School of Medicine Commandant

Alexander B. Galifianakis, MD

CDR MC(FS) USN

The Commandant of the USU School of Medicine (SOM) is the senior military officer-in-charge of all officers assigned as students to the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine. With the support of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service Company Commanders, the Commandant exercises command and control over the medical and graduate students assigned to the University.

The mission of the Office of the Commandant is to provide military leadership, to teach and instill officership, and to support medical education and professional development so that each student achieves the goal of becoming a world class military physician.

The Commandant reports to the Brigade Commander for military issues and chain of command accountability and serves as the military advisor to the Dean of the SOM. Duties and responsibilities of the Commandant, SOM include: 

• Deputy Brigade Commander
• Chairman, Board of Review of Inter-service Transfers
• Member, Student Promotions Committee
• Member, Student Award Committee
• Advisor to the Dean and Associate Dean for Student Affairs
• Provides student resources for Service-specific military career counseling and officer professional development
• Model, stimulate, and foster professional leadership and officership
• Directs Service-specific mandated programs such as physical fitness, weight control, urinalysis testing, officer professional development, and equal opportunity
• Serves as a facilitator for military administrative requirements

CPT Jerry Hickey

MS, USA
USU, C1019
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-4712
(301) 295-9433
e-mail

The Army Company Commander has 248 Army medical students in his command and is responsible for their Officer Professional Development, welfare, morale, and readiness. Additional responsibilities include the supervision and management of all administrative aspects of the company which includes physical fitness testing, weight management, financial management, career development counseling, and drug and alcohol testing. Additionally this position carries with it an appointment as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine which entails assisting in the instruction of basic field medical skills courses and combat medical skills courses. The Army Company Commander serves as an advisor to the Commandant on all matters pertaining to the professional development of all student officers in all the branches of service represented at USU; Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Public Health Service. 

SFC Clifford Shoemake, USA

USU, C1019
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
301-295-0593
e-mail

The Army Company Enlisted Advisor assists the Army Company Commander in all matters relating to the professional development of the medical students. This includes conducting formations and inspections, providing guidance to students on Army policies, instructions and regulations, and providing a positive example of the credibility and capabilities of the NCO Corps. Additionally, he takes an active role in preparing students to participate in Operation Bushmaster, FTX Kerkesner, and the Antietam Road March.

LCDR Fernando Patron

MSC USN
Navy Company Commander
F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
(301) 295-9434
e-mail

The Navy Company Commander has 202 Navy medical students in his command and is responsible for their Officer Professional Development, welfare, morale, and readiness. Additional responsibilities include the supervision and management of all administrative aspects of the company which includes physical fitness testing, weight management, financial management, career development counseling, and drug and alcohol testing. The Navy Company Commander serves as an advisor to the Commandant on all matters pertaining to the professional development of all student officers in all the branches of service represented at USUHS; Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Public Health Service.

HM1 Jamal Powell, USN

USU, C1019
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
(301) 295-4727
e-mail

The Navy Company and PHS Company Enlisted Advisor assists the Navy Company Commander and the PHS Company Commander in all matters relating to the professional development of the medical students. This includes conducting formations and inspections, providing guidance to students on Navy and PHS policies and regulations, and providing a positive example of the credibility and capabilities of the NCO Corps. Additionally, he takes an active role in preparing students to participate in Operation Bushmaster, FTX Kerkesner, and the Antietam Road March.

LCDR Witzard Seide, MD FAAP

The PHS Company Commander has the PHS medical and graduate students in her command and is responsible for their Officer Professional Development, welfare, morale and readiness. She helps ensure that upon completion of their training they are able to contribute to the mission of the PHS "to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation." Additional responsibilities include the supervision and management of all administrative aspects of the company. She serves as an advisor to the Commandant on all matters pertaining to the professional development of all student officers in all the branches of services represented at USUHS; Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service.

Maj Marquita F. Moore, USAF, BSC

The Air Force Company Commander has 209 Air Force medical students in her command; she is responsible for their Officer Professional Development, welfare, morale, and readiness and serves as a military professional role model.  The Air Force Company Commander serves as an advisor to the Commandant on all matters pertaining to the professional development of all medical and graduate student officers in all the branches of service represented at USUHS; Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Public Health Service, directs process improvement, strategy and policy implementation, and ensures policies are consistent with DoD and Air Force guidelines.  Additional responsibilities include the supervision and management of all administrative aspects of the company such as career development counseling, officer evaluations, physical fitness, financial management, conduct and appearance.  This position carries with it an appointment as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine which entails assisting in the instruction of basic field medical skills courses and combat medical skills courses.

 MSgt Lashelle Bullock

 USUHS, C1019
 4301 Jones Bridge Road
 Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
 301-295-9667
 e-mail

The Air Force Squadron Enlisted Advisor assists the Air Force Squadron Commander in all matters relating to the professional development of the medical students. This includes conducting formations and inspections, providing guidance to students on Air Force policies, instructions and regulations, and providing a positive example of the credibility and capabilities of the NCO Corps.