The Woodlands Native Serves at Naval Hospital Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, FL – A 2007 The Woodlands High School graduate and The Woodlands, Texas native is serving at Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Jacksonville.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Yhwh Johnson-Ellis serves as a personnel specialist that is responsible for processing pay and entitlements along with checking in new sailors at the command.

Johnson-Ellis credits their hometown for giving opportunities they would not have had otherwise experienced that has helped in serving with the Navy.

“Growing up in my hometown I learned the importance of putting family first,” said Johnson-Ellis. 'Being away from home, I developed a new sense of family with the people I serve with.'

Johnson-Ellis is a 2014 graduate of Sam Houston State University with a degree in kinesiology.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (MNRTC) Jacksonville deliver quality health care, in an integrated system of readiness and health. Naval Hospital Jacksonville includes five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. It serves 163,000 active-duty and retired sailors, Marines, soldiers, airmen, guardsmen, and their families, including about 83,000 patients who are enrolled with a primary care manager.

Johnson-Ellis is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving the Navy our nation needs.

“I wanted to be a part of something bigger of myself, so serving in the Navy gives me a sense of giving back,” said Johnson-Ellis.

Johnson-Ellis said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

“My proudest accomplishment was making rank to third class,” said Johnson-Ellis. 'It took me a long time, but I have the opportunity to move up which makes me feel more useful and have more impact on the mission.'

Johnson-Ellis is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Johnson-Ellis and others know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.

“Our 2,400 staff (military, civilian, contract, and volunteer) are integral to keeping our Navy and Marine Corps family ready, healthy, and on the job,” said Capt. Matthew Case, Naval Hospital Jacksonville commander and NMRTC Jacksonville commanding officer.

“Serving in the Navy means that I get to give something back,” said Johnson-Ellis. 'I give my time so that everyone has the freedoms that they deserve.'