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WesternU COMP-Northwest faculty to be recognized as Grand Marshall in Linn County Veterans Day Parade  

by Emily Campbell

November 7, 2024

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Dr. Sorweide in a military uniform speaks at a podium outdoors.

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest) Medical Director of Healthcare Simulation and Associate Professor of Family Medicine Derrick Sorweide, DO, has been named Grand Marshall of the upcoming Linn County Veterans Day parade.  

Dr. Sorweide is being honored in the upcoming parade for his outstanding military service to this country and his support for the Lebanon community. Dr. Sorweide will be unable to attend the parade as he is currently on deployment in Iraq.  

“I’ve been very impressed with the number of COMP-Northwest graduates in Lebanon that have gone on to become military doctors, something that is so important for our country. That is in part because of Dr. Sorweide’s amazing example both in service and medicine,” said Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker.  

Dr. Sorweide received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine before completing his residency in family medicine at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center and Dallas Southwest Medical Center. Prior to joining COMP-Northwest as a founding faculty member in 2012, he ran a private practice in Grants Pass, Oregon.  

“I always wanted to serve in the military. So, in 2016, I joined. The University has been really supportive of that,” said Dr. Sorweide. “I have always felt very fortunate. I was born with a good mom and dad, and a good family with a decently strong body and a decently strong brain. I felt like I owed the world that. My way of giving back has been to go and do things.” 

Dr. Sorweide’s military service has taken him all over the world, with major deployments in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, and Honduras. In his military service, he has functioned as an emergency medical treatment provider, caring for military personnel and other front-line casualties. His humanitarian missions have allowed him to assist individuals worldwide who lack access to basic medical care. Today, he serves as the Command Surgeon for the 2nd Medical Brigade of the U.S. Army Reserve, overseeing all medical military personnel in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. 

“Working at WesternU, with these young learners, I know these students are going to do fantastic things in the world. I want to take my experiences back to them so they can have an inkling of what is out in the world and maybe broaden their horizons,” said Dr. Sorweide. 

A group of six people, some wearing high-visibility vests and others in orange shirts, pose together outdoors in a forest setting.
The Wilderness Medicine Club focuses on trauma care and emergency response techniques in outdoor and wilderness settings, preparing future physicians to handle medical emergency in remote locations where traditional health care facilities may be limited or unavailable.

As an advisor to several student clubs and organizations, Dr. Sorweide enjoys sharing his passion for austere medicine with his students. Through student organizations such as the Military Medicine Club and the Wilderness Medicine Club, students can participate in unique learning environments with medical simulations and hands-on experiences related to field medicine. Such clubs and organizations often include excursions to remote areas where students can apply their knowledge in new settings with uncertain conditions. 

A man in formal attire shakes hands with a man in military uniform on a staircase, surrounded by flags.
Damron shakes hands with Dr. Sorweide at U.S. Air Force Commissioning Ceremony in September, 2024. (Luke Rauch, WesternU)

“I love medicine, and I love being able to treat patients that are in need. There is a global need that I think the military can really reach,” shared COMP-Northwest second year student and U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) participant Daniel Damron. “Dr. Sorweide was my advisor when I came to WesternU, and I learned about his experiences joining the military later in life and the impact he has had on patients around the world. It really resonated with me, and I felt like I could do a lot of good by joining this giant entity that serves people all over the world.”  

Each year, about five to 10 COMP-Northwest students join HPSP through the U.S. military, committing to military service in exchange for tuition reimbursements, a living stipend, and additional support for required books and other equipment.  

“Dr. Sorweide is an essential part of this college. It would not be the same without him. He does so much to teach, to advise, and to support students. His impact is immeasurable, and we are so grateful to have him here,” said Damron. 

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