Page 3 - JSOM Spring 2026

from the
PUBLISHER and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Publisher: Michelle DuGuay Landers, MBA, BSN, RN Editor-in-Chief: Scott Graverson, MBA, PhD
Lt Col (Ret) MSgt (Ret)

Greetings JSOM Readers,

ow that 2025 is in the rear-view mirror and we are well to represent the interests of the military medic on Capitol Hill.
Ninto 2026, we have much to look forward to this year. The annual Hill Day event brings together EMS professionals
Things have certainly been busy to date, and there are no signs from across the country to Washington, DC, to advocate for
of slowing down, so let’s get started! our profession. We will report on the results of this event in the
Summer issue of the Journal.
We started the year off attending the 2026 National Asso-
ciation of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) annual conference in The Special Operations Medical Association’s (SOMA) Scien-
Tampa, FL. Apologies to the attendees who were looking for- tific Assembly (SOMSA) takes place 27 April to 1 May. We will,
ward to the warmer climate; the weather didn’t cooperate, as of course, be in the exhibit hall—at booth 422 this year—and
it was unseasonably chilly that week. Still, it was a very infor- will have past journals for your perusal and handbooks for
mative and productive conference. Dr. Frank Butler was the sale. The theme of this year’s assembly is “Medical Mobility
keynote speaker, and he was gracious enough to spend some Empowering SOF Effectiveness.” SOMSA 2026 provides the
time signing copies of his book Tell Them Yourself: It’s Not opportunity for military and civilian medical providers, aca-
Your Day to Die. We sold out of the books we had on hand in demics, and industry partners from around the world to meet
a matter of hours and had a lineup 2 hours long for a signed and exchange ideas. It is the largest gathering of SOF medical
copy (see photos below). providers in the world, including U.S. Military, foreign military,
domestic tactical law enforcement, and tactical EMS providers.
Happening This Quarter
Upcoming Events
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
(NAEMT) has invited Breakaway Media to attend EMS On We are looking forward to attending the Wilderness Medical
The Hill Day on 25 and 26 March. NAEMT hosts this event Society (WMS) Summer Conference in Asheville, NC, in July.

2026 National Association of EMS Physicians Conference

Dr. Frank Butler signing his book, Tell NAEMSP attendees waited up to 2 hours
Them Yourself: It’s Not Your Day to Die. to have Dr. Butler sign their book.

The JSOM Team at the NAEMSP Conference. From Left:
Dr. Scott Graverson, MSgt, USAF (Ret), Executive Editor;
Sophia Leishman, VP of Marketing and Media Communications;
Michelle Landers, LtCol, USAF (Ret), Publisher; Dr. Frank Butler,
CAPT, USN (Ret), Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care. Attendees chatting with Dr. Butler as he signs copies of his book.