Bristol native Dr. Matthew Picerno was recently selected as 2024 Senior Civilian of the Year for supporting U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella / U.S. Naval Hospital in Sigonella, (Sicily) Italy.

"Dr. Picerno is a cornerstone of the Sigonella community," said Lt. Cmdr. Meagan Chauvin, director of medical services. "As the sole child psychologist here, he has supported countless families….He is an exceptional leader and clinician, and we are so lucky to have him."
Picerno is a 1995 graduate of Trenton State College; he earned a master's degree from George Mason University in 1997 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2001.

Picerno credits his Bristol roots with the values he has brought to his success in the Navy.

"From the hometown in which I grew up, the lesson of service to patients and sensitivity to their care was one that stuck with me," said Picerno.

Picerno previously served in the Navy for eight years as a clinical psychologist. Today, he serves as a civilian supporting the Navy at USNMRTC Sigonella as a General Schedule psychologist.

"My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is when I hear from a patient or family that I was helpful to them in some way, either assisting them to work through difficult feelings or a problematic situation with which they were dealing," said Picerno. "I'm also incredibly proud of any moment when I'm able to tell a child or teen that I'm proud of their emotional growth and what they've been able to overcome, in spite of whatever difficulties they may have been facing in their lives at the time."

"Serving in the Navy means an opportunity to reach a critically important population facing unique stresses, while hopefully strengthening resources for the naval community in a way that allows active duty service members to focus on their objectives without worry for their children's wellbeing," he said.