WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast

   This special episode of WarDocs celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps by featuring four distinguished commanders: Colonel Margaret Berryman, Colonel Crystal Belew, Colonel Sarah Eccleston, and Colonel Briana Perata. Each guest shares her personal journey from commissioning to leading complex medical formations, highlighting how their foundational experiences as a nurse prepared the...

    This episode celebrates the 125th anniversary of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps by profiling four newly commissioned officers completing their Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC). The conversation highlights the diverse backgrounds and motivations of these future leaders, ranging from a former Master Sergeant with 22 years of enlisted service to first-generation college graduates and officers. By sharing ...

Episode Summary

   In this inspiring episode of WarDocs, we are honored to feature the extraordinary journey of Retired Army Brigadier General Clara Adams-Ender. Rising from humble beginnings as one of ten children born to sharecroppers with limited formal education, she defied expectations to become a trailblazer in military medicine. Her story is a testament to the power o...

Episode Summary

   Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Alexander Villahermosa, a neurosurgery resident at UT Health San Antonio and former 18 Delta Special Forces Medical Sergeant. Motivated by the events of 9/11, he enlisted with an 18 X-ray contract, embarking on a remarkable journey that took him from the battlefield to the operating room. Dr. Villahermosa shares stories from his deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, a...

    Unlock the secrets of military medicine and simulation technology with insights from two leading experts, retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Jason Robbins and Lou Oberndorf, CEO of Operative Experience Incorporated. Discover how these trailblazers have navigated the evolution of medical simulation, turning traditional training on its head and preparing medics for the chaotic and high-pressure e...

     What if you could transform the future of military medicine with the power of AI and technology? Join us for a captivating conversation with retired Navy Master Chief and Independent Duty Corpsman Joe Espinosa, who takes us through his remarkable journey in military healthcare. From his early days navigating the austere environments with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, to becoming a strategic leade...

   Army Colonel Kent DeZee, MD, MPH, the Defense Health Agency Director of Graduate Medical Education, offers an exclusive inside look into the unique world of training military physicians. We explore the evolution of the military's residency match process and the distinct challenges faced by aspiring military doctors. Dr. DeZee shares invaluable advice for medical students aiming to stand out in GME ap...

      Imagine navigating the complexities of wartime medicine, where every decision can mean the difference between life and death. Join us for an unfiltered conversation with Dr. Oleksandr Sokolov, a Ukrainian vascular surgeon who has been in the thick of it, bringing groundbreaking innovations to the surgical battlefield. Dr. Sokolov reveals how the use of acellular tissue-engineered vessels is not ju...

   What drives a person with no medical lineage to become a leading figure in military medicine? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Lt Col Theodore Hart, MD, whose path from the Air Force Academy to a celebrated vascular surgeon at Brooke Army Medical Center defies expectations. Discover the pivotal moments that ignited his passion for surgery and medicine, from a transformative research op...

      Can AI transcend its role from a mere tool to a pivotal player in healthcare transformation? Join us as we engage in a compelling conversation with retired Navy Captain and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Hassan Tetteh, a vanguard in clinical informatics and artificial intelligence. We unravel AI's metamorphosis within military and federal healthcare systems, spotlighting its evolution from an unseen a...

   Join us for a fascinating discussion with retired Air Force Colonel Dr. Jessica Servey, who shares her remarkable journey into military medicine. As a family physician and a leader in medical education, Dr. Servey offers an insider's view into the dynamic world of military healthcare. Her unexpected entry into the Air Force, sparked by an encounter during a cancer charity run, set the stage for a dis...

     Unlock the power to overcome imposter syndrome in military medicine with insights from an eclectic panel of seasoned professionals. Major Lindsay Umlauf hosts a compelling discussion with Brigadier General Susan Pietrykowski, retired Command Master Chief Petty Officer Tyrone Willis, Major Tiara Walz, and Second Lieutenant Ryan Leone. Together, they unravel the complexities of self-doubt, share tran...

Army neurosurgeon LTC Ryan Morton, MD, joins us for a compelling discussion on the high-stakes environment of combat neurosurgery. We delve into the strategies crucial for managing head trauma on the battlefield, where preventing hypoxia and hypotension is paramount for saving lives. Dr. Morton shares invaluable insights on how military medical teams maintain vigilance against these conditions despite t...

    Army neurosurgeon LTC Ryan Morton, MD, takes us on an extraordinary journey through his military medicine career, sharing insights and personal stories that shaped his path. From the influence of his father's military service and choosing the ROTC HPSP route to fund his education at Notre Dame, to his pivotal decision to pursue neurosurgery over cardiology, Dr. Morton's narrative is both inspiring a...

    Retired Major General Paul Friedrichs, MD, offers a unique perspective on military leadership principles through the lens of healthcare, drawing from his extensive service, including his role as the inaugural director of the White House Office on Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy. Listen as Paul emphasizes the significance of keeping patients at the core of healthcare efforts and the profoun...

    Dr. Stephen Ferrara, a distinguished retired Navy Captain and the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, joins us on WarDocs to share his inspiring journey through military medicine. Dr. Ferrara opens up about his motivations, which are deeply rooted in family ties and pivotal global events, such as the Gulf War, that led him to pursue a career as a vascular and interventional rad...

    Retired Army Colonel and Physician Assistant Pauline Gross shares her extraordinary journey from the Women's Army Corps to a pioneering career in military medicine. With a career spanning over 44 years, Pauline offers a wealth of insights into the evolution of women's health in the military and the vital role of leadership and mentorship in overcoming barriers. Her story is a powerful testament to r...

    Army Chaplain Major Paul Belcher joins us to share his groundbreaking insights into the intersection of trauma and spirituality within military contexts. Through his unique journey and experiences, Major Belcher developed the Traumatic Impact Spiritual Assessment Tool, a much-needed approach to help service members navigate the spiritual repercussions of trauma. His tool aims to bridge the gaps left...

   Command Sergeant Major Gabriel Wright shares his extraordinary journey from serving with the Army Rangers to becoming a senior respiratory therapist in military medicine. His transformation was profoundly influenced by the events of 9-11, leading to deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he faced the harsh realities of combat head-on. With passion and earnestness, CSM Wright reveals the demanding...