Ceremony honors 293 medical graduates

  • Published
  • By Richard Boggs
  • SAUSHEC Manager
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  Dr. Kenneth Torrington, dean of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, honored 293 physicians and allied health care providers during the annual SAUSHEC awards and graduation ceremony June 5 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

SAUSHEC is the sponsoring organization responsible for all military graduate medical education in San Antonio with two major training sites at Wilford Hall Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center and a close partnership with UTHSCSA.

The ceremony, which marked the culmination of years of postgraduate training for Air Force, Army and civilian practitioners, was attended by more than 900 people.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James Roudebush, the Air Force surgeon general, gave the graduation address. He spoke to this year's class about how change will inevitably occur during their careers and how honoring the principles that originally interested them in medicine will enable them to adapt to new paradigms over the years. He pointed out how the culture of military medicine has shifted from a strategy of containment to one of engagement, emphasizing that while graduates were superbly trained as individuals, they also were trained to be members of a team.

During the awards portion of the ceremony, Commanders' Awards were presented to nine residents and six fellows for excellence in research. Eight professionals were also honored. 

-- Capt. Thomas Beachkofsky and Capt. Allyson Fewell each were presented the Maj. John H. Gillespie Intern Award, 

-- Maj. Jessica Powers and Maj. Dawn Torres each were selected for the Maj. David S. Berry Resident Award, 

-- Ms. Veronica Lopez was named the outstanding program coordinator, 

-- Col. Michael Sundborg and Maj. Ron England were recognized as outstanding faculty physicians, and 

-- Col. James Quinn received the 2009 Col. John D. Roscelli Award as the outstanding program director.

During the graduation portion of the ceremony, 243 graduates from 36 graduate medical education programs and 50 graduates from 13 allied health care programs received diplomas from Maj. Gen. Tom Travis, 59th Medical Wing commander; Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho, Jr., BAMC commander; and Dr. Lois Bready, associate dean for graduate medical education at UTHSCSA.

"The 293 newly graduated SAUSHEC alumni continue the legacy begun in San Antonio in the 1940's," said Doctor Torrington. "SAUSHEC graduates account for a significant number of active duty Army and Air Force medical and allied health care professionals today."

A reception to honor the award winners, graduates and their families was hosted by SAUSHEC officials immediately following the program.