BA, Baker Univ., Baldwin, KS, 1949
MS, Univ. Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1953
MHA, Baylor Univ., Waco, TX, 1967
Consultant and professional speaker, Harder Creative Enterprises, San Antonio, TX, 1986 to present
Program Dir., U.S. Army-Baylor Univ., Academy of Health Sciences, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, 1983-84
Chief, Health Care Admin., Academy of Health Sciences, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, 1982-85
Exec. Off., Blanchfield ACH, Ft. Campbell, KY, 1977-82
Chief, Educ. & Trng., Army OTSG, Washington, DC, 1976-77
Exec. Off., MEDDAC Japan, Okinawa, Japan, 1974-76
Exec. Off., Munson ACH, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, 1971-74
Exec. Off., 91st Evac. Hosp., Viet Nam, 1971
Exec. Off., 12th Evac. Hosp., Viet Nam, 1970
Faculty, U.S. Army-Baylor Univ., Medical Field Svc. Sch., Ft. Sam Houston, TX, 1967-70
Resident, Ft. Riley, KS, 1966-67
Dr. Robert Collmer, Dean of Graduate Studies at Baylor was instrumental in obtaining faculty approval for this appointment. Subsequently, Dean Collmer and I enjoyed a warm, professional relationship.
A significant contribution I made to the Program was that of suggesting to Dean Collmer that he visit our Residents on site. This he agreed to do and during his tenure visited sixteen locations. The objectives for these visits included 1) reviewing the quality of our Program, 2) demonstrating Baylor's direct interest in our students, and 3) reassuring the Preceptors that they were key instructors.
Dean Collmer's first visit, in which I also participated, was at Fort Hood. The Dean was a Corporal in WWII. Although we made appropriate contacts at the hospital, Dr. Collmer was especially fascinated with the tanks and guns we viewed as we toured the post.
When Dr. Collmer introduced himself to the HCA classes, he always indicated his role as a 2-stripe Corporal. At the same time, I told him we were giving him 2-star hospitality.
As an English Professor, he continually reminded us that the Fort Sam faculty needed to do more publishing. Currently, it is satisfying to note that faculty, students and residents are meeting his objectives.
An interesting staff activity was attending faculty meetings held on the campus in Waco. There was a detachment of Army aircraft at Randolph Air Force Base. Therefore, we took advantage of this service and used a helicopter to transport us to the campus, landing on a soccer field adjacent to the Dean's building. The pilots received ample attention from the coeds.
During my tenure, we spent additional time in developing a POI (Plan of Instruction) that met the requirements of two accrediting agencies and would provide 45 hours credit, rather than 30. This set the stage for a 12-month session beginning in 1984 - 1985. The annual Preceptor Conference, promoting "Scholarship in Action" was improved with more collaboration between preceptors and faculty. Assisting in changes in the conference and HCA Program were Commodore Lewis Angelo, Ch, Navy Medical Service Corps and BG Don Wagner, Ch, Air Force Medical Service Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel Bob Moore, Financial Management Professor, was our computer guru. He made several attempts to procure a sufficient number of computers to organize a lab for the students. In each attempt we were refused by HSC Hqs. Now, each student is issued a laptop unit.
Funds were sufficient to send staff out to all facilities where we had residents. Those visits assisted in maintaining quality control for the program, solving problems and acquiring teaching material. As a result of one of these visits, I learned at Fort Carson that the resident was assigned full time as adjutant. This action was not in keeping with our policy. Therefore, the next year that hospital did not receive a resident.
One of the best decisions I made was that of asking Captain George Masi to assist me in teaching Healthcare 1 & 2 - a decision which he credits with changing his career. Indeed, and it was remarkable, to include student selection as Best Instructor of the Year in HCA Program; SGS at HSC; Battalion CO; Chief of Staff, Eisenhower AMC; one of the first MSC MEDDAC Commanders; OTSG Consultant for Alpha Specialty and Regent for ACHE.
The faculty has always tried to teach material on the front edge of trends in healthcare management. For example, CPT George Masi taught a session on what we now know as HMO's. At that time, 1983-'85, there was no known label. After the session, a young MSC major complained that since he was in the Army, that hour was a waste of his time. Obviously, that major had a short career. Another example of teaching frontier subjects included Hospice as an alternative to hospital care. This information was presented to our students as the first Hospice was being organized in San Antonio.
Also, during this period, HSC required all TDA personnel, including students, to participate in a 3-day FTX. Of course, we complied. I participated along with the students. At the first formation, where I stood in the front rank, the LTC class leader was puzzled with my appearance among the majors and captains, not certain how to cope with this situation.
In addition to being a student, 1965-'67, I was assigned back at MFSS as an instructor in the HCA Program 1967-'70. The student body usually included 4 - 6 Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels. Also, there were similar numbers of allied students. Both categories made teaching more challenging. Normally, students were field grade, but as an experiment during this period, a few company grade officers were selected for the course to determine if they could master the material. They overwhelmingly demonstrated success as evidenced by current classes comprised of many junior officers.
Finally, in 1996, LTC Lee Briggs, Ph.D. and LTC Jody Rogers, Ph.D., Director and Assistant Director, both students in my 1982-'85 tenure, agreed to allow me to teach a 2-hour session on creativity and mind mapping for the HCA Program. I present this unit, which also helps the students relax, during the first week of the course. This contact, as well as with continuing dialogue with the directors and faculty, allows me to keep informed about the Program, as well as providing institutional memory.
With this third encounter on staff, I now state that I have assisted in helping three generations of HCA students.
As I departed the program to retire in 1986, I informed my replacement, Colonel Mel Modderman, that we had preceptors retiring each year with no program of recognition for their service. We agreed that one way to do this would be that of making an award "Preceptor of the Year." He offered to work out the criteria and I agreed to cover the cost of the award. By August of each year, each resident is asked to submit a paper recommending his/her preceptor, if quality of residency is noteworthy. The faculty Residency Committee makes the selection. The award, a plaque and at least two current healthcare management books, is presented to the honoree at the Preceptors Conference. In recent years, the award was presented to representatives of the Air Force, Navy, VA and Army - another indication of true inter-service support and quality.