Dr. Christopher Baranyk was born at Scott AFB and realized at an early age that he was fascinated by the field of medicine. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, a Master’s degree from Purdue University in Molecular Genetics, and earned his Doctorate from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. At graduation he was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army, and completed his internship and residency at Ft. Belvoir in Family Medicine. His first duty assignment was at Ft. Wainwright where he served as the chief of Family Medicine and the Director of Hospital Education. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2012-2013, where he served as the Battalion Surgeon in a small Forward Operations Base. During this deployment he was responsible for the care of 106 causalities and earned a Bronze Star and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. He left active duty and joined the Arkansas National Guard in 2015 moving to Eureka Springs, AR. He deployed once again to Jordan/Syria in 2021-2022 where he was involved in humanitarian missions to refugees and Bedouin in Syria, earning a Meritorious Service Medal and Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. He currently serves as the Brigade Surgeon of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, and has been chosen for promotion to Colonel.