Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Served first as an aircraft maintenance officer and ultimately as a physician. Medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Residency in anesthesiology through the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) and was immediately deployed to Afghanistan as the Chief of Anesthesia. Awarded with subspecialty training in pain medicine at U.T. Health Science Center. Served as Assistant Chief of the Department of Pain Management at SAMMC and was the Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General.