Press Release
☷Army Medical Logistics Command s internal review director earns doctorate
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 28,2022
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Dr . Michiel Sampson - Ford , director of the Internal Review Audit and Compliance Office , or IRACO , at U . S . Army Medical Logistics Command , is pictured in her office at Fort Detrick , Md . Dr . Sampson - Ford recently earned her Ph . D . in Business Administration , with an emphasis on finance and accounting , from Trident University International in Cypress , Calif . FORT DETRICK , Md . - - Michiel Sampson - Ford is a prime example that persistence pays off and anyone can forge their own path of success at their own pace . Back in 2003 , while serving in the U . S . Navy , Sampson - Ford decided she wanted to continue her schooling and earn a doctorate . Over the next two decades , family and work obligations slowed down her pursuit of that dream , but this year , she completed her educational journey by earning her Ph . D . in Business Administration , with an emphasis on finance and accounting , from Trident University International in Cypress , Calif . “It’s been a journey , ” said the now - Dr . Sampson - Ford , who currently serves as director of the Internal Review Audit and Compliance Office , or IRACO , at U . S . Army Medical Logistics Command . “I’m really happy and excited for this moment because I’ve been longing for this journey to end . ” Sampson - Ford plans to attend commencement exercises in July with her family . The accomplishment was , needless to say , many years in the making . Sampson - Ford started working toward her doctorate while still aboard USS Nimitz ( CVN 68 ) , a naval supercarrier where she worked as an aviation storekeeper . “I remember being in the bunks , using a flashlight to do my assignments , ” she recalled . “I started when George W . Bush was president … and now ending with President Biden . Along the way , life happened . I stopped a couple times to take a breath; other times I questioned why I was continuing . “But I was determined to get it done . ” The “moment” when Sampson - Ford knew she had to finish came after an interaction with her son . “One of my sons , now 10 years old , has a habit of starting things and then no sooner gets bored and wants to move onto something else , ” she said . “He was excited about gymnastics , then it was swimming lessons , and now piano lessons . I was much like my son when I was growing up . I would start something and then once I became bored , I would try something else . “I had a chance to talk to him about finishing what you started , ” she continued . “Then I realized , I still haven’t finished my Ph . D . , so I decided to finish what I had started , so he would have someone to look up to . ” Sampson - Ford referenced a popular Confucius quote to summarize her accomplishment - - “It does not matter how slowly you go , so long as you do not stop . ” Sampson - Ford’s education plays a big part in her role now at AMLC , where she has been building up the IRACO functions since joining the Army’s premier medical logistics organization in 2020 . The IRACO’s core functions are to conduct internal audits , perform external liaison functions and serve as a consultant and advisor to the AMLC commander - - all with the overarching theme of protecting the organization , managing and safeguarding assets , and examining and perfecting processes and efficiencies throughout the AMLC . “My job is to protect the command , ” Sampson - Ford said . “I can’t write policy or tell the command how to do its job , but I can advise and provide information , as well as check and verify policies to make sure they are doing what they are designed to do . ” Two inherently important skills to the auditing profession are the ability to write audit reports that are clear and understandable , as well as to conduct the necessary research to support audit findings . Her newly - earned doctorate enhances these skills . Sampson - Ford likened the IRACO to a “gatekeeper” for AMLC . “So many things can go wrong , ” she explained . “We’re all human beings . And history tells us that human beings can make mistakes . You need those checks and balances in place to make sure people are following the rules . “Our job is to make those recommendations , ” Sampson - Ford said . “We are the gatekeepers . ” Away from the office , Sampson - Ford , born in Jamaica before immigrating to the United States , has been somewhat of a trailblazer in her family life . Combined with her four years of military service , she credits her parents for helping instill strong drive , discipline and determination to work for what she wanted , leading to her accomplishment of being the first in her immediate family to earn a doctorate . “I have been blessed with great parents , ” she said . “Even though they didn’t get as far educationally , they have been very supportive . They have a lot to do with what I’ve accomplished . ” Reflecting on her educational pursuits , Sampson - Ford urged others who are considering a doctoral degree to work hard , but also take it one day at a time . “It doesn’t have to be just five years; there’s really no time limit , ” she said . “You can take your time , be patient . It took a lot … but one day , it will come through . You just have to be persistent , persevere and do the best you can . ”
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