Salina was born an Army Brat to dual military couple CW3 (retired) Charles and Wendy in 1982 at an Air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. After her first year of life, her mother and father received orders to Fort Bliss, Texas. At the age of 9 her father received orders to Hanau, Germany, where she continued elementary school. While stationed in Germany, her family moved multiple times within the country. During that time she attended both 'Army' and 'Air Force' schools in Hanau and on Ramstein Air Base respectively. While stationed in Germany, she was able to travel extensively as a member of the Varsity Volleyball Teams and Track teams. She also excelled in Student Government and as President of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Ramstein American High School. Salina was also a member of the band and orchestra while attending middle and high school, where was able to learn how to play a number of instruments while mastering the clarinet and bass clarinet. While in high school, Salina maintained a part-time job working at the Post Exchange until graduation.
Salina graduated from Ramstein American High School and decided to stay close to home, attending the University of Maryland University College-Mannheim Campus (UMUC) in Germany. When her family relocated to Saudi Arabia, however, she stayed behind to attend college in a familiar location. As a student at UMUC, she was selected to serve as a Student Ambassador, and was also selected as a resident assistant in her dorm, providing support to girls on her floor during the semester – including during the tumultuous time following the September 11th attacks.
After living in Germany for a total of 13 years, Salina relocated to Maryland where she planned on pursuing her degree. After her mother and younger brother were evacuated from Saudi Arabia following the bombing in Riyadh, however, Salina decided to move to El Paso, Texas to help them settle into their new home. In El Paso, Salina enrolled at El Paso Community College and began work as a cashier at the Fort Bliss Commissary. While attending classes Salina was introduced to her future husband, Terry, by a mutual acquaintance. After a brief engagement, Salina and Terry were married in 2004 at Sage Hall on Fort Bliss (Texas), in a large ceremony attended by both family and friends.
Salina was quickly promoted and began working in the accounting office at the Commissary. After a year of progressively responsible duties, she was selected for a full-time position at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. During her time there she worked as a Medical Support Assistant in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic and Department of Women's Health. While working at the Department of Women's Health she discovered her passion for medicine and decided this was the field she would concentrate in. In 2007, with the support of her co-workers and supervisors, Salina enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso and began pursuing her undergraduate degree full-time while still continuing to work full-time. Salina and Terry were active members in their church, and taught Sunday School and Children's Church during their time in El Paso.
In 2008, her husband received orders for Recruiting Duty and was assigned to Baltimore Recruiting Battalion in Maryland. The move to Maryland proved to be a great one for Salina professionally, but it was a very difficult assignment for the couple. While stationed in Maryland, Salina worked at the USA CHPPM's Directorate of Toxicology, Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center and Fort Meade MEDDAC's Credentials Department. Salina transferred her credits from Texas and began working on completing her degree with Bowie State University where she was inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society. While at Fort Meade, Salina was chosen for multiple high profile assignments requiring attention to detail and complex critical thinking, including the Strategic Planning Committee, team member on a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project, and Joint Commission Survey Team. As a result of these positions, Salina has been awarded a Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement and a Department of the Army Civilian Service Award and a number of Commander's Coins for her efforts. The highlight of her professional career thus far has been being selected as a scribe for Fort Meade MEDDAC's Joint Commission Survey in 2010. While in Maryland, Salina and Terry taught Sunday school and were selected as Youth Leaders for the teens at the church.
In 2011, they received orders for Fort Richardson, Alaska, where Salina was selected for a position in the Medical Staff Office at Providence Alaska Medical Center. While at Providence, she was exposed to the civilian side of her career path and learned a great deal about the civilian healthcare system. She also began a volunteer career as a member of the Kuddle Korp, and volunteers as her schedule permits.
Salina is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso where she earned her Bachelor's in Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Political Science, Business Management and Humanities. Salina enjoys reading historical fiction, traveling, attending orchestras, hiking, recreational shooting, scrapbooking and watching UFC fights. Salina and Terry had their first child this year and look forward to exploring Alaska with their little one after he returns from Afghanistan.
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