Army-Baylor Celebrates Student and Faculty Award Recipients
The Army-Baylor MHA/MBA program recognizes outstanding students and faculty for their leadership, academic excellence and service.
2025 Didactic Year Award Winners
Michael S. Franz Award for Commitment and Service in the Program
Ensign James Owens
Ensign James Owens was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Michael T. Franz Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership, academic excellence, service and commitment to the Army-Baylor community. Throughout the didactic year, Owens distinguished himself as a compassionate and positive presence within his cohort, consistently supporting the well-being, morale and success of both his classmates and faculty. An approachable and trusted informal leader, he intentionally fostered connection among his peers, coordinated opportunities to strengthen class cohesion and created an environment in which others felt supported, valued and encouraged to succeed. Owens paired this commitment to others with his own pursuit of academic excellence, continually seeking opportunities to learn, improve and contribute meaningfully to the program. His optimism, humility, grace under pressure and service-oriented leadership made him a steady and uplifting influence on those around him. Owens’ dedication to his classmates, the program and his own continued growth exemplifies the spirit and intent of the Michael T. Franz Award.
Peter T. Shaul Peer Award
John Miller
John Miller, one of the program’s Department of Veterans Affairs students, was selected by his peers as the recipient of the 2025 Peter T. Shaul Award, recognizing the class member who contributed most significantly to the overall welfare of the cohort during the didactic year. Throughout the year, Miller was a steady and highly respected presence within the class, distinguished by his calm and collected demeanor, thoughtful leadership and genuine commitment to the success of those around him. He brought valuable professional knowledge and a VA perspective to classroom discussions, enriching the learning experience of his peers and contributing to the interagency environment that is central to the Army-Baylor experience. Equally important was his willingness to support, encourage and share his expertise with his classmates. His selection by his peers reflects the trust and respect he earned across the cohort and the meaningful impact he had on their collective experience.
Director’s Chair Award
Major Bethany Gurba
Capt. Bethany Gurba was selected by the program director as a recipient of the 2026 Army-Baylor Program Director’s Chair Award, presented to a didactic-year student who demonstrates exceptional potential for future success and impact within the federal health sector. Throughout the didactic year, Gurba distinguished herself through her professionalism, leadership and genuine commitment to her classmates and the Army-Baylor community. She was a consistent source of support to her peers, actively volunteered her time in service to the program and community and brought valuable operational leadership experience to the classroom. As an award recipient, Gurba received the coveted Program Director’s Chair, engraved with the Baylor University seal and personalized with her name. The award is made possible through the generosity of retired Brig. Gen. Donald B. Wagner, USAF, MSC, a 1960 Army-Baylor MHA graduate and longtime supporter of the program and its students.
2025 Residency Award Winners
Colonel Richard Harder Award for Top Best Practice
Dan Sweet, Brooke Army Medical Center
- Enhancing Patient Safety: Barcode Medication Administration Compliance in an Inpatient Setting
- Utilization Assignment- Chief, Clinical Support Division, Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York
J. Dewey Lutes Award for Peer Research/Top Project
Michael Pikul, Health Facilities Planning Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
- A Mixed-Methods Business Case Analysis (BCA) for Evaluating Phlebotomy Lab Expansion at Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center (ATAMMC)
- Utilization Assignment- Synchronization Staff Officer (SSO) - Medical, HQDA G-8 DAPR CDS (Department of the Army Plans, Resources, and Operations Directorate; Capability Directorate – Sustainment)
Boone Powell Award for Excellence in Student Research/Top GMP
Steve Bettger, Methodist Hospital – Stone Oak
- Utilization Assignment- Chief, Business Operations Division, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Dean Toland Award for Preceptor of the Year
Ryan A. Fix, Mayo Clinic in Arizona
Ryan Fix of Mayo Clinic in Arizona earned the Dean Toland Preceptor of the Year Award for creating an extraordinary residency experience that extended well beyond program requirements, from giving his resident a seat alongside C-suite leaders and arranging more than 50 executive connections to entrusting him with meaningful operational leadership responsibilities. Ryan took the time to understand the Army-Baylor Competency Model and deliberately matched experiences, mentorship and professional development opportunities to the resident’s individual growth needs, including support for participation in the ACHE Congress and exposure across the Mayo enterprise. Above all, he distinguished himself through genuine sponsorship and people-first leadership, serving as a steady, accessible mentor whose advocacy, thoughtful feedback and personal investment left his resident more capable, confident and prepared to lead.
