Col. Lucretia M. McClenney, USA (Ret), retired in November 2001 after 31 years of distinguished service in the Army. She received her bachelor's in nursing from Murray State University, Ky., and a master's from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.

During her Army career, she served in numerous medical treatment facilities worldwide and was deputy commander of nursing at Landstuhl Regional Medical Command, Germany, and director of the Population Health Integration Team, TRICARE Management Activity.

Following retirement, she served at the VA as special assistant to the assistant secretary for policy, planning, and preparedness. She resides in Spotsylvania, Va.