"Midwestern provides a great place for current military students to connect and enjoy a shared community. I have had the great fortune of meeting some of my brothers and sisters in arms who have been incredibly supportive over the last two years."
This interview is part of the 2024 Veterans Day series.
Name:
BreAnna Boyle
Program/Year:
AZCOM 2026
Hometown:
Memphis, TN
Where did you earn your undergraduate degree? What is your degree in?
Baylor University, Bachelor of Science in Education in Health Science Studies with Public Health Minor
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?
I have always been an inquisitive person. I gravitated towards science early on in my education. Unlike most children, I enjoyed going to the doctor. My pediatrician was a Black woman and she always made me feel comfortable and helped me feel better when I saw her. As I got older, I started to be amazed at how she always knew how to help me, and I started to see myself in her shoes, helping others during their most vulnerable times in the same ways she helped me.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?
I am proud to say that I will be the first physician in my family, but hopefully not the last.
In what branch of the military do you serve and at what rank?
United States Air Force, 2nd Lieutenant
Why did you choose to serve? How did that influence your journey into healthcare?
My cousin is currently in the Air Force, and he inspired me to join. For years, he would tell me about the incredible experiences and opportunities he was afforded by being in the Air Force. When I discovered I could combine my interests in medicine and service to care for Airmen and their families all over the world while advancing the Air Force’s mission to “Fly, Fight, and Win,” the decision to join became self-evident.
Why did you decide to attend Midwestern University?
I completed the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences program in 2022 and discovered some incredibly supportive professors and a community of other like-minded students. I decided this was the best place for me to complete my medical degree.
How does Midwestern support active service members and veterans?
Midwestern provides a great place for current military students to connect and enjoy a shared community. I have had the great fortune of meeting some of my brothers and sisters in arms who have been incredibly supportive over the last two years. I know that there is always someone I can turn to for help.