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Colonel (DR.) NATHAN SCHWAMBURGER

Colonel Schwamburger is the Commander of the 56th Medical Group, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. He is responsible for all medical care and medical support to the 56th Fighter Wing, including 26 squadrons and all foreign flight training officers from Taiwan and the Republic of Singapore. As commander, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of a multispecialty clinic and a dental clinic, and he is responsible for health services for more than 26,000 Department of Defense beneficiaries.

Colonel Schwamburger is from Wheelersburg, Ohio. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology in May 2002. He graduated from the The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, receiving a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in June 2005. Colonel Schwamburger entered active duty on 4 July 2005. His background includes clinical dentistry and dental eduction positions. Colonel Schwamburger deployed to Liberia in support of Operation United Assistance to fight Ebola. He has also served on two Humanitarian Missions to Haiti and Peru, rendering care in support of SOUTHCOM’s New Horizons missions. From these experiences, Colonel Schwamburger has extensive knowledge of the AF Expeditionary Medical Support System. Prior to this assignment, Colonel Schwamburger was commander of the 56th Healthcare Operations Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona.  

EDUCATION:

2002 Bachelor of Arts (Zoology), Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

2005 Doctorate of Dental Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

2005 Commisioned Officer Training, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

2006 USAF Advanced Education in General Dentistry-1, Travis AFB, California

2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence

2009 USAF Advanced Clinical Dentistry Preceptorship, Geilenkirchen NATO AB, Germany

2011 USAF Advanced Education in General Dentistry-2, Lackland, AFB, Texas

2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence

2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, in-residence

2018 Masters of Strategic Studies, Air Univeristy, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

  1. Aug 05 – Aug 06, AEGD-1 Resident, 60th Dental Squadron, Travis AFB, California
  2. Aug 06 – May 09, General Dental Officer, 470th Air Base Squadron, Geilenkirchen NATO AB, Germany
  3. May 09 – Jul 11, AEGD-2 Resident, 59th Medical Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas
  4. Jul 11 – Jun 15, Deputy Director AEGD-1, 633rd Dental Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
  5. Jun 15 – Jul 17, Dental Flight Commander, 628th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina
  6. Jul 17 – Jun 18, Student, Air War College, Montgomery AFB, Alabama
  7. Jun 18 – June 19, Commander, 56th Dental Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona
  8. June 19 – July 21, Commander, 56th Healthcare Operations Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona
  9. July 21 – present, Commander, 56th Medical Group, Luke AFB, Arizona

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Medal

Armed Forces Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

 

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

2012 – Air Combat Command Dental Educator of the Year

2016 – Led Air Force Small Dental Clinic of the Year

 

LICENSES:

Ohio State Dental Board

 

RESEARCH/PUBLICATIONS:

Schwamburger, NT, Hancock RH, et. al.  The rate of adverse events during IV conscious sedation.  General Dentistry.  September/October 2012.  60(5):e341-344.

 

Rate of Adverse Events in Conscious IV Sedation.  Internation Association of Dental Research Poster Presentation, March 2011.

 

Socket Preservation.  Academy of Operative Dentistry Annual Meeting Table Clinic, February 2011.

 

Nickel-Titanium Rotary File Fracture: Causes & Prevention. California Dental Association Table Clinic, May 2006

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:

Diplomate, American Board of General Dentistry

Pre-Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Captain                             26 May 2005

Major                                26 May 2011   

Lieutenant Colonel           26 May 2016

Colonel                             17 May 2020

 

(Current as of July 2021)