Bedside Manner

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DEL. --  Caring about others and their betterment is a trait to be admired. It is also one we expect from medical professionals.

The 436th Medical Operations Squadron has a lot of Airmen who share this trait, in particular a physician's assistant who loves his job and desires to see his patients succeed.

Capt. Quinton Weigner is a prior-enlisted Airman who was a 14-year master sergeant and aircraft armament specialist before he made the switch to the medical field.

"I just always liked science. The Air Force has a wonderful program that allows you to train with the other branches of service at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine," he said. "I've been a physican's assistant for five-and-a-half years. I love it. I love the job. It's a lot of work, but it is so worth it to do the type of work I do."

Captain Weigner is the lead provider at MDOS for diabetes management. He manages his patients through an excel sheet he created that helps monitor his patients. He also makes sure that all of their requirements are up to date.

Captain Weigner is a physically fit oriented motivator. He hopes that his patients can succeed by being fit.

"He is a great motivator who takes charge," said Tech. Sgt. Juan Molina, 436th Medical Operations Squadron, family practice non-comissioned officer in charge. "He is also very professional. He tries to motivate and manage his patients to be physically ready for the job. He is an excellent asset to the Air Force. He is a great mentor."

One person who can attest to the mentorship of Captain Weigner is Airman 1st Class Juliet Corcillo, who has worked with him for the past nine months.

Airman Corcillo, whose future plans include becoming a doctor, said the captain is a great person to seek advice from.

"We work together a lot," Airman Corcillo said. "He used to be enlisted and he is a role model for me. I want to be become a doctor as well, so I can go to him for advice on how to further my career."

Capt. Weigner recently applied and was awarded a fellowship by the Air Force  to Baylor University in Waco, Texas to get a Doctorate of Science - Physician Assistant degree in orthopedics. He said keeping people healthy is the main reason he chose orthopedics as his specialty.

"Orthopedics is a field of medicine to keep people active," Captain Weigner said. "You deal with hypertension, high-cholesterol, and obesity. It's an aspect of medicine where I can help others maintain a healthy lifestyle."

Captain Weigner said his goals are to finish his fellowship and to keep doing the best he can in all he does until his military career is finished.

"I just want to make it through and learn my new specialty," Captain Weigner said. "I want to become as good as I can be until I finish my career."