PORTSMOUTH, Va. (June 17, 2025) – Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL) held a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Medical Center Portsmouth at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads – Portsmouth Annex, June 17. Rear Adm. Kevin Brown relinquished command to Rear Adm. Robert Hawkins: he will also serve as Director, Defense Health Network (DHN)-Atlantic.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of a distinguished tour for Brown, who assumed command in July 2024 and led more than 26,000 personnel across 22 commands in the Atlantic region, Europe and the Middle East. Throughout his tenure, Brown propelled Navy Medicine toward the Navy Surgeon General’s 2027 North Star vision — ensuring medically ready forces and ready medical forces worldwide.
“Kevin and his team ensured operational readiness while manning newly established requirements and platforms, including our Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical Systems, Expeditionary Medical Units, and En-Route Care Systems,” said Navy Surgeon General and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Rear Adm. Darin Via. “In laymen’s terms: he and his team made sure we have the right people and gear in place, to ensure we are ready to save lives today and tomorrow.”…