WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast

MG(R) Richard W. Thomas, MD, DDS- Surgeon, Soldier, Educator, Leader- Shaping the Future of Military Medicine

  Dr. Thomas describes his career pathway from training and practicing as a dentist and later attending medical school and becoming a board-certified ENT-Head and Neck Surgeon.  He explains the similarities and differences between Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and ENT and how their missions are complimentary.  Dr. Thomas relates his experiences while stationed at Fort Campbell, KY where he served as the 101st Airborne Division Surgeon and later as the Commander of the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.
  MG(R) Thomas has deployed to Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan in a variety of clinical and leadership roles.  He shares some interesting anecdotes and what he learned in each of these assignments.
  MG (R) Thomas also served as the Chief of the Army Medical Corps and describes some of the challenges faced by Military Physicians and the steps he made to ensure doctors were prepared to handle deployment requirements and stay proficient in their practices.  He also played a major role in the execution plan to stand up the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and describes the obstacles and opportunities he encountered in setting this organization for success in its role in the Military Health System.
  Following his retirement from Military Service, Dr. Thomas served as the President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science- America’s Medical School.  He talks about the purpose and benefits of having a military medical school and some of the barriers he faced in ensuring this institution continued to produce excellent military medicine team members prepared to support the military’s mission at home and in combat.
   He shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides some valuable advice for all listeners. You don't want to miss this episode!
               
To find out more about Dr. Thomas at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and join our mission to preserve military medicine achievements WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
The WarDocs Mission is to improve military and civilian healthcare and foster patriotism by honoring the legacy, preserving the oral history, and showcasing career opportunities, experiences, and achievements of military medicine.
Listen to the What We are For Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of donations go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
 
WARDOCS documents the experiences and contributions of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Doc" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield; only we can do what we do.
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MG(R) George Weightman, MD- Commander, Command Surgeon- Optimizing Medical Support to Combat Units Across the Globe

   Dr. Weightman discusses his lifetime of military service as a West Point cadet, infantry officer, and physician. He served as the 82nd Airborne Division Surgeon and describes his planning and execution of Operations Just Cause (combat jump into Panama) and Desert Storm. He also describes how he used these experiences to synchronize the medical knowledge of these conflicts to help implement cutting-edge battlefield care.
  Dr. Weightman relates a behind-the-scenes look at the medical response to the Green Ramp disaster in 1994 at Fort Bragg where a mid-air collision of an F-16 and C-130 led to 23 fatalities and over 80 injured paratroopers that were brought to Womack Army Medical Center and surrounding hospitals.  
   He reflects on his time as the Commander of Joint Task Bravo in Honduras and describes the military medical mission in Central America. 
   Following 9/11, MG(R) Weightman played a large role in the planning and preparation for OEF and OIF as Commander of the 3rd MEDCOM, a Reserve Medical Command in Fort McPherson, GA. He shares many lessons learned while working with coalition partners and how he brought these into his role as the Commander of the AMEDD Center and School in San Antonio (now called the Medical Center of Excellence)
   He commanded Walter Reed during the Washington Post articles and describes his perspectives on that issue and how to lead in difficult circumstances.  He also led the storied Army Medical Research and Material Command and explains how the DoD is committed to supporting innovative research designed to benefit the warfighter and other beneficiaries.
   He shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides some valuable advice for all listeners. You don't want to miss this episode!
                               
Our Mission is to honor the legacy and preserve the oral history of military medicine to foster patriotism, inspire selfless service, and leverage lessons learned to improve military and civilian healthcare in the future. 
Listen to the What We are For Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of donations go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
To find out more about Dr. Weightman at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and join our mission to preserve military medicine achievements WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
 
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Lt Gen (Ret) Bruce Green, MD- 20th Air Force Surgeon General Shapes Military Medicine using Crises Leadership Experience Gained in every Region of the World

