by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
Lt. Col. Angelia M. Mickle has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of her outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership in military medical service from April 1 to August 11, 2024.
Medical Leadership Honored With Presidential Award
Authorized by Executive Order and presented on behalf of the President Donald Trump, the Meritorious Service Medal honors Lt. Col. Mickle’s service as Medical Officer in Charge for the 2024 GuardCare: Warriors for Health mission. Her leadership played a critical role in delivering high-quality medical, dental, and optometry care to underserved communities. The award was formally issued on Dec. 6, 2025.
"I am extremely humbled by this award," said Mickle. "My purpose in serving is to embrace local and missional experiences that benefit others. Helping others with their medical needs is one way that I and my team can be impactful."
GuardCare 2024: Expanding Access to Community Health Services
In preparation for a two-day community clinic hosted by Greene County Public Health, providing no-cost medical care to residents of Greene County, Ohio, Lt. Col. Mickle successfully coordinated approximately $10,000 in donated personal protective equipment from Caring Partners International. She also worked closely with local dental organizations to secure $60,000 in donated dental supplies and established partnerships with local optometry services to create a referral network for eye care.
The GuardCare clinic ultimately served 1,028 community members, with 268 individuals receiving medical care and 611 undergoing dental and optometry procedures. The total fair market value of services provided was approximately $604,133.
Cedarville Nursing Dean Leads Multidisciplinary Medical Team
Lt. Col. Mickle also oversaw the delivery of care by a multidisciplinary team that included 18 Air and Army National Guard providers, five nurses, one civilian provider, and 11 medics. Under her direction, the clinic was established in a resource-limited, austere environment, delivering effective patient care while fostering strong inter-branch and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Military Nurse Leadership Enhances Faith-Based Health Education
In addition to her military service, Dr. Mickle serves as the Dean of the School of Nursing at Cedarville University, where she plays a key role in advancing the institution’s mission through her work in health-related education and leadership. Her professional experience in both military and civilian healthcare settings brings a distinctive depth of expertise to the university community.
Dr. Mickle’s commitment to service, excellence, and compassionate care aligns closely with Cedarville University’s Christ-centered mission. Through her work, she models servant leadership for students and colleagues alike, demonstrating how professional excellence and a heart for service can be integrated to make a meaningful impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Her accomplishments reflect great credit upon herself, Cedarville University, and the United States Air Force, exemplifying excellence in leadership, service, and community impact.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
