DVIDS – News – WAMC Celebrates Graduates of its Graduate Dental and Medical Education Programs

FORT BRAGG NC—Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) hosted a graduation ceremony for its Graduate Dental and Medical Education Programs on June 5, at the Iron Mike Conference Center on Fort Bragg. The ceremony honored the achievements of the graduates who have completed rigorous training and are now ready to serve as medical professionals.

Womack Army Medical Center is a top-tier medical facility that trains medical, dental, nursing, behavioral health, and allied health care professionals, and has been in the Graduate of Medical Education business for over 50 years.

According to Col. Edward Jones, Program Director Hospitalist Fellowship, the graduates have honed their clinical and administrative expertise, which have directly contributed to the health, wellness, and readiness of the beneficiaries here on Fort Bragg.

Col. Mark Stackle, U.S. Army Forces Command Surgeon, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the graduate’s role in the military medical profession. He highlighted the unique challenges, and responsibilities that come with serving in the military field.

Stackle commended the program directors, reminding them of the lasting impact they have made on the graduates. He challenged them to take pride in the skill, wisdom, and compassion they’ve instilled, noting those qualities will profoundly benefit future patients.

Stackle also reminded the graduates of their unique role as a member a third profession as well as a profession of military medicine.

“Unlike the practice of civilian medicine, you not only have a responsibility to that individual patient that’s in front of you, but you are required to consider other elements of what it means to serve in the military.” He continued by saying, “In our line of work, we cannot just focus on the individual patient. We really need to make sure that we take into account the entire military force that we support.”

The Graduate Medical Education Program included graduates from various programs.

Advanced Education in General Dentistry gradates included: Capt. Annie S. Alman, Capt. Braxton S. Duncan, Maj. Brandi Nichole Gervais, Capt. John Adams Kendrick, Capt. Charles Daniel Northcutt, Capt. Linzi Ralph, Maj. Nicholas Scott, and Maj Bryan Wade Tappen,

The Endodontic Residency graduates included: Maj. (P) Jasmine IM, Capt. Zachary Jackson, Capt. Craig Luskey, and Maj. Quinn Lear.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency graduates included: Dr. Colby Roberts Day and Capt. John Michael McKelvey.

Family Medicine Residency Program graduates included: Capt. Collin Bennett, Capt. Marcy Johnston, Capt. Joshua Law, Capt. Lena Nowacki, Capt. Ryan O’Rourke, Capt. Sean Rogers, Capt. Javier Saldana and Capt. Zachary Wiser,

Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics Residency Program graduates included: Capt. Jacob J. Fletcher, Capt. Gabrielle E. Marcellino and Capt. Laura E. Spilman,

Internal Medicine Residency Program graduates included: Capt. Brigham Merrell, Capt. Jonathan Steinhurst and Capt. Melanie Thomas.

Family Medicine Hospitalist Fellowship graduates included: Capt. Courtney Cowell and Capt. Meghan E. Jastrzembski.

U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing graduates included: Maj. Akunna Akuruka, Capt. Matthew Izzo, Capt. Jaymie Mattia and Capt. Lindsey Meddaugh

Social Work Internship Program graduates included: Capt. Sharell Sellers, Capt. Nicole Smiley and 1st Lt. Nicole Sweger.

Ocular Disease Residency graduate: Capt. Jeremy Hutchinson.

Pharmacy Residency graduate: Maj. Darren Hamilton

U. S. Army- Baylor University Graduate Program in Health and Business Administration graduate: Maj. Anthony Duong

The graduates were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others. The ceremony also acknowledged the support of the faculty, staff and families who have helped the graduates achieve their goals. Congratulations to the graduates on this significant milestone!