AZCOM Military Students Celebrate Residency Matches
Thirteen future physicians take the next step in military medicine
- AZ - Glendale
From left, top: 2nd Lt. Hannah Heskin, 2nd Lt. Breanna Boyle, 2nd Lt. Alexandra Sween, 2nd Lt. Jacob Thiessen, 2nd Lt. Michael Boger
From left, bottom: 2nd Lt. Jonathan Tuscano, 2nd Lt. Madelyn Nickell.
For military students in the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM), Match Day comes earlier than the rest of the class. In this annual celebration, military students receive residency matches for their military healthcare service. This year, 13 students from Midwestern University’s Glendale campus participated in the military match after completing multiple audition rotations at programs throughout the country.
Among them was 2nd Lt. Hannah Heskin (AZCOM ’26), who matched with David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California for Family Medicine. Of her residency match, she said, “I look forward to expanding my clinical and patient care skills while caring for a patient population that I care deeply about including active-duty military members, their families, and retirees.”
2nd Lt. Michael Bogert (AZCOM ’26) spoke of what he anticipates for his match at Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. “I’m looking forward to further expanding my capabilities as a future family medicine physician, so that I can provide quality care, anytime, anywhere,” he said.
Similarly, 2nd Lt. Elias Sherzad (AZCOM ’26) anticipates the further medical experience he will gain in his residency in Internal Medicine at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Elias said, “I’m looking forward to continuing my education to enable me to be the best physician I can for my patients.”
Overall, the military students in this year’s graduating class are eager to enter their career field and begin applying the skills they’ve spent years developing.
2nd Lt. Jonathan Tuscano (AZCOM ’26) said, “I’m looking forward to finally being able to do what I want to do in medicine. I’m excited to learn how to read diagnostic imaging and play a critical role in the patient’s healing process. Regarding military service, I’m grateful I’ll be able to serve our country’s Air Force personnel and their families, providing them with the care they deserve.” Jonathan will complete his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the David Grand Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California.
Reflecting on the preparation that led him to this next stage, Johnathan credited his education for equipping him with the necessary skills to succeed, noting that “AZCOM did a phenomenal job providing high quality rotations at locations that prioritize and teach essential clinical skills, like history taking and performing a thorough physical exam.”
2nd Lt. Jacob Thiessen (AZCOM ’26) added that, “Major Julie Brown and our new advisor Dr. Carl Bryce were fantastic in helping us understand the idiosyncrasies of the military and the application process. I’ve appreciated all the extra hours they put in to help us serve.”
These successful matches reflect Midwestern’s commitment to preparing tomorrow’s healthcare team, wherever their careers take them. AZCOM honored this year’s military students and their matches at a celebration and dinner in December, where their matches were announced to friends and family. The military students will also be honored at a Commissioning Ceremony as part of 2026 commencement.
Congratulations to all!
| Student | Branch | Specialty | Program | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Bogert | Air Force | Family Medicine | Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center, Nellis AFB | Nevada |
| Dean Boswell | Air Force | Emergency Medicine | UC Davis/Travis AFB | California |
| Breanna Boyle | Air Force | Transitional Year – PGY 1 | Travis AFB | California |
| Jesse Grossman | Air Force | Transitional Year – PGY 1 | Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) | Texas |
| Hannah Heskin | Air Force | Family Medicine | David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB | California |
| Elias Sherzad | Air Force | Internal Medicine – PGY 1 | Wright-Patterson AFB Medical Center | Ohio |
| Alexandra Sween | Air Force | Family Medicine | Eglin Air Force Base | Florida |
| Jacob Thiessen | Air Force | Civilian Deferred | ||
| Jonathan Tuscano | Air Force | Diagnostic Radiology | David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB | California |
| Sariah Watchalotone | Air Force | Internal Medicine | Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) | Texas |
| Madelyn Nickell | Army | Emergency Medicine | Madigan Army Medical Center | Washington |
| Jordan Hakes | Navy | General Surgery | Naval Medical Center San Diego | California |
| Ching-wen Huang | Navy | Internal Medicine | Naval Medical Center Portsmouth | Virginia |