ISAT alum finds path in military medicine

By: Dina Manco

As a member of the first Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) graduating class, Ron Yeaw (‘97) has applied his skills in a variety of careers over the past eighteen years. While he has primarily worked for Army defense contractors, his roles have expanded in continuum with his experience. He is currently employed as the Clinical Workflow Project Manager at Northrop Grumman. 

Yeaw works within the military medicine division of the defense contractor. He states, “I was very lucky in the fact I really found my niche and the direction I want to take my life early on. Finding my voice in military medicine helped me find a passion I didn’t know was there; but with my mom being a nurse and my father being a naval officer it made sense. ISAT was a booster rocket that pushed me up as I moved from staff to senior management.”

As one of the first ISAT graduates, Yeaw says the success of his class was crucial to the branding of the department. His undergraduate experience was highly collaborative with professors in order to guide the direction of future courses. “We would come to find out years later, that our professors at the time were only ever a few weeks ahead of us designing the curriculum. It was an amazing journey we all shared.” The ISAT program gave Yeaw the ability to develop the problem solving and communication skills he uses day to day in his career.

His primary role with contractors has been working to implement and enhance electronic health record systems for the US military. This endeavor has relocated him to countries across Asia and Europe. He lived in Germany for four years before returning to the United States in 2013, receiving the Superior Civilian Service medal while stationed there; the 3^rd highest award a civilian can receive in the Army.

Because of his education he is able to communicate the technical components of programs in layman’s terms to coworkers and clients. “I’ve been in the same career field since the day I left JMU. Very quickly the holistic approach to solving problems developed through my ISAT degree helped me stand out from the crowd, and fill the void between technical staff and management,” he states.

The advice of his ISAT professors enabled Yeaw create the map of his career. Yeaw urges students to utilize the opportunities available in the department to consider what path in Integrated Science and Technology best suits them and their future aspirations. “ISAT points you in a general direction, but finding your own specific career is up to you. Your professors and the ISAT alumni can help guide you along this road, please reach out to them.”

 “My career in program management has given me a way to complete the cycle in my life to mentor and facilitate the next generation…It’s interesting to look back on my career and find a narrative. I met my wife at JMU. I got my career at JMU. It has been a very successful story.”

Yeaw is in the process of securing internships at Northrop for JMU students and will speak at the ISAT Senior Symposium in April.