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 by existing methods and emphasizes the significance of spirituality beyond organized religion, of...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 235
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 Ranger selection process and the specialized training that shaped his initial military career. H...
Jul 16, 2025•52 min•Ep. 234
Prepare to uncover the hidden world of military medicine with retired Army Colonel Dr. Kevin O'Connor. What does it take to provide medical care in high-stakes environments and transition seamlessly into the role of White House physician? Join us for an episode packed with hard-earned wisdom and captivating stories as Dr. O'Connor shares his journey from the ROTC program at St. Bonaventure University to serving as a command surgeon for elite military units. His experiences reveal the critical im...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 233
What drives someone to transition from aspiring Marine to a leading figure in military and federal healthcare? Dr. Leith States' journey is marked by pivotal moments, including a personal tragedy that redirected his path toward medicine. In a candid conversation, Dr. States shares his unique experiences, from attending Officer Candidate School with the Marines to serving as a Battalion Surgeon during Operation Enduring Freedom. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the essential role pre...
Jun 26, 2025•57 min•Ep. 232
What if your journey to becoming a physician didn't come with the burden of student debt, and instead, offered unique career opportunities and a profound sense of purpose? Join us as we chat with Army LTC Mary Alice Noel, MD, Navy CAPT Shauna F. O'Sullivan, DO, and Air Force Col Brian Neubauer, MD, to uncover the transformative power of the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). These esteemed guests share how the program not only covers full medical school tuition and provides a monthly...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 231
Join us on WarDocs as we explore the fascinating journey of Army Colonel Aaron C. Pitney, MD, into the world of military medicine. Inspired by his family's legacy in the medical field, Dr. Pitney shares how his sister and brother-in-law's careers in pediatrics and cardiology motivated him to pursue his own path in medicine. Discover how his training at Tripler and mentorship in pediatric hematology and oncology played a pivotal role in shaping his career. Dr. Pitney recounts a poignant case of a...
Jun 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 230
Join us on this enlightening journey with Retired Army Colonel Joshua D. Hartzel, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA,as we explore his remarkable path in military medicine. Dr. Hartzell shares his early passion for military history, which inspired his decision to join the service through the ROTC program to fund his college education. Discover how influential mentors and the unique opportunities available to infectious disease specialists in the military shaped his specialization in internal medicine and ...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 229
Unpack the unique and demanding world of Special Forces medical operations with our guest, Sergeant First Class Mo Bogert, an Army 18 Delta Special Forces medic. This episode promises an enlightening journey through predictive medicine, the vital skill set for prolonged casualty care, and the transformative role of telemedicine in combat scenarios. Mo shares his personal story of resilience and adaptability, offering invaluable advice for new medics stepping into this challenging field, and pain...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 228
COL(R) Steven Braverman, MD takes you through his extraordinary journey from military medicine to becoming the COO of the Veterans Health Administration. Driven by a desire to fund his education through the Army's HPSP scholarship independently, Dr. Braverman chose the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), inspired by his family's medical background and his passion for sports medicine. He shares his experiences at Walter Reed, his leadership roles, and the impact PM&R...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 227
Join us as we explore the extraordinary journey of Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel PA Stephen M. DeLellis, PA-C, who transitioned from an enlisted soldier to a distinguished physician assistant in military medicine. Starting with his decision to join the Army for college money in the early 1980s, Steve recounts his time in the 1st Ranger Battalion and how influential mentors and pivotal moments shaped his career path. His narrative offers valuable insights into the evolution of military medicine...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 226
Join us as Col (Ret) Eric M. Flake, MD, takes us on a journey through his illustrious career in military medicine, where he specialized in developmental behavioral pediatrics. Discover how pediatricians are not just essential in the combat zones but also pivotal in bringing innovative care models to neurodiverse children back home. Dr. Flake shares his vision of blending technology and collaboration with civilian institutions to enhance the lives of military families, underscoring the potential ...
