to navigate the Fleet’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gentry returned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Portsmouth serving as the director of primary care as well as for the Tidewater Market Primary Care Community. In 2022, Gentry was recruited by Navy Personnel Command to serve as an assignment officer, where she utilized operational and MTF experience to place Medical Corps officers in billets across the globe and foster their professional development and career progression. 

Gentry assumed the role of executive officer of NH Jacksonville (and its five branch health clinics) and Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Command Jacksonville (and its five units) in April 2024.

Gentry is designated as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer. Personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Fleet Marine Force Warfare Insignia, and several tour and campaign awards.