By Lisa Ramsperger/American Red Cross

This Veterans Day, the American Red Cross honors those who have served our nation and continue to serve their communities. Among them is Dr. Mark Chung, a Navy veteran, physician and dedicated Red Cross volunteer whose life has been shaped by service—from the military to medicine to his ongoing commitment to the Red Cross. That conviction began in childhood, inspired by the story of how the Red Cross once helped his own family.

Inspired by that legacy, Chung pursued medicine, enrolling at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in New York. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Stony Brook University Hospital and UC Irvine, followed by subspecialty training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine.

During his time in medical school, Chung was inspired to pursue military service.

“One day, I saw a fellow dormitory resident in a U.S. Army uniform. He was a Nurse Corps officer serving in the Army Reserve,” said Chung. “At the time, I was not yet eligible to be considered for commissioning. But, after graduation and completion of my residency and training, I soon became interested again in military medicine.”

In 1988, Chung attended an open house at the Long Beach Naval Station, less than 10 miles from his training site. Touring naval ships, including the battleship USS Missouri, confirmed his calling. The following year, he was sworn in as a Lieutenant Commander Medical Officer in the U.S. Navy, a higher rank due to his training. He later completed Officer Candidate School and began service at Long Beach Naval Hospital.

When the Iraq War started in 2003, Chung was transferred to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to direct the Intensive Care Unit and care for wounded Soldiers and Marines evacuated from Iraq. “It was the most moving and emotional time being tasked with such great responsibilities, yet I was proud to serve during this great time of need,” he said.

Over 25 years of service, Chung deployed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, qualified as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer, served as Battalion Surgeon, was promoted to Regimental Surgeon, and deployed overseas to the Persian Gulf.

“Serving the Marines, who are the infantry for the Navy, was the most meaningful,” said Chung. “It was an absolutely outstanding experience to earn the trust of Marines who would risk their lives for each other through their bravery and discipline.”

In Bethesda, Chung trained as a Sleep Medicine Specialist, treating patients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. That work became both his military focus and professional specialty. Today, he is a Pulmonologist treating patients with sleep disorders.

After retiring in 2015 with the rank of Captain, Chung found a new mission—he joined the Long Beach Chapter of the Red Cross in 2016 as a disaster responder and associate for Service to the Armed Forces. Around the same time, he earned his Amateur Radio Technician’s license, supporting Red Cross emergency operations ever since. Read about Chung's ham radio support here.

“When using my ham radio skills with the Red Cross, it brings back memories of Navy and Marine Corps operations and coordinating logistics in a medical capacity,” Chung said.

Chung, past president of the Red Cross Long Beach and South Bay Chapter, continues to serve on its board as a Disaster Services Technology team lead, a member of the Executive Director’s Mission Committee and a ham radio trainer for fellow volunteers.

He also helps raise awareness of Red Cross services for military members, veterans and their families—support that spans deployments, emergencies and life after service.

Grateful for his years of military service, Chung remains committed to caring for his community as both a doctor and Red Cross volunteer.

“I always wanted to be part of American history, do my part and bear witness to the challenges facing our great country not only as a health care provider, but also as an active duty medical officer, helping to defend our country,” Chung said. “Serving in the Navy as an officer gave me that opportunity to make a difference by contributing with my leadership and medical skills. Now, serving the Red Cross is a continuation of my peaceful service and a chance to repay the opportunities given to me and my family. I grew up poor and now we are in a better position to give back in the hopes of a better world around us.”

The U.S. military community can request help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling the Hero Care Center at +1 877-272-7337 or online through the Hero Care Network or free Hero Care App. Or visit redcross.org/saf.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.