The City of Coronado recently celebrated the military achievements of Dr. Steven J. Phillips, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.), as part of its Avenue of Heroes military service recognition program.
Dr. Phillips, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, has an impressive background that includes both surgical innovations and contributions to disaster preparedness.
Raised with heroes like Jackie Robinson and Alfred E. Newman, Dr. Phillips eventually became a noteworthy figure in medicine and military service.
He obtained his M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine after playing lacrosse at Hobart College in Geneva, New York.
Between 1968 and 1970, Dr. Phillips served two tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division.
While stationed at Camp Eagle in Phu Bai, he provided crucial surgical care during combat and managed to enjoy surfing in his downtime.
Dr. Phillips played a vital role in reopening a medical school in Hue after it had been devastated during the Tet Offensive and also worked as a triage physician at the 27th Surgical Hospital in Chu Lai.
After returning to the U.S., Dr. Phillips was assigned to the Department of Experimental Surgery at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, where he contributed significantly to cardiac surgery.
On December 6, 1967, he was part of the surgical team that executed the first human heart transplant in the United States, marking a historic milestone.
In 1974, he established a heart surgery program in Des Moines, Iowa, which went on to become the largest private heart program in the U.S.
In 1999, Dr. Phillips transitioned to public health with a senior role at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
With support from Congress, he founded the Disaster Information Management Research Center, the world’s first facility dedicated to disaster informatics and preparedness.
His dedication to managing and transitioning the care of wounded members of the armed forces earned him recognition from the Secretary of Defense.
The culmination of his work includes authoring 140 peer-reviewed medical publications and holding six patents that continue to influence the fields of cardiac surgery and emergency medicine.
Alongside his professional achievements, Dr. Phillips has remained committed to community service.
He co-founded the Western Slope Veterans Coalition in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and serves on the board of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reception Center.
Dr. Phillips holds lifelong memberships in several veteran organizations, including the 101st Airborne Association and the UDT/SEAL Association.
Now residing in Coronado with his wife, Susan Zeff Phillips, he enjoys family life with their five children and nine grandchildren.
As part of the Avenue of Heroes military service recognition program, which began in 2014, a total of 293 hometown heroes have been honored, with 16 new recognitions on May 17, 2025.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the program, a notable achievement that underscores the importance of honoring the courage, sacrifice, and service embedded in Coronado’s history.
The inspiration for this program arose in 2011 after a spontaneous community event to honor two fallen Navy SEALs.
Local residents gathered to pay tribute, showcasing the strong military roots within Coronado.
Initially starting with 18 banners, the Avenue of Heroes has since evolved into a powerful reminder of the city’s legacy and dedication to those who have served.
image source from：coronadotimes
