Military Medicine through the Lens of a Navy Optometrist and Strategic Leader- RADM (Ret) Michael Mittelman, O.D., MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE

Episode Summary:

   Meet retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Mittelman, a man of commendable vision - both figuratively and literally. With a career as a Navy Optometrist, Mike brings a unique perspective on the crucial role of vision in military readiness. We discuss the evolving regulations for aviators regarding perfect vision and how the Navy accommodates aging pilots by facilitating the necessary corrective measures to keep them active. Our discussion also touches on the importance of regular vision exams for military members and the role of Optometrists in operational scenarios. From deployments with surgical teams to treating aging aviators, he's got anecdotes that will give you a new appreciation of the invaluable role of Optometrists in the military.

   RADM Mittelman shares the trials and triumphs of his leadership roles, including directing the Navy Medical Service Corps, commanding the US Naval Hospital in Okinawa, and Command Surgeon for Joint Forces Command as well as PACOM.  Hear firsthand the impressive logistics of operating hospital ships and the importance of these floating lifelines in both combat readiness and humanitarian missions.

   The conversation doesn't stop at the water's edge. Mike takes us into the realm of global health engagements, revealing how Military Medicine fosters alliances and collaborations worldwide. Find out how medicine paves pathways to partnerships where military ties may not exist. And hear about the resilience needed in the face of considerable challenges, like the pressures to downsize and the establishment of the Defense Health Agency. Get ready for an eye-opening journey into the world of Military Medicine.

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Optometry in Military Medicine

(0:04:51) - Military Vision Care and Readiness

(0:11:31) - Leadership and Challenges in Navy Medicine

(0:19:35) - Leadership and Challenges in Military Medicine

(0:34:41) - Military Medicine for Global Health Engagements

 

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:00) - Optometry in Military Medicine (5 Minutes)

Our featured guest, retired Navy Rear Admiral Michael Mittelman, shares his story of joining the Navy and his experience as an Optometrist in Military Medicine. He discusses the unique environments that the Navy deals with and how Optometrists play a considerable role in ensuring that the forces are visually ready for any theater. Mike also shares some important leadership lessons he's learned in multiple strategic assignments.

 

(0:04:51) - Military Vision Care and Readiness (7 Minutes)

Vision is important for military members, and regular vision exams are required. Optometrists are often sent to forward deploy with surgical teams to provide eye care. Regulations for aviators needing perfect vision have changed over time. The process and evaluation for aviators who experience age-related degradation of their vision is outlined, and corrective measures can be taken so they can remain active.

 

(0:11:31) - Leadership and Challenges in Navy Medicine (8 Minutes)

Optometrists can help with military readiness by providing quality care with a focus on customer service. Navy medicine supports the Marine Corps, and Rear Admiral Michael Mittelman was the commanding officer of the US Naval Hospital in Okinawa. He also commanded a Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity, which trains opticians for the Department of Defense.

 

(0:19:35) - Leadership and Challenges in Military Medicine (15 Minutes)

Rear Admiral Michael Mittelman's experience as the Navy Medical Service Corps Director is discussed, focusing on his efforts to rebuild the Corps and protect and resource the hospital ships. The importance of the hospital ships is highlighted, not only for combat readiness but for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. Challenges of updating the operating rooms on a ship are explored, as well as how Rear Admiral Mittelman provided guidance for the sourcing of medical resources at the top levels of military leadership.

 

(0:34:41) - Military Medicine for Global Health Engagements (12 Minutes)

Rear Admiral Michael Mittelman shares the importance of Military Medicine leveraging Global Health Engagements to foster relationships and collaborations with allies and potential allies. He explains how medicine is a strategic enabler and provides an opportunity to establish a medical relationship in countries without formal military relationships. He also highlights how he and his team have worked with nations to develop capabilities like disease surveillance and undersea medicine and how other nations can reach out to the US military for assistance. He discusses the significant challenges he faced as the Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy in 2011, including the pressure to downsize and the early phases of the establishment of the Defense Health Agency.

Episode Keywords:

Optometry, Military Medicine, Navy, Optometrist, Vision Care, Readiness, Leadership, Challenges, Hospital Ships, Global Health Engagements, Surgical Teams, Aviators, Strategic Assignments, Humanitarian Missions, Disease Surveillance, Undersea Medicine, Defense Health Agency, Downsize, Japan, Natural Disasters

Hashtags:

#wardocs #military #medicine #podcast #MilMed #MedEd #NavyOptometry #MilitaryMedicine #VisionAndReadiness #LeadershipInMilitary #NavyMedicalServiceCorps #HospitalShips #GlobalHealthEngagements #DisasterReliefMedicine

 

TAKE HOME MESSAGES:

1. Vision is crucial for military readiness, and optometrists play an essential role in maintaining that readiness across different military environments.
2. The Navy optometrists are often deployed with surgical teams to provide eye care in forward deployment areas, highlighting the vital role they play in military medicine.
3. Military medicine is not just about combat readiness but also plays a significant role in humanitarian missions and disaster relief, as evidenced by the operations of hospital ships.
4. The role of optometrists extends beyond eye health to leadership roles, including directing the Navy Medical Service Corps and commanding US Naval Hospitals.
5. Global health engagements are an essential aspect of military medicine, fostering alliances and collaborations worldwide, and creating pathways to partnerships where military ties may not exist.
6. Optometrists can help with military readiness by providing quality care with a focus on customer service. Their contribution to Navy medicine is extensive, including training opticians for the Department of Defense.
7. Vision care regulations for aviators have changed over time, allowing for corrective measures for age-related degradation of vision so they can remain active.
8. The Navy Medical Service Corps, comprising a mixture of clinicians and administrators, played a crucial role in rebuilding the corps and protecting and resourcing the hospital ships.
9. The use of hospital ships in the Navy isn't just for combat readiness but also for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, thus emphasizing the multifaceted role of military medicine.
10. The medical resources planning and policy in the military involve protecting resources like hospital ships, which play a critical role in both combat readiness and humanitarian missions.

 

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