Pool Of Bethesda

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the driving force behind the creation of the Naval Medical Center, was particularly interested in the small pond fed by natural springs that still exists in front of the Tower today. The pond reminded him of the Biblical Pool of Bethesda, a place of healing. The pond was later made into a small lake and christened Lake Eleanor in honor of Mrs. Roosevelt.

This statue depicts the bond between Navy corpsmen and the Marine forces with whom they serve. The statue was dedicated in September 1995, during WRNMMC's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of World War II in the Pacific.

The sculptor is the internationally known Peter Wilde from Canada. The statue was commissioned by William H. Laing, who wanted to recognize the unsung group of men who helped save at least 97 percent of the wounded in the Pacific during the war.

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Exhibit
The Roosevelt Rotunda. Building 1. (Tower Building)

Throughout his life, which was devoted to public service, FDR maintained a strong bond with the Navy and, particularly, Navy medicine. This bond was strengthened with his design and selection of the site for the Naval Medical Center. With this in mind, the Pride of Place Committee undertook the project to construct the WRNMMC Museum.

The museum includes historical artifacts such as the famous FDR sketch for WRNMMC; the trowel used to lay the cornerstone, and a bust of FDR. The display also includes photographs depicting pre-construction time in Bethesda and the farm on which the Center is built, construction and history of the command, and a video tape about Navy medicine's roots and the WRNMMC complex.

The museum was dedicated on December 12, 1996, with Secretary of the Navy John Dalton assisting the Commander, WRNMMC, Rear Admiral Richard Ridenour, MC, USN.

Serving The Fleet Around The World - (View the Exhibit)
Building 9, 1st Floor. West Side.

This world map highlights the areas of the world that WRNMMC personnel support through medical assistance. The map includes the current location of each team deployed, number of WRNMMC personnel stationed at each site, a visual representation of the type of platform and a brief write-up of the team's mission.

Abbott Medical Art Collection Exhibit - (View the Exhibit)
Building 9, 1st Floor. West Side.

WRNMMC proudly displays 28 reproductions of original Navy medical art commissioned by Abbott Laboratories during World War II.

As one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, Abbott supplied medicine to the armed forces. To enhance public morale, the firm also commissioned some of the most popular artists of the time to go into the field to document in art the contributions of the American fighting forces.

Finished works appear as lithographs that were distributed to physicians and hospitals and appeared in publications and exhibitions in art museums throughout the country. Abbott's civilian artists covered the war in every theater and represented every branch of the armed forces.

WRNMMC first displayed reproductions of the original art during the 1996 celebration of National Historic Preservation Week. The pieces on display depict members of the Navy Medical Department -- both men and women -- practicing their healing art in naval hospitals and on the battlefield.

The Hall Of Honor Exhibit - (View the Exhibit)
Building 10, 2nd Floor. Near Auditorium.

The Hall of Honor is dedicated to 22 Hospital Corpsman and 6 Medical and Dental Corps Officers who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. A brief biography of each individual and their heroic achievements are shared with visitors and staff.

The Laurel B. Clark Memorial Auditorium - (View the Exhibit)
Building 10, 1st Floor.

The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) honored one of Navy Medicine's own in a ceremony July 11 2003, officially dedicating WRNMMC's Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium.

In dedicating the auditorium in her name, WRNMMC salutes and celebrates the memory of Clark, and the courage she demonstrated to Navy Medicine and the NASA space program.