Navy veteran brings decades of military medical experience to Lowcountry

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - Dr. Addison Wilson works in an orthopedics office in Beaufort, treating civilians after injuries with cast work and routine procedures.

It’s a different environment from his three decades of Navy service, where Wilson toured the world doing everything from treating deep water complications as a diving medical officer to providing primary care for Navy SEAL gunshot wounds in Iraq.

Wilson retired from military service a few months ago, calling it something he was lucky to do at all.

“I really shouldn’t have been in the military with my cancer history. It is a big disqualification, and so, to join the military with cancer, or with a history of cancer,” Wilson said.

Cancer diagnosis changed his path

At 17 years old, Wilson had his sights set on the Armed Forces when doctors found thyroid cancer. They were checking swelling in his throat when they found a nodule that needed a closer look, leading to a biopsy where the cancer was discovered and removed.

“My life was clearly saved and it really was a major course correction and got my attention. To redirect my life and refocus my life and stop doing some of the bad things I was doing as a teenager,” Wilson said.

The diagnosis showed him the impact of the health care world and sparked his interest in the medical side of the armed forces. Because the cancer was caught and removed early, the waiver he needed to apply to the Navy was approved.

Military service shaped perspective

Wilson’s Navy career took him around the world.

“I was on a ship in the Mediterranean Sea. I got to dive on submarines. I’ve got to fly in planes. And it was really, it was really amazing,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he remains in awe of his fellow sailors.

“They just do it with such selflessness. It’s really amazing. When you see the selflessness out there, to see it firsthand is really, it’s, you can almost not put it in words,” Wilson said.

After treating fellow service members for decades, Wilson now helps Lowcountry residents get back to their favorite activities instead of soldiers back to the battlefield.