Thursday, July 17, 2025

Palm Bay native serves with Navy Medicine in Italy

By Megan Lemly, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Hospitalman Apprentice Giuliany Ramos, a native of Palm Bay, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella / U.S. Naval Hospital (NH) Sigonella, Italy. 

Ramos is a 2022 Palm Bay High School graduate.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Palm Bay.

"My father and mother always instilled in me the importance of hard work, never being comfortable in life and always striving to be better than I was before," Ramos said.

Ramos joined the Navy one year ago.

"I am very patriotic and love the values and freedoms we fight for," Ramos said.

However, their journey to the Navy was not easy. In 2021, Ramos was in a car accident that resulted in a hematoma in their head.

"Doctors did a craniotomy to release the blood from my head," Ramos said. "However, it was unsuccessful, so I was taken to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital for another craniotomy, which was successful that time. I started a long recovery process to learn how to use the left side of my body again. I made a very quick recovery, around 9 months, in which I went back to school, continued to play sports and did the activities I loved to do. I joined the Navy on April 25, 2024, and graduated from Hospital Corpsman 'A' School on the dean’s list. All thanks to God, doctors and everyone around me who helped me now work as if the accident never happened."

Today, Ramos serves in the Multi-Service Ward and is responsible for assisting with medical-surgical patients and with labor and delivery. Ramos is also trained in neonatal resuscitation.

"Helping people at their worst times is my favorite part of the job," Ramos said.

USNMRTC Sigonella / NH 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.

"HA Ramos is an invaluable asset to our department, consistently demonstrating a unique blend of dedication, an eagerness to learn and an infectious positive attitude that elevates the entire unit," said Lt. Cmdr. Kayla Hennen, Multi-Service Ward department head. "Indeed, this positive attitude is evident in the unparalleled energy and fun HA Ramos brings to the unit, fostering a cohesive and high-spirited working environment. He is a true morale booster, consistently uplifting spirits and creating a positive atmosphere that benefits all personnel. Crucially, this vibrant disposition directly translates into an exceptional commitment to patient care. HA Ramos has received numerous positive patient comments, reflecting a compassionate approach, excellent communication skills and a genuine desire to provide the best possible care. Patients consistently praise HA Ramos' empathy and professionalism, directly contributing to our department's reputation for outstanding service. Beyond the immediate impact on unit morale and patient care, HA Ramos also embodies a profound dedication to self-improvement and future service. This is powerfully evidenced by the successful passing of the rigorous physical screening test required for future career goals as a search and rescue (SAR) team member. This significant achievement not only highlights an extraordinary level of physical prowess but also an inspiring commitment to pursuing challenging and high-impact roles within the Navy. In summary, HA Ramos is a truly exceptional hospitalman apprentice whose dedication, physical and professional excellence, and infectious positive attitude make him an indispensable member of our team.”

Ramos' commitment to service and their resilience are inspiring to other sailors they serve with.

“HA Ramos has truly hit the ground running," said Lt. Elizabeth Hillman, a nurse in the Multi-Service Ward. "From the very beginning, he eagerly engaged in patient care, seizing every opportunity to learn and interact with patients. He consistently pushes himself to expand his knowledge and improve his skills. His vibrant personality contributes to a welcoming atmosphere for both patients and staff here on the Multi-Service Ward."

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.

Ramos has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

"Helping mothers bring their children into the world is my proudest accomplishment," Ramos said. 

Ramos can take pride in serving America through military service.

"Serving in the Navy means fighting and protecting those who can't," Ramos added. "It also means fighting for those values we all believe in."