Dr. Green served as the 20th Air Force Surgeon General from August 12, 2009, to July 19, 2012. Hear in this episode his training to become an aerospace medicine physician. He led through multiple crises in the Pacific, commanded multiple military hospitals, including Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, helped lead Air Force medicine following 9/11, and oversaw aeromedical evacuation for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi freedom. He also provides a unique look into the role of a Command Surgeon from his experiences with US Transportation Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. An expert in disaster relief operations, he planned and led humanitarian relief efforts in the Philippines after the Baguio earthquake in 1990 and supported Operation Fiery Vigil following the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. He explains that his experience in his multiple roles facilitated his ability to foster innovation that led to significant improvements in combat casualty care.
   He shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides some valuable advice for all listeners. You don't want to miss this episode!
                                                 
Our Mission is to improve military and civilian healthcare and foster patriotism by honoring the legacy, preserving the oral history, and showcasing career opportunities, experiences, and achievements of military medicine.
Listen to the What We are For Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of donations go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
To find out more about Dr. Green at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and join our mission to preserve military medicine achievements WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
 
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Command Sergeant Major Diamond D. Hough- US Army Medicine’s Senior Soldier Medic Leverages Battlefield Experience to Influence the Next Generation of Combat Medics.

CSM Hough is the top combat medic, "doc" in Army Medicine. With multiple deployments, he describes the challenges he experienced in combat casualty care at the point of injury. These remarkable stories helped shape his career, motivating him to improve his skills.  He translated those skills to improving combat medicine as a combat medic trainer, NCO leader, and now as the MEDCOM Command Sergeant Major.
CSM Hough has provided combat casualty care in all areas of the globe, and he describes what it takes for the medic to be successful in all scenarios they may find themselves in. He stresses the critical role enlisted medics/corpsmen play on the military medical healthcare team.
"One thing people forget about the combat medic is the combat part. I'm no good as a medic. If I can't survive on the battlefield, I'm no good to anyone".
"If I can get to the places that are wounded soldiers are at…if they're taking a hill, I have to be able to take the hill. If they're going to the lowest valley, I got to be able to get to that battle."
   He shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides some valuable advice for all listeners. You don't want to miss this episode!
Find out more about CSM Hough at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and join Team WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
Our Mission is to honor the legacy and preserve the oral history of military medicine to foster patriotism, inspire selfless service, and leverage lessons learned to improve military and civilian healthcare in the future. 
Listen to the What We are For Episode 47. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-rixc8-11e56b3
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
 
  Please take a moment to follow/subscribe, rate, and review WarDocs on your preferred Podcast venue.
 
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Twitter: @wardocspodcast
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COL David R. King, MD, FACS- Trauma Surgeon Responds to the Boston Marathon Bombing and Provides and Innovates Surgical Critical Care for Special Operations and Civilian Trauma Patients.

  In this episode you will hear how Dr. King walked into a Boston Army Recruiting Office and said “Hey, I’m a Doctor and I want to join the Army”, a very uncommon scenario in the recruiting world!  He describes what drew him to a career in Trauma and Critical Care and how he was part of the initial discussions of developing an Army Trauma Training platform at Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.
  He shares stories from his initial deployments on a Forward Surgical Team and working in a Combat Support Hospital in Iraq and how those experiences helped prepare him to care for casualties from the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013 (after finishing the Marathon himself!).  He shares some important lessons learned from that episode which he helped translate into common practice.
  COL King has supported the US Army Joint Special Operations Command for more than 8 years and describes a remarkable case of a critically wounded Army Ranger that required surgical repair of bleeding within the chest cavity (trauma thoracotomy) during a cardiac arrest in the most austere of conditions. This intervention saved the Soldier’s life and allowed him to recover and later attend medical school.
  Dr. King describes his research interests in stopping traumatic bleeding using novel technologies such as self-expanding foams and expanding the accessibility and familiarity with tourniquets within the EMS and civilian population.
   He shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides some valuable advice for all listeners.  You don’t want to miss this episode!
  Find out more about Dr. King at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and visit our webpage and become part of Team WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
                                            
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization.  All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
Please take a moment to follow/subscribe, rate and review WarDocs on your preferred Podcast platform.
 
