Some lessons in military medicine can only be learned from the litter. For Green Beret combat medic Luke Sciulli, that lesson arrived when a booby-trapped building in Helmand Province collapsed on him and turned the medic into the patient. What followed reshaped how he thinks about casualty care, recovery, and the future of battlefield medicine. The Day Everything Changed On January 18, 2018, Sciulli was running a personnel-recovery operation out of a Taliban-controlled priso

A career in military medicine can offer purpose, leadership, and clinical breadth that civilian paths rarely match — but the route in is poorly understood. In this WarDocs episode, COL Danielle Holt, MD, Associate Dean of Admissions and Recruitment at the USU School of Medicine, opens the door. A Career Built Across Two Identities Holt’s path runs from ROTC and a general surgery residency at Tripler Army Medical Center to duty stations as different as rural Fort Wainwright, A

Some careers follow a map. CAPT (Ret) Kimberly Elenberg's followed her curiosity, and it carried her from a hospital ward at Walter Reed to the front lines of autonomous battlefield medicine. In this WarDocs episode, she shares how a 28-year journey across the Army, the US Public Health Service, and academia was built one relationship and one bold leap at a time. It Started With a Building in Philadelphia Elenberg's military career began with a glimpse of ROTC cadets rappelli

Navigating the Shift to Large Scale Combat Operations The transition from counterinsurgency operations to Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) represents a fundamental shift in how the Army prepares for conflict. In past environments, the "Golden Hour" for evacuation was often a standard expectation. However, in an LSCO environment, resources will be constrained, and communication may be limited by electromagnetic interference. We must now prepare for prolonged field care sce

Most military trauma surgeons did not begin their careers loading jet fuel on a flight line. Col Valerie Sams, MD did. That unconventional path, from Air Force line officer in logistics and fuels to trauma czar at the Bagram role three and now Director of C-STARS Cincinnati, has shaped one of the most clear-eyed voices in military medicine on what it takes to lead, train, and equip the force for the next fight. In this episode of WarDocs — The Military Medicine Podcast, sh

When NASA needed someone to help solve the problem of keeping astronauts alive during a three-year mission to Mars, they called a retired Marine Colonel who had already flown four Space Shuttle missions, completed a dual residency in internal medicine and pediatrics, run an Ebola treatment unit in Liberia, and cared for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. In a conversation recorded from Sydney, Australia, Dr. David Hilmers joined WarDocs to lay out a blueprint for military medic

What happens when a thousand wounded service members arrive on American soil in a single day — and they keep arriving for a hundred days straight? That is the scenario Dr. Paul D. Biddinger is paid to plan for, and in his WarDocs interview, he delivers a clear-eyed, data-grounded assessment: the U.S. healthcare system is not ready — and it needs to start building that readiness now. The Capacity Crisis Nobody Talks About Dr. Biddinger opens with a fact that reframes the

The Journey from Combat to Classroom Military service often provides a wealth of practical experience, but the transition to civilian leadership requires a different set of tools. In this episode of WarDocs, we sit down with Master Sergeant (Retired) Jonathan Lu, a former 18 Delta Special Operations Medic whose career path serves as a blueprint for professional evolution. From the front lines of route clearance to the corridors of academia, Lu’s story is a testament to th

This episode of WarDocs features Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Charisma Evangelista, the Air Force’s leading voice on refractive surgery and an expert in ocular trauma. The conversation begins with her upbringing in the Philippines and her unique path to military medicine, driven by a desire for service and the supportive, collaborative culture she found at the Uniformed Services University. Dr. Evangelista explains her transition from a prospective general surgeon to an

From Survival to Restoration: The Evolution of Military Rehabilitation In the wake of 9/11 and the ensuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, military medicine faced a daunting challenge: a wave of casualties with devastating, complex injuries unlike those seen in recent history. In our latest episode of WarDocs , we sit down with Retired Army Colonel Dr. Paul Pasquina, a leader in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, to discuss how Walter Reed Army Medical Center adapte

In this compelling episode of the podcast, we explore the groundbreaking paradigm shift of bringing whole blood resuscitation from the combat zones of Afghanistan directly to civilian pre-hospital emergency care. For decades, standard civilian trauma protocols relied heavily on crystalloid fluids and component therapy, delaying crucial blood transfusions until a critically injured patient arrived at the hospital. However, hard-won lessons from military medical teams operating

Leading the Future of Military Medicine: A Master Class with LTG Mary K. Izaguirre In this episode of WarDocs, we are honored to speak with Lieutenant General Mary K. Izaguirre, the 46th Army Surgeon General. With a career spanning over 30 years—from her early days at Madigan Army Medical Center to her time in a Bagram tent—LTG Izaguirre shares her perspective on leading through periods of immense transformation. The Fundamental Shift: Optimizing for the Mission A core t

