The Intersection of Military Service and Trauma Surgery- Air Force Reserve Colonel Jeremy W. Cannon, MD, FACS

  Get ready for an awe-inspiring journey as we sit down with Air Force Reserve Trauma Surgeon Jeremy Cannon. Navigating his path from the Air Force Academy to Harvard Medical School, Dr. Cannon's trajectory is nothing short of incredible. His expertise in Trauma Surgery and Critical Care has seen him at the forefront of developing the Air Force's adult ECMO program and has landed him a vital role in the Excelsior Surgical Society, an organization focused on preserving combat casualty care lessons.

   Listen as Dr. Cannon unravels his deployment stories from Iraq and Afghanistan, revealing the unique challenges and life-altering experiences that inspired his specialization in Trauma Surgery. He shares a heart-wrenching tale of how he saved an Iraqi boy's life and reflects on the stark contrasts between the two war theaters. From his time as the Deputy Commander for Clinical Services in Bagram, Afghanistan, where he was entrusted with managing casualty flow and making critical evacuation decisions, Dr. Cannon's experiences are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Dr. Cannon pulls back the curtain on the unique challenges that inspired his interest in researching and improving Trauma Surgery and his vital work with the Excelsior Surgical Society.

   We explore Dr. Cannon's current position at the University of Pennsylvania and his civilian medical practice, drawing comparisons to his military experiences. We delve into his work at the David Grant Medical Center and his significant contributions to their research unit. As Dr. Cannon discusses the biggest concerns for trauma and Critical Care readiness in the Total Force, this episode offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of Medicine, Trauma Surgery, and Military Service. An episode not to be missed, especially for those involved in the world of Military Medicine and trauma care.

 

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Military Medicine and Trauma Surgery Journey

(0:14:22) - Deployment Experiences and Lessons Learned

(0:22:52) - Military Medical Challenges and Innovations

(0:33:29) - Combat Casualty Care and Trauma Readiness

(0:50:28) – Leadership and Research Opportunities

 

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:00) - Military Medicine and Trauma Surgery Journey (14 Minutes)

We speak with Air Force Reserve trauma surgeon Jeremy Cannon about his experiences in Military Medicine. He shares his journey from the Air Force Academy to medical school at Harvard, and his specialization in Trauma Surgery and Critical Care. We also discuss his research interests and his involvement in the Air Force's development of an adult ECMO program. Lastly, we explore the history of the military's Excelsior Surgical Society and its connection to the American College of Surgeons for capturing and preserving combat casualty care lessons.

 

(0:14:22) - Deployment Experiences and Lessons Learned (8 Minutes)

Dr. Cannon shares his deployment experiences as a combat surgeon with the 332nd Air Force Theater in Balad Iraq. He reflects on what he learned and how it inspired his specialty in Trauma Surgery, as well as an incredible story about saving the life of an Iraqi boy with a complex complication from injury. He also discusses his later deployment to Afghanistan, where he served as a trauma surgeon at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital. He reflects on the differences and similarities between the two theaters and their unique challenges.

 

(0:22:52) - Military Medical Challenges and Innovations (11 Minutes)

Jeremy Cannon shares his experience as the Deputy Director for Clinical Services for the Task Force MED-East in Bagram, Afghanistan. He explains how the responsibility of the role was different from his previous experiences in Trauma Surgery and the challenges he faced in managing casualty flow and making decisions on evacuations. He recounts an example of a call he received from a Role Two facility regarding a burn victim and the Air Force's decision to start the Adult Extracorporeal Life Support Lung Rescue Program.

 

(0:33:29) - Combat Casualty Care and Trauma Readiness (17 Minutes)

Jeremy Cannon's role as the combat casualty care investigator at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Vacaville, California is discussed. His experience and knowledge helped the research unit there. His current role as a trauma surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania and his civilian medical practice is also explored, and how it is similar to what he experienced in the military. The Navy Trauma Training Team at his hospital is examined, and the biggest concern for trauma and Critical Care readiness in the total force is discussed.

 

(0:50:28) - Leadership and Research Opportunities (1 Minute)

Jeremy talks about his deployment experiences as a combat surgeon with the 332nd Air Force Theater in Balad Iraq, his role as Deputy Director for Clinical Services for the Task Force MEDD-East in Bagram, Afghanistan, and his experience as the combat casualty care investigator at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Vacaville, California. We are inspired by his stories and grateful for his service.

 

Take Home Messages:

1. Military medicine and trauma surgery offer unique challenges and experiences that can be both rewarding and demanding.
2. A significant part of the journey in military medicine involves being able to adapt and navigate through diverse situations, such as deployments to war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.
3. The resilience of the human spirit is a common thread in the stories of military surgeons, often seen in the face of difficult circumstances and life-altering experiences.
4. The ability to draw parallels between military service and civilian medical practice can provide valuable insights and enrich both fields.
5. Significant contributions to research in military medicine, particularly in areas such as trauma surgery and critical care, are vital for improving combat casualty care.
6. Organizations like the Excelsior Surgical Society play a key role in preserving lessons from combat casualty care, contributing to the progress and development of military medicine.
7. The experiences and expertise of military surgeons can greatly benefit civilian medical practices, especially in trauma and critical care.
8. Continuous commitment to maintaining trauma readiness in peacetime is crucial for preserving the lessons learned and capabilities developed during periods of conflict.
9. Learning from history and retaining the lessons from past experiences are essential for improving future practices in combat casualty care.
10. Military medicine is not only about treating injuries and saving lives, but also about nurturing resilience, innovating in the face of challenges, and contributing to a larger cause.

 

Episode Keywords:

Military Medicine, Trauma Surgery, Air Force Reserve, Jeremy Cannon, Harvard Medical School, ECMO Program, Excelsior Surgical Society, Deployment Stories, Iraq, Afghanistan, Clinical Services, Bagram, Combat Casualty Care, University of Pennsylvania, David Grant Medical Center, Research Unit, Navy Trauma Training Team, Total Force Readiness

 

Hashtags:

#wardocs #military #medicine #podcast #MilMed #MedEd #MilitaryMedicine #TraumaSurgery #DeploymentStories #CombatMedicine #WarzoneChallenges #TraumaBayLife #CriticalCare #AirForceJourney #MedicalInnovations

 

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