Dr. Schwendig graduated from Cornell University with degrees in nutritional biochemistry and varsity crew in 1986 and received his medical degree from the University of California at San Diego in 1990. His internship and residency in general surgery were completed at the Naval Hospital in San Diego in 1996. The following year he served as the general surgeon on board the USS Independence in Yokosuka, Japan. He returned to the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton in 1997. On leaving the Navy in 1999, he joined Scripps full time in trauma and general surgery. He was board certified in general surgery in June, 1998.