Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Capt. Ashley Green, a physician assistant, holds a stethoscope to an...... read more read more
In the Air Force Medical Service, dedication to duty goes hand in hand with commitment to care. Instilled in every Airman is the need to strive for excellence through continuous learning and seeking new opportunities to serve. For Capt. Ashley Green, it is no different.
During her junior year of high school, at age 17, Green enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program as a dental laboratory technician.
“My intention in joining was to serve, and I wanted to make my family proud,” she said, reflecting on the path that led her to become a physician assistant, providing care to warfighters and strengthening their readiness to defend the nation.
In her early years of service, she made nightguards and fabricated crowns in dental clinics. Wanting to grow her capabilities, she applied to the Interservice Physician Assistant Program, which provided a pathway to pursue direct primary care.
This journey required resilience to balance full-time service while taking prerequisite classes before she was accepted.
“The road to becoming a PA was not easy … especially for those who start with no credits,” Green recalled, noting the long days that began with pre-dawn physical training, continued with a full workday, and ended in late-night science courses. The effort paid off. By the time she completed the 29-month program, she had earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with no student loans.
In May 2025, her dedication to patient care earned her an AFMS Trusted Care Hero nomination from U.S. Air Force Col. Sean Marshall, group commander for the 4th Medical Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, at the time. Green’s patient-centered approach prevented a delayed deployment and potential health complications for an Airman.
During the Airman’s deployment health assessment, Green noticed a history of splenectomy with no record of critical vaccinations, which is a recommended line of defense to prevent infection. Drawing on lessons from her PA training, she understood the life-threatening risk, sped up his review paperwork, and arranged for immediate vaccination. Her actions not only protected the Airman’s health but also ensured he would deploy on time with his unit.
“She has been an integral part of the 4th MDG team, this spotlight is a regular day for Capt. Green. She is constantly going the extra mile to care for her patients and look out for the team,” Marshall said.
Green says it is moments like these that make the challenges worthwhile. As a primary care manager at an active-duty clinic on Seymour Johnson AFB, she was responsible for the empanelment of more than 1,000 patients and attended to about 18 patients a day.
For her, the reward is in building trust with Airmen that their health and well-being are a priority for healthcare providers like herself.
“I love the opportunity to make a real difference,” Green said. “Getting to know patients and helping them continue their service is what keeps me motivated.”
Now stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Arkansas, she is completing three years of primary care training before applying to specialize as a PA.
Green plans to pursue a specialty in fields like orthopedics, surgery, or emergency medicine while working on developing her leadership skills.
From her beginning in a dental lab to becoming a Trusted Care Hero in her PA role, Green’s story showcases the grit, adaptability, and dedication necessary to provide the high-quality care to warfighters that embodies Air Force medicine.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 548622 |
| Location: | FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, An Air Force physician assistant’s commitment to patient care, by Maristela Romero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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