To recognize Women’s History Month, NASPGHAN would like to highlight Captain Lynelle M. Boamah, MD, MEd. Dr. Boamah’s contribution to our field and our nation is difficult to measure. She was a Pediatric Residency Program Director, training many young pediatricians. She was the first Black female Medical Corps Commanding Officer of a Naval Hospital. Currently, she works on the staff of a Navy 3-star Admiral advising them on expeditionary healthcare delivery aboard ships and health protection of the force (about 70,000 Sailors). These are just a few of her roles and accomplishments. Read below to learn more.
Name: Lynelle M. Boamah, MD, MEd
Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy
Current position and institution: I am the U.S. Navy Third Fleet Chief Medical Officer; I maintain privileges at Naval Medical Center San Diego (CA).
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Favorite GI disease: I do not have a favorite GI disease, but I enjoy treating patients with functional constipation, nutrition disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Hobbies: I enjoy watching and supporting my children’s sports activities across their middle, high school, and college careers – they are pretty great! I also like rollerblading and hiking with my dog, Lady (no rollerblades!).
Favorite Vacation Spot: Hawaii! Although not an actual vacation, I enjoyed my Navy deployments to Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. I hope to take my family back to visit these beautiful countries in the near future.
Favorite Activist: I am inspired by women like Viola Davis and the strong women in my family, especially my Mom, Lynn Bowens. They are beautiful, proud and resilient.
Book You Recommend: I recommend Finding Me, by Viola Davis. It is a triumphant story of courage, grit, and success.
Best Career Advice You’ve Received: I’ve received lots of great career advice, but the one piece of advice that bubbles up to my conscious most often was from Dr. Bill Balistreri during the last week of my fellowship in Cincinnati. He said, “You are no longer the novice, you are the expert.” Those words solidified my confidence in who I had become. I still walk in that authority, especially in my current job. My best career advice to myself is to never, never let anyone stop you from achieving your dreams. Let’s goooo!
Read this 3/1/22 article from the U.S. Department of Defense to learn even more:
Face of Defense: Healing With Fortitude
