Riverside Emergency Physician Dr. John E. Alex set his sights on becoming a physician while in high school. When looking at colleges he saw a brochure for the U.S. Naval Academy and was particularly intrigued by the flight surgeon position. After graduating the Academy, he served as a Cryptology Officer, then attended medical school at the University of Miami under the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
“All of my training in emergency medicine and simulation education was obtained during my Navy career,” said Dr. Alex.
Upon finishing flight surgeon training in 2007, he served for two years with Carrier Air Wing 17 out of Naval Air Station Oceana. His responsibilities included caring for all the members of the aviation team, including the pilots, technicians who maintain the aircraft, and those in various support roles.
“As a flight surgeon you get to go through part of the same flight training as Naval Aviators so you can understand what they experience while flying and gain an appreciation for the unique circumstances that those in the aviation community undergo physiologically,” he said.
Some of his fondest memories as a Naval Officer and physician were while on deployment. In particular, he recalls being on an aircraft carrier in rough seas transiting the Strait of Magellan around South America, as well as deploying to Afghanistan with the Marine Corps, and receiving the Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer qualification on the Marine Corps birthday.
“My time in the Navy was a pretty profound experience,” said Dr. Alex. “Military service provides many exceptional opportunities but also some challenges. The people you’re with and the way you manage those challenges as a team, help shape and develop you as a person.”
Dr. Alex retired from the Navy in 2020, after 20 years of service, and joined the Riverside team to continue his work in emergency medicine and simulation education. The things he values most from his time in the Navy are a sense of service, and an appreciation for both perseverance and building lasting relationships.
As the medical director for the Riverside Simulation Training Lab, he leads the efforts in training new members of the Riverside team. He continues to practice clinically in the emergency department and serves as adjunct faculty for the emergency medicine residency—training future emergency physicians.
“Joining Riverside offered a unique opportunity to establish and operate an advanced simulation lab, and it provided a great transition to civilian life,” he said.
After just over a year, Dr. Alex said he’s grateful for the teamwork and overall sense of community he’s found within the Riverside health system.
We are proud to have Dr. Alex as a member of the Riverside family. This Veterans Day and every day, we honor the members of the branches of our military and thank you for your service.
