Robert L. Ricca, Jr. MD
Lieutenant, Medical Corps, United States Navy
Department of Aviation Med/Physical Exams
1721 Taussig Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23511
robricca@yahoo.com
rlricca@pnh10.med.navy.mil

I was born in Rota, Spain. My father was in the US Navy and during my childhood we traveled extensively through Europe, spending more than 11 years outside of the United States. My father's last assignment was in Groton, CT where I attended high school. After high school I moved to Potsdam, New York where I attended Clarkson University. As any good Clarkson student I grew to love College Hockey. I graduated from Clarkson with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

In May 1996, I was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Having survived the cold climes of the North Country, I moved to Bethesda, Maryland where I began studies in medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. USUHS is a unique institution that trains military physicians. Here we receive additional training in operational medicine. Through summer experiences and class work we learn to provide care to our patients in the austere environments that can be found on board ship, in the field and beneath the seas. In May of 2000, I received the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Following graduation I moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia where I completed my internship in General Surgery. This was an awesome year of training. At the end of the year I was honored with the distinction of General Surgery Intern of the Year. However, the highlight of the year was my marriage to my wonderful wife Paula. Wonderful does not begin to describe my wife who planned a wonderful wedding, only to have me race back to Virginia Beach the Monday after to begin my Trauma Surgery Rotation.
In July of 2001, I began my training as an Undersea Medical Officer returning to my home in Groton, CT. The curriculum at the Naval Undersea Medical Institute (NUMI) involved training in Radiation Health, Undersea and Diving Medicine. Nine weeks of the course were spent at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida where we qualified as US Navy Divers.

Following graduation from NUMI I reported to the Branch Medical Clinic Norfolk, Virginia. Here I serve as the Undersea Medical Officer for the Norfolk Naval Station as well as the Division Officer for the Aviation Medicine/Physical Exam Department. I provide medical coverage for the Navy Divers assigned to the Naval Station. I also assist the Undersea Medical Officer stationed at the Submarine Squadron Support Unit in providing medical coverage to the personnel on board the outstanding submarines assigned to Submarine Squadrons SIX and EIGHT.

My position has allowed me many unique opportunities. In June of this year I provided medical coverage and dove on the recovery of the turret of the USS Monitor. The highlight of the year, though, has been a little closer to home with the birth of my son, Robby.

I plan to return to a General Surgery Residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in July of 2004. Following completion of residency I hope to enter fellowship for additional training in Pediatric Surgery. I continue to look for unique opportunities that the military has provided such as medical support of the Aquarius Mission.

I look forward to supporting the combined NOAA/NASA Aquarius Mission. The Aquarius mission allows us to provide medical care in the austere and isolated environment beneath the seas. While this mission has many similarities to our work as Undersea and Submarine Medical Officers it also provides us with additional training in the medical management of personnel undergoing prolonged saturation diving. I look forward to doing my part to ensure the success of this mission.