Philip Frank Cordova

PHILIP FRANK CORDOVA passed away on Monday, June 30, 2014 at the age of 70. He was preceded in death by his father Andrew R. Cordova, and son John Paul Cordova. He is survived by his mother Helen Ross of New Mexico, son Andrew Cordova of Louisiana, and sister Andrea Dinovo of Ohio. Philip grew up in Albuquerque, NM and first enlisted in the Marines and was a Recon acting team leader. Later, he joined the Army and was first a Medical Corpsman at Wm. Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, where he was to become versed in many medical procedures, having taken 28 courses. He was stationed in Korea where he was Ward master for the 121st Evacuation Hospital. He was also stationed at Bikini Atoll and Sandia Base Army Hospital before going to the Republic of Vietnam where he was responsible for health care of Advisory Team #37, and a general population of 70,000 villagers, and Chief Coordinator for Air Medivac during combat. He was in charge of written emergency disaster plans and Coordinator between hospital and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Philip enrolled in the Baylor Physician Assistant Program at Fort Sam Houston, and interned at Wm. Beaumont Army Medical Center. He was the Physician Assistant Officer in charge of the Medical Clinic at Fort Bliss for the air defense personnel and dependents, population 5,000. Returning to Korea, he was the 2nd Infantry Brigade surgeon at Camp Hovey, where he supervised 90 medics, and oversaw 2,800 troops. At Fort Carson, CO he was Officer-in-charge in Emergency room and outlying clinics serving 9,000 troops while in garrison. As Battalion Surgeon in six Air Defense units in Korea, he provided health care for 850 troops near the DMZ. In 1983 he was acting Brigade surgeon at Fort Carson Community Hospital, and outlying clinics with a 6,000 population. While completing the Emergency War Surgery course, he was the Medical Officer for NATO Planning Committee group. In 1989 he became the Disaster Preparedness Officer and Security Manager for the New Mexico State Government, responsible for emergency response, coordinating between federal, state and local jurisdictions. There he developed and wrote the State All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plans. In 1991, he was stationed at Kirtland AFB in NM, where he served as PA in the Primary and Urgent Care Clinic, and the Flight Medicine Clinic. In 1994, he became PA in orthopedic surgery at Lovelace Medical Center in NM specializing in hand trauma surgery. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO in 1995 to provide urgent care for basic Combat Trainees in full brigade, at the Forscom Engineer Unit. In 1996 he was the lead PA for the Columbia Health Care System, involved in urgent and outpatient care of senior and disabled patients. From 1997 to 2007 he worked in the Primary Care Division and Emergency Room of the Wm. Beaumont Army Medical Center, as well as Family Practice for active Army soldiers, Marines, USN and USAF and foreign troops at Fort Bliss TX. He was Advisor to AIT Commanders and Drill Sergeants. He was a guest speaker at the Fort Bliss NCO Academy and Sergeant Majors Academy. He retired in 2007 and was then involved as medical advisor to the Anthony NM VFW Post 4384. He was decorated with the Bronze Star and many meritorious medals, badges and ribbons, numbering 20 awards. He will be sadly missed by his many friends. Graveside Services will be held on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 2:30PM at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, with Full Army Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West, 480 N. Resler Drive. Please visit our online guestbook at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net