Thursday, May 5, 2016

Student-doctor recognized in U.S. Air Force promotion ceremony at LUCOM

Thu, 05 May 2016Shelley Andrews :: LUCOM Marketing and PR

Aside from his accomplishments as a leader at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM), student-doctor Zack Jensen is now a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force.

On May 2, at the flagpoles in front of the Center for Medical and Health Sciences, an old friend and mentor lead Jensen’s promotion ceremony. Jensen’s wife and children were also there to help with the pinning of insignia.

“It’s neat to sit back and watch the younger folks come up from behind and take our place and fill in and succeed like Zack has in the Air Force. I’m really proud of him,” said Col. Robert King, United States Air Force (ret.).

Col. King was Jensen’s first squadron commander when he first joined the Air Force in 2001.

“Zack showed up in Charleston as we were moving all of the stuff into the fight for Afghanistan and Iraq. He went straight to work and did a great job,” said Col. King.

When he first joined the Air Force, Jensen was assigned to the logistics field, a technical niche that he says compliments what he has learned at LUCOM so far.

“Hopefully, I will be able to mix the two, the experience I’ve gotten in the Air Force with the medical knowledge I’ve gained here and do something I really like. The ability to serve in the Air Force has taught me a lot about leadership,” said Jensen, class of 2018.

Jensen’s leadership roles at LUCOM have ranged from serving as the president of LUCOM-Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) since 2014 and a senior military advisor with LUCOM-Association of Military and Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (AMOPS) since 2014 as well.

But apart from leading his fellow student-doctors, he has enjoyed getting to know them on a deeper level. Those relationships were apparent in the large group that gathered to help celebrate Jensen’s new military title.

“It was really great to see everyone come out like they did. I feel like my LUCOM classmates are so much more than just two separate classes. Our community reminds me of a family,” said Jensen.