1st Lt. Ha Eun Ryoo, the commander of the public health flight in the 90th Operational Readiness Medical Squadron, is captured in her office at the 90th Medical Group on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming on February 7, 2024. In her role, Ryoo supervises a team of Airmen responsible for community and force health management. The photograph was taken by Senior Airman Sarah Post of the U.S. Air Force.
According to 1st Lt. Ha Eun Ryoo, coincidences are not random occurrences. This belief was reinforced when she arrived at Fort Sam Huston in Texas and found herself in the right place at the right time to administer CPR to a child in distress, ultimately saving their life.
Ryoo pursued her passion for studying communicable health by obtaining a degree in genetic developmental biology from Stony Brook University in New York. Subsequently, she worked as a laboratory scientist in Washington, D.C., engaging in tasks such as organism dissection and genetic manipulation for two years. However, her desire for career advancement led her to enlist in the U.S. Army as a combat medic, where she spent four years honing her skills in providing emergency medical care, including triage procedures to stabilize patients.
Despite the impact of her military service, Ryoo felt compelled to further her aspirations. Armed with a master’s degree in public health, she transitioned to the U.S. Air Force through a commissioning program in 2023.
Currently serving as the public health flight commander at the 90th Missile Wing, Ryoo leads a team of public health professionals responsible for community and force health management. Additionally, she serves as the alternate public health emergency officer for the base, a role for which she underwent specialized training at Fort Sam Huston, Texas, from January 24 to February 2, 2024.
During her assignment in Texas, Ryoo’s swift actions and medical expertise proved critical when she encountered a child in distress at the base gate. Observing security forces personnel struggling with CPR efforts, Ryoo intervened and successfully resuscitated the child.
In reflecting on the incident, Ryoo emphasized the importance of CPR training and readiness, highlighting the profound impact such skills can have in emergency situations. She underscored the significance of genuine compassion and readiness to assist others, emphasizing the value of simple gestures like asking how someone is doing.
Ryoo’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the power of preparedness and empathy in making a difference in people’s lives.