Colonel Solander, United States Air Force Nurse Corps, has been assigned to the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado; Andrews AFB, Maryland; Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina; Sheppard AFB, Texas and March AFB, California. She served on Active Duty for three years and in the Reserves for 24 years with strong, comprehensive health care and management experience. As Chief Nurse of the 752nd Medical Squadron Air Transportable Hospital, March AFB, CA, she coordinated and administered nursing care practice and was on the Executive Committee to set operational standards of medical sites and ensure adherence to set guidelines by all personnel. Selected as Coordinator, Chemical Readiness Medical Training, Sheppard AFB, TX, she prepared all reserve MD's, Nurses and Medical Technicians for hands-on field training. Thousands of reservists have been through this program. Col. Solander designed the Self-Inspection and Medical Readiness Programs, which became model programs for the Air Force Reserve. She was requested to serve on the Inspection Team to inspect other medical units. Col. Solander was awarded Air Force Reserve Readiness Officer of the Year and Outstanding Reserve Officer Assigned to a Deployable Medical Unit. She also served on active duty during military Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Col. Solander has been active as a RN in all areas of Nursing and Hospital Management. She served as Director of Nursing at a large Vocational Nursing School with a student population of 250, staff of 28 RNs and a budget of $ 4 million dollars. Currently, she is a nursing instructor for the Riverside County Office of Education.
Col. Solander is a graduate of Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, LaVerne University; Master of Science in Nursing, University of Phoenix; Air War College, United States Air Force University, and a teaching credential from University of California, Riverside.
Col. Solander is active in many youth and civic affairs including the Military Officers Association of America, Riverside March Field Chapter, 2nd Vice President; Riverside Volunteer Association, Board of Directors; Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Citizen Board; and the Assistance League of Riverside.
Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Commendation Medal, and the Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters.
Col. Solander is a widow with two children, Bill and Elizabeth and four grandchildren.
Colonel Rita M. Solander 1241 Grossmont Dr Riverside, CA 92506 951-781-8419
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