Page 8 - JSOM Spring 2026

fromthe

SOMA PRESIDENT

SOMA Members and JSOM Readers, to chronicle the amazing and truly revolu-
tionary changes to combat and prehospital
his is my last President’s message in medicine that have occurred, in many cases
the JSOM. It has been my honor to directly through the efforts of our mem-
Tserve for the past 2 years as President bers, mentors, and colleagues. Our most se-
of the Special Operations Medical Associa- COL (Ret) Sean Keenan, MD nior members are long retired, and some of
Sean
eenan
K
MD
COL
(Ret)
tion. In this short time, we’ve seen changes our history is in danger of being forgotten.
and conflict throughout the world, as well as the continued Though SOF members are known as the
evolution of combat and tactical medicine in direct response quiet professionals, our association holds a responsibility to
to the changing face of war and unrest. At SOMA and through capture their stories and SOF medicine’s unique contributions
the JSOM and other prehospital publications, our community to society.
continues to collect lessons and challenge the medical and pro-
fessional community to gather and share lessons observed to You can help with this history project. Please share your sto-
inform best practices, training, and technology to meet evolv- ries, however small. We want to especially encourage our more
ing threats. From the battlefields of Eastern Europe to the senior members to help recollect the past four decades of SOF
Middle East and Africa, as well as in our own home countries, medicine. We are contracting with a professional historian
there is the ever-present threat of intentional and accidental company, and they will be present at the SOMA scientific as-
harms. Our colleagues and teammates are there to preserve, sembly to collect your stories. We will also have an email ad-
protect, and heal in those challenging conditions. dress to submit information, photos, and any other items that
would be valuable to preserve. As you might imagine, a project
As I write this, we are preparing for our 39th annual meet- of this magnitude does require funding, a portion of which will
ing, which will take place in Raleigh, NC. I have reviewed the be enabled by a fundraising drive. You will see opportunities
agenda, and it is once again packed with incredible presenta- to donate money, and if this is within your means, we ask that
tions, training labs, cutting edge and relevant research, and you to consider donating to help safeguard your Association’s
professional meetings. SOCOM medical leaders, NATO med- history forever.
ical leaders, and non-military organizations and associations
have chosen this venue as their preferred meeting, encourag- We’ve had some challenges over the past couple of years, and
ing their members and leadership to gather in North Carolina in-person participation of our members will, in some cases,
with us. The partnerships and diverse backgrounds of attend- continue to be hampered by changes in unit funding and prior-
ees, from around the U.S. and over 30 countries, create an ities, real-world events, and changing political tides. Through-
environment of learning, collaboration, and fellowship in the out this, however, SOMA has continued to grow and evolve to
true sense of the word. Our corporate sponsors, academic in- support our core audience—the SOF medic. As we get ready
stitutions, and governmental organizations gather to support to host the world’s premier prehospital medical education and
our unique organization, focused on the SOF medic and med- training event, we sincerely look forward to renewing relation-
ical enablers. Our exhibit hall has expanded again this year, ships and true fellowship among peers and colleagues who
and we expect a record number of exhibitions—over 150—in gather to perfect the most rewarding work for the most deserv-
an even larger event space than last year. This unique venue ing teams in the world.
features vendors and organizations from across both North
America and Europe. Our partners know this is their one stop It was my honor and I am humbled to have served as your
for gathering feedback and sharing ideas. President for these past 2 years. Please join me in welcoming
Paul Allen as the incoming SOMA President, who will assume
The SOMA Board has recently launched an exciting initiative: this role immediately following this year’s meeting.
a deliberate professional history project, aimed at capturing
incredible experiences over our almost 40 years of existence. Cheers, Sean
For the next 14 months, research and input are being gathered

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