USAF Nurse Transition Program celebrates first anniversary with University Hospital Cincinnati Published Dec. 17, 2009 By Laura McGowan 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Fourteen Air Force nurses participated in the fifth graduation ceremony for the Nurse Transition Program Friday, Dec. 4 at University Hospital in Cincinnati. The ceremony marked the completion of the first year of the program. University Hospital Cincinnati and the U.S. Air Force established the Nurse Transition Program Oct. 7, 2008 to provide newly graduated registered nurses advanced clinical and deployment readiness for service in the Air Force Nurse Corps. Nurses undergo 11 weeks of intensive clinical training to prepare them to work in military hospitals and to provide medical care to joint warfighters at "down range" medical facilities in locations like Afghanistan and Iraq. University Hospital is the first civilian hospital to host an AF NTP program. The nurses were trained in rotations to the Center for Emergency Care Unit, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Burn Unit, Endoscopy Clinic, Holmes Same Day Surgery and Respiratory Therapy. Maj. Christine Berberick, chief of the nurse transition program at University Hospital, officiated the ceremony for the 14 NTP graduates. Ms. Mavis Bechtle, chief nursing office, and Lt. Col. Claire Sheffield, acting, chief nurse, from the 88th Medical Group at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, spoke to the graduating class, and Col. Brian Anderson, 88th Inpatient Operations Squadron commander, gave the graduates final comments. The graduates are: 2nd Lt. Jodie Cantey, from Dover, Del. 2nd Lt. Elesha Clark, Augusta, Ga. 2nd Lt. Kathryn Clark, Peachtree City, Ga. 2nd Lt. Lisa Dinse, Napolean, Mich. 2nd Lt. Ruthanne, Freswick Byron Center, Mich. 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson, Philadelphia, Pa. 2nd Lt. Jaimie Laib, New Rockford, N.D. 2nd Lt. Casey Langworhty, Dodge City, Minn. 2nd Lt. Kathleen Lloyd, Milwaukee, Wisc. 2nd Lt. Hilary Marinchak, Glen Mills, Pa. 2nd Lt. Travis Schaffer, Londonville, Ohio 2nd Lt. Shauna Shelton, Sunray, Texas 2nd Lt. Veronica Spencer, Brooklyn, N.Y. 2nd Lt. Erin Wood, Tonganoxie, Tenn. The graduates are assigned to Langley AFB, Va., and Aviano Air Base, Italy. USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)