In Hampton Roads, a region defined by its strong military ties, stories of service often extend far beyond the uniform. For veteran Timothy Pike, DO, M.B.A., Division of General Internal Medicine Chief and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Macon & Joan Brock Eastern Virginia Medical School Medical Group at Old Dominion University, that legacy continues, woven through decades of military duty, a deep belief in the power of teamwork, and diverse medical training.
Born and raised along the New England seacoast in a town settled by his ancestors in the 1600s, Dr. Pike has a family history steeped in military tradition. His father served in the Army National Guard and his grandfather was a Navy machinist mate during World War II and Korea. Surrounded by stories of dedication and resilience, he grew up with a respect for those who serve.
After one year of college, and uncertain of his path, his father gave him a push in a familial direction. He suggested his son may want to see the world and get some practical life experience. “Dad said, ‘You’ve got four choices—Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force.’”
He chose the Air Force—and found his calling. “My entry into healthcare was as an enlisted member of the Air Force as a medic,” said Dr. Pike. “In the beginning, I didn't quite know what I wanted to do, so I took an aptitude test, and it pushed me in that direction.”
The next chapter of his career was spent stationed in England, with duty assignments in multiple areas of Europe and North Africa with an air transportable hospital and clinic. When given the option, he extended his enlistment because he loved the work. When he returned to the United States, he carried with him a broader world view in patient care and clinical experience.
Back in New England, Dr. Pike worked as a paramedic and was selected to join the inaugural helicopter rescue program, Boston MedFlight. When his colleagues, Vietnam War veteran Army National Guard pilots, mentioned their need for paramedics, he didn’t hesitate to sign up again—this time for helicopter rescue.
Soon after, he applied to medical school and later joined the Navy Reserve, completing a rare tour through nearly every branch of service: Air Force, Army, Navy, and even working alongside the Marines. He admitted that Space Force, the newest branch, may have been on his wish list. “I was really grateful and blessed to experience them all.”
He also made another important transition from enlisted to officer, a path known in the Navy as becoming a Mustang. “When I became an officer, a lot of my enlisted folks were thankful that I had that experience as an enlisted person first.” That dual perspective, he said, shaped how he leads today. “I'm thankful for that, because it's really translated a lot into my work as a physician leader and as a clinician.”
After years of working in major academic hospitals in Boston, Dr. Pike and his wife Tricia, also a clinician, returned to Virginia Beach. He had left the reserve and joined Sentara years earlier, but he and Tricia moved back north to care for a family member.
“Then this opportunity at EVMS came up, which was just a goldmine of an opportunity,” said Dr. Pike. “We loved the area’s military community and were honored to be part of that.”
Over his career, he has seen both sides of the military, first as an enlisted airman searching for direction, to a medic discovering a passion for healthcare, and later as a physician serving in the Navy Reserve.
Whether you enter medicine through the military or bring your medical training into the service, there is value in both paths. “My journey began by exploring and finding what I wanted to do with my life, and I was very grateful for that. The military provides structure, discipline, and exposure to some of the best training environments in the world—from flight and dive medicine to infectious disease and radiology.”
Now, as Division Chief of General Internal Medicine at EVMS Medical Group, he continues to apply the lessons learned from his military service. “It takes team care,” said Dr. Pike. “And it’s something we’re trying to cultivate here in the Department of Medicine. The military taught me and can teach anyone how important it is to be part of a caring, cohesive team.”
For students or young medical providers considering a military path, his message is clear: “The beauty of a military career is you can both serve your country while having an impact on a large population of individuals. We treated one patient at a time in the military, but we were also part of a greater, pretty cohesive, standardized approach to care and population health. If that excites you, then the military is a great way to go. I really enjoyed every single armed force I was ever associated with.”