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Major General (RET) Gale S. Pollock: CRNA, First Female and First Nonphysician Army Surgeon General and 22nd Chief of the Army Nurse Corps

  In this episode you will hear MG(R) Pollock describe her journey into Army Medicine and what led her to pursue a career as an CRNA.  She talks about the role of a CRNA on the battlefield and her experiences at multiple medical treatment facilities including Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  She explains how advanced degrees such as a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategy, a MHA and MBA were valuable in the many strategic roles in which she served such as Hospital Commander at several MTFs including Tripler Army Medical Center.
  She shares her experiences when she was the Deputy Surgeon General of the Army and then was appointed as Acting Surgeon General and Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command (the first woman, non-physician to have this role in any of the military services) during a turbulent time when Walter Reed AMC was on the front pages of the Washington Post which was covering a story on the potential mistreatment of wounded warriors.  She provides a behind the scenes look at what actually going on at that time. 
  MG(R) Pollock also shares her experiences from additional important leadership roles such as Chief of the Army Nurse Corps and Member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. 
MG(R) Pollock shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides some valuable advice for all listeners.  You don’t want to miss this episode!
                                                   
  Find out more about MG(R) Pollock at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and visit our webpage and become part of Team WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
 
Our Mission is to honor the legacy and preserve the oral history of military medicine to foster patriotism, inspire selfless service, and leverage lessons learned to improve military and civilian healthcare in the future. 
 
Listen to the What We are For Episode 47. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-rixc8-11e56b3
 
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization.  All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
 
  Please take a moment to follow/subscribe, rate and review WarDocs on your preferred Podcast venue.
 
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Twitter: @wardocspodcast
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Instagram: @wardocspodcast

BG (R) Norvell “Van” Coots, MD Military Medicine Impacts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East; a Motivational Story of Perseverance, Ambition, and a Never Quit Attitude

BG Coots describes his lifelong ambition to become a doctor and the perseverance required to accomplish his goal of becoming a Dermatologist.  This episode describes his career and deployment experiences in his pathway to becoming the Surgeon General for the US Forces in Afghanistan. He describes his general officer role as well as being a dermatologist. He was the Command Surgeon for the US Army Europe and provides an enlightening understanding of military medical care in support of Eastern European issues.  BG(R) Coots served as the final Commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and describes the Herculian efforts required to care for Service Members evacuated from the OIF and OEF theatres of war during a very high operational tempo. 
    Dr. Coots shares many insights and lessons learned over a distinguished career and provides valuable advice for all listeners.  You don't want to miss this episode!
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization.  All donations are tax-deductible and go to accomplishing our mission of honoring the legacy and preserving the oral history of military medicine told from the perspective of those who have lived it.
Find out more about Dr. Coots at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios  
Support and become part of Team WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
Listen to the WarDocs Origin Story- WarDocs-What are we for?   https://bit.ly/3r87Afm
  
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COL(R) Kent E. Kester, MD- Important Impacts of Translational Research Medicine in Military and Global Healthcare

Dr. Kester, a Military Infectious Disease Specialist, explains the critical role of military translational (benchtop research to patient care application) in vaccine development, mental health, traumatic brain injury, and the diagnosis and treatment of pathogens across the globe.  He explains the unique role of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and how that organization works with civilian institutions and other governmental agencies to bring essential concepts from the laboratory to the battlefield and the public. Dr. Kester has deployed and describes the efforts his team made to improve the ability to address and answer research questions related to armed conflicts.  He provides insightful advice to those interested in being involved in research both in the military and civilian sectors.
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of donations go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in military medicine.
Listen to the What We are For Episode 47. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-rixc8-11e56b3
To find out more about Dr. Kester at wardocspodcast.com/guest-bios and join our mission to preserve military medicine achievements WarDocs at wardocspodcast.com.
Follow Us on social media.
Twitter: @wardocspodcast
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Please take a moment to follow/subscribe, rate, and review WarDocs on your preferred Podcast venue.
 
Follow Us on Social Media
Twitter: @wardocspodcast
Facebook: WarDocs Podcast
Instagram: @wardocspodcast