Katie Pane
Katie Pane is a seasoned Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Air Force with nearly 19 years of distinguished service. She began her military career as an enlisted Public Health Technician, serving six years before earning the opportunity to commission as a Medical Service Corps officer—transitioning into the role of hospital administrator. For the past 13 years, she has led and supported military healthcare operations across nine assignments and multiple deployments, building extensive experience in medical readiness, healthcare administration, and operational leadership.
Currently based in San Antonio, Texas, Katie serves as an Instructor for the Health Services Administration (HSA) and Medical Readiness Management Course (MRMC), where she provides foundational training to all newly commissioned Air Force hospital administrators. As the Air Force’s subject matter expert in medical readiness, she trains medical readiness personnel across the enterprise throughout the year, instructing several courses and mentoring approximately 400 students annually. Drawing from nearly two decades of service—encompassing diverse assignments, deployments, and leadership roles—she integrates real-world lessons, practical insight, and personal mentorship into her teaching, ensuring her students are fully prepared to excel in the field.
Katie holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from American Military University, completing her degrees virtually while navigating military relocations. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® through the Project Management Institute, reflecting her commitment to disciplined execution and organizational excellence. Alongside her husband, who also serves in the military, Katie applies intentional long-term planning—conducting annual 15–20 year vision planning—to achieve both professional milestones and family goals. Through strategic foresight, perseverance, and servant leadership, she continues to shape the next generation of Air Force healthcare leaders while modeling purposeful success in both career and family life.
• Medical Service Corps Officer
• United States Air Force (MSC)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Associate's Degree
• Community College of the Air Force
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
• American Military University (2012)
• Master's Degree in Business Management
• American Military University (2016)
• Influential Women 2026
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Member, Medical Service Corps Association (MSCA)
What do you attribute your success to?
"Putting my best foot forward every step of the way," seizing opportunities when they align with personal and professional needs, and careful planning with family support.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to find my passion and commit to it fully—striving for excellence in everything I do. I believe that when you are truly aligned with your purpose, your work becomes more meaningful and your impact more significant. I lead with compassion, ensuring I understand and support the people around me; with clarity, so expectations and direction are never ambiguous; and with a focus on results, because meaningful leadership ultimately requires measurable outcomes. This mindset has guided my career and continues to shape how I serve, mentor, and lead others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep an open mind, and be open to the possibilities and opportunities that you may not even know exist right now. I literally have just put my best foot forward every step of the way, and new opportunities have presented themselves, and when it worked for myself, both personally and professionally, with my family, we took those opportunities. Additionally, I would say planning is a big thing. So my husband and I do a visual plan for the next 15 to 20 years, really. We do that on an annual basis. And with that, we have really been able to achieve every milestone and goal that we have set for ourselves, both as a family, but even more so, professionally.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and at the same time, greatest opportunities in my field right now is helping individuals and organizations lead with high-quality health services that are truly tailored to their specific needs. Healthcare environments are complex and constantly evolving, requiring leaders to balance operational efficiency, regulatory requirements, and mission readiness while still delivering exceptional patient-centered care. The opportunity lies in building adaptable systems, strengthening leadership capability, and implementing continuous process improvement strategies that ensure healthcare services remain both effective and sustainable. By equipping leaders with the right training, clarity of vision, and commitment to excellence, we can elevate standards across organizations and drive meaningful, lasting impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are openness, growth, integrity, and perseverance. I believe in staying open to new ideas and challenges, recognizing that innovation and progress come from a willingness to learn and adapt. I am deeply committed to continuous education and lifelong learning, always seeking opportunities to improve myself and expand my perspective. Leading by example is central to how I operate—I hold myself to the same standards I expect of others. Above all, I believe in perseverance and never giving up on my dreams, trusting that dedication, discipline, and resilience ultimately turn vision into reality.