WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast
Health & Fitness:Medicine
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:
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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Col (Ret) Donald Jenkins, MD – Air Force Trauma Surgeon leading the way with the Joint Trauma System and Clinical Practice Guidelines for Trauma.
LTG(R) Ronald Blanck, DO – From Vietnam Battalion Surgeon to Surgeon General of The US Army
CAPT (R) James Cole, MD- Trauma Surgeon serves with Seal Team 6 in Iraq and as Marine Expeditionary Surgeon in Iraq and Afghanistan
COL Jeremy Pamplin, MD- Understanding How Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Augment Battlefield and Rural Medicine
COL (R) Sean Keenan, MD- Special Operations Doc: Training and Execution of Tactical Combat Casualty Care at the Point of Injury
MAJ (R) Bill Vasios, MPAS, APA-C - Special Operations Enlisted to Officer: Developing Ultrasound and Telemedicine for the Battlefield
Sergeant Rob Jones, USMC(Ret): SURVIVE-RECOVER-LIVE-A Wounded Warrior with Bilateral Above-Knee Amputations Reflects on his Journey From Injury to Recovery
COL(R) Charles R. Scoville, DPT- Applying Lessons Learned in War to Improve Amputee Care
LTC (Ret) Jim Reed, CRNA- Special Operations Nurse Anesthetist and Veteran Suicide Prevention Advocate
COL Kirby Gross, MD- Insights and Perspectives on the Deployed Trauma System From an Innovative and Humble Leader.
COL Kirby Gross, MD- 48-year-old General Surgeon calls an Army recruiter the day after the 9/11 attacks and becomes an Expert Expeditionary Trauma Surgeon
COL (Dr.) David Doman- Reconstructive Orthopedic Surgeon Supporting Special Operations
Military Medical Veterans and Volunteers- Making a Difference in Ukraine with the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG)
Major General (Ret) Richard A. Stone, MD- Transformational Leadership Providing Population Health Improvement within the Military Health System and the Veterans Health Administration.
CSM (Ret) Althea Green, Ph.D.- Army Medicine’s Most Senior Combat Medic Now Shapes Military Medicine through the Enlisted to Medical Degree Program
Major General (R) Elder Granger, MD- Leading a Multi-National Battlefield Health System in Iraq and Executing a $20+ Billion Worldwide Defense Health Program
CAPT(Ret) Peter Rhee, MD, MPH- Navy Trauma Surgeon Leading Innovation in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Training, and Unit Design
COL Ramey Wilson, MD, MPH- Special Operations Command Surgeon: Understanding the Big Picture of Medical Support for Unconventional Missions
MG(R) Richard W. Thomas, MD, DDS- Surgeon, Soldier, Educator, Leader- Shaping the Future of Military Medicine
MG(R) George Weightman, MD- Commander, Command Surgeon- Optimizing Medical Support to Combat Units Across the Globe
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