Col. Stephen R. Boden is the Commander, 56th Medical Operations Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. He optimizes performance and ensures medical readiness of the human weapons system for the largest fighter wing in the Air Force. The colonel also provides comprehensive medical care to 5,500 uniformed personnel and 92,000 beneficiaries by promoting health, maintaining wellness, and minimizing the impact of illness. The Family Health, Medical Services, Surgical Services, and Behavioral Health Flights support over 140,000 ambulatory visits and 500 patient surgeries annually.
Colonel Boden, a Salt Lake City, Utah, native, entered the Air Force through the Health Processions Scholarship Program. He graduated from Creighton University, Neb., in 1997 with a Doctor of Medicine degree and completed his internship and residency in Pediatrics at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Educational Consortium. Following nine years of clinical assignments, Colonel Boden completed fellowship training at Duke University, N.C. in Allergy and Immunology in 2011. He is board certified in Pediatrics as well as Allergy/Immunology.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
1997 Doctor of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
1998 Internship, Pediatrics, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, Lackland AFB, Texas
2000 Residency, Pediatrics, SAUSHEC, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Fellowship, Allergy/Immunology, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1997 - December 1998, Pediatric Intern, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. December 1998 - July 2000, Pediatric Resident, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. July 2000 - July 2002, Pediatrician, Dover AFB, Del.
4. July 2002 - June 2004, Pediatrics Flight Commander, Dover AFB, Del.
5. June 2004 - July 2007, Pediatrician, Bitburg Annex, Germany
6. July 2007 - June 2009, Maternal Child Flight Commander, Bitburg Annex, Germany
7. June 2009 - July 2011, Air Force Institute of Technology Fellow in Allergy/Immunology, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
8. July 2011 - May 2013, Allergist, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
9. May 2013 - July 2015, Medical Services Flight Commander, RAF Lakenheath, England
10. July 2015 - present, Commander, 56th Medical Operations Squadron, Luke AFB Ariz.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Dec. 27, 1993
Captain May 17, 1997
Major May 17, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel May 17. 2009
Colonel May 17, 2015
(Current as of July 2015)