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Video by Javon Spence, Thomas Webster

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Innovations in Navy Medicine: First American Physician in Space

Medical Visual Information Directorate-NMLPDC

May 19, 2023 | 3:38

Fifty years ago, on May 25, 1973, Navy flight surgeon Captain Joseph Kerwin made history as the first American physician in space when taking part of the Skylab II mission. From May 25 to June 22, 1973, Kerwin and fellow crewmembers Charles Conrad and Paul Weitz spent a total of 672 hours and 49 minutes aboard the Skylab space station. As the crew’s only physician, Kerwin was also responsible for operating what could be called the first orbiting medical clinic. Since 1973, seven Navy physicians have followed Kerwin as NASA astronauts serving both as mission-specialists and pilots.

This Innovations in Navy Medicine video is part of an award-winning series dedicated to showcasing the important innovations and hallmarks in Navy Medicine history. Stay tuned to DVIDS and Navy Medicine’s social media platforms for future releases.

Produced for BUMED Historian, Communications Directorate.