Captain Kathryn Elliott

Commanding Officer, USNS Comfort

27 May 2021 Capt. Elliott is originally from San Diego, California.  She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.  Capt. Elliott was accepted into the Health Professions Scholarship Program and received a commission into the Navy Medical Corps in 1991.  She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Master of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.  She graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1994.  

After completing her Internal Medicine internship at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Capt. Elliott completed training as a Naval Flight Surgeon in April 1996.  From April 1996 until August 1998, she served as Flight Surgeon for Carrier Air Wing 11, completing a Western Pacific deployment aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.  As one of the first carrier-based female flight surgeons, she participated in the gender integration of both the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Carl Vinson.  She returned to Naval Medical Center in San Diego and completed Internal Medicine residency in 2000.  

Hospital assignments include tours at Naval Hospitals Yokosuka, Bremerton, Naples, and Camp Pendleton.  At Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, she was appointed as the Director for Healthcare Business in November 2013, assuming responsibility for Case Management, Referrals Management, Patient Relations, and Tricare Operations.  

Capt. Elliott reported as the Officer-in-Charge of Fleet Surgical Team THREE in August 2010 where she completed a highly successful 2011 Western Pacific deployment as the Commander Amphibious Task Force Surgeon for the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group.  

From June 2016 to June 2018 Capt. Elliott served as the Executive Officer onboard the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20).  During her tour Comfort responded effectively to Puerto Rico, providing advanced medical services afloat as part of a multiple ship joint Department of Defense response during Hurricane Maria relief operations. 

As the Force Surgeon for the Military Sealift Command from June 2018 to May 2021, Capt. Elliott managed healthcare operations for the worldwide logistics command, encompassing over 120 ships.  She was the lead medical subject matter expert for the development of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan and in early 2020 she coordinated the first simultaneous deployment of both hospital ships since Operation DESERT STORM. 

Capt. Elliott reported as the Commanding Officer of the USNS Comfort (T-AH20) Medical Treatment Facility in May 2021.

Capt. Elliott is authorized to wear the Naval Flight Surgeon and Surface Warfare Medical Officer devices.  Her personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two Gold Stars), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (one Gold Star) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one Gold Star).