Biography

Born in 1942, Maryanne’s childhood offered young girls the opportunity to pursue careers in teaching, secretarial work, or nursing. From the age of seven, she knew she wanted to be a nurse and at thirteen set her sights on going to the  Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia. Maryanne found inspiration in books and movies featuring nursing and by the time she finished school in September 1962, the Peace Corps was born and offered an opportunity to serve those less fortunate. Her father actively discouraged me from applying; so — in 1964 after working as a nurse for two years in pediatrics and community health, Maryanne joined the Navy Nurse Corps with a “buddy,” Barbara (Bonnie) Caya without her father’s permission.

At the time, the Vietnam war was just beginning and Maryanne wanted to serve. The Navy Nurse Corps leadership only allowed nurses to go overseas or service in a combat zone on their second tour of duty. While serving her first tour of duty at USNH Pensacola, Maryanne dedicated herself to learning the Navy/Marine Corps programs and gained experience as a nurse and charge nurse. In August 1965, Maryanne was sent to the USSREPOSE AH-16 off the coast of Vietnam. Aboard the 750 bed modern Navy Hospital Ship REPOSE, she part of a medical team with 24 doctors, 3 dental officers, 29 nurses, and 210 hospital corpsmen. The hospital ship cruised along the coast one to 10 miles off shore to provide medical support to the Marines operating in the I Corps area. Helicopters brought casualties to the ship from the field, Battalion aid stations or from the Navy Hospital at Da Nang.

Supplied to support massive casualties, the REPOSE medical team were highly qualified professionals. When “FLIGHT QUARTERS” belted out of the speaker system, each member of the team surged together, despite their individual fear of the unexpected, to carry on as a team to treat the casualties. The medical team gained psychological support knowing the team members were all qualified and the necessary supplies and equipment were onboard. Experiencing the battlefield intensity and the cutting edge medical technology, Maryanne and the other nurses carried far more responsibility and earned the opportunity to direct and lead care beyond other nursing opportunities. After serving on the REPOSE, Maryanne and her peers were instrumental in carrying forward the Navy Nurse Corps leadership culture to mentor the new nurses with competent oversight, leadership, and kindness. 

In the early 1970’s a policy change made it possible for Maryanne and other military women to remain on active duty during and after pregnancy. Able to keep her commission, Maryanne transferred to the Navy Reserves in 1975 as her family continued to grow and to continue being a military leader in the Navy Reserve. While serving in the Navy Reserves Maryanne held various leadership positions including ACDUTRA’s Director, Crisis Operations Center, Commanding Officer, NRNH Bethesda 2906, Director, Medical Department, Military Sealift Command Pacific, and Deputy Direct Navy Nurse Corps, Reserve Affairs.

Maryanne and her husband James, a retired Naval Officer, have four children and are blessed with grandchildren.