Ceremony honors 241 medical graduates

  • Published
  • By Sue Campbell
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Dr. Kenneth Torrington, dean of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, honored 241 physicians and allied health care providers during the annual SAUSHEC awards and graduation ceremony June 6 in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio auditorium.

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

The ceremony, which marked the culmination of years of postgraduate training for Air Force, Army, Navy and civilian practitioners, was attended by more than 700 people.

Army Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Elder Granger, the deputy director and program executive officer of the TRICARE Management Activity, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), gave the graduation address. He spoke to this year's class on how staying true to the five "P's" -- people, patients, professionalism, process and price -- will lead to successful military careers and practices.

"Never second guess when it comes to quality when taking care of your VIP's - not the people sitting in the front rows, but your very important patients," General Granger said.
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.Tatjana Calvano and Capt. Jason Cromar were presented the Maj. John H. Gillespie Intern Award. The Maj. David S. Berry Resident Award went to Capt. Jessie Glasser and Maj. Oliver Wisco. Ms Kathy Boostrom was named the outstanding program coordinator, while Maj. Ian Black and Maj. Darryl Hodson were selected outstanding faculty physicians. Finally, the 2008 Col. John D. Roscelli Award was presented to the outstanding program director, Lt. Col. Maureen Koops.

During the graduation portion of the ceremony, 206 graduates from 38 graduate medical education programs and 35 graduates from 11 allied health care programs received diplomas from the 59th Medical Wing Commander Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis, BAMC Commander Army Brig. Gen. James Gilman, and Dr. Robert Nolan, assistant dean for GME at UTHSCSA.

"The 241 newly graduated SAUSHEC alumni continue the legacy begun in San Antonio in the 1940's," said Dr. 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 immediately following the program. 

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