COMP grad named ""Top Doc"" by Army

When it comes to winning the Army’s “”Top Doc”” award, a pattern is

emerging — they are WesternU alumni.

The latest to join the list is J. Roberto Cilliani, DO 2000, chief

of Clinical Services for the McAfee U.S. Army Health Clinic at the White

Sands Missile Range in south-central New Mexico.

Cilliani, a captain, received the Army Surgeon General’s Physician

Recognition Award, which is given annually to three Army physicians in

the grade of captain through lieutenant colonel who have made significant

contributions to military medicine. WesternU alum Sean Siler, DO ’99,

received the honor in 2003.

Cilliani was presented the award by Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen.

Kevin Kiley at a ceremony in Alexandria, Va. in November.

Cilliani has been at White Sands for nearly two years and in

addition to seeing patients, he supervises two physician assistants and

oversees training for Army medics who are preparing to deploy in support

of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

McAfee Commander Col. Brian Campbell said Cilliani was chosen for

the job at White Sands because he was a family practitioner who had

completed his residency and provide continuity for the community, Because

White Sands is a remote location, Campbell said, his skills as a family

practitioner who can treat infants to retirees and everyone in between

are vital.

“”…Capt Cilliani is far more than a doctor in our medical clinic,””

said Range Commander Brig. Gen. Robert Reese. “”He is the individual most

responsible for the routine and emergency care we receive. His intellect,

technical ability, initiative and stamina are exceptional.””

“”He really is a blessing to the base,”” said Donna Braun, editor of

the base’s newspaper, The Missile Ranger.

Cilliani said being named one of the Army’s “”Top Docs”” won’t change

the way he does business.

“”I am still going to practice medicine the best way I know how and

treat everybody the same,”” he said. “”One time I had a retired general as

a cardiac patient and I treated him with a lot of respect and a lot of

attention. And I thought to myself, ‘Do I do this to everybody?’ then I

thought, ‘Maybe I should treat everybody as though they were a general.’

That is the way I think everybody should practice medicine.””