Air Force gives Nashville Airman Full-Ride to Medical School

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Anthony Agosti
  • 118th Wing

An enlisted Airman from the 118th Medical Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, was awarded an officer commission and full scholarship to attend medical school Feb. 10, 2019 at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tennessee.

2nd Lt. Alexander Bowers, a newly commissioned medical officer and former enlisted medical technician with the 118th MDG, was awarded his commission and scholarship through the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program.

The program will also provide him a monthly living stipend while in school and a signing bonus, in return for four years of service as an active duty medical officer.

“It’s wonderful to not have student loans,” said Master Sgt. Candice Morgan, a health services technician with the 118th MDG. “Especially trying to be a doctor because there is so much schooling.”

Bowers said he was awarded the scholarship because his GPA from his undergraduate education and the scores on his MCAT were high enough to be automatically be accepted into the program.

After being accepted into the program, Bowers said he began applying to several medical schools. He was accepted into the University of Tennessee’s College of Medicine, and after agreeing to attend there was granted his officer commission.

“I'm focusing on orthopedics and emergency medicine,” said Bowers. “I really like fast paced stuff and the variety of emergency medicine.”

Bowers said as part of the program, he will attend five weeks of officer training before starting his medical school classes in the fall of 2019.

After completing medical school and his residency, Bowers said he has a clear idea of what he wants to do on active duty.

“I would love to be a part of the forward surgical teams,” said Bowers. “I know they have a big calling for orthopedics because there’s so much trauma overseas.”

Bowers also said that he encourage anyone, either military or civilian, wanting to pursue a medical career to take a look at this program.

“A lot of people are scared of (the program) just because they don’t know what the military is,” said Bowers. “I encourage anyone who’s thinking about going to medical school to look into it, and see the benefits of coming out of school without having any debt.”