Colonel Betty A. Venth is the commander of the 14th Medical Group, Columbus AFB, Mississippi. The group consists of two squadrons and has an authorized work force of 167 personnel. As commander, she advises the wing commander on medical readiness, healthcare, and aeromedical issues. Colonel Venth provides and coordinates comprehensive healthcare for a community of 3,820 beneficiaries including occupational and public health, as well as physiological training for 3,000 wing employees. She provides the strategic plan and guidance for the comprehensive healthcare provided during 28,101 annual outpatient visits. Colonel Venth also coordinates the physiological academics and training for all student pilots and aircrew. In addition, she directs the execution of the business plan and a $7.7M fiscal program including a $29M facility.
Colonel Venth was raised in East Meredith, New York and obtained her direct commissioning in the Air Force after working one year as a civilian inpatient medical-surgical registered nurse in Cooperstown, New York. Colonel Venth has held various leadership positions throughout her 22 year military career. Prior to her current position, she was the Chair, En Route Care Training Department, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor’s of Science, Nursing, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, New York
2001 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama., by correspondence and in-residence
2004 Master’s of Nursing, University of Phoenix, Arizona
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama., by correspondence
2010 Legal Nurse Consultant Certification, Kaplan University, Florida
2015 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama., by correspondence
2018 Joint Senior Medical Leaders Course, Falls Church, Virginia
2019 Group Commander’s Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2019 Senior Officer Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
ASSIGNMENTS
- December 1996 - February 2000, Surgical Services Clinical Nurse, 59th Medical Operations Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
- February 2000 - August 2003, Ambulatory Clinical Nurse, 436th Medical Operations Squadron, Dover AFB, Delaware
- August 2003 - August 2006, Family Practice Element Chief, 75th Medical Operations Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
- August 2006 - February 2007, Deputy Element Chief, 673rd Multi-Service Unit, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
- February 2007 - August 2010, Course Supervisor-Nurse Transition Program, 673rd Medical Operations Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska (Jan 2009 - Jul 2009, Chief Nurse, Task Force Wolverine, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan)
- August 2010 - October 2012, Director, Education And Training, 56th Medical Group, Luke AFB, Arizona
- October 2012 - June 2015, Family Health Flight Commander, 56th Medical Operations Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona
- June 2015 - June 2017, Commander, 423rd Medical Squadron, Alconbury AFB, England
- June 2017 - June 2018, Executive Fellow, AF Director Of Nursing Services, DHHQ, Falls Church, Virginia
- July 2018 - July 2019, Chair, En Route Care Training Department, 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
- July 2019 - Present, Commander, 14th Medical Group, Columbus AFB, Mississippi
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with nine oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NATO Medal with bronze star
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2011 - AFMS Outstanding Achievement in Nursing Force Development Award
2013 - Nurse.com National Nursing Excellence GEM (Giving Excellence Meaning) Award: Patient and Staff Management
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
2006 - Present, Board Certified, Ambulatory Care Nursing, American Nurses Credentialing Center
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant November 10, 1996
First Lieutenant April 20, 1998
Captain April 20, 2002
Major July 1, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2015
Colonel May 1, 2019
(Current as of July 2019)