2026 Didactic Year Award Winners
Michael S. Franz for Commitment and Service in the Program
Major Theresa Galan
Maj. Theresa Galan was selected by the Army-Baylor MHA/MBA Program faculty as the recipient of the 2026 MAJ Michael S. Franz Award, recognizing her exceptional academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service. Throughout the didactic year, she distinguished herself through her intellectual curiosity, academic rigor and genuine enthusiasm for learning, consistently going beyond course requirements to deepen her understanding and enrich classroom discussions. As both a clinician and one of the more senior members of her cohort, Galan brought valuable professional experience and insight to the classroom while readily supporting and mentoring her peers. Her leadership extended beyond academics through significant community service, including organizing a cohort volunteer event at the San Antonio Food Bank and coordinating donation opportunities for classmates unable to participate in person. Her volunteer contributions were substantial enough to meet the service criteria for the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Through her dedication to scholarship, servant leadership, her classmates and the broader community, Galan exemplifies the qualities and intent of the Maj. Michael S. Franz Award.
Peter T. Shaul Peer Award
Capt. Amelia Weaver
Capt. Amelia Weaver was selected by her classmates as the recipient of the 2026 Peter T. Shaul Award, presented annually to the student who, in the opinion of the class, contributed most significantly to the overall welfare of the cohort during the didactic phase. This peer-selected honor recognizes Weaver’s commitment to her classmates and the positive impact she made on the Army-Baylor community throughout the academic year. Through her support of her peers, willingness to contribute to the success of the group and dedication to fostering a strong and collaborative class environment, she exemplified the spirit of camaraderie, service and teamwork embodied by the Peter T. Shaul Award. Weaver was formally recognized during the closing ceremony marking the completion of the 2026 didactic year.
Director’s Chair Award
Captain Amelia Weaver
Weaver was also selected as a recipient of the 2026 Army-Baylor Program Director’s Chair Award. This distinguished recognition reflects Mia’s accomplishments throughout the didactic year, as well as her demonstrated leadership potential, professionalism and commitment to advancing federal healthcare. As an award recipient, she received the coveted Program Director’s Chair, engraved with the Baylor University seal and personalized with her name. The award is made possible through the generosity and enduring support of retired Brig. Gen. Donald B. Wagner, USAF, MSC, a 1960 graduate of the Army-Baylor MHA Program and longtime champion of the program and its students.
2026 Residency Award Winners
Colonel Richard Harder Award for Top Best Practice
Lt. j.g. James Owens, DHA HQ
- Interagency Collaboration at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
- Utilization Assignment- Department Head of Human Resources, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
J. Dewey Lutes Award for Peer Research/Top Project
John Miller, Central Virginia VA Health Care System
- Business Case Analysis: Using Targeted Contract Services to Achieve Cleanliness
Standards - Utilization Assignment- Central Virginia VA Health Care System
Boone Powell Award for Excellence in Student Research/Top Graduate Management Portfolio
Maj. Bethany Gurba, Madigan Army Medical Center
- Utilization Assignment- Healthcare Administrator, Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, Kansas
Don Wagner Director's Staff Award for Greatest Residency Impact
Capt. Dylon Bowman, DHA HQ
- Utilization Assignment- Deputy Branch Chief, Innovation and Emerging Technology Division, Office of Warfighter Health Advantage, Defense Health Agency
Dean Toland Award for Preceptor of the Year
Matt Wain, Emory Healthcare
Matt Wain of Emory Healthcare earned the Dean Toland Preceptor of the Year Award for the deliberate, hands-on mentorship he provided throughout the residency, personally integrating his resident into executive leadership, entrusting him with high-impact projects and ensuring he was treated as a developing healthcare leader rather than simply an observer. Drawing on his own experience as a retired U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot, Wain uniquely bridged the military and civilian healthcare environments, using executive meetings, strategic discussions and regular debriefs as opportunities to build judgment, confidence and independent leadership. His commitment extended well beyond a single resident: over seven years he helped establish Army-Baylor residency opportunities at both Emory and MUSC and even after retiring from his hospital president role, he continued weekly mentorship, leaving a lasting legacy of investment in the development of future military healthcare leaders.
Educator of the Year Award
The Educator of the Year Award is selected annually by Army-Baylor students to recognize a faculty member who has made an exceptional contribution to their learning and development. Recipients exemplify excellence in teaching, mentorship, student engagement and a commitment to preparing the next generation of federal healthcare leaders.
2025 Educator of the Year
Dr. Loren Bailey
2026 Educator of the Year
Dr. Joshua Fansler
