News

Dr. Valerie Sams Accepted to Air Force's Trauma/Critical Care Fellowship

Valerie G. Sams, MD, Major, U.S. Air Force and Chief Resident, Surgery, was chosen for the Air Force's Trauma/Critical Care Fellowship. She will return to the Air Force as a Major and complete the two-year commitment based in San Antonio, Texas, at the San Antonio Military Medical Complex, Fort Sam Houston, which involves in-depth exposure to both military and civilian surgical critical care and trauma care with deployments across the U.S. and the world. Dr. Sams is the sole Air Force service member chosen for this coveted billet.

Dr. Sams was featured in an article in the October 2012 issue ofTennessee Medicine, "The Second Time Around: Medicine as a Second Profession," in which she describes how she has always felt the call to be a surgeon as well as serve her country.  She entered active duty in September 2000 as a Logistics officer prior to entering medical school in 2004.  She remained a reservist throughout medical school and the first two years of residency before transitioning to the medical corps under a military sponsorship.

In the article she says, "I think the tools I developed while serving have made me a stronger person, a better leader and a better physician.

"I am truly excited to return to active duty as a surgeon and serve my country."

February 20, 2013