Veterans Day honors the legacy of service and profound sacrifice made by members of the United States Armed Forces. This Veterans Day we celebrate Andrew Bogart, whose military record was a distinguished one in Iraq, where he rose to the rank of sergeant.

Although he says that his tour of duty was not easy, his experience in battle helped him appreciate all he has and all that he could accomplish. This helped motivate him to study medicine once he returned to the United States.

Andrew began his studies in May 2008 at American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine using G.I. Bill education benefits. Andrew says that AUA has been extremely helpful with the G.I. Bill benefits, which enabled him to reduce his loans and pay for his licensing exams. He views the benefits as a way that his country has demonstrated its gratitude to him, and he is grateful for the benefits that have helped him pursue his medical career. Andrew also received a U.S. Military Recognition Award scholarship granted by AUA.

Besides being a soldier and a medical student, Andrew is well-rounded: a competitive weight-lifter, a former semi-professional football player, and a versatile musician who plays the guitar and cello. It’s interesting to note that Andrew and his twin brother were the first in his family to graduate college and this success motivated their mother to earn a college degree.

Andrew will be graduating from AUA in April 2012 with an MBA in Health Care Administration and his MD. He says that he has greatly enjoyed all his clinical rotations. His favorite thus far has been Anesthesiology and he appreciates the vast training in clinical physiology and pharmacology needed for this specialty. Andrew is presently completing his clinical clerkship at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. He plans on applying for a residency in Anesthesiology following the 2012 Match.