Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 13, 2024 – Seven members of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State) Class of 2025 matched into U.S. military residencies this week and will perform their Graduate Medical Education (GME) in conjunction with service to their country.
NYITCOM at A-State student doctors who participated in the Military Match include: Emmanuel Adebogun (Air Force), who matched into the Psychiatry program at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Tex.; Chloe Busse (Air Force), Operational Emergency Medicine in Tucson, Ariz.; Hyemi Choi (Army), Preventative Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center in Ft. Lewis, Wash.; Hallie Henderson (Army), Anesthesiology at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio; Ian Snyder (Air Force), Transitional Year at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Center (SAUSHEC) in San Antonio; Breanna Thompson (Army), OB/GYN at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Liberty, N.C.; and Claudia Vestal (Air Force), Internal Medicine at SAUSHEC in San Antonio.
Shane Speights, D.O., is the dean of NYITCOM at A-State and previously served in the U.S. Army National Guard attached to the Arkansas Medical Command (MED DET) unit based at Camp Robinson.
“I am so incredibly proud of each of these future physicians for not only this tremendous achievement, but for their commitment to serving our country through medicine,” Speights said. “The need to provide care to our soldiers and their families is great. Only about six percent of the U.S. population ever serves in the military and only one percent of all the physicians in the U.S. are serving. It takes a special person to take that oath and agree to step into that role. I’m so grateful to these student doctors for their eagerness to do so.”
Upon completing medical school, physicians must complete a residency training program and obtain a medical license to practice in the United States and become board-certified in a specialty. Medical residencies last three to five years for primary care physicians, with other specialties requiring additional years. While the “civilian” match will take place in March, medical students who commit to military service for their residency are matched in December.
The seven students who participated in Military Match will take the military oath of office at NYITCOM’s 2025 hooding ceremonies next May.
Physicians enlisted in the military deliver healthcare services to military personnel and their families and work in a variety of settings, including hospital ships and international medical centers, among others. Much like civilian doctors, their daily responsibilities include treating patients, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing medicine. Military physicians may also participate in international relief and humanitarian efforts, helping to care for the victims of natural disasters and other events requiring medical stability assistance.
Amanda Deel, D.O., associate dean of academic affairs and graduate medical education at NYITCOM at A-State, attended medical school through the U.S. Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). Upon completion of medical school, she served five years of active duty with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Her military experience also gives her a unique appreciation for students who follow a similar path.
“My time in the Navy was one of the greatest and most rewarding experiences of my life,” Deel said. “I’m thrilled for our students who are certain to gain similar invaluable lessons as they begin their graduate medical education and enter active duty in the military.”
A full gallery of the students is below:
