Fort Knox MEDDAC hosts Cadets for summer internship program

Photo By Maj. Sara Morris | Cadet Samuel Roberts, from the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, poses in front of Margetis Clinic here at Fort Knox. Roberts participated in the Army Medical Department Internship Program (AMEDDIP) where Cadets are assigned to Medical Department Activities to gain insight into Army Medical Facilities and exposure to leadership in the medical arena.  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

09.23.2022

Story by Sara Morris 

Fort Knox MEDDAC

“Our goal was to be ambassadors not only of Army Medicine, but the Army at large,” said Sgt. 1st Class Demetrius Roberson, Fort Knox Medical Activity Preventative Medicine noncommissioned officer in charge. “Proving his choice to serve was the right one.”

The Office of the Army Surgeon General sponsors the Army Medical Department Internship Program (AMEDDIP) where Cadets are assigned to Medical Department Activities to gain insight into Army Medical Facilities and exposure to leadership in the medical arena. Cadets are assigned to a sponsor within that organization and work under their direct supervision and direction.

The AMEDDIP targets Cadets that are pursuing a degree in medicine. The Fort Knox Medical Activity were privileged to host three Cadets throughout the summer. Each Cadet was paired with a sponsor based on their desired occupation.

Cadet Samuel Roberts, from the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, majors in Environmental Health, and is pursuing preventative medicine. He was paired with Dr. James Stephens, Fort Knox Chief of Preventative Medicine.

“Shadowing with Dr. Stephens has been great. He has been able to get me to observe and participate in the different aspects of preventative medicine,” said Roberts. “I’ve been able to go out with Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, and occupational health.”

The Preventative Medicine team had two goals in mind when building the internship for Roberts. First, to fully immerse Roberts into all aspects of Preventative Medicine, and secondly, to introduce him to a realistic look at a day to day in the life of a Soldier. So when the internship was complete he would have a whole understanding of where the two aspects intersect.

Cadet Amanda Mazikas, State University of New York Brockport, is still deciding on her career path in medicine post-graduation, and had a different path during the internship. Her sponsor was in Patient Administration, and she was able to spend time in operations, primary care, physical therapy, and with Interservice Physician Assistant Program manager.

“I am really interested in going into the Medical Service Corps and I figured this would be a great opportunity to see how it works, and get a little bit of hands on experience,” said Mazikas. “I was able to talk to the soldiers at the clinic who have been through what I will be going through, and get their perspective on what it’s like being an officer.”

Both Cadets said they would recommend the AMEDDIP to any ROTC cadets that are considering a career in medicine. They agreed that the exposure helped them better understand what would be expected of them once they commission, and how the Army and medicine work together.

“The resources I’ve gotten, both contacts and information, is great and is definitely going to be helpful once I commission next May,” said Mazikas.

Our Cadet’s sponsors and mentors thought the program is an asset to those looking to join AMEDD. Roberson and Dr. Stephens felt the program not only allows a glimpse into the daily routine as a technician and leader, but affirms that their current career path is the right one.

“Our goal was to be ambassadors not only of Army Medicine, but the Army at large,” said Roberson.

• Date Taken: 09.23.2022
• Date Posted: 09.23.2022 12:18
• Story ID: 429964
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US
• Hometown: BROCKPORT, NY, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KY, US
• Hometown: ROCHESTER, NY, US