RVU Hosts Appreciation Ceremony to Honor Military Service People

The 10th Annual Military Appreciation Ceremony—held virtually over Zoom and hosted live for students, faculty, and staff from the Parker, Colorado and Ivins, Utah campuses—honored and celebrated the military service people in the RVU community, including future military physicians and veterans. The ceremony began with an introduction by 2nd Lieutenant Dustin Halverson (Air Force), OMS II, and 1st Lieutenant Sean Lynch (Army) OMS II, Presidents of the RVU Chapter of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) for the RVU-SU and RVU-CO campuses respectively. The Posting of Colors, a traditional flag ceremony, was then performed by Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Cadets from Dixie High School.

Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., Dean of RVUCOM and veteran of the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, was then introduced by SD Halverson for a Military Healers tribute. The presentation honored military physicians, who have served and currently serve, by discussing the history of their contributions to military and civilian medicine during times of war.

The RVU Color Guard presented the Missing Man/POW Remembrance Ceremony on the RVU-CO campus (pictured above), a tradition that honors and recognizes the service of those missing in action, taken prisoner, or deceased.

SD Lynch introduced the keynote speaker, RVU Alumnus, Major Charles Robert Hutchinson, DO ‘15, First Ranger, 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. In his address, Dr. Hutchinson talked about what he had learned from previous keynote speakers, discussed his experiences at RVU, and expressed his “why” for choosing osteopathic medicine and how it has evolved over time. Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and CEO of RVU and retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy, presented the Anthony J. LaPorta Military Award of Excellence to Dr. Hutchinson, who was honored for his determination, initiative, outstanding leadership, and selfless perseverance.

“We’d like to thank those veterans from all branches of the armed forces who joined us here today,” concluded Dr. Told. “To participate in this ceremony, to tell us their stories, and to make Veterans Day special. We appreciate your dedication and sacrifice during your service to this great nation.”