Leaving a Legacy: Dr. Barry Shealy

FPD alumnus Col. Mike Smith never shies away from serving his country. After 31 years in the Army, he retired from the military and recently served as the Executive Officer for the Vaccine Development Team with Operation Warp Speed. This led to his current role as the Director of the National Disaster Medical System.

Col. Mike Smith ‘85

How were you selected for the role in Operation Warp Speed?

In early 2020, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services met with my commander, the Army Surgeon General to request planning and operational support as the pandemic began growing. Having served as the Executive Officer to the Surgeon General for the past two and a half years, I was preparing to retire. LTG Dingle, the Surgeon General, asked if I would go over to ASPR and support federal COVID-19 response operations. Once I arrived, I was placed into Operation Warp Speed as the Executive Officer for the Vaccine Development Team and began working with an amazing group of leaders – both civilian and military from multiple fields.

There was a sense of urgency, focus, and commitment unlike any I had ever seen. We were resourced to be successful and staffed with the best and brightest in the field. It was humbling to be a small part of this effort. As I worked at Warp Speed, I also saw the amazing commitment of many other federal responders who were on the front lines of this fight.

What did your role entail?

As the Executive Officer for the Vaccine Development Team, my job was to ensure the Director had all the tools, information, and support he needed to be successful and to assist in developing our strategy to bring the vaccine online. Coming from the Department of Defense, I knew many of the players in Warp Speed and had connections within the medical community to help the team meet goals and objectives. We worked with the manufacturers, program managers, and multiple federal agencies to streamline efforts.

What did you take away from the experience?

It was humbling and a honor to serve with the Health and Human Services and Warp Speed team. My biggest take away is that our nation is fortunate to have the resources – scientists, researchers, funding, and logistics – to make this a success. I was a very small part of it, but learned so much from working with these amazing people. This opportunity also opened the door for me to stay with Health and Human Services upon retirement from the Army.

What lessons in faith did you realize along the way?

In February 2020, while still assigned as the Executive Officer to the Surgeon General, our team had been working around the clock tracking the virus and establishing systems and protocols to protect our military force. It was stressful and often very challenging to stay motivated. I had gotten to the Pentagon parking lot early one morning and did not feel like going into the building. I texted my pastor and asked for prayers and strength. It was around five in the morning, so I didn’t expect an answer immediately. Within seconds of hitting the send button, he called me. We prayed, and he encouraged me to maintain

my faith. My pastor reminded me that I would not face anything I could not handle. He inspired me to be “all in” in this fight. My last two commanders, LTG Nadja West and LTG Scott Dingle were also very strong in their faith. It was great to be surrounded by people with their character.

First Presbyterian Day School played a huge role in my spiritual development. It is where I truly came to know Christ. FPD will always be an important part of my life. I became the person I am based on the supportive environment (and the occasional visit to Mr. Middlebrooks’ office), and I made life-long friends that I am as close with today as when I graduated in 1985; some even closer.

I am also blessed to have a supportive wife, Margaret, who is clearly the strongest woman of faith I have ever known. She has often carried me through tough times and pretty much raised our amazing sons, William and Luke, while I was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan or working long hours.

FPD planted those seeds. Having those core faith values has kept me motivated and focused. Fortunately, I had them with me throughout my 31 years in the Army, and they are still with me today in my new career.

What does your new role as the Director of National Disaster Medical Systems entail?

As the Director of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), I will work with over 4,000 public health and medical professionals who deploy to provide life-saving medical care in response to natural and man-made disasters. We have medical, veterinary, mortuary, and surgical teams made up of volunteers across the nation who are activated to support federal response operations.

In the past year, many of our [NDMS] members have deployed multiple times to work in overburdened ICUs to allow exhausted staff to take a small, but much needed break. While supporting these efforts, others were deployed during one of our busiest hurricane seasons ever. Whenever we asked, they responded. These are amazing individuals who pick up, leave their families and current duties to deploy with very short notice on challenging missions to take care of our citizens. I completed an internship with NDMS in 1998 to 1999, and it is great to come back to this team.

Any goals as you enter this new role?

