JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
“I believe that I was groomed to do this from a young age,” said Ryan Leone when asked about his career ambition to become an Army trauma surgeon. Leone, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, recently wrapped up a 10-week summer intern program at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Leone was among 13 college interns from around the U.S. to spend their summer conducting combat casualty care research.
Leone said that he didn’t realize it at the time, but he has been around military veterans who were leaders and coaches, especially during his years as an Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts and during his week at the American Legion Boys Nation Program in 2014.
“Some of them were veterans who had been injured, so I learned about the sacrifices that they made for our country. I had heard stories about their comrades who were severely injured or killed in combat,” he said. “It was during those years that I realized I wanted to become an Army trauma surgeon to help the wounded and to do my part to save their lives.”
The Long Island, N.Y., native will be returning as a junior in the Roy and Diana Vagelos Dual-Degree Program in Life Sciences and Management at the University of Pennsylvania. He is studying to obtain two bachelor’s degrees: a bachelor of arts in the biological basis of behavior from the college of arts and sciences and a bachelor of science in economics with a concentration in healthcare management and policy from the Wharton School of Business.
David Burmeister, Ph.D., lead intern mentor and USAISR Combat Casualty Care Research scientist, said he was impressed with Leone’s work ethic from day one. “In short, he’s a go-getter with a bright future,” he said.
“Ryan, along with all the students in the internship program, is phenomenal,” said Daniel Darlington, Ph.D., one of Leone’s mentors.
Darlington and Xiaowu Wu, Ph.D., both USAISR research physiologists, have mentored students since the program began seven years ago.
“I just wish we had more time with them,” Darlington said. “They add so much to our research and gain some invaluable experience. I know they could do a lot more if they had more time.”
“It has been an incredible experience,” Leone said. “We have been challenged and given the opportunity to do our own projects which add to the ongoing research here. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to expand their research knowledge and skills.”
Leone and his colleagues did more than just conduct research. They were given the opportunity to observe staff rounds at the USAISR Burn Center, meet with trauma and general surgeons, and meet with the leadership of the Joint Trauma System.
“It was humbling to meet with the top contributors in these fields,” Leone said.
Leone’s exposure this summer has him setting his sights higher than just becoming an Army trauma surgeon.
“If I could pick any job, I would strive to be the Surgeon General of the Army or the director of the Defense Health Agency,” Leone said.
He’s off to a great start. He was asked to be the first student to do a summer internship at the Defense Health Agency and he will assist in creating a formal internship program for future students there next summer.
“I’m looking forward to working under Vice Admiral Raquel Bono, the DHA director, and the other DHA executives next summer,” Leone added. “It’s going to provide me with some great exposure. I care a lot about healthcare and want to do my part for our military and our country. I don’t think there’s a better way to spend my life than caring for our soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for our freedom. My ultimate goals are to treat their combat injuries and to make a difference at the policy level.”
The USAISR Summer Internship Program is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education to expose college students to a laboratory environment and provide them with invaluable research experience to assist with their educational goals.