The Air Force Academy donor community is uniquely well traveled, and we often hear from members in faraway places. Dr. Golden, '79, and his family are currently living and volunteering in Africa. He generously took the time to share his thoughts about the importance of service and supporting his alma mater.
Tell us a little about yourself...
After graduating from the Academy in 1979, I spent two years as a line officer before beginning my medical studies on an Air Force Health Professions Scholarship. I trained in Pediatrics at David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB CA and then was fortunate to immediately enter my specialty training of Neonatology (Newborn Intensive Care) at the University of California San Diego Medical Center.
My wife, Kim, and I then went to Okinawa, Japan, where I served for three years as a Neonatologist in the US Naval Hospital, Okinawa, while assigned to Kadena Air Base. After this, we spent the next three years at Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center, Germany. In 1998, I retired from active duty to join a practice in Tacoma, Washington, still performing Newborn Intensive Care, at one of Washington's largest neonatal care centers.
My Air Force career continued during this time, though. I joined the Air Force Reserve in 2002, and served for eight years as a Flight Surgeon and even enjoyed a two year gig as an Aeromedical and Dental Squadron commander, 446 Airlift Wing, McChord AFB. I retired from the Reserve in May of 2010.
What inspired you to begin contributing to the Academy?
I wanted to begin supporting the Air Force Academy because I realized that my USAFA experience was so critical for me in my pursuits after the Academy. I had become well compensated as a physician in a specialty I very much enjoy. But I firmly believe that achieving my goal to become a physician was, in large part, a result of what I had learned during my formative years at the Academy and what I had become as a man, an officer, and one who is compelled to serve. Therefore, since I was financially blessed, I could now share some of that good fortune with the institution I credit for getting me down that path to a healing profession.
Why Liberia, and why volunteer to serve there as a physician?
There are many facets to my answer: I was feeling complacent and unaware of the fullness of my opportunities to practice as a physician in a truly amazing society. I felt a need to shake up my life and my career with something very different from what I had been doing for the last 18 years as a newborn specialist. I wanted to share my love of medicine, people, and service with my wife and children in an up-close and personal way -- we are all six in this little adventure together -- but in as pure a sense as possible, as a volunteer, expecting only new experiences as my reward. And when I look back at the story of my life, I want just one chapter that contains something like: "Dad, Honey -- tell us again just what you were thinking at the time, why did you drag all of us to Africa -- something about boldness in life, adventure, service, our fellow man?"
Why do you and your family continue to give to the Academy while currently providing volunteer services overseas?
My wife Kim, who is a former Air Force officer and nurse, and I both love to teach. We also love to travel and learn about new cultures, and we enjoy meeting new people. She quickly understood the conviction I held for supporting the Academy and supported my giving to the Air Force Academy Fund at the Sabre Society level. She also shares in my passion for teaching Newborn Resuscitation skills in overseas venues. We both see a duty to share that with which we have been blessed. And we uphold the vision that we can do both -- support the Air Force Academy Fund, and take an unpaid leave of absence to Liberia for over 3 months to work as volunteers in the nation's sole Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Monrovia, Liberia. Lastly, I felt a strong need to test myself and my family: can we forego the phenomenal assets we possess as a nation and as Americans, leaving them aside while going to live among the people of a developing nation who need something that we can share? We felt we could take on this test.
Why do you feel it is important for people to support the Academy in this way?
As a grad, I know the value and essence of my undergraduate years at the Academy and how these rich experiences launched each of us on a path of a fulfilling or meaningful life. I felt that as an institution of learning and instruction, the Air Force Academy was, and is, unparalleled in what it offers to young men and women for academic, athletic, leadership, and future career opportunities. All USAFA graduates are bonded by that experience -- rich, unique, and life-changing. I desired to stay connected to that legacy of exceptional men and women and felt that, as a donor, I could attain such a connection.
If you'd like to learn more, follow the Golden family's experiences in Liberia on their blog.
If you would like to join them in supporting our cadets and graduates through gifts at the Sabre Society level, please contact our Leadership Annual Gift Officer at Jason.Huber@usafaendowment.org or (719) 330-9660.