I am excited to join the NDMS team! I enjoyed my service in the Army and will always be amazed at the opportunities provided for me and my family. Serving with NDMS is a way to continue serving my country and making a difference. “I enjoyed my service in the Army and will always be

amazed at the opportunities serving provided for me

and my family. Serving with NDMS is a way to continue

serving my country and making a difference.“

Pictured above: Mike and his wife, Margaret Stratford Smith, along with their sons, William and Luke. Their older son, William, is a First Lieutenant with the 101st Airborne Division, where he serves as a Sapper Combat Engineer. Their younger son, Luke, is a freshman at American University studying global development with an emphasis in public health.

In January 2021, Dr. Barry Shealy announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year. He has accepted a position as Director of Learning with Sekolah Pelita Harapan, a system of Christian international schools based in Jakarta, Indonesia. He will oversee curriculum, faculty development, and school improvement. He and his wife, Laurie, relocated to Jakarta in July.

Dr. Shealy has served at FPD since 1998 as a faculty member, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Associate Head of School. Under his leadership, First Presbyterian Day School has achieved tremendous growth in its academic program and performance.

Among many accomplishments, Dr. Shealy spearheaded the launch of FPD’s 1-to-1 technology initiative in 2012 and led the way for FPD being named as a National Blue Ribbon School for Exemplary Performance three times (2008, 2012, 2015); furthermore, FPD received accreditation from CESA (Council of Educational Standards & Accountability) and is one of only 17 schools to receive exemplary accreditation from ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).

However, where Dr. Shealy seemed to truly feel at home was in nature exploring God’s creation with FPD’s lower school students or in the classroom explaining the complexities of calculus to FPD’s high school students.

There was not a year that went by that Dr. Shealy did not join the fourth grade on their trip to explore beach ecology on Jekyll Island or Tybee Island. He did not miss an opportunity to walk FPD’s nature trails and point out all of the wonderful examples of God’s work in nature. While the campus was closed during the pandemic, Dr. Shealy took the initiative to create nature videos so students could continue to learn more about plants, animals, and insects while at home. “Dr. Shealy epitomizes Christ-centered leadership and mentorship,” notes Lower School Principal, Shannon Bryant. “The students gravitate toward his enthusiasm for nature and his love for sharing his knowledge with our young learners. He has been an inspiration to me and so many on our staff.”

Likewise, FPD’s calculus students are grateful for his careful and thorough explanation of top-level math that made the subject relatable and accessible.

FPD alum Bill Barnes had this note to pass along to Dr. Shealy: “You did the impossible for me - making calculus doable. Somehow you even made math team fun. But, much more importantly, you demonstrated an inspiring combination described by Paul to Titus as ‘faith and knowledge according in godliness.’ With a grateful heart, I pray you and Mrs. Shealy continue to bear that fruit in your new ministry.”

“It has been an honor to serve at FPD for the past 23 years. I have enjoyed working with so many wonderful faculty members, students, and families to advance God’s Kingdom in Middle Georgia through Christian education,” said Dr. Shealy. “FPD has been a wonderful home for me, Laurie, and our sons. Now that our sons have graduated college and established their homes, we decided it was time to answer God’s call to serve elsewhere in the world. It is something we have wanted to do for quite some time and are honored that we will be able to share a Christ-centered education with students in southeast Asia.”

Dr. Shealy and his wife, Laurie, were honored at a ceremony at the close of the school year. Current and former faculty visited to show their appreciation for the Shealys’ many years of service at FPD.

NOTES FROM FORMER STUDENTS

Dr. Shealy, I hope you are doing well and are set for a great adventure! I just wanted to tell you that I use calculus (and math, more generally) all the time. You taught me so much in the administration building conference room! Wishing you all the best!

- Michael Impink ‘04

Dr. Shealy, You did the impossible for me - making calculus doable. Somehow you even made math team fun. But, much more importantly, you demonstrated an inspiring combination described by Paul to Titus as faith and knowledge according in godliness. With a grateful heart, I pray you and Mrs. Shealy continue to bear that fruit in your new ministry.

- Bill Barnes ‘05

When Dr. Shealy taught me in BC Calculus, he would always share math jokes with us that he said would be great to use at parties. He was always encouraging and kind and taught me how to see God in math. He will surely be missed!!

- Katherine Strickland Drury ‘15

Dr Shealy! I so appreciate you always encouraging me. Even though I didn’t get a STEM degree, I still got a masters in education which I think was truly because of your passion for how a good education could change the world. Go inspire some more students, you definitely inspired me.

FPD welcome over 250 summer campers each week for Camp Trailblazer and Center for Discovery Summer Camps. Many FPD alumni served as camp counselors and FPD students volunteered.