A Surgeon’s Call to Serve

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A North Carolina surgeon shares why he chose to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve while continuing to care for patients at home.

For Dr. Andres Fleury, service extends beyond the walls of the operating room.

As a general surgeon at Sampson Regional Medical Center, Fleury spends his days caring for patients in eastern North Carolina. On drill weekends, he serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, combining a successful civilian medical career with a commitment to military service.

His journey to the Navy Reserve began with gratitude.

After immigrating to the United States in 2004, Fleury built a career, a home, and a family in the country he now proudly calls home. Joining the Navy Reserve became an opportunity to give back to the nation that provided those opportunities.

“My family and I moved to the United States in 2004 and were welcomed with open arms,” says Fleury. “Since then, I’ve always felt a strong desire to give back to the country that gave us so many opportunities.”

For Fleury, serving in uniform was never simply an extension of his medical career—it was a personal commitment to something larger than himself. “Patriotism is not merely about enjoying the benefits of citizenship, but about taking on the responsibilities that come with it,” he says.

That commitment is deeply personal. As a husband and father, Fleury wanted to demonstrate the values of service, sacrifice, and responsibility through action rather than words.

“I want my children to see that through my actions. Being part of the Navy Reserve allows me to uphold those values while contributing to my community and country.”

While the commissioning process was detailed and time-intensive, Fleury credits strong mentorship and guidance for helping him navigate it successfully while balancing a demanding civilian career.

Since joining, some of Fleury’s most meaningful experiences have come from working alongside Sailors and learning their stories.

“Beyond the clinical aspects, I’ve had the opportunity to hear incredible deployment stories and gain a much deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and realities of military service,” he says. “It’s opened my eyes to everything that happens behind the scenes to ensure our country remains safe.”

Today, Fleury is pursuing assignment to an Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System team that provides trauma care in operational and austere environments.

“I am excited by the prospect of collaborating with military medical personnel and contributing to the mission of saving lives, whether on the battlefield, in humanitarian operations, or during national emergencies,” he says.

Balancing medicine and military service requires planning and discipline, but Fleury says the structure of the Navy Reserve makes it possible. Drill weekends are typically scheduled well in advance, allowing him to coordinate patient care responsibilities while maintaining his Reserve commitment.

His family and colleagues support and recognize that the leadership, teamwork, and adaptability developed through military service positively influence his work as a surgeon and leader.

For physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals seeking opportunities to serve beyond their civilian practice, the Navy Reserve offers a unique way to contribute while continuing to care for their local communities. For Fleury, that opportunity has provided a meaningful way to give back to the country that gave him so much—and he hopes others will consider answering that call as well.

“Joining the U.S. Navy Reserve is my way of paying that gratitude back.”

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Navy Recruiting Reserve Command
LCDR Kathleen Dale, MSN, BSN, CCRN-TNCC
Navy Reserve Healthcare Officer Recruiter (Carolinas)
Nurse Corps Officer – Critical Care
[email protected]
919-971-8268