College students within the USU Enlisted to Medical Diploma Preparatory Program, or EMDP2, class of 2023 graduated from this system and had been commissioned throughout a ceremony on the USU campus in Bethesda, Maryland, on Might 19. USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson, a retired Army Reserve main common, presided over the occasion, administering the commissioning oath to the service members whereas prime Service leaders and the USU Board of Regents witnessed the transition.
“This ceremony confirms that you’ve got met and exceeded the expectations of your service leaders whose confidence in your talents led them to appoint you for this program,” stated college president Dr. Jonathan Woodson, who presided over the commissioning ceremony. “It means that you’ve got efficiently accomplished the necessities to take you to the following part of your careers, that you’ve got demonstrated that you’ve got the abilities, dedication and dedication obligatory to satisfy the rigorous challenges of medical college. And it means that you’ve got earned our enduring respect for all that you’ve got achieved.”
Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Laura Tilley, who’s the director of the EMDP2 at USU, stated that this system had matriculated 188 college students since its inception in 2014, 118 of whom have been accepted to medical college. Greater than 40 have since accomplished their medical training and earned their Physician of Drugs levels.
Because it was based, the EMDP2 has provided a choose variety of promising enlisted service members a two-year pathway to a profession as a army physician. College students attend an intensive 24-month pre-med program, obtain mentoring from USU college and put together to take the MCAT – all designed to make them profitable of their purposes to medical college. Whereas enrolled, these chosen for EMDP2 hold their rank, wage, and advantages whereas attending George Mason College’s Science and Expertise Campus in northern Virginia. College students should apply to USU for medical college, however may apply by means of the army’s Well being Professions Scholarship Program to different U.S. medical colleges. Most graduates of EMDP2 select to attend USU.
“The stats of the EMDP2 are spectacular,” stated Tilley, “however what makes this program completely wonderful and unimaginable are the people who make up this program as an entire. You’ve gotten come from everywhere in the world – from Korea, Grenada, Cape Verde, Nepal. You grew up in cities, on farms, and within the countryside. Lots of you’ve got overcome important obstacles to get right here. Housing, meals, and training weren’t assured. Lots of you’re the first in your households to graduate from faculty. A number of of you needed to receive your U.S. citizenship by becoming a member of the U.S. army. You’ve proven large grit and dedication in your non-traditional pathway to drugs. EMDP2 not solely opens doorways, it creates alternatives which impression generations.”
A poignant second within the ceremony got here when the spouse and fogeys of the late Army Sgt. 1st Class Karl Anker had been introduced with a shadow field containing the normal medical pupil white coat. Anker handed away in September 2021 in a motorized vehicle accident. The previous Special Forces medic dreamed of turning into a army physician. As well as, the primary SFC Karl Anker Award for management was introduced to his EMDP2 classmate, Bryan Sundstrom, who was promoted to Air Power second lieutenant through the ceremony.
Tilley reminded the EMDP2 graduates that they need to proceed to recall their causes for pursuing this pathway all through their subsequent 4 years in medical college.
“As you progress by means of the ranks and proceed on this journey, bear in mind your ‘why’,” she stated. “Your future classmates, sufferers and items are lucky to have you ever. They’re lucky to have your experiences, your selfless service, your ardour, your management and compassion. I’m honored to serve beside you.”
