Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anita Stratton | Maj. Christopher “Doc” Killen, a physician’s assistant with the 102nd Civil...... read more read more
SALEM, Ore. - “I always knew I would do one of two things – I was going to be in the military or I was going to be a medical provider,” said Oregon Army National Guard Maj. Christopher “Doc” Killen, unit commander 102nd Civil Support Team. He managed to achieve them at the same time. Growing up watching “G.I. Joe,” Killen decided “That’s what I want to do!” After graduating from high school in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Killen enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard as a logistical specialist.
His medical education began at age 13.
“I was part of a state program that gave opportunities for kids to be exposed to the field they want to work in as adults,” Killen said. “I started at my hometown hospital pushing a mop bucket, cleaning bathrooms, and waxing floors. Later, I was offered a position in the radiology department transporting patients and making copies of x-rays.”
He deployed in 2002 with the 505th Engineer Combat Battalion, 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, NCARNG.
“I liked being a noncommissioned officer. It was a lot of fun,” he said, “but I wanted to have more input at the table about leadership. I felt there were some things I could provide to the National Guard.”
Killen attended Officer Candidate School in 2008. He participated in the traditional year-long program at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. While at OCS, he also completed his Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Molecular Biology, receiving Honors College for both, and graduated in May 2009.
Serving as a platoon leader and detachment commander for the 505th Engineers in 2010, he was commissioned as a U.S. Army Engineer. During that time, he decided to apply for Physician’s Assistant school.
Accepted at Duke University, Durham, Killen graduated in 2012 with a Master in Health Science degree while serving as the Medical Service Officer with their Medical Detachment. He was the first resident to do a one-year physician’s assistant internal medicine residency program through the Veterans Administration.
In 2013, Killen transferred from the North Carolina Guard to the ORNG when he moved to the Pacific Northwest for a new civilian job and a position at Medical Command.
He deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment. After returning home, Killen worked at Oregon Health & Science University as an Infectious Disease and Cardiology PA. He then deployed to Kuwait in 2016 as a PA and officer-in-charge of the battalion aid station with the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 77th Combat Aviation Brigade.
Killen believes it is important to experience a deployment at least once. “You should, at least, be on one tour overseas to get out of your comfort zone,” he said. “You get this whole broadening experience that you don’t get if you don’t do it. It gives you a huge appreciation of the people back home – This is what I am doing this for, right here.”
After returning from deployment, Killen wanted a full-time position with the Oregon Guard, “My family is my priority,” he said. The Civil Support Team had an opening, so he interviewed and was hired. “It was perfect timing.”
A CST is a first responder team and a liaison between military and civilian agencies during emergency response events. They can respond to either intentional or unintentional hazardous materials threats. “We ask what they need and what we tailor our response to that,” he said. His team duties include being on-call as the incident OIC but he is mainly the team PA. As PA, he also conducts flight physicals.
Killen was not qualified to give flight physicals however, he attained his Aeromedical Physician’s Assistant Certification to support operations.
“He got certified as a flight surgeon and volunteers to provide flight physicals to our flight crew Monday-Friday so that our drilling and technician aviators can get their flight physicals done during non-drill weekends,” said Lt. Col. Adam Lulay, 102nd CST Commander. Killen is the only full-time PA in the ORANG and the only flight surgeon in the State.
“My CST duties come first because that is my actual position,” Killen said. “My commander allows me to help the aviation side of the house unofficially.”
His duties include preparing for the Standardization, Evaluation, and Assistance Team inspection, which is the unit’s emergency response and readiness. Evaluations are given and training proficiency to support civil authorities in a domestic incident is reviewed. They look at how well the unit deploys the team and conducts interagency coordination. Killen received 100% on all the SEAT requirements and the highest score for all Training Proficiency Evaluation.
“The outside evaluators check your books to see if you are doing things correctly: keeping accurate logs of personnel, equipment, and reports, and following all the national guidelines for CSTs,” Killen said. “I’ve always done well in those. Working as a logistical specialist there was always attention to detail,” he added.
Killen said preparation is necessary for success. “It’s not hard if you prepare,” Killen said. “Look at what is required for success then work backward figuring out what you need to do. You don’t have to do it all at once. Figure out what your resources are.”
Teamwork leads to success, he added. “The 102nd team has been great,” he said. “I can depend on them for their part of the SEAT inspection and the evaluations for my success. They can depend on me to provide full physicals for them to be successful in theirs.”
Successful evaluations with the CST motivated his return to North Carolina to help his former state with their 2-year SEAT inspection. His expertise aided the unit in achieving top scores and set them up for success.
Killen is passionate about all Soldier care and uses opportunities to volunteer, ensuring the Oregon National Guard remains successful.
“He’s been a great PA for the 102nd CST, but he is also very generous with his time to the rest of the Oregon Army National Guard,” Lulay said. “He volunteers time to support MEDCOM during physical health assessments on drill weekends to help them get our Soldiers deployable-ready.”
CST units are not required to do drill weekends because they spend most of their time on-call. However, Killen considers his service a personal enjoyment.
“I think it’s helping MEDCOM, but I can do what I want: talk to ‘some Joe’ and figure out if he has a medically disqualifying condition for an upcoming deployment,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like volunteering-it’s just fun.” Killen was requested to assist with other medical-related issues outside of the CST. He has participated in 126 assists for training year 2024 so far. His assistance and the level of care encourage other service members. “He is always available, always volunteering to help,” said Sgt. First Class Daniel Huynh with the 1249th Engineer Battalion. “He’s one of the best providers we’ve got, hands down.”
He volunteers more off-duty time at local free clinics in Salem and Dallas. “I feel like volunteering is necessary for the community,” Killian said, “but also for your personal growth and keeping a good character.”
“It’s a blessing--a labor of love,” he said. “I still get to use my primary care skills and keep on top of those while at the clinics.”
He also volunteers one day a week at the Willamette Valley Endocrinology Clinic in Salem. “He is a great provider. He takes on new patients which opens the schedules for the other providers,” said Ave Ross, office manager for the endocrinology clinic. “He is empathetic, gentle, and gives very effective inpatient care,” she said.
“Endocrinology is a lot of internal medicine. It’s tough medicine for me but a good challenge,” he added. “It helps my team members if I am challenged like that and to grow.”
Killen avails himself to his team and colleagues. “There were times we were able to collaborate and I have contacted him with questions about certain medical conditions,” said Maj. Naomi Shantz, chief nurse at MEDCOM.
Maj. Killen provided a class at the local Indian Health Services with the Chemawa Clinic in Salem where Shantz is the primary caregiver at the clinic. She provides professional development to her staff through a ‘lunch and learn’ program. “Major Killen was able to come and teach a class on thyroid disease and management, making sure we are managing that specific endocrine issue,” Shantz said. “We learned a lot.”
“His generosity of time will be a great motivation and inspiration of Selfless Service for our Soldiers and Airmen in the Oregon National Guard,” Lulay said. “The Oregon National Guard is full of Soldiers and Airmen who sacrifice so much for this nation,” he said.
Maj. Killen’s life-long learning and service to his community and the ORARNG began with a dream he achieved through life-long learning, hard work, and service to others. He continues to share his talents, skills, and knowledge and to serve those around him.
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2024 13:08 |
| Story ID: | 471687 |
| Location: | SALEM, OREGON, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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