Connie Mariano
U.S. Navy Medical Corps, 1978-2001

Connie Mariano
U.S. Navy Medical Corps, 1978-2001

The daughter of a Navy steward, Dr. Connie Mariano, born in the Philippines, joined the U.S. Navy Medical Corps in 1978 and graduated from the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in 1981. In June 1992, Dr. Mariano became the first military woman in history to be appointed White House Physician. In 1994, she was named Director of the White House Medical Unit. She served nine years at the White House in which she served as physician to Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. On July 1, 2000, Dr. Mariano became the first Filipino American to achieve flag rank when she was promoted by President Clinton, saying at her promotion, “I am pleased to stand before you today as proof the Filipino Americans in the Navy no longer must go through the kitchen, the back door, or the garage." Dr. Mariano retired in 2001 as a rear admiral.