WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast
Health & Fitness:Medicine
Hear an inspiring journey from elite special operations flight paramedic to medical school. Our guest, Ricky Ditzel, a 160th flight paramedic, shares his unique pathway from an unstable home life to becoming a medical student. Ricky speaks about his time as a young Ranger, his path to becoming a flight paramedic, and his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also discusses the responsibility that comes with his role and the importance of precision and care for pilots, crew chiefs, and special operators.
Turning challenges into opportunities, Ricky recounts his experience of building a field hospital in response to the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of understanding anatomy for pre-hospital traumatic brain injury management and shares the difficulties of transitioning from military to medical school. Listen as Ricky discusses his nonprofit that provides support and resources for people making a similar transition and his belief in the power of networking and mentorship in reaching one's goals.
Get ready to be inspired by an incredible testament to resilience and dedication. Ricky shares his journey, struggles, and contribution to military healthcare. His message echoes the significant impact of military personnel in the healthcare industry. This episode is not just about Ricky’s journey but is an inspiring story of determination, resilience, and the will to make a difference. Tune in and get ready to be inspired!
Chapters:
(0:00:00) - Pathway to Special Operations Medicine
(0:07:42) - Military Medicine and Redemption in Early Career
(0:14:57) - Aviation and Paramedic Roles and Responsibilities
(0:26:24) - Flight Medic Procedures and Challenges
(0:33:44) - Military to Medical School
(0:45:05) - Medical School and Brain Injury Management
(0:55:53) - Supporting Special Operators in Medical School
(1:00:13) - Medical School Challenges and Military Legacy
Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:00) - Pathway to Special Operations Medicine
Ricky shares his journey from JROTC to military medicine, offering advice for similar transitions.
(0:07:42) - Military Medicine and Redemption in Early Career
Ricky recounts his journey from Ranger to flight paramedic, taking control of his career and finding success.
(0:14:57) - Aviation and Paramedic Roles and Responsibilities
Ricky shares his journey from military to flight paramedic, SOCCM, Green Platoon selection, special operations aviation medical indoctrination, survival training, and the 160th's mission of serving special operators.
(0:26:24) - Flight Medic Procedures and Challenges
Ricky shares stories of responding to urgent calls, preparing for flight, providing medical treatments, and the importance of quick decisions.
(0:33:44) - Military to Medical School and COVID
Ricky transitioned from military to medical school during the COVID-19 pandemic, building a 216-bed field hospital named after Navy Seal Ryan Larkin.
(0:45:05) - Medical School and Brain Injury Management
Ricky reflects on transitioning from military to medical school, the importance of anatomy for TBI management, networking, and the Pat Tillman Foundation's aid.
(0:55:53) - Supporting Special Operators in Medical School
Ricky is helping military personnel transition to medical school with resources, cognitive assessments, MCAT support, and publication assistance.
(1:00:13) - Medical School Challenges and Military Legacy
Ricky emphasizes teamwork, leadership, integrity, and values, encouraging listeners to find a balance and new passion.
Take Home Messages:
Episode Keywords:
Military Medicine, Flight Paramedic, JROTC, Cerebral Palsy, Special Operations, Aviation, Pre-Hospital Traumatic Brain Injury, Medical School, COVID-19 Field Hospital, Networking, Mentorship, Anatomy, MCAT, Leadership Gap, Nonprofit, Military Transition
Hashtags:
#MilitaryToMedicine #Resilience #HealthcareHeroes #InspiringJourneys #FromWarzoneToMedSchool #SpecialOperations #FlightParamedic #MedicalSchool #TransitionStories #HealthcareLeadership
Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine
The WarDocs Mission is to honor the legacy, preserve the oral history, and showcase career opportunities, unique expeditionary experiences, and achievements of Military Medicine. We foster patriotism and pride in Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoD, and Our Nation.
Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/
Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/episodes
Listen to the “What We Are For” Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm
WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you.
WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield, demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms.
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Lt Gen (Ret) Bruce Green, MD- 20th Air Force Surgeon General Shapes Military Medicine using Crises Leadership Experience Gained in every Region of the World
Command Sergeant Major Diamond D. Hough- US Army Medicine’s Senior Soldier Medic Leverages Battlefield Experience to Influence the Next Generation of Combat Medics.
COL David R. King, MD, FACS- Trauma Surgeon Responds to the Boston Marathon Bombing and Provides and Innovates Surgical Critical Care for Special Operations and Civilian Trauma Patients.
Major General (RET) Gale S. Pollock: CRNA, First Female and First Nonphysician Army Surgeon General and 22nd Chief of the Army Nurse Corps
BG (R) Norvell “Van” Coots, MD Military Medicine Impacts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East; a Motivational Story of Perseverance, Ambition, and a Never Quit Attitude
COL(R) Kent E. Kester, MD- Important Impacts of Translational Research Medicine in Military and Global Healthcare
(Pt. 2) COL(R) John B. Holcomb, MD, FACS- Innovations in Hemorrhage Control and Transfusion Paradigms Redefining Trauma Combat Casualty Care Guidelines (2 of 2)
(Pt. 1) COL(R) John B. Holcomb, MD, FACS- Special Operations Surgeon uses Lessons Learned in Somalia to Revolutionize Combat Casualty Care in the Global War on Terrorism (1 of 2)
WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast- What Are We For? Our Origin Story and Mission
LTG(R) Eric B. Schoomaker, MD, PhD, FACP– Adapting to the Challenges of a Constantly Changing Strategic Landscape to Shape and Enhance Military Combat Care (Part 2 of 2)
LTG(R) Eric B. Schoomaker, MD, PhD, FACP – Excellence in Academic Medicine and Strategic Military Medical Leadership (Part 1 of 2)
COL (Ret.) Russ Kotwal, MD, MPH – Studying the Chaos of Battlefield Injuries in a Standardized Manner to Advance Battlefield Trauma Care (Part 2 of 2)
COL (Ret.) Russ Kotwal, MD, MPH – Ranger Battalion and Regimental Medical Care in Two Combat Jumps and 12 Operational Deployments (Part 1 of 2)
COL(R) Edward B. Lucci, M.D.- Disaster Preparedness and CBRN Defense Expert- Responses to 9/11, Anthrax, Ricin and More. Lessons Learned and the Way Forward.
Brigadier General Shan Bagby DMD, MHA – The Importance of developing a Diverse Military Medical Force and Leading through Tough Social Times and an Inside look at Deployed Dental Care (Part 2 of 2)
Brigadier General Shan Bagby DMD, MHA – Battlefield Dental Care, the Role of Dentists in Leading Military Medicine, and the Dual Military and Medical Professional (Part 1 of 2)
COL (R) Robert Adams, MD- Former Navy SEAL Joins Army Medicine- Adventures as the Delta Force Surgeon and Deployments with the 82nd Airborne Division.
RADM Bruce L. Gillingham MD- Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Undersea Medical Officer and Current Surgeon General of the United States Navy.
Lieutenant General (Ret). Mark A. Ediger, MD- From Rural Family Medicine Physician to Flight Surgeon to Air Force Surgeon General
CSM (Ret.) Rudolfo (Rudy) Delvalle- Combat Ranger Medic to Command Sergeant Major of Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Soldier Medic Leading the Way.
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