To optimize the health & well being of the Regiment of Midshipmen entrusted to our care by providing expert health care through our core values of Quality, Customer Service, Innovation and Teamwork.
Our Vision
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Maximize overall health and readiness of USMMA Midshipmen and future maritime, transportation industry and Armed Forces Reserve duty leaders
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Deliver quality patient care respectfully through excellent customer service and with a compassionate approach.
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Foster a healthy and safe environment that supports academic training initiatives, sea worthiness and all regimental activity.
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Ensure that the medical staff is optimally trained to support and enhance our mission.
The Department of Health Services (DHS) is responsible for the overall management of the midshipmen medical care, dental care and Midshipmen Emergency Services. DHS works to help midshipmen maintain all medical standards as set forth in The Code of Federal regulations,
46 C.F.R. §310.56 which dictates the continuing requirement for USMMA midshipmen to meet the standards
set forth in Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or
Induction in the Military Services.
Located in Patten Health Clinic, DHS provides medical and dental care for midshipmen, as well as some very limited services for faculty and staff. Under the leadership of an experienced medical administrator, staff is comprised of Board Certified Physicians, fully trained and credentialed physicians assistants, a registered nurse, dental hygienist, a clinical psychologist, a counselor and medically trained office support personnel. Key services include:
- 24-hour Emergency Services (EMS) coverage for midshipmen, faculty, staff, and visitors, through the midshipmen-run EMS program, with support provided by local emergency services.
- Midshipman medical coverage:
- Patten Health Clinic is well prepared to handle:
- routine medical care
- general dentistry
- dental examinations
- dental hygiene
- Midshipman counseling and personal development services
- Access to a full range of referral services
- Precommisioning physicals
- Sea Year Physicals and medical qualifications for obtaining
Merchant Mariner documents and licensing.
- Act as Liaison with The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) for applicants and midshipmen
- When medical care needs rise above the scope of services that DHS
provides onsite, higher level of care needs are provided by the
highly-respected North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health System
at their facilities located less than 5 miles from the Academy.
There are exceptions which would make expenses for the above care solely the responsibility of
the midshipmen on a personal out of pocket basis. Generally, these exceptions are associated
with injury, illness or diagnosis resulting from a pre-existing condition, a non disclosed
condition, or anything illicit or illegal. Generally, injuries which are incurred while engaging
in activity beyond expected midshipmen conduct according to established USMMA policy are not covered.
Uncovered medical expenses, although rare, do occur and can be very costly if there is no medical insurance in place. For this reason, midshipmen are required to purchase a supplemental medical plan currently offered through The Allan J. Flood Company. For complete details regarding coverage and to check on the status of claims, please follow these instructions:
- Go to the following web site: Allen J. Flood Companies, Inc.
- Under “Tools For Students, Participants & Policyholders” please choose the link for “College & University Students”
- Then, choose United States Merchant Marine Academy.
- At this point you can view and print the Student Accident and Sickness Brochure and access the claim payer's web site.
It is extremely important to note that this supplemental coverage is secondary to any primary insurance coverage and is capped at a maximum payout of $100,000 per accident / injury. For this reason, it is strongly encouraged that all midshipmen have a personal primary medical plan either through their parents/guardians or on a privately purchased basis.