Apr 23, 2025•43 min•Ep. 225
What if protecting a soldier’s vision was as critical as shielding them from bullets? Join us as we promise a journey with retired Army Colonel and ophthalmologist, Dr. Robert Mazzoli, whose remarkable career in military medicine sheds light on the evolution of ophthalmology on the battlefield. Dr. Mazzoli’s story, from his humble beginnings in Louisville, Kentucky to his pivotal role in military ophthalmology, offers an inspiring testament to the importance of education and adaptability in the ...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 224
Embark on a fascinating exploration of military medicine with Commander Sean Stewart, a distinguished emergency medicine physician and the Command Surgeon for Joint Task Force Civil Support. Ever wondered what it takes to transition from traditional medical practice to the dynamic, resource-challenged environments faced by Navy doctors? This episode promises to illuminate the unique aspects of military medicine through the eyes of a seasoned professional. Discover the blend of clinical acumen an...
Apr 09, 2025•9 min•Ep. 223
Unlock the secrets of exceptional leadership with BG(R) William T. Bester, RN, MSN, FAAN, as he shares transformative insights from his illustrious 32-year military career. What if leadership is more about breaking down barriers than giving orders? Discover how BG(R) Bester's commitment to removing obstacles, fostering open communication, and embracing the expertise within his teams has shaped his approach to leadership. His candid reflections on avoiding micromanagement and encouraging collabor...
Mar 27, 2025•13 min•Ep. 222
Unlock the secrets of military medicine with COL(R) Carl Savory, MD, as he takes us from the gritty battlegrounds of Vietnam to the cutting-edge operating rooms that revolutionized care for our armed forces. Discover the pivotal moments that steered Dr. Savory from infantry officer to a pioneering figure in orthopedic surgery, leading to his transformative role at Fort Bragg and the Letterman Army Medical Center. Experience the thrill and challenges of serving as the first Delta Force surgeon, w...
Mar 20, 2025•42 min•Ep. 221
What if you could transform military medicine to better serve those who risk their lives to protect us? Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Air Force Colonel Dr. Vik Bebarta, a leading figure in emergency medicine and medical toxicology. From his early days at the Air Force Academy to his pivotal role in founding the University of Colorado Center for Combat Research, Dr. Bebarta shares how his experiences on deployments have shaped his perspective on the critical role of research in a...
Mar 06, 2025•50 min•Ep. 220
What if the key to advancing military medicine lies in a small shift from opioids to ketamine for battlefield pain management? Join us as we unlock the groundbreaking research of Dr. Ted Melcer, a pioneer in military psychological studies, whose work challenges the conventional use of morphine for wounded soldiers. Recognized by Military Medicine Journal as the 2024 article of the year, Dr. Melcer's investigation into pre-hospital ketamine therapy offers fresh insights into its potential to alte...
Feb 27, 2025•14 min•Ep. 219
Brig Gen (Ret) Susan Pietrykowski, celebrated for her outstanding Air Force Medical Service Corps officer career, joins us to uncover her unique leadership philosophy known as "Pie's pontifications." With her experience culminating as the 21st Medical Service Corps Chief, Susan shares the wisdom that guided her leadership journey, emphasizing the critical role of communication and the art of adapting styles to suit diverse teams. Her perspective on achieving work-life harmony, rather than balanc...
Feb 25, 2025•14 min•Ep. 218
How can military medicine influence global peace and security? Join us as we explore the remarkable career of Colonel Dr. Elizabeth Erickson, Director of the Center for Global Health Engagement, who has dedicated her life to this very question. From her roots in Minnesota to her strategic roles across continents, Dr. Erickson shares how her journey in the Air Force has been fueled by a deep commitment to health diplomacy and international collaboration. Her experiences in Afghanistan and Europe ...
Feb 20, 2025•52 min•Ep. 217
Colonel Dr. Jeremy C. Pamplin, the dynamic commander of the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), joins us for a captivating exploration of the evolution of military medical technology. From its roots in the 1990s with remote teleradiology to its current cutting-edge focus on AI and automation in battlefield care, TATRC has undergone a remarkable transformation. Dr. Pamplin takes us through this journey, emphasizing the importance of technology and data governance in opti...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 216
What vital role does military medicine play in keeping our warfighters safe and healthy on the battlefield? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Gary Legault, MD, an Army ophthalmologist. You’ll learn how advancements in eye protection have revolutionized care on the front lines, significantly reducing ocular trauma surgeries. Dr. Legault shares his firsthand experiences addressing the challenges of cultural differences in eye protection adherence and emphasizes the tr...
