David Foster MD

Education

B.A., Chemistry, Boston University
M.D., The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Internship, Categorical Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virigina
Residency, Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virigina

Biography

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Captain David Foster received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Boston University through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston through the Health Professions Scholarship Program. He completed post-graduate training in general pediatrics at Naval Medical Center (NMC) Portsmouth. He is dual-qualified as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer and a Surface Warfare Officer.

Foster has been the Director of Branch Clinics in Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command San Diego since August 2023, tasked with leading a team of 1,100 active duty, civilian, and contract personnel to care for 33,000 Sailors, Marines, Recruits, and beneficiaries, with 10 medical clinics and 15 dental clinics across southern California. Prior to this, Foster served as the Officer-in-Charge of the Commander Naval Surface Force’s Medical Readiness Division, San Diego ensuring all San Diego-area surface ships were ready to care for the 30,000 Sailors assigned to CNSP, including responsibility for significant testing and vaccination events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, Foster served as the Director of Medical Services in Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton; Department Head of Pediatrics in Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton; Division Head of General Pediatrics in NMC San Diego; plank-owner/commissioning Medical Officer of USS ANCHORAGE (LPD-23); and general pediatrician in Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan, where he participated in Navy Medicine’s response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster and Operation Tomodachi.
Foster’s other assignments include: Force Protection Officer in USS ELROD (FFG-55), where he participated in the NATO response to the 9/11 attacks; Boilers Officer and Weapons Officer in USS INCHON (MCS-12); and the Surface Warfare Officer School.
Foster is board-certified in pediatrics and is an assistant professor of Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University School of the Health Sciences. He has publications on topics ranging from caffeine use in the active duty population to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage rates in child-care settings. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and numerous other personal, unit, and campaign awards.