FORT KNOX, Ky. –
The 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion welcomed 10 new health care professionals to the Army during the first-ever, nationwide virtual commissioning ceremony hosted by U.S. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle May 20.
2nd Lt. Lydia Graves, 2nd Lt. Aliyah Howell, 2nd Lt. Jack Birch, Maj. Rebecca Van Horn, 1st Lt. Melissa Taylor, 2nd Lt. Joseph Jarvis, 2nd Lt. Emily Serbinowski, 1st Lt. Brigham Elliott, 2nd Lt. Ryan Welch, and 2nd Lt. Caleb Gerber representing Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, New York, and Virginia joined more than 130 health care specialists in answering their call to service.
“Today’s ceremony is to honor the brave contributions of Army healthcare professionals, scientists, and Soldiers, coming together at a time of need to serve their community.” said Col. Edward Mandril, commander of the U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade, as he opened the ceremony.
Dingle administered the oath to new physicians, dentists, specialty nurses, physician assistants, veterinarians and Health Professions Scholarship Program recipients from across the United States.
"Thank you for answering the call to serve," Dingle said during the virtual ceremony. "It is truly an inspiration to see so many of our fellow Americans raising their right hands to say 'I will go. Send me.' I wish each of you continued success and I'll see you on the high ground."
Maj. Rebecca Van Horn, who currently serves as the medical director of The Road Home Program and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, shared her reason for service.
“My decision to serve is a culmination of my personal and professional values,” she said. “For the last several years, I have run a program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that serves active duty members, veterans and family members. Each day I am humbled by my patients’ courage, dedication, and commitment to get better. So, I jumped at the chance to take the expertise I have developed and experience I’ve gained as a civilian doctor and demonstrate my commitment to my country and to the men and women who serve and defend it.”
For more information about joining the U.S. Army as a medical professional, visit https://recruiting.army.mil/mrb/.