I joined the Navy through the HPSP program in 2004. I commissioned onto active duty in 2008. I matched to my first choice residency, Family Medicine, at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in California.
I served my first tour as a Family Medicine Physician at the Naval Hospital in 29 Palms, CA. During this time I was able to care for all ages of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. During this time I met my wife, Cassandra. I was then selected to Fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine, back at The Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
After that I served my first tour as a Primary Care Sport Medicine Physician in Okinawa, Japan. I was able to experience the amazing culture and traditions of Okinawa. When I came back stateside, I was able to serve back in California, first at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, and then back at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. I have been able to serve the past 3 years as the associate program director of the fellowship.
My wife and I currently reside in Ramona, CA with our son, Kagan, on our ranch (complete with horses, dogs, cats, chickens, goats and reptiles). One of the most interesting things I was able to do is serve as the Military Women’s Soccer Team Physician for the CISM games in France. I was able to care for amazing military athletes, and see historic sites like the beaches of Normandy.
Colonel Bograkos is a 1985 UNE COM alumnus and current faculty advisor to AMOPS (Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons) at UNE COM.
He served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force for 28 years, combined, as a flight surgeon, family medicine physician and emergency medicine physician. Beyond serving the military community, his service to the medical community includes the roles of past president of AOAAM and sitting on the Board of Directors for WADEM and ACOEP.
The UNE COM student chapter of AMOPS would like to recognize Dr. Bograkos for his incredible service to this country and thank him for continuing to support future military physicians.
COLONEL WILLIAM BOGRAKOS, MA, DO,
FAOAAM, FACOEP, FACOFP, RET.