From Combat Medic to Neonatal Care

Bonnie Ressler has spent her adult life standing guard over the vulnerable.

As an Air Force medic, she deployed twice to Andrews Air Force Base, where she unloaded and cared for wounded warriors taking their first steps back onto American soil. Before that, she made one of the hardest decisions a mother can make—enlisting in the military to escape an unsafe environment and build a better life for her daughters.

This December, Bonnie graduates from Hardin-Simmons University’s Physician Assistant program, prepared to begin a neonatal fellowship in San Antonio. From combat zones to delivery rooms, her mission has remained the same: protecting those who need it most.

A Dream Deferred, Not Denied

Becoming a PA wasn’t a new dream for Bonnie — it was a lifelong one. But military life often means deployments, relocations, and putting personal aspirations on hold. After her husband retired from service, the couple spent years searching for a new start and eventually settled on a ranch in Bangs, Texas.

“God pointed us to Bangs,” Bonnie said. “When it’s time, it is time, and God made it happen.”

Just an hour down the road was Hardin-Simmons University, with the very program she had been pursuing for years.

“Everyone on campus was so happy and friendly. I thought to myself, ‘How could I not go here?’ The dream program I wanted was an hour from home. Not to mention that God was everywhere and celebrated,” said Bonnie.

Finding Family Again

Transitioning from military life to the classroom brought its share of challenges. Bonnie had been out of school for years and had to relearn how to study and lean on others in new ways. But the PA program offered something familiar: shared purpose and deep camaraderie.

“In the military, you have to depend on those around you, and you become family,” she said. “There were a number of classmates who became my family, and we were there for each other.”

Her classmates recognized that same spirit in her, selecting Bonnie as the recipient of the Briscoe/McNair Perseverance Award — an honor she describes as the most rewarding part of her academic journey.

She also credits faculty and staff members who became crucial support pillars, including Carol Krueger and Beki Denison, Moria Plantier, Jenna Cheatham, Jessica Buford, Beth Ferguson, and the Gilbert’s Coffee staff. Mission trips facilitated by Dr. Tina Butler and Joni & Friends helped Bonnie extend her heart for service beyond the classroom.

“Between providing reminders, checking in, answering questions, and having God and love at the forefront, there hasn’t been a moment where HSU as a whole hasn’t given me the feeling that I would be left behind,” she said.

The Cowboy Spirit in Action

When asked to describe the Cowboy Spirit, Bonnie doesn’t hesitate: “Compassionate, enduring, and relentless.”

Those same qualities shaped her success at HSU. Her perseverance and determination — habits forged in military service — carried her through long nights of studying, clinical rotations, and moments of self-doubt. Her faith, strengthened during her time at HSU, illuminated her calling even more clearly.

One moment stands above the rest: After the PA program’s ring ceremony, Bonnie turned to look at the stained-glass window in Logsdon Chapel. Surrounded by instructors and classmates rejoicing together, she felt a profound sense of accomplishment.

“That moment will forever remain etched as a moment of accomplishment and pride in my fellow classmates,” she said.

A New Mission Begins

This December, as Bonnie crosses the stage to receive her diploma, she’ll carry with her pride, excitement, and gratitude for the journey that shaped her.

Beginning in May, she will enter a neonatology fellowship in San Antonio — a new mission field, but one deeply aligned with the values she has lived her entire adult life.

White coat instead of combat boots. NICU instead of an airfield. But the calling remains the same: standing guard over the most vulnerable.

“HSU helped me find my strength and resounding belief in who I am and what I am capable of,” she said.