Dr. Denise Thigpen’s journey from Navy medicine to AdventHealth Avista

For Dr. Denise Thigpen, service has always been at the heart of her career. Before joining AdventHealth Avista as a breast radiologist, Dr. Thigpen dedicated 10 years to the United States Navy.

Stationed at the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Thigpen specialized in breast imaging and diagnostics, a role she continues today with the same dedication and empathy that guided her through her military career.

“I took care of active-duty military members and their families, retired members, and high-level officials in the U.S. government,” Dr. Thigpen shared. “It was truly an honor to serve such a broad range of patients and to meet and work with so many amazing people in the military community.”

Inspired by her father, who also served as a Navy physician, Dr. Thigpen followed in his footsteps - driven by a shared belief in service, discipline, and compassion.

“My dad was a Navy doctor, and I liked the idea of always serving others and giving back to my country,” she said.

Her time in the Navy not only strengthened her medical expertise but also shaped her approach to leadership and teamwork.

“Working in the military taught me a lot about teamwork and perseverance,” Dr. Thigpen reflected. “It can be hard to change systems in a large organization, but if you keep trying, you can make things better for those you work with and those you serve. It takes grit and that’s something I carry with me every day.”

Today, Dr. Thigpen continues to embody that same spirit of service through her work at AdventHealth Avista, where she provides compassionate, patient-centered breast care with precision and empathy.

This Veterans Day and every day, we’re proud to honor Dr. Denise Thigpen, whose dedication to serving others continues to make a lasting impact both in and out of uniform.