RADM Bonnie Potter, Medical Corps, USN (Ret)
Bonnie B. Potter, MD, FACP
Rear Admiral Potter was born and raised near Oakland, California, graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Animal Science, and received her MD degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine. She completed medical school on a Navy scholarship, and came on active duty as a Lieutenant in 1975. She spent the first 20 years as a clinician and teacher of internal medicine, advancing to the rank of Captain. Following a tour as Chief of Medicine/Residency Program Director at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, and Director of USNS Comfort during Operations Desert Shield/Storm, she transitioned into Executive Medicine. In1997, she was promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half), becoming the first female physician in the military to be selected for “Flag” rank (Admiral or General). She served as Commander, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, Lead Agent for Tricare Region 1, and Chief of the Navy Medical Corps. In 1999, she received her second star, and subsequent duties included Fleet Surgeon, US Atlantic Fleet, Command Surgeon, Fleet Forces Command, Command Surgeon, US Joint Forces Command and Medical Advisor to Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. She retired from active duty in 2003.
Rear Admiral Potter is board certified in Internal Medicine, with additional qualifications in Geriatrics, and she is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. After serving five years as President, Placer County Council Navy League of the US, three years as President, Pacific Central Region of the Navy League, and three years as Area President, Central California Area of the Navy League, she is once again President of the Placer County Council. She teaches as volunteer faculty at the UC Davis School of Medicine, and spent nine years as a member of the Northern California Retired Officers Community Board of Directors, and six years as President of the Alpaca Owners Association Board of Directors. In 2012 she was awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Ellen Hardin Walworth Medal for Patriotism and the President’s Volunteer Service Award for service on the Sacramento Medical Reserve Corps. She is married to August Anema, and they live in Auburn, California where they raise alpacas.