Following his graduation from CBC, Capt. Matthew Obernuefemann '09. attended Benedictine University, where he earned a degree in Biology in 2013 and received NAIA Scholar Athlete honors as a four-year starter on the soccer team. After graduating from college and working various jobs, he decided to pursue a career in military medicine, applying to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the United States Army in 2014. He initially branched Armor and served as a reconnaissance platoon leader and staff officer in the 101st Airborne Division while applying to the Army’s Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP). Selected on his first attempt in 2018, he began the program in 2019 and went on to earn an additional bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2022.
Obernuefemann's first assignment as a physician associate took him to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he had the privilege to serve and deploy as a battalion physician assistant in support of Operation Assure, Deter, and Reenforce in Europe, leading tactical medicine training and care for the Special Advisory Group-Ukraine and the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. In 2024, he was selected to serve as Brigade Physician Associate and Senior Medical Advisor for the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia. In this role, he oversaw medical operations supporting the Army's Airborne, Ranger, Reconnaissance Leaders, and Jumpmaster courses and managed a team of three subordinate PA’s, 98 EMT-B’s, 16 flight paramedics, and eight UH-60 Blackhawk medical evacuation helicopters. Most recently, he was selected as Deputy Chief of Medical Waivers for the U.S. Army Recruiting Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he helps lead a team of 18 physicians and physician associates responsible for adjudicating over 100,000 medical waiver actions annually in support of the recruiting mission.
Outside of his military career, he and his wife, Lainey, whom he married in 2015, have four children, ages 10, 8, 5, and 7 months. He enjoys upland bird and waterfowl hunting with his two dogs, Lula and Otto. After moving six times in 11 years of active-duty service, he looks forward to the possibility of greater stability in the years ahead. He also continues to pursue his passion for medicine and education and expects to earn his Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine this December, with hopes of eventually becoming an adjunct professor in a physician assistant program.
Reflecting on his time at CBC, Obernuefemann recalls the sacrifices that came with attending school nearly an hour away from his home in O'Fallon, Illinois. Each morning, he woke up around 4:45 or 5:00 a.m. to make the drive through downtown traffic, often arriving before the school doors were even unlocked. During soccer season, he frequently wouldn't return home until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. While the demanding schedule presented challenges, it also taught him lessons in perseverance and commitment that would stay with him throughout his life.
"It wasn’t necessarily how “CBC shaped me” but how committing to attending CBC shaped me. It gave me no choice but to make the necessary sacrifices like time, relationships, and opportunities - to name a few. Ultimately, CBC made me realize that what I needed most in life was not an easy road but an opportunity to fulfill my potential and the freedom to pursue it unrelentingly."
Among the people who made a lasting impression on him was CBC soccer coach Terry Michler. After deciding to join the Army, Obernuefemann returned to CBC to share his plans with Michler, including his goal of becoming a medical provider in the military. He remembers Michler leaning back in his chair, chuckling, and offering words of encouragement.
“Obe, I’ll tell you what, I’m not surprised. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve always had a knack for backing yourself into a corner and fighting your way out. I think you’ll be fine.”
He has carried those words with him throughout his military career, particularly during difficult moments. He also remembers Mr. Brockman, who gave his class a creative project about the Vietnam War and the politics of the time. The freedom to approach the assignment creatively allowed him to produce work he was especially proud of, and Brockman's positive feedback provided affirmation when he needed it most.
For current CBC students, his advice centers around resilience and finding mentors who genuinely care about their success.
"If you are struggling, personally, academically, or otherwise, find confidants and mentors within the school," he said. "For me, it was men like Mr. Barr, Mr. Kraus, Mr. Bartoni, and Mr. Brockman. Not everyone will understand your story, and not everyone will care. But those who do will help define who you are and who you become. Be resilient, ask to be held accountable, and make decisions. CBC develops leaders and leaders must lead."