Medics selected for nurse commissioning program

Published June 23, 2010
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Four "Dragon Medics" have been selected for the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.

Senior Airman Rupert Laco, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron; Staff Sgts. Alana Rayon, 81st Medical Operations Squadron, and Jessica Shealey, 81st Dental Squadron; and Tech. Sgt. Donelle Clark, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron, learned they were accepted June 10 and begin begin the two-year program in August.

They'll be commissioned second lieutenants in the Air Force upon graduation and successful completion of their Nursing Licensing Boards.

Following commissioning, they will attend Commissioned Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and nurse transition training at a military treatment facility offering this program.

Airman Laco will attend the University of South Alabama School of Nursing. He earned his associate's degree in applied sciences from the Community College of the Air Force and received an associate's degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Airman Laco, originally from the Republic of the Philippines, also has an associate's degree in nursing from the University of Perpetual Help in the Philippines. He has been a member of the Air Force since March 2007 and at Keesler since October 2007.

Sergeant Shealey has been an Airman for six years and at Keesler more than a year. Other assignments include Hill AFB, Utah, and Eielson AFB, Alaska.

She has a CCAF associate's degree in dental assisting and general associate's degree in liberal arts from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Sergeant Shealey is married to 1st Lt. Brandon Shealey, 81st Medical Support Squadron, who is prior enlisted and received his commission about 1½ years ago.

She'll complete the two-year program at William Carey University's Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing.

Sergeant Rayon is a 10-year Air Force veteran and has been assigned to Keesler for the past five years. She came here from Holloman AFB, N.M.

The future nurse acquired a CCAF associate's degree in allied health sciences as well as an associate's degree in pre-nursing from MGCCC. She'll attend the USA School of Nursing.

Her husband, Teddy Rayon, is a civilian in the 335th Training Squadron.

Sergeant Clark was recently selected for promotion to master sergeant. He's served in the Air Force for 15 years and has been at Keesler almost four years. He came to Keesler following a three-year tour at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Sergeant Clark earned a CCAF associate's degree in allied health sciences as well as an associate's degree in pre-nursing from MGCCC. Sergeant Clark will attend William Carey, too.

All four begin school Aug. 23.