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260513-N-IX644-1078 (May 13, 2026) FALLS CHURCH, Va. U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Alainna Crotty, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has her hands blessed by Capt. William Hlavin, the Navy Medicine Enterprise chaplain, during a celebration for the 118th birthday of the Navy Medicine Nurse Corps at the Defense Health Headquarters, May 13. The Blessing of the Hands is a tradition held during National Nurses Week to honor the compassionate care provided by medical professionals. The ceremony symbolizes the vital importance of the human touch in healing and offers a moment of spiritual renewal for those supporting the DoW medical mission. Established on May 13, 1908, the Navy Nurse Corps has a rich legacy of providing exceptional, compassionate care to Sailors, Marines, and their families around the globe, ensuring the health and readiness of the force in both peacetime and conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sasha Ambrose)
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 7700 Arlington Blvd. Ste. 5113 Falls Church, VA 22042-5113 This is an official U.S. Navy website This is a Department of Defense (DoD) Internet computer system. General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.list.bumed---pao@health.mil