Whether caring for soldiers in the US Army Reserve or leading medical operations inside one of California’s largest prison reception centers, Dr. Ravijot Gill has devoted his decorated medical career to service and support.
The acting chief medical executive at North Kern State Prison (NKSP) and major in the Army’s Individual Ready Reserve is a 15-year veteran with 16 years of state service.
Gill oversees medical services for a complex patient population arriving from across the state. The role requires clinical expertise, decisive leadership, and the ability to coordinate teams across disciplines to ensure safe, effective care.
Those are skills he honed during more than a decade of military service.
Military lessons improve patient care
One of the most important lessons Gill brought from military service into correctional health care is the importance of effective transitions and accountability.
While supervising medics at Camp Parks (Dublin), he learned that successful patient handoffs require absolute clarity.
“A good handoff makes two things clear: what the person needs and who will take the next step,” Gill explained. “I apply that lesson at NKSP by making sure the receiving team knows when a patient needs time-sensitive care and who will follow up.”
That principle continues to guide his leadership at NKSP in Delano. Whether coordinating treatment plans, managing urgent medical needs, or ensuring continuity of care as patients move through the system, the doctor emphasizes clear communication and ownership.
Following family legacy of service
His path to military service was inspired by his father, a combat veteran who retired as a colonel after 27 years of military service.
“I admired his discipline and the composure he brought to leading others,” Gill said. “I wanted to follow his example.”
After immigrating to the United States, Gill and his family were given opportunities to pursue higher education and build a better life. Joining the US Army Reserve became a way to honor his father’s example while giving back to the country that had opened those doors.
In December 2011, he commissioned as a physician and medical officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He had joined CDCR as a physician and surgeon at Avenal State Prison just a year earlier.
Serving soldiers, training medics
As a captain assigned to the 352nd Combat Support Hospital, Gill provided primary care to soldiers, participated in medical missions and helped train Army medics.
His military education included the Reserve Basic Officer Leadership Course and the Joint Forces Trauma Management Course, preparing him for the unique challenges of military medicine.
From 2015 to 2018, he served as medical director for the Emergency Care Section at the Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Camp Parks, California. There, he supervised medics responsible for assessing soldiers and coordinating transfers when patients required higher levels of care.
In October 2015, he was promoted to major and continues to serve in the Individual Ready Reserve. Throughout his military career, he has answered multiple mobilizations.
“Each time it was an honor to serve our country,” he said.
For his service, Dr. Gill earned numerous military honors, including the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
A career dedicated to correctional health care
While serving in the Army Reserve, Gill was also building a career with California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS).
As his leadership responsibilities grew, he advanced to chief physician and surgeon at KVSP before taking on his current assignment as acting Chief Medical Executive at NKSP.
Over the years, his perspective evolved from focusing primarily on individual patient care to leading systems that impact thousands of patients.
“As a physician, I focused on the patient in front of me,” Dr. Gill said. “As a leader, I set clear expectations, remove barriers to care and hold myself and my teams accountable for delivering safe, timely and consistent care across the institution.”
Reflecting on service
On Veterans Day, Gill’s thoughts return not only to his own military experience, but also to the people who shared the journey with him.
“I think about the soldiers I served alongside, the friendships we formed and the families who supported us,” he said. “I’m grateful for what my Army colleagues taught me.”
He also credits the teams and leaders throughout his state career for helping him grow professionally and personally.
“I want to thank the leaders and staff of Region III, Kern Valley State Prison, and North Kern State Prison for their support and for the opportunity to serve alongside them and grow as a leader.”
Story by Ike Dodson, Supervisor II
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Photos submitted by Dr. Ravijot Gill
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