Adrienne Kramer, PA was thankful for the DMSc program format as it allowed her to also serve a one-year assignment in Kuwait with the Area Support Group-Kuwait (ASG-KU) Deputy Command Surgeon.
“The program has worked perfectly for me. I have been dedicating my extra time to completing doctoral coursework, instead of focusing on missing my family back home. I was thrilled with the fact that the program can be completed in one year,” she said.
The year away from home was a deciding factor in her enrolling in the program, but she has found that the program also rekindled her interest in publishing in journals.
“Publishing is one of the things you know you should do, but other responsibilities often take priority. The faculty has been exceptional and has supported me all along the way. A particular standout has been Dr. Nancy Reid, my advisor,” she said.
In addition to serving as the ASG-KU Deputy Command Surgeon, she managed the U.S. Army Health Clinic-Kuwait at Camp Arifjan. With nearly 14 years of active duty service under her belt, Kramer advised the installation commander on all health-related interests — planning, monitoring, and implementing Force Health Protection measures like an epidemic response.
“It was truly a unique and interesting situation — how the coursework fit in with the current COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
In that role, she was the Tricare point of contact for Kuwait and the liaison between U.S. forces and host nation partners facilitating key leader engagements and interoperability.
“The DMSc’s Health Administration Track fits right in line with my duties running the clinic, and in my role serving as a liaison between the multiple medical commands, and tracking trends in the current COVID-19 outbreak,” she said.
She was drawn to a career in medicine from an early age, and the Army has always been a part of her life. Her father was in the Army, and her mother also for a brief time. They lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it was a natural progression for her.Kramer attended Methodist College (now University) in her hometown, to help her family after the death of her father.
“I took advantage of the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program offered by the military, but instead of utilizing the inactive years, all of mine have been active,” she said.
Kramer stated that the opportunities offered to her by her service in the Army have been wonderful.
“I have served as program manager of the Army’s Interservice PA Program (IPAP), and now I run a clinic. And my husband has been incredibly supportive, and our kids are doing great,” she said.
She also served as the liaison between multiple medical commands in Kuwait and the base commander.
