Support Airman of the Week: Lt. Atitya

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

1st Lt. Amanda Atitya, 82nd Medical Operations Squadron family nurse practitioner, primary care manager and native of Clovis, California, has been in the Air Force for one year and seven months and is the Support Airman of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base for the week of Apr. 5-11, 2016.

 

Most significant accomplishments:

 

  • Helped train her cousin to complete 1st half marathon.

  • Taught basketball fundamentals to ten 7-9-year-olds.

  • Precept nurse practitioner student from Midwestern State University.

Airman’s story:

 

“I was born and raised in Clovis, California,” Atitya said. “I come from a large family where aunts and uncles served as secondary parental figures and cousins were like siblings. My father left his family, 12 siblings in all, at the age of 17 and moved to the United States from Thailand in search of a better life and to pursue the American dream. Dad was able to learn a new country, teach himself a new language, and graduate from Stanford University with his Ph. D in education.”

 

“My mom is one of seven children, born and raised in California singlehandedly by my grandmother,” she continued. “When my sisters - there are 4 of us - and I were still in school, Mom made the choice to go back to school and purse her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. There were many sleepless nights, but Mom saw her dream through to fruition, graduating with honors and becoming a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. Today, she and my father both work for the local school district back home.”

 

“When it came time for me to choose what I wanted to do with life after high school,” she said, “I knew that I wanted to give back and chase after a career in which I could help other people while making a difference. I joined the Air Force and accepted an appointment to United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. While there, I had the privilege of meeting some of the most amazing people who challenged and inspired me to be the best I could be so I could better serve those around me.”

 

“In 2012, I graduated with a biology degree and was commissioned by my godfather, who epitomizes the idea of selfless service and love of country, having served honorably in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years,” Atitya said. “At graduation, I was informed that I would be able to attend nursing school and chase after my dream of working in the medical field. I completed my studies in 2014 and reentered Active Duty as a Family Nurse Practitioner.”

 

“Since my arrival at Sheppard, I have hit the ground running, learning a lot about people and my role in taking care of them,” she said. “Outside of work, I enjoy giving back to the community, whether that is through sharing my love of sports with local youth or serving at the faith mission. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than outside enjoying the sun and exploring some place new. I try to get back home as often as I can and visit with family. Nothing makes me happier than making someone smile and making their day just a little bit brighter.”

 

Commander’s comments:

 

“Lieutenant Atitya is a primary care manager and addresses healthcare needs of 1100 active duty, retirees, and dependents; ensures mission readiness and maximize deployment availability of active duty personnel,” said Capt. Andrew Morton, family physician and primary care flight commander. “She is also Sheppard Air Force Base’s SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) medical responder for victims of sexual assault on base for both the 80th Flying Training Wing and the 82nd Training Wing.”