Air Force doctor to appear on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'

By Air Force News on May 24, 2011

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Van Adamson never imagined he would appear on a national syndicated TV talk show, standing next to Hollywood's biggest celebrities as a result of a college scholarship he received 13 years ago. 

In her second-to-last episode on Tuesday, May 24, popular day-time talk show host Oprah Winfrey will highlight her charity efforts over the years. Dr. Adamson, along with about 300 Morehouse College scholarship recipients, will walk on stage at Chicago's United Center as Kristen Chenoweth sings "For Good" from the musical "Wicked." 

The show, which has been running for 25 years, ends May 25. It has remained the number one talk show for 24 years.

Dr. Adamson, a cardiology fellow assigned to the 59th Medical Wing here was also one of five individuals selected by the producer to appear in a short interview segment to speak about how the scholarship has impacted his life.

"It was amazing to me that Oprah cared enough about me as an individual, someone she didn't know, to help me get through school and accomplish my dreams, and it was absolutely amazing that I had the chance to meet her in person and tell her thank you," said Dr. Adamson, who currently rotates duties between Wilford Hall and Brooke Army medical centers.

In 1998, Oprah made a dream come true for the aspiring young man raised in Spartanburg, S.C. As a recipient of an Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarship, Dr. Adamson was able to complete his undergraduate degree at Morehouse College, a private, historically Black, all-male college in Atlanta, Ga.

Morehouse College is known for its outstanding graduates in the fields of education, politics, business, religion, science, medicine, dentistry, law and much more.

"Oprah's scholarship gave me an opportunity to continue my education and attain my goals and head to medical school," he said. "Honestly, if I had not received that scholarship, I would not have been able to go back to school my sophomore year."

Dr. Adamson said he was totally caught by surprise when the show's producer contacted his father. 

"First, I didn't believe my dad, and then I called and they wanted to interview me to discuss my accomplishments since graduation," he said.

Dr. Adamson completed his internal medicine residency at Langley Air Force Base, Va., prior to entering the fellowship program at Wilford Hall. He served for six months at the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, where he medically stabilized battle wounded soldiers.

"(Appearing on the show) was very exciting," he said. "Rehearsal for the taping started at 4:30 a.m. and took six hours. Everything had to be done with precision. I also had the opportunity to meet Tyler Perry, black author and playwright. It definitely will be a star-studded show."

Some of the big names that will appear on the show include actresses Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes and Dakota Fanning. Other celebrities to make an appearance are Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Maya Angelou, Michael Jordan, newswoman Diane Sawyer and many, many more.



The show airs May 24 on ABC network. For local listings of TV channels and times in your area, go tohttp://www.oprah.com/tows_listings.html.