Photo By Maddi Langweil | This year at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston in San...... read more read more
Her days were filled with hours of studying, attending classes, fulfilling Army duties and caring for her family of four—an arduous life Col. Sharon Rosser had to become a physician associate for the Army, but today it’s remembered as a steppingstone to earning her the 2024 Surgeon General Physician Associate Recognition Award.
The Surgeon General Physician Associate Recognition Award is a prestigious honor designed to recognize physician associates who have made notable efforts to military medicine that provides exceptional healthcare to soldiers and their families. This year at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, the 46 Surgeon General of the Army Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaquirre presented Rosser, Commander of the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine with this honor for her dedication to contributing extraordinary efforts to help the soldier and Army at large.
“Col. Rosser exemplifies a steadfast commitment to operational excellence and professional advocacy. As Commander of USARIEM, she leads a command that is critical to advancing human performance and environmental medicine, thereby ensuring our Soldiers remain ready to fight and win in any environment,” Izaguirre said. “In her role as Deputy Physician Associate Consultant, she has been instrumental in driving policies that are transforming our Specialty Professional Corps for future conflicts.”
Before Rosser joined the Army, she knew she wanted to make a mark on the world and pave her own way. ‘But how?’ Was a question she had yet to answer. As a foster child in South Dakota, she wanted to provide for herself and find her own way by learning and doing. She started with joining the National Guard during her Junior and Senior year of High School, and once graduated, she joined the Army with this “need to just go serve,” she said.
Eager to start her life, Rosser joined the Army with the desire to be a combat medic but within six months, transitioned to active-duty Army as a Hospital Food Service Specialist at now joint base Lewis McChord in Washington. Soon after, she reenlisted for respiratory therapy.
“From the time I was little, I loved taking care of people and as a respiratory therapist I got to do that on a daily basis,” Rosser said. “I liked the balance that I had with respiratory therapy, but you're doing the same thing over and over again. So. I wanted to marry taking care of people with lifelong learning.”
And so, she pivoted.
By the time Rosser received her commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Interservice Physician Associate Program, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Nebraska and a Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a Doctor of Science in Physician Associate Studies, she was already in the Army for 12 years.
Before serving as the commander of the USARIEM, Rosser served in notable positions in emergency medicine in hospitals to executive officer and director of hospital-based programs for the Medical Center of Excellence and director of comprehensive pain management for the Office of The Surgeon General, and secretary of the general staff for the Office of the Surgeon General.
“That is what success looks like to me, moving the needle just a little bit forward in progress in a positive way. When the day comes that you can't do that anymore, then I’m not contributing positively to change to leaving something better, then it’s time to look at a different career and phase of life.”
When deployed to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan in support of operations, Rosser was the first key role model for combat medics. As an Army physician associate, it can be challenging to help as many people as possible, so in part of her job, she was training other soldiers to help.
“There were times where we had six causalities and there was one of me,” she added. To help more patients, she was responsible to train combat medics to be at the top of their training so that an injured team can be cared for. The growth of the medic, sustainment of the skills of the team and the ability to provide care on the battlefield was essential, Rosser shared.
The various roles, the schooling, the time away from family was challenging, but it was exceptionally rewarding for Rosser.
“To be able to take care of people is a selfless service and is one that has brought something new to my life each day,” she said. Earlier in her career, Rosser was part of the team that awarded the Surgeon General Physician Associate Recognition Award, so upon her nomination for the award, she was surprised.
“I’m humbled that the people that trusted me, who have mentored me and have marched alongside me believed in me and found me worthy,” she said. “I didn’t get here alone.”
With every experience—the easy and hard— has helped shaped her story into one that others will read about one day. It takes a “collective village” to become a leader and contribute to life.
Rosser’s Army Career began with a small leap of faith, and decades later, is one that she hasn't forgotten about.
“There’s a pivotal moment when out in operations where you realize it’s not just about your craft but your ability to provide the best trauma or medical care in any situation with the resources we have,” she said. “It’s a selfless service that requires commitment on the good and hard days.”
“Col. Rosser embodies the innovation, leadership, and service that define Army Medicine. Her command of USARIEM and her mentorship as Deputy Consultant ensure our Physician Associates are ready for today’s missions and prepared for tomorrow’s challenges,” Izaguirre said. “Our future is bright.” USARIEM is a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command under the Telemedicine & Advanced technology Research Center. USARIEM is internationally recognized as the DOD's premier laboratory for Warfighter health and performance research and focuses on environmental medicine, physiology, physical and cognitive performance, and nutrition research. Located at the Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, USARIEM's mission is to research and deliver solutions to enhance Warfighter health, performance and lethality in all environments.
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2025 15:08 |
| Story ID: | 554044 |
| Location: | NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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