At UT San Antonio, transformational discovery and research are helping to advance the health and well-being of active-duty service members, veterans and their families. For four retired military leaders, a commitment to the military-connected community has continued long after their military careers ended. Through their mentorship, philanthropic support and community partnerships, they are helping to advance military health research and education for those who serve.
With more than 100 years of combined military service, these veterans share a lifelong mission: giving back to those who have served by investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals, supporting military-connected students and improving the lives of veterans and their families.
Supporting mental health needs
Retired U.S. Army Col. A. David Mangelsdorff, PhD, has dedicated his post-military career to supporting veterans as they transition to civilian life. A professor emeritus from Baylor University, Mangelsdorff spent more than 50 years educating military graduate students. Today, his experiences have inspired him to establish planned gifts at UT San Antonio, supporting student-veteran resources and psychological services for veterans experiencing homelessness.
His generosity is helping to provide current student veterans with a dedicated space on campus to connect and access a hub of resources. His planned gift to establish the Professor Mangelsdorff Psychological Support for Homeless Veterans Endowed Fund will support the mental health needs of veterans experiencing homelessness.
“If a university wants to support moving veterans forward, I support them in any way I can,” Mangelsdorff said.
Building a legacy through leadership
After 38 years of service, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Bryon Hepburn, MD, FAAFP, knew his commitment to military medicine was far from over. Recognizing San Antonio’s unique role in military healthcare, he accepted the opportunity to serve as the inaugural director of UT Health San Antonio’s Military Health Institute in 2014.
During his 10 years of leadership, Hepburn also helped strengthen partnerships that support military health research, education and clinical care. Today, he and his wife continue their commitment to service at UT San Antonio by supporting educational opportunities for veterans and civilians pursuing careers in health professions through the Military Health Institute Excellence Fund.
To Hepburn, investing in the Military Health Institute has allowed him to extend his support beyond the military community and strengthen care for patients and their families.
Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Bryon Hepburn, MD, FAAFPThe No. 1 job as a leader is to create future leaders,” Hepburn said. “I was very honored to mentor our future military physicians and allied health professionals whom we trained at UT Health San Antonio.
Creating opportunities through education
Retired U.S. Army Col. Carol Huebner, PhD, a professor emerita at the School of Nursing, understands firsthand how educational support can transform a service member’s career. During her 31-year military career, Huebner received financial assistance to pursue her nursing education while serving on active duty. After completing her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and retiring from the military, she spent 13 years as a faculty member at UT Health San Antonio, educating and mentoring future nurses.
Grateful for the opportunities that shaped her career, Huebner established the Carol Huebner Endowed Nursing Scholarship for Veterans of the Armed Forces to support military service members and veterans pursuing nursing education at UT San Antonio.
Today, UT San Antonio serves approximately 6,000 military-affiliated students across its academic and health campuses. Huebner hopes her scholarship eases financial burdens while opening doors for veterans to pursue advanced education, leadership positions and meaningful careers in healthcare.
A lifelong commitment to service
For retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Freddie Valenzuela, former commanding general for U.S. Army South, giving back is a commitment shared by his entire family. His wife relocated 24 times, while his two children attended 19 schools around the world.
Following more than 33 years of military service, the San Antonio natives returned home and brought their dedication to service back to their community. Today, Valenzuela supports veterans and their families through community partnerships that address mental wellness, homelessness and access to healthcare. His philanthropic and advocacy work with UT Health San Antonio’s Military Health Institute and other organizations helps connect veterans with the resources and benefits they have earned through their service.
For Valenzuela, giving back to fellow veterans and their families is another way to continue serving long after taking off his uniform.
Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Freddie ValenzuelaIf I’m successful, why can’t I reach back and help others be successful just the same?
Continuing to serve
As UT San Antonio honors and recognizes veterans and the military-connected community, Mangelsdorff, Hepburn, Huebner and Valenzuela demonstrate how military experiences can inspire a lifelong commitment to making lives better through philanthropy, mentorship and advocacy.
Their support advances military health, research, education and advocacy across the United States.
Reflecting on the broader impact of military medicine, Hepburn said, “You can’t just say the support given is just for the military, because it’s anything but that. It’s really for broader humanity.”
Read the story on UT San Antonio Today.
