Selfless service and Dr. Alicia Y. Christy

VA’s Center for Women Veterans honors Dr. Alicia Y. Christy, a woman Veteran, VA employee, professor, advocate and artist. Dr. Christy retired this month after 22 years of Army service and 20 years of civilian federal service. We caught up with her for a quick interview and to find out what’s next in store for her.

What military service branch did you serve in?

I joined the United States Army in 1981 and retired as a Colonel in 2003.

When did your federal service begin?

My federal service began in 2003 with the National Institutes of Health.

What was your most current federal position?

I was the deputy director of Reproductive Health for the Veterans Health Administration, Office of Women’s Health.

What are your plans after retirement?

I am volunteering with the American Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and Governor Wes Moore’s Office. I plan to volunteer as a Red Cross volunteer physician once a week at Walter Reed. American Society of Reproductive Medicine has already reached out to me to give a presentation about access to fertility services under Tricare and VA.

What motivates you?

My passion is advocacy, with a focus on women Veterans and health disparities. I try to use my artwork to honor women who have served and bring attention to health disparities. I believe we must speak for the voiceless and vulnerable.

In 2020, I received a Humanism in Medicine award from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) for my advocacy work. In 2021, I received an American Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists mentor award. Two of my passions are teaching and mentoring. I will continue teaching after I retire.

Sounds like you will continue your advocacy for women Veterans. Anything else you are looking forward to after retirement?

I still have a Uniformed Services University faculty appointment, an NIH fellowship faculty appointment, and an adjunct faculty appointment at Howard University School of Medicine. I recently was appointed to the National Academy of Science Vaccine Safety Committee, and an American Society of Reproductive Medicine mentor steering committee. I am also on the board of the Princeton University Alumni Veterans. I have a couple of manuscripts with my VA colleagues that are in review.

The Center has had the privilege of sharing your amazing artwork. Will you continue that passion after retirement?

I belong to a Veteran artist group, UnitingUS. I have some work at Dulles Airport; I will have some work at the British Embassy in March and will have some artwork at Reagan National [airport] in the spring. In 2024, we will have a second exhibit at the Library of Congress. My portraits “Faces of the Fallen: Women Proudly Served” will be donated to the Military Women’s Memorial Museum when they are no longer on exhibit at Dulles.