Quick Facts
Biography
Elaine C. Wagner is a retired United States Navy rear admiral. She was the first female pediatric dentist to achieve flag rank in the United States Navy, and served as the 36th Chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps. Her retirement ceremony was held on January 9, 2017, and she was transferred to the retired list the following April, after 33 years of service in the United States Navy. She is a member of the International College of Dentists.
Early life and education
Wager grew up in southern Indiana, and resided in Bloomington prior to attending college. In 1976, she graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis with a joint degree in zoology and chemistry. She was the school's Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter president and registrar. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1980, and completed her residency at Riely Children's Hospital in 1982. In 1991, Wagner was board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Following 18 months of private practice, Wagner accepted a commission in the United States Navy in December 1983.
Military career
| Rank | Date |
|---|
| Assignment | Dates |
|---|---|
| Director, Readiness and Health | July 2015 |
| Bureau of Medicine and Surgery | April 2014 – July 2015 |
| Commander, Navy Medicine East | September 2011 – April 2014 |
| Naval Medical Center Portsmouth | September 2011 – April 2014 |
| Tidewater eMSM | September 2011 – April 2014 |
| Chief, Navy Dental Corps | 2010 |
| Director, N931 | 2010 |
| Naval Health Clinic New England | 2009–2010 |
| Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait | April 2008 |
| Naval Hospital Beaufort | June 2006 |
| Naval Hospital Jacksonville | |
| Naval Medical Center Bethesda | |
| Branch Dental Clinic WNY | |
| Deputy Chief, Navy Dental Corps | |
| Okinawa, Japan | |
| Naval Postgraduate Dental School | 1998 |
| Bureau of Naval Personnel | 1995 |
| U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay | July 1990 |
| 32nd Street Dental Clinic, San Diego | July 1987 |
| MCAGCC Twentynine Palms | December 1983 |
Upon accepting her commission, Wagner was assigned to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. From there, she completed several more assignments, including Department Head tours, and tours in the Philippines and Japan. She was selected for an Executive Officer tour to Naval Hospital Jacksonville. In June 1998, she was selected for advancement to captain.
Wagner's first of many tours as a commanding officer was at Naval Hospital Beaufort in 2006. She was the first female to command the station. Following that assignment, Wagner reported to Naval Health Clinic New England as its commanding officer. Within two years of her departure from that command, she would relieve her successor.
In March 2010, Wagner was selected for advancement to the rank of Rear Admiral (Lower Half), and made substantive in that rank the following January. Her advancement to rear admiral marked the first time a female pediatric dentist held flag rank. As a rear admiral, she held many senior leadership positions in the navy, including a tour as the 36th Chief of Naval Dental Corps.
Wagner retired in 2017 as a two star rear admiral.
After retirement
After her retirement from the navy, Wagner accepted a position in the International College of Dentists. And she was also appointed to the BIOLASE board of directors on October 9, 2018.
Honors, awards, and decorations
Over the course of her 33-year career, Wagner received multiple military awards and decorations. In addition to service and unit awards, her personal awards include the Legion of Merit (4 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards).
In addition, Wagner has won several civilian awards in light of her long professional career. She won the Ann Page Griffin Humanitarian Award in 2016 for her "outstanding commitment to alleviating suffering and improving the oral health of under-served populations." In 2014, she received a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa for her distinguished career in healthcare and service to her nation from Butler University. After receiving the degree, she delivered the university's 2014 Spring commencement address.
Wager was also invited to give the 2012 commencement address at her alma mater, the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
