Marines


Director of Psychological Health
Director of Psychological Health

 

Rebecca M. Smullen

CAPT, MC, USN

CAPT Rebecca. Smullen was born and raised in Rochester, NY.  After graduating summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University in 1998 with Bachelor and Masters of Arts Degrees in English, she was commissioned as part of the Health Professions Scholarship Program.  She went on to complete her Doctor of Medicine Degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 2002. During her residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), she served as the first command intern psychiatrist and the only resident at that program to be awarded a Navy Achievement Medal by a line command for her care of a complex patient. Upon graduating in 2006, she deployed with EMF Kuwait, later returning to NMCP and serving as the inpatient director.

In 2007, CAPT Smullen moved to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune where she served simultaneously in multiple roles including the Department Head, SARP clinical director, Provider Wellness Chair, and GME psychiatry representative while seeing patients on the inpatient ward or in the fledgling TBI clinic. She was hand selected by the II MEF commander to the first tri-MEF mental health conference as well as the II MEF Suicide Council.  In 2010, she became the first female 2dMARDIV Division Psychiatrist, providing oversight of the expanding embedded clinician presence while ensuring compliance with the OSCAR (Operational Stress Control and Readiness) training program by becoming an OSCAR master trainer herself. Her initiative in providing 100% medical review of all involuntary administrative separations subsequently became a standard. In 2012, CAPT Smullen completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry in the National Capital Consortium while also serving on the command’s Provider Wellness Committee. She was subsequently assigned to the Council of Review Boards where she provided consultation and review to thousands of cases before the Physical Evaluation Board, Naval Discharge Review Board, and Board of Corrections for Naval Records.   In 2016, she transferred back to NMCP where she assumed duties as the Vice Chair, and later Acting Chair, for Credentials and the Acute Services Line Chief, the latter position providing oversight for inpatient, emergency and high acuity psychiatric services.  Through her leadership, she ensured a successful Joint Commission survey in both areas. She was recognized as a Master Clinician and Senior Medical Officer of the Quarter, appointed as a Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences assistant professor, and became the Associate Specialty Leader for Forensic Psychiatry. 

From 2018-2021, CAPT Smullen served as the Senior Mental Health Executive for Naval Medical Forces Atlantic Senior Mental Health Executive. In that role, she CAPT Smullen oversaw the region’s $70.5M Wounded, Ill, and Injured Programs budget and provides guidance and hands on leadership to 21 commands with respect to Suicide Prevention Programs, Transgender Care, Virtual Mental Health care, Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team response, and overall mental health policy as well as regional mental health asset allocation and TYCOM level line command liaison.  As the regional lead in these programs and a recognized Navy system expert in limited duty, Disability Evaluation System, and administrative separations, CAPT Smullen served as not only the region’s only Flag Level Administrative reviewer but also a regular contributor to policy working groups for BUMED, DHA, and NAVPERS while remaining available for consultation and mentorship to mental health providers across the enterprise.   CAPT Smullen’s Chronic Adjustment Disorder Practices guideline and involuntary separation documentation template are now widely employed as standards of best practice across Navy medicine.  At the local market level, she facilitated a pilot program between NMCP and Fleet and Family Services for SAIL (Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life) which resulted in the referral of 400 sailors in a six month period who would have otherwise been lost to care.

CAPT Smullen is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and has presented at several Navy and APA conferences on a variety of topics including expert witness testimony in Courts Martials involving allegations of sexual assault, military disability, malingering and combat PTSD, and general military culture.  She has been faculty at several residency and fellowship programs and has also provided training to local Regional and Defense Legal Services and consultation in several high profile Courts Martials and JAGMAN investigations.

CAPT Smullen’s military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), and multiple unit awards. She is also qualified as a Fleet Marine Forces Medical Officer and was the 2021 ADM James T. Sears Award winner for Navy psychiatry. CAPT Smullen is married (to a retired Navy psychiatrist) and has two daughters.

 

 

CAPT Smullen

703-604-4618

rebecca.smullen@usmc.mil

 

Headquarters Marine Corps