All Episodes

August 6, 2025 49 mins

    Retired Army Colonel and Physician Assistant Pauline Gross shares her extraordinary journey from the Women's Army Corps to a pioneering career in military medicine. With a career spanning over 44 years, Pauline offers a wealth of insights into the evolution of women's health in the military and the vital role of leadership and mentorship in overcoming barriers. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience and determination, highlighting key moments such as deployments to Honduras and Korea and her transition from combat medic to Physician Assistant.

    COL(R) Gross delivers invaluable lessons on the importance of sponsorship and mentorship in career advancement, illustrating how support from colleagues can be a game-changer. She recounts her efforts in improving healthcare access for female soldiers and the innovative approaches taken at Fort Bliss to enhance patient care. Her advocacy for women's health services and her commitment to building professional relationships underscore the significance of teamwork and networking in advancing medical services in a military setting.

     Listeners are invited to explore the challenges and triumphs COL(R) Gross faced in breaking barriers in healthcare, particularly in a male-dominated environment. Her personal anecdotes about advocating for Physician Assistants as Officers in Charge of clinics and her involvement with the Quilts of Valor Foundation provide a deeper understanding of the impact of perseverance and advocacy. As COL(R) Gross reflects on her legacy in military medicine, she offers inspiring advice for aspiring medical professionals, emphasizing the value of maintaining clinical skills, challenging limitations, and pursuing one's goals with confidence and resilience.

 

Chapters:

(00:04) Intro to COL(R) Pauline Gross

(10:22) Journey to Becoming a Physician Assistant

(16:39) Ensuring Female Soldiers Receive Proper Care

(24:24) Breaking Barriers in Healthcare

(29:54) Advancing Opportunities in Healthcare

(36:02) Empowering Female Healthcare Professionals

(41:11) Legacy and Advancement in Military Medicine

 

Chapter Summaries:

(00:04) Intro to COL(R) Pauline Gross

COL(R) Pauline Gross shares her journey as a WAC and PA, discussing women's health, leadership, and mentorship in military medicine.

 

(10:22) Journey to Becoming a Physician Assistant

A woman's journey from the Women's Army Corps to becoming a PA, including deployment experiences and the impact of sponsorship on her 44-year career.

 

(16:39) Ensuring Female Soldiers Receive Proper Care

COL Gross's experiences highlight the importance of networking, advocacy, and teamwork in improving medical services and patient outcomes.

 

(24:24) Breaking Barriers in Healthcare

Fort Bliss implemented innovative approaches to improve access to healthcare and musculoskeletal management, including education and profile forms, resulting in soldiers becoming PAs.

 

(29:54) Advancing Opportunities in Healthcare

Advocating for PAs as OICs, mentorship and training, resilience and creativity, rejecting limitations, and persistence in professional pursuits.

 

(36:02) Empowering Female Healthcare Professionals

A veteran PA shares insights on overcoming gender barriers, prioritizing personal goals, and honoring veterans through Quilts of Valor.

 

(41:11) Legacy and Advancement in Military Medicine

The evolving role of PAs in military medicine, the importance of trust and mentorship, and staying open-minded in unexpected opportunities.

 

Take Home Messages:

  1. Empowerment Through Leadership and Mentorship: The episode underscores the critical role of leadership and mentorship in career advancement, especially for women in male-dominated fields. Building strong professional relationships and having supportive mentors can b
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Fudd Around And Find Out

Fudd Around And Find Out

UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.