Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Heath Zeigler | 250318-N-JC800-1001 BETHESDA, Md. (Mar. 18, 2025) - Capt. Katharine Shobe, commanding...... read more read more
Lt. Cheryl Kivlehan, Director, Navy Patient Administration Course (PAC) at Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command (NMLPDC), was selected as the 2024 Medical Service Corps Patient Administration Junior Officer of the Year.
Kivlehan’ s exposure to military life was shaped by her father’s enlisted service as a Naval Avionics Technician. She was born at Olongapo City Naval Hospital in the Philippines, grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and was recruited to join the Navy from Goose Creek, South Carolina.
The events of September 11, 2001, spurred her decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy. “It was right after Sept. 11, 2001, “Kivlehan stated, “I had just graduated high school and felt it was my duty to serve.”
Her interest in medicine began early in life, however, her experiences as a junior Sailor revealed her strengths lay in the administrative aspects of healthcare.
“My prior experience with direct patient care led me to have the passion for the administrative side of health care,” Kivlehan explained. “The idea of supporting patients behind the scenes, ensuring they receive the best possible care, truly resonated with me. As a patient administrator, I may not be hands-on in the traditional sense, but I impact every single patient who walks through the doors. We often say in patient administration, ‘from cradle to grave,’ because we're involved in every step of a patient's journey – from registration to, sadly, even mortuary affairs. It's a rewarding feeling knowing I play a vital role in the healthcare system.”
As the PAC Director, she is shaping the next generation of PAD officers, imparting the operational relevance and practical skills needed for success in demanding environments. Her tenure at NMLPDC has been instrumental in honing her skills as an educator.
“As I interact and educate the future PAD [Patient Administrative Director] officers, I want to ensure the quality of their education, benefit their time, and equip them with the knowledge, resources and tools they need to excel in their roles,” said Kivlehan. “While this course alone cannot make them experts, it will provide access to essential resources and subject matter experts to create a solid foundation for their professional development.”
Prior to her current role, Kivlehan served as the Patient Administrator for Expeditionary Medical Facility Juliet, where she successfully coordinated vital Operational Readiness Exercises and trained 128 personnel for critical missions.
“This award means a lot to me, but I have to say, it really reflects the incredible team spirit we have in Patient Administration,” Kivlehan expressed. “I've been lucky to work with and learn from some truly amazing leaders and shipmates over the years. We all know this job isn't a solo mission – it takes all of us, working together, no matter where we are in the patient interaction, to get the job done right.”
NMLPDC is the cornerstone of Navy Medicine's professional training and leadership development; maintaining collaborative relationships with more than 120 military and civilian higher learning institutions while annually supporting 4,500 Federal uniformed services, civilian, and allied foreign military service members.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2025 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 494713 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 348 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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