Benjamin A Drew

M.D.

Lieutenant Commander, Navy

Department of Primary Appointment:
School of Medicine
Anesthesiology
Title
Clerkship Site Director
Location: Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
Research Interests:
Technology and Sensors
Medical History and Ethics

Biography

Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Drew, a native of Phoenix, Arizona received a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He was then commissioned in 2002 and matriculated to Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. After earning an M.S. in National Security Studies, he reported to the Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Command. His initial fleet tour was aboard the USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold) in Bangor, WA, where he served as the Assistant Strategic Weapons Officer, Damage Control Assistant, and Electrical Assistant.

He then volunteered for a combat tour in Afghanistan as a NATO Finance Reform Officer, embedded within the Afghan Ministry of Interior. In 2009, he reported to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, where he oversaw the US/UK submarine interoperability program as a project manager.

In 2011, he was selected for a Health Professions Scholarship and commissioned as an Ensign in the Naval Reserves. After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 2015, he was re-commissioned and completed a Transitional Internship at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He subsequently completed his anesthesiology residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, he served as an anesthesiologist assigned to 3d Medical Battalion in Okinawa, Japan, deploying in support of Marine Rotational Forces Darwin and the III MEF Alert Contingency MAGTF. He also served as Chair of the III MEF Medical Executive Committee, overseeing health policies, credentialing, and training of 95 physicians, ensuring medical readiness for 27,000 Sailors and Marines deployed throughout INDOPACOM. He recently reported to NMRTC San Diego, where he assumed the role of Vice-Chair for Quality Assurance and Improvement in the Department of Anesthesia. He currently holds an appointment as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD and has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal (three awards). His qualifications include Gold Submarine Dolphins, Fleet Marine Force Officer Pin, Basic Parachutist Wings, and Strategic Deterrent Patrol Pin (5 awards).