An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Local News | July 28, 2021

I Am Navy Medicine - and NHB Employee of the Month - Matt Hodgson

By Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer – What started out as an interest in the medical field has become a career spanning 30 years – and counting – of active duty and civil service for Matt Hodgson.
 
Hodgson, from Binghamton, New York and 1987 graduate from Susquehanna Valley High School, is the staff MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technologist at Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) and recently announced as NHB Employee of the Month for June, 2021.
 
“Just honored that folks thought of me,” said Hodgson, acknowledging that there is some importance attached to not just being nominated but also being selected from a command of approximately 1,300 staff members.
 
“It’s significant because it show’s we’re appreciated by the patients in our care,” Hodgson said, adding that being recognized, “reflects on everyone in our department. Every day, all our staff, both active duty and civilians work very hard.  For me, it’s very significant because it’s also professional recognition, which is as valuable to me as any award one can get. “

Hodgson was highlighted for ‘demonstrating superior performance in the delivery of stellar customer service to patients,’ a testament to his interpersonal skills and professional aptitude.
 
“Just treat folks like they’re individuals and show patience, honesty and compassion,” stated Hodgson.
 
His Navy Medicine career begin when he enlisted in 1988 at age 18 and attended Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Illinois, serving as a hospital corpsman for 20 years.
 
“I wanted at the very least to get some experience in the medical field. The Hospital Corps was a great fit,” related Hodgson.
 
Navy Medicine has taken him from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina across the Pacific to Japan.
He has held such positions and duty as general duty corpsman, Fleet Marine Force corpsman providing support to the Marine Corps, advanced radiologic technologist, leading petty officer, and MRI clinical education specialist. After working for a civilian company for a few years following his Navy active duty career, he returned back to the Department of Defense and has been at Naval Hospital Bremerton for last 10 years.
 
Assigned to a Navy Medicine platform, Hodgson’s position is an integral part of the crucial clinical support provided from the Radiology Department to providers in helping them diagnose patient’s injury and/or disease. 
 
The MRI itself is a sizable computerized machine that uses magnets, radio waves and a computer to deliver detailed images of the inside of a patient’s body.  Along with helping with diagnoses, the MRI can monitor how a patient is doing with a particular treatment, and is especially useful looking at the nervous system and soft tissue. For example, an MRI of the brain can help diagnose brain injury or a stroke. An MRI of the heart and blood vessels can look for heart disease and an MRI of the bones and joints can detect damage in bones, cancer, and/or bone infection(s).
 
“Basically, I feel like medical imaging, MRI specifically, are the doctor’s eyes. They are partially blind without us - not to degrade their clinical abilities - but we provide a noninvasive way to diagnose patients to hopefully prevent surgeries or allow doctors to accurately plan those surgeries to give the patient the best outcome,” explained Hodgson.
 
With the Navy surgeon general priority on operational readiness and NHB’s core mission of ensuring a medically ready force by a ready medical force, Hodgson is helping contribute towards that requirement.
 
“It’s especially important to be able to scan active duty members quickly for operational commitments and, now, with a second carrier transferring here, we will be able to take some of the stress off an already overtaxed local civilian hospital,” stressed Hodgson.
 
Hodgson affirms his MRI clinic is invaluable in treatment.


“MRI utilizes radio frequencies and a very strong magnet to image different tissues of the body, more so than any other modality. We can diagnose everything from ligament tears to brain tumors and provide valuable information as to the characteristics of some pathologies,” confirmed Hodgson.
 
The best part about his on-going career?
 
“Being able to work with great people from all over the world,” stated Hodgson.
 
When asked to sum up his experience with Navy Medicine in one sentence, Hodgson replied, “I love it so much I came back after working in the private sector for three years.”
 
Airmen prep a cargo net on the floor of a warehouse before putting it onto a aircraft sized cargo pallet at Incirlik Air Base.

Defense Health Agency Medical Logistics Team Mai...

Local News
Sep. 12, 2024

MEDLOG is a premier shared service provider promoting uniformity, efficiency, and joint interoperability of...
Read More
Graphic of reminders that "Mental Health Matters" with a logo that reads "Ask the Doc" in the corner.

Ask the Doc: What Are Ways To Protect My Mental ...

Local News
Sep. 04, 2024

Our mental health expert, U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Meghan Corso, chief of behavioral health clinical...
Read More
New text service offers military healthcare updates, information

Defense Health Agency Launches New App for Provi...

