Newswise — Bethesda, MD – Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Andrew “Drew” Morgan has officially joined the ranks of Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and Buzz Aldrin as one of America’s newest astronauts. Morgan, a 2002 Doctor of Medicine graduate of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and 1998 West Point alumnus, was selected for the space program in 2013 and recently completed the rigorous two-year NASA astronaut candidate training program along with seven other military and civilian candidates. During the past 24 months they participated in a wide array of technical training that included robotics, simulated spacewalk training, flight training, and Russian language instruction. Morgan is the first Army physician to be selected as an astronaut.

While he awaits his turn to fly to the International Space Station, Morgan will spend the next several years in the NASA Astronaut Office's Extravehicular Activity branch working on spacesuit design. Morgan, who trained in emergency and sports medicine and saw combat service with Special Forces, will apply a unique perspective to his new role in furthering human exploration of space.

"The military gave me special skills, leadership experiences and incredible mentors along my path to becoming an astronaut. I wouldn't be here without them and it will be my honor to represent the Army and military medicine in space."

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About the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, founded by an act of Congress in 1972, is the nation’s federal health sciences university and the academic heart of the Military Health System. USU students are primarily active duty uniformed officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Public Health Service who receive specialized education in tropical and infectious diseases, TBI and PTSD, disaster response and humanitarian assistance, global health, and acute trauma care. A large percentage of the university’s more than 5,200 physician and 1,000 advanced practice nursing alumni are supporting operations around the world, offering their leadership and expertise. USU also has graduate programs in biomedical sciences and public health committed to excellence in research, and in oral biology. The University's research program covers a wide range of clinical and other topics important to both the military and public health. For more information about USU and its programs, visit www.usuhs.edu.

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