Photo By Keisha Frith | Col. Jennifer Bager discusses her role in supporting the Army mission. Bager is the...... read more read more
FORT BRAGG, NC. -- Doctors play an important role in the lives of patients and the fulfillment of the hospitals overall mission, but what is the driving force behind their work? For Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) physicians, service is the key.
Army Col. (Dr.) Jennifer Bager is the deputy commander of Surgical Services at Womack. Her ambition to become a doctor first blossomed when she was in the first grade.
"What keeps me in the Army as a doctor is the fact that I enjoy the patients that I work with and I like supporting the units," Bager said. "The Department of Surgery has been absolutely amazing. These are some of the strongest personnel I have worked with in my career. I am very fortunate."
Taking care of patients is only one part of what doctors do; they participate in the improvement and addition of other services. Bager said, "The thing that is most gratifying to me is WAMC has started two new residencies, a General Surgery Residency and an Orthopedic Surgery Residency."
Bager believes that WAMC plays a vital role in the Fort Bragg/Fayetteville community. “We are on our way to becoming a level two trauma center, and that supports the Army’s bigger mission of readiness, as well as serving the local community,” said Bager.
Army Maj. (Dr.) Omici Uwagbai, served as the medical director and officer-in-charge of Robinson Health Clinic
“Robinson Health Clinic is the best clinic on Fort Bragg, which is a testament because of the nurses, providers and administrative staff,” Uwagbai said. “That’s what motivates me, being of service to others.”
Uwagbai continued an annual musculoskeletal course, initially created by Col. Matthew Hing, deputy commander of Primary Care Services at Robinson.
“We created a curriculum for our unit providers to become subject matter experts in musculoskeletal, because that is probably the number one injury when it comes to Soldiers.” Uwagbai said.
Hing said, “Uwagbai has been a true innovator for readiness at Fort Bragg, piloting methods which improved Soldier satisfaction among the 82nd Airborne Division and expanding musculoskeletal medicine knowledge and skills for operational providers of the 44th Medical Brigade. An educator at heart, she expanded continuing medical education opportunities for organic and line providers of her clinic, effectively building a more medically ready force.”
For Uwagbai, the desire to be a physician stems from personal, family roots.
“My grandfather is a Korean War veteran, so just taking care of Soldiers, Veterans, retirees, and family members is near and dear to my heart, I know the service that my grandfather gave, and I also know the care that he's received, and that motivates me,” said Uwagbai. According to Uwagbai, she will continue her service to veterans as she transitions to the Veterans Affair Medical Center.
According to Army Col. (Dr.) Karl Brewer, WAMC’s chief medical officer, physicians offer a level of dedication to their patients and professionalism that is vital to WAMC’s mission.
"The physicians working at Womack and all outlying facilities are fully dedicated to the patients they serve. It is such a privilege for a physician to participate in the care of a patient, and the Womack team takes this to heart and works tirelessly to provide the highest level of care possible. As both a patient and physician, I want to personally thank all our doctors for what they do every day. Your service, dedication and sacrifices are valued by so many.”
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.08.2022 14:54 |
| Story ID: | 417947 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 808 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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