MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Dr. Matthew Picerno, a native of New Britain, Connecticut, was recently selected as 2024 Senior Civilian of the Year for supporting U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella / U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy.
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Dr. Matthew Picerno, left, receives a certificate for being named USNMRTC Sigonella's 2024 Senior Civilian of the Year. |
"Dr. Picerno is a cornerstone of the Sigonella community," said Lt. Cmdr. Meagan Chauvin, director of medical services. "As the sole child psychologist here, he has supported countless families and developed exceptional relationships with the DODEA schools and other base organizations to facilitate a seamless continuum of resources and systems for children and teens in need. He is an exceptional leader and clinician, and we are so lucky to have him lead our EDIS department."
Picerno is a 1991 graduate of New Britain High School. Additionally, Picerno is a 1995 graduate of Trenton State College who earned a master's degree from George Mason University in 1997 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2001.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in New Britain.
"From the hometown in which I grew up, the lesson of service to patients and sensitivity to their care was one that stuck with me, having worked in the Surgical Department of my hometown's General Hospital as my first job in high school," said Picerno. "This was my first "introduction" to working in medical settings, which gave me an appreciation for the "human" aspects of health care that often tend to get completely eclipsed by an over-focus on administrative elements."
Picerno previously served in the Navy for eight years as a clinical psychologist.
"No one in my immediate family had served in the Armed Forces (just some extended members), but the suggestion of applying was made to me by the training director of the Clinical Psychology graduate program in which I was studying at the time, for my internship experience," said Picerno. "I began to view the prospect of entering military service as a completely different way to practice psychology, in situations that would offer an entirely unique opportunity to help those facing personal difficulties and crises that are completely unfamiliar to so many. From that point forward, I knew that's what I wanted to do."
Today, Picerno serves as a civilian supporting the Navy at USNMRTC Sigonella as a General Schedule psychologist
"I most enjoy practicing in a system with a built-in "family" of support, not only making different aspects of care readily available but also easier to coordinate on the patient's behalf," said Picerno. "Along with caring resources and close collaboration, this completely reduces the worry that comes from limitations placed on patient's care based on the cost of an arbitrarily-defined medical necessity; instead, being allowed to use professional clinical judgment when rendering care."
USNMRTC Sigonella / Naval Hospital Sigonella is a community hospital located in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy. Comprised of a local satellite clinic and two branch health clinics located in Bahrain and Souda Bay, USNMRTC Sigonella’s staff of 387 serves approximately 8,500 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and other beneficiaries based on international collaborations and status of forces agreements.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Picerno has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military and civil service.
"My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is when I hear from a patient or family that I was helpful to them in some way, either assisting them to work through difficult feelings or a problematic situation with which they were dealing," said Picerno. "I'm also incredibly proud of any moment when I'm able to tell a child or teen that I'm proud of their emotional growth and what they've been able to overcome, in spite of whatever difficulties they may have been facing in their lives at the time."
Picerno can take pride in serving America.
"Serving in the Navy means an opportunity to reach a critically important population facing unique stresses, while hopefully strengthening resources for the naval community in a way that allows active duty service members to focus on their objectives without worry for their children's wellbeing," added Picerno.