Jeannine M. Ryder is a U.S. Air Force brigadier general and the Chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps. Ryder also serves as the Commander, 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, and director, San Antonio Market, Defense Health Agency. Ryder, an Air Force nurse, is the first female commander of two Air Force wings. Ryder was also the first female commander at Keesler Medical Center, the first female commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing in Air Force Research Laboratory, and the first female commander of the 59th Medical Wing. Ryder commands the Air Force Medical Service’s largest healthcare, medical education and readiness platform comprising six groups and 8,400 personnel. The wing provides 900,000 clinic visits, 18,000 surgical procedures, and greater than 300 worldwide deployments annually. As the Director for the San Antonio Market, Ryder directs and manages the overall operations and resources of an integrated, joint-service health system that provides health care to more than 250,000 military Tricare beneficiaries. The San Antonio Market includes Brooke Army Medical Center, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, 10 stand-alone military treatment facilities, and over 100 specialty services. As Chief Nurse of the Air Force, Ryder creates and evaluates policies and programs for 19,000 active-duty, Guard and Reserve nursing personnel. She interacts with Air Staff, Joint Staff, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and civilian health care organizations to ensure the highest caliber of nursing care and personnel. Early life and education Ryder, a Pittsfield, Massachusetts native, is a graduate of Boston College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She earned her Master of Science in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts and Science in Military Operations from the Air Command and Staff College, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the Air War College. Ryder was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1991. Ryder credits her family for providing her foundation. "My work ethic came from my parents. And it wasn’t just about academics. I was out there mowing our acre of grass, and contributing – doing my share," she said. "Mom, who was a teacher and stayed home to raise me and my two sisters, she taught us that details are critical. No matter what the task – do it to the best of your ability. She and my dad were great role models on important things – from