Joan Sullivan
U.S. Army 1977 – 2014
Joan Sullivan, a retired U.S. Army National Guard colonel, built a distinguished dual career as a medical professional and military leader. Born on Long Island, New York, she attended Georgetown University, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and later completed a master’s in nursing at the University of Florida. After teaching and practicing in Tennessee, Sullivan joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1977, commissioning as an officer. Seeking broader experiences, she transitioned into the New York Army National Guard in 1994, eventually serving with the 204th Combat Engineers and later as the State Surgeon of New York. Her military service spanned nearly four decades and multiple crises. Sullivan deployed for humanitarian missions in Guatemala, where she provided medical oversight to engineering projects, and played a critical role in the recovery operations following the 1996 TWA Flight 800 crash. On September 11, 2001, she was among the first Guard officers mobilized in New York City, overseeing medical support in the aftermath of the attacks. She later deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2008, balancing clinical duties with command responsibilities. In Iraq, she provided urgent care under combat conditions and helped train both U.S. soldiers and Iraqi forces in lifesaving skills. Sullivan retired on August 31, 2014, after 37 years of service. Reflecting on her career, she highlighted the enduring bonds of the battle buddy system, the resilience of Guard members, and the vital support of families back home. Today, she remains active in veterans’ organizations, including the Tri-County Women Veterans group in Florida.
Full Interview
Interview Summary
Access the complete transcript here
Introduction (0:00 – 1:11)
Early Life, Education, and Reserve Commission (1:11 – 5:57)
National Guard and Flight 800 Disaster Response (5:57 – 15:20)
Balancing Civilian and Guard Careers (15:20 – 18:15)
Guatemala Deployment (18:15 – 28:31)
9/11 and New York Response (28:31 – 40:29)
Deployment to Iraq (40:29 – 52:00)
Deployment to Afghanistan (52:00 – 1:02:48)
Transition to State Surgeon Role (1:02:48 – 1:10:48)
Retirement and Veterans’ Organizations (1:10:48 – 1:24:31)
