My name is Kirk L. Buker. I work as a Senior Program Analyst for National Resources Conservation Service in Colorado. I started working for NRCS http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow after retiring from the US Navy. The US Navy employed me for 26 wonder years. While working for the Navy I chose to specialize in the administration of healthcare information systems because I enjoy the never-ending challenge they pose. I have experienced a variety of jobs all around the medical side of Navy medicine during my Navy career. I started my Navy career as a Boatswain’s mate on the USS Meyerkord (FF-1058). From there, I worked as a Hospital Corpsmen on the USS Belleauwood (LHA-3), then as a Deep-Sea Diving Medical Technician at various locations around the world. I have teaching experience at the community college level as well at CompUSA, which were mainly computer programming related courses. My last position for the Navy was as the Chief for the Network Resource Development Branch Tricare Medical Activity. I manage the Information Systems that processes all DoD Purchased Care health claims (Care that was provided outside of a military treatment facility). We process just over 13.2 billion dollars (770 millions claims) a year. Prior to this position, I was in a 12-month fellowship at Microsoft in Redmond, WA working to define Microsoft position statement on the National Healthcare Information Infrastructure. I have experienced various positions in medical Information Technology departments including a 30-month tour as the Chief Information Officer at a United States Naval Hospital on the south pacific island of Guam, which is a very beautiful place!  

I completed my Postgraduate work at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California. My thesis work was in the field of telemedicine, part of the requirements for a Master of Science degree in information systems that I earned http://www.stormingmedia.us/92/9230/A923043.html . I have also earned a Master of Arts in Management degree from National University in San Diego, California as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from National University. 

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