Dykes numbers among many veterans in the MUSC pharmacy family

It’s been said that “An army marches on its stomach.” The saying, often attributed to Napoleon or Frederick the Great, means the military relies on its provisions. And none more so than its medications.

The MUSC College of Pharmacy has a long history of partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces, sending many graduates into leadership positions in the military. Graduates like Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Dykes.

A 2010 graduate of MUSC, Lt. Col. Dykes serves in the United States Air Force and is responsible for planning, implementing, and directing programs to recruit approximately 1,000 line and medical officers annually for the Air Force with a $2.7 million budget.

He currently serves as chief, Officer Accessions Branch, Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

“We’re incredibly proud of Lt. Col. Dykes,” said Philip Hall, dean of the MUSC College of Pharmacy. “He was an exemplary student who came into the college with a strong sense of duty to country. It was clear he would become an excellent pharmacist and an outstanding officer.”

He has served in multiple roles as a pharmacist including inpatient/outpatient/operations pharmacy chief, diagnostics and therapeutics flight commander, executive officer for the 81MDG at Keesler AFB, Biomedical Science Corps executive (SGB), command surgeon and commander, 332 Expeditionary Medical Squadron in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, and pharmacy flight commander at Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Lt. Col. Dykes joined the MUSC College of Pharmacy after graduating in 2004 from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in biology. He entered the Air Force while still at MUSC, accepting a direct commission under the Health Professional Scholarship Program.

He is one of the many graduates of the MUSC College of Pharmacy who went on to serve their country in the military, making Veterans Day a special day for the college.

“We’re proud to have a long history of supporting the health care needs of the people fighting for our country,” said Philip Hall, dean of the college. “Our graduates have served at all ranks, including as the highest-ranking pharmacist, and they’ve served with distinction. Every Veterans Day, we’re pleased to celebrate them and all of our country’s veterans.”

• This year, Veterans Day falls on November 11 and will be commemorated with the Veterans Day National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.
• On Friday, November 8, the MUSC Office of Equity presents the MUSC Annual Veterans Day Program at noon. “My Military Journey: Reflecting on Lessons Learned” featuring Christopher W. Bunt, MD, Colonel, USAFR, MC, is hosted by the MUSC Veterans Employee Resource Group, the Military Medicine Interest Group, and the Office of Equity.
• On Sunday, November 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Charleston will hold its annual Veterans’ Day Parade starting at Concord and Market Streets and ending at Broad Street near Colonial Lake.