WICHITA, Kan. - Lt. Col. Vonda Wigal, 184th Medical Group commander, was promoted to colonel Feb. 7 at the 184th Intelligence Wing. Wigal assumed command of the 184th MG May 4, 2014. She is the first female colonel and group commander in the history of the 184th IW.
Col. Jeff Jordan, 184th IW commander, said, “The point about diversity is that all the young Airmen in the wing that aspire to be a group or unit commander can believe they are capable of achieving that status.”
“I never dreamt I would get to this point and it’s a challenge I do not take lightly,” Wigal said during her promotion.
The Medical Group provides combat ready medics to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commanders, in addition to the professional medics available to the Defense Information Systems Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Defense and the state of Kansas, while supporting the 184th IW’s goal of combat readiness. The group consists of four units: aerospace medicine, dental, health services and medical operations.
Wigal, a native of Hoisington, Kansas, graduated from St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, Kansas, in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She commissioned in the U.S. Air Force on May 13, 1988. In 1989, she attended Military Indoctrination for Medical Service Officers at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and served a five-month nurse internship at Keesler Air Force Base.
Wigal entered Individual Readiness Reserve status in February 1992 and worked as a contract registered nurse, returning to Kansas in 1997.
She joined the Kansas Air National Guard, 184th Medical Squadron, in 1999 as a clinical nurse. In 2010, she assumed command of the 184th Medical Group’s Medical Operations Division and in 2011 she took over responsibilities as chief nurse.
She is currently employed as an advanced practice registered nurse with Walgreen Company’s healthcare clinics and has served on the board of the Association of Air National Guard Nurses.
“Many colonels have welcomed and guided me into this new rank and I hope I have shined some light into the medical side of the job,” said Wigal. “This job has its challenges but I’ve enjoyed it. This would not be possible without the continued guidance and leadership of others and my family’s support.”
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2015 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 162062 |
| Location: | WICHITA, KS, US |
| Hometown: | HOISINGTON, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Wigal promoted to first female colonel, group commander in 184th, by TSgt Maria Ruiz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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