Local News
Aug. 29, 2024

Defense Health Agency develops important new tool for assessing and managing mild traumatic brain injury, also...
Read More
Man wearing beanie and green t-shirt that says "G TEAM" stands in front of yellow moving truck.

How AFMES Members Balance Duty and Community

Local News
Aug. 29, 2024

At the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, the dedication to service transcends the lab coats and sterile...
Read More
Man in suit speaks at podium in front of sign that says "DEFENSE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM 2024."

Military Health Information Technology Focus of ...

Local News
Aug. 27, 2024

The 2024 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium kicked off in Dallas, Texas, with Patrick (Pat)...
Read More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 60 percent of mothers in the U.S. stop breast feeding sooner than planned, and that only one out of four infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, the medically recommended duration. The Department of Defense and service military policies have been created and updated to ensure military mothers have the time, resources, and leadership support to breastfeed for six months after birth.

Military Honors Mothers, Infants by Supporting B...

Local News
Aug. 21, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 60 percent of mothers in the U.S. stop breast...
Read More
Uniformed service member undergoes eye exam with technician in scrubs. An image of an eye chart that says "EYE HEALTH" is overlaid.

Low Vision: What it is and How You Can Function ...

Local News
Aug. 14, 2024

Service members are often exposed to a variety of hazards in combat, training, or daily activities, on and off...
Read More
Graphic demonstrating the process of Mental Health care and additional resources through targeted care. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Targeted Care for Mental Health Issues Rolling O...

Local News
Aug. 09, 2024

Targeted care offers the right mental health resources for each individual as it begins rolling out across the...
Read More

Sept. 12, 2024

Defense Health Agency Medical Logistics Team Maintains Supply Chain Ensuring Quality Health Care Delivery

MEDLOG is a premier shared service provider promoting uniformity, efficiency, and joint interoperability of defense medical materiel programs and products required for Military Health System institutional and operational elements in support of the full range of military operations.

Sept. 4, 2024

Ask the Doc: What Are Ways To Protect My Mental Health?

Our mental health expert, U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Meghan Corso, chief of behavioral health clinical operations at the Defense Health Agency, answers a Dear Doc question on ways to protect your mental health.

Aug. 29, 2024

Defense Health Agency Launches New App for Providers to Assess and Treat Traumatic Brain Injury ‘Anytime, Anywhere’

Defense Health Agency develops important new tool for assessing and managing mild traumatic brain injury, also known as concussion, with the Warfighter Brain Health Provider Toolkit application.

Aug. 29, 2024

How AFMES Members Balance Duty and Community

At the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, the dedication to service transcends the lab coats and sterile environments of their daily responsibilities. These men and women are committed to something greater than themselves—both within the walls of their workplace and outside in the communities they serve.

Aug. 27, 2024

Military Health Information Technology Focus of DHITS 2024

The 2024 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium kicked off in Dallas, Texas, with Patrick (Pat) Flanders, chief information officer for the Defense Health Agency, touching on the Department of Defense’s efforts to modernize health care, providing enterprise intelligence and data solutions, and looking to the future.

Aug. 21, 2024

Military Honors Mothers, Infants by Supporting Breastfeeding

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 60 percent of mothers in the U.S. stop breast feeding sooner than planned, and that only one out of four infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, the medically recommended duration. The DOD and service military policies have been created and updated to ensure military mothers have the time, resources, and leadership support to breastfeed for six months after birth.

Aug. 14, 2024

Low Vision: What it is and How You Can Function with the Right Treatment Plan

Service members are often exposed to a variety of hazards in combat, training, or daily activities, on and off duty, including situations that may affect their vision.

Aug. 9, 2024

Targeted Care for Mental Health Issues Rolling Out Across Department of Defense

Targeted care offers the right mental health resources for each individual as it begins rolling out across the Department of Defense.

Aug. 6, 2024

Burn Pit Registry Redesign Auto Enrolls Participants and Simplifies Requirements

The Department of Veterans Affairs is advancing efforts to address issues associated with military-related toxic exposure by launching a redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.

July 29, 2024

DHA Veterinary Services Explains Updated CDC Dog Importation Guidelines

Service members and their families returning to the United States from overseas duty assignments will be subject to updated dog importation requirements effective Aug. 1, 2024.