Veterans: Please share your rank/rate/duty title and branch of service? Family members: Please share your family member’s name/relation, branch of service, current rank/position title, current duty station (if available).

Kyle Hodgen, Lt Col; Director, Wright-Patterson Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Training Site and Residency; USAF; Assistant Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

As a veteran or military family member, what has stood out to you as a positive experience or attribute during your experience working at FSU Panama City/The Collegiate School?

It’s been an amazing transition to work closely with other veterans (Dr. Stacey VanDyke, USAF; Dr. Lonnie Hodges, USAF; Dr. Jerry Hogan, USAF; Dr. Scott Stewart, USN; Mrs. Geniece McPeak, USAF) in the Nurse Anesthesia Program so soon after completing my military career. It’s the best of both worlds- I get the benefit of working with highly talented and hard-working veterans and civilian faculty at a university campus that has truly made me feel like a welcome member of the FSU PC family. This is a special place.

How do you feel the local Panama City/Bay County community has demonstrated its support for veterans and/or military family members?  

I have a military family history that goes back to Panama City, Bay County, and the FSU Panama City Campus that predates me. My father was stationed as an enlisted airman at Tyndall AFB in 1967-1969. During that time, he, my mother, and my three older brothers all lived in a trailer court where the Seminole Landing Apartments now stand. My mother taught at Hutchison Beach Elementary. So, it’s a very rewarding experience for me to come back to a family connection with a community that has a well-established and long-standing history of military support and ties. From the U.S. flags that adorn the roads and businesses, to the “Thank You for Your Service” greetings I routinely get on campus, at the local barbershop, or when I stop to get gas, it’s obvious to me that this area and community not only welcome but celebrate their ties to the military.