Feb 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 215
What if the lessons learned from a conflict zone could transform military medicine worldwide? Join us as we promise to reveal groundbreaking insights into combat casualty care with John Quinn, MD, MPH, PhD, EMT-P, a leading voice in Emergency Medicine and Combat Casualty Care. Dr. Quinn shares his experiences and pivotal lessons from the war in Ukraine, providing an in-depth look at how military medical operations have evolved in response to the challenges faced in high-stakes environments. Gain...
Jan 30, 2025•30 min•Ep. 214
Embark on a journey through military medicine with Lieutenant General John J. DeGoes, MD, the Air Force and Space Force Surgeon General. Could the path from civilian practice to military healthcare be transformed by a chance encounter? Listen as Dr. DeGoes recounts his serendipitous introduction to the Uniformed Services University and his unique training, which provides rare opportunities not found in civilian medicine. Gain insights into how the profound events of 9/11 reshaped military health...
Jan 20, 2025•58 min•Ep. 213
What if the training that saves lives on a battlefield could be applied to your everyday world? Retired Navy CAPT Dr. Frank Butler joins us on War Docs to unravel how the rigorous life of a Navy SEAL shaped his journey into pioneering military medicine. Hear firsthand how Dr. Butler transitioned from the relentless demands of SEAL training to medical school, contributing to the development and implementation of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). He offers a unique perspective on the historica...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 212
Navy CAPT Travis Polk, MD, FACS, joins us to unravel the cutting-edge innovations transforming military medicine. What if AI and augmented reality could revolutionize battlefield medical care? Dr. Polk provides a compelling glimpse into the future of combat casualty care, shedding light on the Department of Defense's strategic approach to trauma research. From the 2024 Operational Medicine Symposium, we learned about prioritizing projects that extend resuscitation windows and improve blood produ...
Jan 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 211
Unlock the future of military medicine with us as we explore the transformative power of technology in enhancing care for service members. Gain insights into how drones and telemedicine are redefining battlefield treatment and casualty evacuation, thanks to the expertise of Dr. Ronald Poropatich, a veteran critical care physician and Director of the Center for Military Medicine Research (CMMR) at the University of Pittsburgh. We discuss the pivotal role of the 2024 Operational Medicine Symposium...
Dec 27, 2024•27 min•Ep. 210
Join us for an engaging conversation with Navy CAPT(Ret) Ed Norton, the Chief of the Defense Health Agency's Pharmacy Operations Division, as we explore the intricate world of military pharmacy. With a wealth of experience in both the Navy and DHA, Ed shares his journey and the significant responsibilities he shoulders in managing the TRICARE pharmacy benefit for over 7 million users. Discover how his team collaborates with service pharmacy consultants and Military Treatment Facility representat...
Dec 20, 2024•18 min•Ep. 209
Unlock the secrets of effective military leadership and medical modernization with Major General Anthony McQueen, the Army Deputy Surgeon General, as he shares his remarkable 33-year journey. MG McQueen's path is filled with pivotal moments serving alongside soldiers, from a promising interest in physical therapy to becoming an influential medical service corps officer. Discover how his experiences as a medical platoon leader with the 25th Infantry Division ignited his passion for military medic...
Dec 13, 2024•55 min•Ep. 208
What happens when a combat medic's journey leads him to become a physician assistant, navigating both the intense demands of military medicine and the transition to civilian life? Join us as we explore the incredible career of retired Army Colonel John Detro, whose path from the battlefields of Operation Desert Storm to the intricate world of pathology as a PA is nothing short of inspiring. Colonel Detro shares his experiences with elite units like Delta Force, offering insights into the challen...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 207
What drives someone to shift their life's course towards military medicine, forging a path of service and sacrifice? US Navy Independent Duty Corpsman Mike Shoener shares his compelling journey from aspiring Fire Controlman to revered Navy Corpsman. Inspired by a legacy of service and a pivotal meeting with a fellow corpsman, Mike's story is one of transformation and dedication. Through his experiences, listeners gain insight into the powerful influence of family and mentors in shaping career ch...
Nov 29, 2024•56 min•Ep. 206