Celebrating Excellence in Military Medicine Research In this episode of WarDocs, we sit down with the lead author of the prestigious 2025 Military Medicine Article of the Year. The discussion centers on a groundbreaking study that utilizes the LIMBIC-CENC cohort, a massive consortium representing over 3,000 participants. This research is fundamentally changing how the medical community views "invisible" wounds by providing physical evidence for symptoms that traditional imagi

The transition from the intense street battles of Mogadishu to the halls of Congress is a path few have walked, but for retired Army Colonel Dr. Robert Mabry, it was a journey fueled by a singular mission: ensuring no soldier dies from a preventable injury because the system failed to adapt. In this compelling episode of WarDocs , Dr. Mabry shares a raw look at the evolution of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and a provocative vision for the future of operational medicin

When natural disasters strike coastal regions, the U.S. Navy often responds with massive medical capabilities. In this episode of WarDocs, former Navy Commander and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Franklin Sechriest shares his experiences deploying to some of the world’s most devastated areas, including Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami and Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Hospital Ships vs. Warships Dr. Sechriest explains the distinct differences between deploying on a dedicated h

SFC Jacob Allen’s military journey began with a college degree and a desire to join the family business of military service. Seeking the most elite environment, he secured a medic contract for the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he spent the bulk of his operational career. In this high-pressure world, medics aren't just caregivers; they are primary providers for elite platoons in some of the most austere environments on earth. Mastering the Basics of Trauma Care Training in the R

As the Army Nurse Corps approaches its 125th anniversary in 2026, we pause to reflect on a century and a quarter of unwavering service. In a special episode of WarDocs, four former Chiefs of the Corps join us to share their journeys, challenges, and the core values that define this elite organization. The Evolution of a Modern Force The Army Nurse Corps has transitioned from a Cold War-era force focused on peacetime care to a highly specialized, mobile, and scientific body

The US Army Nurse Corps has spent over a century defining the intersection of military service and medical excellence. In this special episode, WarDocs explores this legacy through the eyes of the newest generation of officers. These individuals represent the future of a corps that balances the rigorous demands of being a soldier with the compassionate care of a professional nurse. Diverse Paths to Commissioned Leadership One of the most striking aspects of this cohort is the

This year marks a monumental milestone as the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) celebrates 125 years of service. To honor this legacy, WarDocs interviewed four prominent ANC commanders to explore how a nursing background serves as a premier foundation for military command. These leaders demonstrate that the transition from the bedside to the boardroom is driven by a core commitment to people and professional excellence. The Five Ps of High-Performance Leadership Colonel Margaret Berr

In this episode of WarDocs, we are privileged to hear from Brigadier General (Ret) Clara Adams-Ender, a leader whose career is a testament to the power of education and determination. Born into a family of ten children with parents who had limited formal schooling, she was taught that education was the key to the future. Although she initially dreamed of becoming a lawyer after seeing a picture of a female judge, her father directed her toward nursing school, setting her on a

In the world of military medicine, few career paths are as demanding or impressive as the transition from a Special Forces Medical Sergeant to a neurosurgeon. In this episode of WarDocs, we sat down with Dr. Alexander Villahermosa, a neurosurgery resident at UT Health San Antonio and a former 18 Delta Green Beret. His story is one of profound resilience, mentorship, and an unyielding commitment to serving others, both on the battlefield and in the operating room. The Accident

In this captivating episode of WarDocs, we delve into the transformative journey of medical simulation technology within military medicine. Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Jason Robbins and Lou Oberndorf, CEO of Operative Experience Inc., share their extensive experiences and insights, offering a comprehensive look at how simulation is reshaping medical training and education. Exploring the Evolution of Military Medicine Simulation The episode kicks off with Jaso

We delve into the transformative journey of retired Navy Master Chief and Independent Duty Corpsman, Joe Espinosa. From his foundational experiences on the frontline to his pioneering work in integrating AI into military healthcare, Joe offers a comprehensive view of how military medicine is evolving. His insights serve as a beacon for future leaders and innovators in the field. From Corpsman to Innovator: Joe Espinosa's Journey Joe Espinosa’s career is a testament to

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. Evolution of Military Graduate Medical Education The journey of military GME has evolved significantly over the years. Dr. Kent DeZee, Director of Graduate Medical Education for the Defense Health Agency, provides an in-depth overview of the residency match process and the unique aspects of