West Point Cadets Visit USU, Explore Military Medicine Careers
Future Army physicians from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point recently visited the Uniformed Services University to learn about military medicine and connect with current students and alumni.
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Cadets experienced a patient assessment scenario during their visit at USU and WRNMMC. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Woo Do) |
May 7, 2025 by Zachary Willis
A group of 30 cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Pre-Medical Society visited the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on April 18, gaining valuable insight into careers in military medicine and connecting with those currently serving. The visit, organized by Dr. Woo Do, chief of pediatric surgery at WRNMMC and assistant professor of surgery at USU, aimed to inspire the next generation of leaders in military medicine.
The day's itinerary included a comprehensive look at military medical education, training and practice. Cadets received briefings from Dr. Brian Lein, the current assistant director for the Defense Health Agency, and Do, who discussed the current and future landscape of army medicine. They also participated in hands-on sessions, including engaging with digital anatomy learning tools, practicing suturing skills, and experiencing a patient assessment scenario.
A significant part of the visit involved interactions with USU faculty, students, and alumni who are West Point graduates. These sessions provided cadets with firsthand accounts of the medical school experience and life as a military physician. Among those who spoke to the cadets were fourth-year medical student Mason Remondelli and USU Class of 2024 graduate Dr. Binyam Hundito. A panel of physicians, including Maj. (Dr.) John Blickle (Cardiology), Capt. (Dr.) Gabrielle Young (Radiology), Maj. (Dr.) Bryan Kantner (Radiology), and retired Army Col. (Dr.) John Combs (Radiology), also shared their experiences. Dr. AJ Pisano (Orthopedic Surgery) taught in the suture skills lab, served as a panelist, and is facilitating longer-term growth opportunities for cadets through the summer program at WRNMMC. Maj. (Dr.) Alex Peters (Surgery) taught the ultrasound lab.
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Cadets engaged with digital anatomy learning tools during their visit to USU and WRNMMC. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Woo Do) |
Lunch with current USU medical students offered an informal setting for cadets to ask questions and learn about the student perspective. This was followed by a campus tour of USU.
The visit appears to be contributing to a growing interest in USU among West Point cadets. According to Army Col. (Dr.) Danielle Holt, associate dean for Admissions and Recruitment at USU, there are currently 15 cadets from West Point slated for the USU Class of 2029, a notable increase from previous years. Holt highlighted this as a reflection of USU's efforts to attract service academy students who are mission-aligned with the university's role in military medicine.
The impact of the visit was perhaps best captured by a cadet from the West Point Class of 2026, who shared their feedback: "Overall, I think cadets this year really enjoyed the simulations and talks. It was a great balance of getting to do things hands-on and also learn about our future careers." The cadet, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity, added that the patient simulation was a unique experience and that it was inspiring to see so many West Point graduates who are now doctors and medical students. "This trip reinforced my desire to be an Army physician and to hopefully live up to the standard that I have seen from you all.”
