Veteran profile: a Q & A with Richard Tang, PA-C

As we recognize Veterans Day, we honor the many members of the Loma Linda University Health family who have served our country. Among them is Richard Tang, PA-C, an OB/GYN physician assistant and clerkship director whose 14 years of military service helped shape both his career and his approach to patient care.

In the following Q&A, Tang discusses his military experiences, his path to medicine, and the enduring significance of Veterans Day.

How long did you serve in the U.S. Army, and what inspired you to join?

I served a total of 14 years in the military: nine years on active duty in the U.S. Army and the remaining five in the Army National Guard.

There were several factors that inspired me to join. In high school, I wasn't certain whether I wanted to pursue college without knowing what I wanted to study. Additionally, I felt that going straight to college after high school would place a significant financial burden on my parents, which they simply weren't in a position to take on at the time. A friend of mine who had enlisted the year before first put the idea in my head, and off I went!

Could you tell us a little about your role as a combat medic and your experiences providing medical care in Afghanistan?

I served as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant during my second deployment to Afghanistan. Essentially, you're the one-stop shop for all things medical for your team members and any other personnel attached to your team.

Before deploying, we spent a great deal of time cross-training. My responsibility was to ensure that every teammate knew how to assess a trauma situation, control hemorrhages, pack gunshot wounds, perform a needle decompression, and establish IV access when necessary.

When you're on deployment, your sole purpose is to bring everyone home safe to their families.

During my deployment, I established a field clinic and a small trauma bay in a remote village away from any major military installation. It became somewhat of a lifeline for many local villagers, who were often innocent victims of the war. I treated a wide range of injuries and illnesses, from minor ailments to severe, life-threatening trauma. At times, this meant calling in a MEDEVAC to transport patients to a higher level of care.

Providing care while on missions was a different experience. You're constantly running through worst-case scenarios in your head, mentally preparing for everything that could go wrong while hoping you have everything you need to handle it. In all honesty, it was an incredible load to carry. I've met all my teammate's significant others, their children, and sometimes even their parents. We've had countless backyard BBQs and celebrated numerous birthdays together. When you're on deployment, your sole purpose is to bring everyone home safe to their families.

What was one of the most memorable or meaningful experiences from your time in the military?

The most meaningful thing I gained from my military service was my military family. My teammates have become my brothers, their spouses have become my sisters, and their children are my nieces and nephews.

We've persevered through deployments and grieved the loss of fellow teammates. We've shared experiences that most people will never fully understand, and we've built a bond that time and distance can't easily break.

How did your military service influence your decision to pursue medicine, particularly your specialty in obstetrics and gynecology?

It was through the military that I discovered my passion for medicine. Shortly after my first deployment to Afghanistan, I walked past a scene in a parking lot next to my company building. Several soldiers were screaming in agony and rolling on the ground, covered in fake blood and simulated wounds. Another soldier ripped open a medical bag and immediately went to work.

I asked the battalion surgeon what they were doing. He told me when the next training event would take place, and that moment officially changed the trajectory of my career.

I didn't necessarily envision myself pursuing Obstetrics and Gynecology. I truly have to thank the mentors who helped me recognize the need for compassionate providers in women's health.

Looking back, I remember the profound sense of injustice experienced by women in Afghanistan. Cultural restrictions sometimes prevented them from receiving treatment for their injuries, while their children would have to act as intermediaries to obtain medication for their mothers. Perhaps, without realizing it at the time, those experiences planted the seed that eventually led me to this field of medicine.

What skills or lessons from your military service have stayed with you throughout your medical career?

My military service taught me to be meticulous in my work. We were constantly reminded to avoid complacency because that's often when someone gets hurt or loses their life, whether it's you or the person standing right next to you.

That lesson has stayed with me throughout my medical career. Attention to detail, preparation, and never taking anything for granted are principles I carry with me every day.

What does Veterans Day mean to you personally?

Many people see Veterans Day as a holiday recognizing veterans for their service to our country. For me, it's also a reminder to veterans that their service has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

It's a day to recognize that, in countless ways, their sacrifices and contributions have helped make our homes safer and preserve the freedoms we enjoy. I think it's important for veterans to know that their service mattered and continues to matter.