Navigating Military Graduate Medical Education: COL Kent DeZee, MD, MPH
- wardocspodcast
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
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 training military physicians. With the formation of the Defense Health Agency, the administration of military hospitals has been centralized, facilitating better training opportunities across service branches. Dr. DeZee highlights the importance of leadership and clinical experience in shaping future military medical professionals, offering invaluable advice for medical students aiming to stand out in their applications.
Military GME Training and Opportunities
The military GME system offers a variety of training paths, including civilian deferred training, which allows students to complete their residency without immediate military obligations. Dr. DeZee explores the differences in GME offerings across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, emphasizing the importance of understanding the limitations and opportunities of applying across different service branches. The collaborative efforts among service branches ensure optimal utilization of training slots, providing a robust foundation for aspiring military doctors.
Postgraduate Training and Career Pathways
Navigating the residency match process can be challenging, especially for those considering a transitional year program. Dr. DeZee discusses the options available for medical students who aren't matched with their preferred internship and explores the role of General Medical Officers (GMO) within the GME training pathways. He also sheds light on the additional training required for roles such as flight surgeon or undersea medicine, highlighting the mentoring process within military medical careers.
Maximizing Success in Military Medical Careers
For medical professionals in a DHA Graduate Medical Education program, making critical decisions about resignation and training progression is essential. Dr. DeZee emphasizes the irreversible nature of resigning from the program and the importance of integrating military education with medical residency. He offers advice for medical students aspiring to be competitive in the selection board, highlighting the significance of clinical rotations, leadership roles, and research involvement in securing a successful career as a medical corps officer.
Military Graduate Medical Education Opportunities
Dr. DeZee encourages exploration of Army Internal Medicine programs through the DHA website, emphasizing the wealth of information available to prospective military medical professionals. The dedication of program coordinators and the personal investment of trainers play a crucial role in shaping successful medical officers. Dr. DeZee reassures listeners that the military does not force specialties on medical officers, allowing them the freedom to pursue their chosen paths with passion and commitment.
HOW TO LISTEN AND WATCH
The episode featuring Dr. Kent DeZee discussing military medicine GME is available on YouTube and on all major podcast platforms. Here are some popular links that will bring you directly to the episode:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8x0jCULUIGQ
Dr. DeZee Biography
U.S. Army COL (Dr.) Kent J. DeZee is the Defense Health Agency Director of Graduate Medical Education. He provides leadership and guidance while overseeing all GME in the DHA Enterprise. He works with the Military Medical Departments to provide standardized, enterprise wide GME physician education opportunities. In coordination with Service GME Directors, he assists the Deputy Assistant Director for Medical Affairs for the development and execution of policies, procedures, and direction of GME throughout the DHA Enterprise. On behalf of the DAD-MA, Col. DeZee coordinates with the GME Designated Institutional Officials and Program Directors at the GME consortiums and military medical treatment facilities to offer residencies and fellowships to military medical officers.
COL DeZee received his bachelor of science from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. He was commissioned to active duty in 1997 after earning his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii in 2000. After completing a tour in Internal Medicine at TAMC, he then went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., to complete a General Medicine Fellowship in 2005. Col. DeZee deployed as a Staff Internist with the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Camp Bucca, Iraq, and as the Battalion Surgeon with the 2/327 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Afghanistan.
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