Perris native awarded Hospital Corpsman Basic certificate serving at NMRTC Sigonella

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Hospitalman Maria Lozano-Munguia, a native of Perris, California, was recently awarded a Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) certificate serving with U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Sigonella, Italy. 

The HCB certificate is a 560-hour course that provides Navy enlisted personnel with basic medical knowledge. The course covers a variety of topics, including Basic Life Support, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and physiology, and Pre-hospital and inpatient aspects of each body system.

"I was awarded my certificate for attending school in an introduction to the delivery of medical care and the associated duties of providing quality emergency, nursing and primary care procedures," said Lozano-Munguia. "I was also awarded my Certified Surgical Technologist certificate for attending school, where I learned to prepare an operating room for surgery and assist the surgeon before and after surgery."

Lozano-Munguia, a 2022 graduate of Citrus Hill High School, joined the Navy over a year and a half ago.

"These awards are a statement showcasing that I worked hard for the knowledge that I now carry to provide healthcare for those in service, those that are prior service and those who need it," added Lozano-Munguia. "I'm proud to achieve what I have with the time I've been in service and hope to inspire those who are currently working hard for what they want."

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC serves as the single point of contact in support of installation and operational commanders, providing medical information, support and over-medical cognizance of the active duty and reserve force.

Lozano-Munguia serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.