"Have the fortitude to say ‘yes’ to every challenge, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. This mindset is applicable to any of the uniformed services. Even when things seem mundane throughout a daily routine, you may not know what life you’ll impact."

LCDR Jeremy Hyrczyk is the first podiatrist in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to be stationed in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He is a podiatric surgeon at the Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin, serving our Nation’s heroes since December 2022. LCDR Hyrczyk has a particular interest in medically complex lower extremity surgical reconstruction consisting of angular limb correction, pedicle flaps, micro-neurovascular surgery, and sports medicine. He is 1 of 157 surgeons worldwide who completed an orthoplastic surgical fellowship.

LCDR Hyrczyk says: “Joining the uniformed services has been an interesting endeavor and I never fathomed the vastness of opportunities that awaited.” He continues, “For years, there was a calling to serve, deeply resonating internally. It seemed somehow the time was never right. Then someone close to me who shared my beliefs and dreams, pushed me forward to uncharted waters.” LCDR Hyrczyk resumes, “At the time, I really needed that support and will be eternally grateful because I would not have known where life would have taken me had I not had that encouragement.” LCDR Hyrczyk laughs, adding: “Incidentally, I met my recruiter - of all places - in church and subsequently commissioned with the U.S. Navy in 2013.”

LCDR Hyrczyk was the department head of podiatry at his first duty station in Pensacola, Florida, from 2013 to 2015. During that time, he also served as chair of the Credentials Review Committee. Afterwards, he transferred to a critical need billet in U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan, preventing lapse in patient care outside the Continental U.S. As a Pain Management Committee member, he championed for the reduction in opioid utilization, which improved the hospital’s compliance with the Joint Commission.

From 2018 to 2020, LCDR Hyrczyk served as a command division officer and deputy service chief for the podiatry department at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He managed training records across multiple joint base facilities to improve medical readiness and accountability.

He was an advocate for readiness across the newly formed Navy Medical Readiness Training Command and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. LCDR Hyrczyk conducted the first Defense Health Agency billing audit of internal fraud, waste, and abuse, equating to $45 million in third party insurance claims, ensuring compliance with the United States Secretary of Defense initiatives. His continual contributions led him to be a lower extremity consultant for the White House Medical Unit, serving the First and Second family and appointed cabinet members.

LCDR Hyrczyk performed an interservice transfer to the USPHS Commissioned Corps in 2020. He remarks: “It was the right transition for professional growth opportunities.” He reported as the Chief Clinic Podiatrist in Rosebud, South Dakota, establishing a welcome contribution of a new full-time podiatric service to an underserved, vulnerable population.

From September 2020 to December 2022, LCDR Hyrczyk served as a Chief Clinical Podiatrist at Indian Health Service Rosebud Comprehensive Medical Center where he achieved improvements vastly above the standard range of clinical services provided at the hospital. With his highly sought-after fellowship training in orthoplastic lower limb salvage and reconstruction, he crafted an algorithm with a multidisciplinary approach to treat complex diabetic wound care management. This led to an enhanced standard of care protocol for osteomyelitis infections, reducing the need for long-term IV antibiotic treatment.

LCDR Hyrczyk’s dedication to service extended far beyond the demands of his department. He participated in multiple collateral assignments throughout his tenure at Rosebud Medical Center. His leadership and commitment were a welcome promise throughout the Medical Center’s COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts. Utilizing his prior training in emergency response preparedness, he assisted in the operations and coordination of the Medical Center’s COVID-19 response. He volunteered at the Rosebud community drive-thru COVID testing, reducing the number of patients entering the Medical Center for testing. He was hand-selected by the Rosebud Comprehensive Medical Center CEO to serve as the U.S. Surgeon General's aide-de-camp during a visit. He was a peer elected board member of the Medical Executive Committee, providing key leadership decisions to medical staff policies, procedures, and rules. As a chair member of the newly established Patient Centered Medical Home subcommittee, he developed policies and procedures to improve health center performance and patient engagement.

In May 2022, LCDR Hyrczyk completed a 4-week intra-agency deployment to Indian Health Service Belcourt Service Unit in Belcourt, North Dakota. He provided clinical/surgical services and updated surgical/clinic suite instrumentation availability to improve access to care, which increased operating room efficiency by 50%.

LCDR Hyrczyk reflects: “Bottom line: honor, courage, and commitment. As I reflect throughout my time as an officer, the personal and professional growth to handle unique challenges has been amazing. An individual must have a robust desire to humble oneself and lead with a servant’s heart.” LCDR Hyrczyk continues: “Have the fortitude to say ‘yes’ to every challenge, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. This mindset is applicable to any of the uniformed services. Even when things seem mundane throughout a daily routine, you may not know what life you’ll impact.” LCDR Hyrczyk closes with these words: “I can’t wait to see what the future holds from the ample opportunities USPHS Commissioned Corps provides.”

My name is LCDR Jeremy Hyrczyk and Commitment is #WhyIserve.