Medical Service Corps

Commander Margaret M. Read

Medical Service Corps

United States Navy

Commander Margaret M. (Marrie) Smith Read was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She graduated from St. Louis University cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. In 1997, she was selected for the Health Sciences Collegiate Program.She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree in 1999, graduating Summa cum Laude from Southern College of Optometry. She received her commission as a Lieutenant in May of that same year.

CDR Read's first duty station was as a staff optometrist at the Branch Medical Clinic, Mayport, Florida. During her tenure at Mayport (August 1999-June 2003), CDRRead became a Division Officer, then Department Head,andultimately Product Line Manager of Clinical Support Services. In the summer of 2003, shecommenced a one year post-doctoral residency program at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Missouriin primary care and ocular pathology. Following residency, CDR Read reported to Naval Hospital,Keflavik, Iceland (July 2004-November 2005). In addition to being the sole optometrist for the base, she waselected as Chair, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (ECOMS) by her peers. Subsequent to her overseas tour, CDRRead served as the Director for the Arlington Annex,DiLorenzo Tricare Clinic in Washington D.C. (November 2005-May 2008). In March 2008, she completed an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate Schoolgraduating with distinction. Later that same year,CDR Read transferred to the Tri-Service Vision Conservation and Readiness Program at the United States Army Public Health Command, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. Within six months of reporting, she became the Program Manager of the Tri-Service program. In July2010, she deployed as an individual augmentee to Expeditionary Medical Facility, Kuwait serving as an optometrist and as the Chair of both the Dashboard and Medical Records Review Committees. Post-deployment,CDR Read was selected as the first Chair of the Public Health Review Board for the US Army Public Health Command and was promoted to Portfolio Executive Officer, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Portfolio.

In May 2012, CDR Read reported to Naval Health Clinic, Quantico, Virginia as the Director for Clinical Support Services. She continues to see patients and precept students as adjunct faculty for Indiana University College of Optometry. She was named the Armed Forces Optometric Society Navy Optometrist of the Year 2013. Additionally, she completed a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with a focus in Irregular Warfare from the Naval War College in June 2013.

Among her professional achievements, CDR Read is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry,is board certified by theAmerican Board of Optometryand American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry, is the Secretary/Treasurerof the Armed Forces Optometric Society, serves on the Quality Improvement/Registry Committee of the American Optometric Association and is the Team Lead for the Medical Service Corps Communication Strategic Goal Group.

CDR Read's personal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal (one gold star), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two gold stars), Army Commendation Medal, Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Commander Read is married to John W. Read. They have three children, Joseph (Joby), age 15; Emma, age 13; and David, age 10.