MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Ridgway, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella, Italy.
Ridgway graduated from Upper Dublin High School in 2007 and Penn State in 2011.
Inspired by the desire to serve a greater purpose, Ridgway began a career in Navy Medicine.
“I joined the Navy to see the world, serve a greater purpose and experience opportunities and challenges that simply don’t exist in the civilian sector,” Ridgway said.
Lessons from Philadelphia continue to shape Ridgway’s service.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of discipline, integrity and perseverance — values that have become the foundation of my success in the Navy,” Ridgway said. “From an early age, I was taught to take responsibility for my actions, work hard without seeking shortcuts, and treat others with respect. Teamwork and adaptability were also core lessons, which are understanding that success often depends on collaboration, communication and remaining calm under pressure. These qualities have carried over into my service as a Navy nurse, where accountability, compassion and a mission-first mindset are essential to caring for others and leading effectively in any environment, whether at home or deployed overseas.”
Ridgway’s responsibilities go beyond direct patient care, which may be surprising to some.
“Something that would surprise people back home about my job is how much of it goes beyond direct patient care,” Ridgway said. “As a Navy preoperative nurse, my role involves not only preparing patients for surgery but also managing logistics, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and ensuring readiness for both routine and emergent operations, often in environments with limited resources or high operational tempo. Many don’t realize how much planning, leadership and adaptability are required behind the scenes to keep surgical services running smoothly in support of global missions. It’s a blend of clinical expertise, operational precision and leadership that makes every day both challenging and rewarding.”
As a nurse, Ridgway supports Navy missions worldwide.
“As a Navy Nurse Corps officer and perioperative nurse, I oversee clinical operations, resource management and readiness initiatives that ensure safe, high-quality patient care across the military health system,” Ridgway said. “Specifically, as an operating room nurse, I prepare surgical patients for procedures ensuring their physical, emotional and logistical readiness while coordinating closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists and the operating room team. I assess patient needs, provide education and implement safety protocols. My work directly supports the Navy’s global mission by ensuring medical forces remain ready to deploy, sustain combat readiness and deliver world-class health care to service members, their families and our allies around the world.”
Ridgway, who has served in the Navy for 10 years, has witnessed Navy Medicine’s impact firsthand.
“I’ve seen Navy Medicine make a difference both during missions and in daily operations,” Ridgway said. “Whether it’s providing life-saving care to service members overseas, supporting humanitarian efforts in remote regions, or ensuring the health and readiness of sailors and their families at our military treatment facilities, Navy Medicine consistently demonstrates its global impact. In day-to-day operations, I’ve witnessed how teamwork, clinical excellence and operational readiness come together to restore health, build resilience and keep the fleet mission-ready. Seeing patients recover and sailors return to duty reminds me every day that what we do truly matters, to our patients, our commands and the Navy’s mission around the world.”
Ridgway had some memorable experiences in the Navy, but the most enjoyable and rewarding parts have been the opportunity to live and serve overseas.
“Being stationed in places like Okinawa, Japan, and Sicily, Italy, has allowed me to experience different cultures, cuisines and traditions while still fulfilling the Navy’s global mission,” Ridgway said. “It’s been exciting to explore new environments, build friendships with people from around the world and see firsthand how Navy Medicine operates in diverse international settings. Whether participating in community outreach, training with allied forces or simply enjoying local festivals and history, these assignments have broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for both the Navy and the people we serve across the globe.”
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.
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.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below and above the sea and ashore.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contributions to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence.
According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
When reflecting on his Navy career, Ridgway considers having the trust of his command to be a defining milestone.
“One of the proudest moments of my Navy career was deploying aboard the USS Iwo Jima in 2021,” Ridgway said. “Serving as part of the medical department during that deployment was both an honor and a defining experience. It was a chance to put all of my training, leadership and clinical skills into action while supporting the health and readiness of sailors and Marines at sea.”
Ridgway said the long hours, unpredictable conditions and shared sense of purpose created a bond unlike any other.
“Being part of a team that could provide critical care in austere environments, while representing Navy Medicine’s commitment to readiness and compassion, was deeply fulfilling,” Ridgway said. “That deployment reminded me why I joined the Navy: to serve, to lead and to make a difference wherever duty calls.”
Ridgway serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Wearing the uniform and serving in today’s Navy is both an honor and a responsibility that I carry with deep pride,” Ridgway said. “It represents more than just my role as a nurse or an officer. It symbolizes a commitment to service, sacrifice and excellence. Every day I put on the uniform, I’m reminded that I am part of something far greater than myself: a team dedicated to protecting freedom, ensuring global stability and caring for those who defend our nation. In a rapidly changing world, serving in Navy Medicine means being adaptable, compassionate and mission-focused, ready to meet challenges anywhere, from the operating room to the front lines. The uniform is a visible reminder of the trust placed in us by our country and our patients, and I strive to honor that trust through leadership, integrity and unwavering dedication to the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Ridgway encourages others to follow in his footsteps.
“I would tell them it’s an opportunity to serve with purpose, travel the world and grow both personally and professionally in ways few other careers can offer,” Ridgway said. “Navy Medicine allows you to be part of something bigger than yourself, to care for service members, their families and people in need across the globe. It’s a career built on teamwork, resilience and compassion, where your skills truly make a difference every single day. Beyond the clinical experience, it’s about leadership, lifelong learning and the pride of wearing a uniform that stands for honor, courage and commitment. I would tell them that if they’re looking for challenge, growth and meaning in their work, there’s no greater calling than serving in Navy Medicine.”
Ridgway believes the Navy offers a different experience.
“What makes Navy Medicine different from civilian health care is the fusion of clinical excellence and operational readiness,” Ridgway said. “In Navy Medicine, our mission goes beyond treating patients, where we ensure the health, resilience and deployability of our nation’s warfighters. Every nurse, corpsman and provider must be prepared to deliver high-quality care in any environment, from state-of-the-art hospitals to remote or austere settings at sea or in the field.
Ridgway said the culture emphasizes leadership, adaptability and teamwork under pressure, with a shared sense of purpose that extends far beyond the walls of a hospital.
“Unlike many civilian settings, Navy Medicine combines humanitarian outreach, global health engagement and military precision, allowing us to make a difference both in peacetime and during crisis response,” Ridgway said. “It’s this mission-driven environment, where care, service and readiness intersect, that makes Navy Medicine truly unique.”