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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BG (Dr.) Mary V. Krueger- Leveraging Character, Training and Experience For Mission Success.
COL Michael Wirt, M.D., Ph.D: Radiology on the Battlefield, Neuroradiology, and Commanding a Level 1 Trauma Center during the COVID pandemic.
COL Will Bimson, D.O.- Combat Cardiologist, Ranger Qualified- Supporting COVID Missions at Home in the USA and Deployments Across the Globe
Dr. Benjamin Starnes- Surgeon Stepping Up to Lead During 9/11 and in Austere Locations Across the Globe
COL(R) Dr. Peter Napolitano- OB/GYN WarDoc- Improving Surgical Patient Safety on the Battlefield and Beyond.
COL(R) Dr. Matthew Hepburn- Military Infection Disease Doc Uniquely Prepared for Operation Warp Speed and Global Pandemic Response.
Lt. Gen. (Ret) Dr. Paul K. Carlton Jr.-Evolution of Critical Care in the Air- Past, Present and Future
Major General (Ret) Dr. Sean L. Murphy- Taking Care of Military Members and their Families from the Far East to Europe to the Pentagon
CAPT (Dr.) Joel Schofer- Deputy Chief of the Navy Medical Corps- Coaching and Mentoring Physicians in Career Development both Online and In-person.
The Journey to Zero Harm- Exploring Quality and Safety in Military Medicine- COL(Ret) Evan Renz, MD, MPH (Part 2 of interview)
COL(Ret) Dr. Evan Renz: From Jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne Division to Burn/Critical Care Surgeon Extraordinaire.
COL(Ret) Alfonso “Al” Alarcon: Orthopedic Surgery and Military Medical Leadership Around the Globe
Dr. Kevin C. Kiley: 41st Army Surgeon General- Loyalty Down and Choosing the Harder Right- Reflections from a Distinguished Career
Colonel Paul Parker- British Army Surgeon: Drones, Advanced Tourniquets and Blood Products-Future Combat Care Innovations at the Tip of the Spear.
Major General (Dr.) Jeff Clark MC Mission Lessons- Desert Storm to Kosovo to Katrina to Abu Ghraib
Major General Daniel Walrath- Combat Casualty and Inspirational Leader: An Inside look at the Military Medical System from Point of Injury to Recovery
Center for the Intrepid: Lessons Learned from Combat Injuries Have Revolutionized Rehabilitation Care (with Dr. Alderete)
COL (Dr.) Joseph Alderete- Orthopedic Surgery in Combat and in Support of Special Operations Forces
COL(Dr.) Laurel Neff- Three “No Fail” Missions- Mom, Army Officer and Family Medicine Physician
CDR(Dr.) Ramon Cestero: Surgery at Sea and Innovating Surgery at the OR table
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