COL Matthew Liepke, the New York National Guard State Surgeon and an Oswego resident, has been awarded the prestigious “A” Proficiency Designator by the Surgeon General of the United States Army. The “A” Proficiency Designator is the absolute pinnacle of professional achievement within the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). It recognizes Army medical officers who have achieved national prominence in their medical specialty, demonstrated exceptional clinical and leadership skills, and made sustained contributions to military medicine.
COL Liepke’s military career spans over three decades, beginning in 1992 when he enlisted as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served 11 years as an enlisted Soldier, reaching the rank of staff sergeant, before receiving a direct commission as a captain in the Medical Corps in 2003 upon completing his medical education.
In his civilian life, Dr. Liepke is President of Port City Family Medicine in Oswego, N.Y., and is double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He has also served as the Medical Staff President at Oswego Hospital and as is the director of the hospital’s Newborn Nursery.
“The dual life of a citizen-soldier is a challenging one, but Colonel Liepke represents the very best of this tradition,” said LTC Steve Carson, the Deputy State Surgeon. “The expertise he brings from his civilian practice directly enhances his military leadership, and vice versa. Earning the ‘A’ designator proves that a National Guard physician can operate at the absolute highest levels of professional medicine globally.”
COL Liepke holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene from Clarkson University, a Medical Doctorate from SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a Master of Business Administration from Quinnipiac University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. He lives in Oswego with his
wife, Dr. Christina Liepke and Samuel, their son. Matthew Jr., their eldest is an aerospace engineer who resides in Colorado.