Army doctors on Keesler staff

  • Published
  • By Steve Pivnick
  • 81st Medical Group Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Keesler Medical Center now boasts two Army physicians among its "Dragon Medics." 

Capt. (Dr.) Leslie Weeks is one of the newest obstetrician/gynecologists assigned to the 81st Surgical Operations Squadron Women's Health Clinic. She joined Maj. (Dr.) Amanda Bell, chief of the 81st Medical Operations Squadron endocrinology department. 

In addition, Army veterinarian Maj. (Dr.) Mary Cooper is assigned to the 81st Medical Support Squadron Clinical Research Laboratory. 

The two physicians are the first Army doctors to join the 81st Medical Group staff since before Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005. 

Captain Weeks came to Keesler in July after completing her four-year residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Wash. This is her first permanent-duty assignment. 

After earning her bachelor's degree in biology from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 2000, she entered the Department of Defense Health Professions Scholarship Program. She graduated from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2005. 

The captain is pleased to be at Keesler since she calls La Place, La., home. 

Major Bell arrived at Keesler in August 2008 "just before Gustav made us all evacuate," she recalled. She had just completed a two-year fellowship in endocrinology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. 

The major entered the Army in 2001 following graduation from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. She also earned her undergraduate degree from Washington University. After a three-year internal medicine residency at Walter Reed, Major Bell was assigned to Fort Stewart, Ga., in 2004, spending two years there before entering the fellowship program. 

As an endocrinologist, the major sees adult patients with diabetes as well as thyroid, pituitary gland and adrenal gland problems and osteoporosis. She sees patients by referral from either the family health or internal medicine clinics. 

"We began a special diabetes program in January," she said. DICE -- Diabetes Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Evaluation -- "targets diabetics enrolled to Keesler Medical Center who have the worst control of the disease. We're trying to get better control of it." 

Commenting on her "blue" assignment, Major Bell, who hails from Kansas City, Mo., said, "I'm really enjoying the Air Force. It's nice seeing a different perspective of military life. Everyone here is so friendly. There is lots of camaraderie among the staff."