Vocational Leadership and Agents of Change Lt. Gen. Nadja West Vocational Leadership and Agents of Change

Background and eDUCATION Lt. Gen. Nadja West is the 44th Surgeon General of the US Army and Commanding General of US Army MedComm Graduated from US Military Academy with a B.S. in Engineering Received her M.D. from George Washington University School of Medicine Completed her Internship and Residency in Family Medicine and a Second Residency in Dermatology

Career Successes Officer in Charge of Aviation Clinic- Fort Campbell Chief, Dermatology Service- Heidelberg Army Hospital, Germany Held many command positions before Surgeon General: Commanding General Europe Regional Medical Command Commander of Womack Army Medical Center Division Surgeon, 1st Armored Division, Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany Joint Staff Surgeon

Awards and Accomplishments First black Army Surgeon General First black female major general in Army medicine First Army black female lieutenant general Highest ranking female to have graduated from West Point Military Academy

Challenges Overcome Orphan and youngest of 12 adopted children Faced discrimination and prevailing stigmas that exist against females and minorities in military leadership positions Balancing family and career Feeling afraid and holding back

Inspiration Mother, sisters, and other female role models in the military Her father who taught her the value of service, humility and being a part of something bigger than oneself The men and women she serves "Don't ever let anyone sway you from your dreams, if you can think it and dream it -- and you're prepared -- then I say go for it. Go for it and don't hold back,"

Leadership and Vocational Calling Vocational calling: God’s call to individuals to pursue a career for His service based on one’s passions, gifts, interests and human needs. Lt. Gen. West is a leader who responded to her vocational calling by pursuing her passions despite facing many challenges She now inspires others to do the same-an important characteristic of a true leader I hope I can be an inspiration to any one or any group that has not seen themselves in certain positions. We all want to see people who look like us doing certain things to give us inspiration. Hopefully, I can inspire someone to be able to say, 'I can do that.’”