Medic determined to achieve education goals

Published May 16, 2012
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Staff Sgt. Kayla Spiel, 81st Medical Operations Squadron Dermatology Clinic, is determined to meet the goal she set for herself when she enlisted in the Air Force - to further her education.

The future physician accepted four of the six awards presented during the Spring CCAF graduation ceremony, including a $400 Air Force Association Pitsenbarger Award, $200 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Excellence Award, a $100 University of Southern Mississippi Textbook Scholarship Award and a $100 William Carey University Excellence Award. She has earned 79 college credits with a 3.6 grade point average.

Spiel joined the Air Force in June 2007, immediately upon graduation from high school in her hometown of Dupree, S.D.

"I began taking college courses in 2008, concentrating on pre-med," she said. April 19, Spiel marked a milestone in her ultimate goal to earn a medical degree and become a dermatologist as she was presented her Community College of the Air Force degree in allied health sciences.

She hopes eventually to be accepted into the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, located in Bethesda, Md. She currently is taking courses at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College leading to a bachelor's degree in physics.

Maj. (Dr.) Wendi Wohltmann, Dermatology Clinic chief, said she is extremely proud of Spiel. "When she first started working here, she had planned on becoming a physician assistant and did not have a degree. She is an inspiration to others to complete school and shoot for the stars! She is also heavily involved in volunteering and is spearheading a hospital-wide recycling program, completely on her own."

Spiel encourages others to continue their education. "Do not let the fear and convictions of others hinder your dreams. Continue to persevere, expanding your knowledge and achieving your goals."