MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Navy Capt. Paul D. Pearigen assumed command of the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital from Navy Capt. C. Forest Faison III during a change of command ceremony, July 17.
Faison, former Commander of the U.S. Joint Medical Task Force, Kuwait, and nominee for appointment to the rank of rear admiral, will continue his career at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington D.C.
Faison assumed command of the Naval Hospital in July of 2007.
“It was fun while it lasted,” said Faison. “This was truly a once in a lifetime privilege for me and this chapter in my life will not be forgotten.”
After his speech, Faison welcomed Pearigen to the stage.
“I know our new commander will do great things,” said Faison during his speech. “Pearigen is the right man for the job.”
Parting from serving two years as deputy commander of Naval Medical Center San Diego, Pearigen will now serve as commanding officer of the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
Since beginning his naval service in 1992, Pearigen has served more than five years as Residency Program Director and Attending Physician in Emergency Medicine at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Pearigen was also selected as the first Expeditionary Strike Group Surgeon, a distinctive Navy-Marine Corps combatant battle group.
“Being given command of the hospital is like nothing I’ve ever felt, this is truly a blessing and great honor,” said Pearigen. “There is much work to be done and it’s something I look forward to doing.”
As the newly appointed commander of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, Pearigen pledges that he will provide to Marines, sailors and family residing on Pendleton the best care and service he possibly can.