USUHS Celebrates 25th Commencement

Military Medicine, Summer 2004

On 15 May 2004, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences celebrated it's 25th commencement ceremony at the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. The university is the nation's only fully accredited federal school of medicine and graduate school of nursing. Over the last 24 years, the university has earned a worldwide reputation as a center of military medical education and research excellence. During this time, the university has expanded its' programs to meet the evolving needs of the military services. USUHS graduates specialize in military medicine, involving prevention, diagnosis and treatment by healthcare personnel crucial to the global military operations they support. These graduates, numbering 3,585 since the School of Medicine opened in 1980, account for almost 22 percent of the active duty physicians in the Military Health System today.

The university's nursing program, created in 1993 in response to a shortage of advanced practiced nurses in the federal health system, was expanded in 2003 to include a Ph.D program in Nursing Science.

The commencement guest speaker this year was retired US Army Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey. At the time of his retirement, General McCaffrey was the most decorated four-star general in Army history. He twice received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for valor; he was awarded two Silver Stars and received three Purple Heart medals for wounds sustained in combat.

During the ceremony, the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine awarded 164 doctor of medicine and 56 biomedical science graduate degrees, while the school of nursing awarded 25 master of science in nursing degrees. The physician graduates include 53 Air Force, 64 Army, 45 Navy, and two Public Health Service Officers.

The 56 students in the School of Medicine Graduate Program in biomedical sciences and public health include 13 Air Force, 14 Army, 10 Navy and four USPHS officers as well as 15 civilians. Degrees conferred include doctor of philosophy, doctor of public health, master of science, master of science in public health, master of public health, and master of tropical medicine and hygiene.

Seven officers-6 Army and one Navy-were enrolled in the Graduate School of Nursing's(GSN) nurse practitioners program and received their master's degrees. 18 additional officers were also recognized as part of GSN's nurse anesthesia program, but will finish their master's degrees in the fall.

Outstanding graduates were also honored with awards during the ceremony. The AMSUS Award was presented to CPT Amy Vertrees, MC, USA. This award recognizes the graduating medical student who best demonstrates the highest quality of leadership and academic involvement. The Surgeons' General Awards were presented to CPT Jordan Hall, MC, USA, LT Kathy Kyser, MC, USN, CAPT Angelique Christman, USAF, MC, and LT Daniel Molina, MC, USPHS. These awards recognize these student's university careers, which epitomized academic achievement, military medical professionalism, and an exemplary commitment toward enhancing the mission and goals of their services. The LTC Dan Kayanan AMSUS Award for Military Medical Excellence was presented to CPT Thomas Hoffmann, MC, USA, CPT David Wonderlich, MC, USA, and Capt Bryan Unsell, USAF, MC. AMSUS is pleased to sponsor all of these awards.