Page 133 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2015

reetings, SOMA members. I have sev- Planning for the main Special Operations
Geral key developments to report since Medical and Scientific Assembly is com-
the last issue. First, the SOMA Board of ing along as well. We already have some
Directors met in June 2015 at our world headquarters nationally recognized speakers who have committed to
in Olathe, Kansas. The main focus of the meeting was attend. The SOMSA in Charlotte, North Carolina, in
our strategic direction during the next several years, up- May 2016 should be the biggest SOMSA yet. The key
dating our bylaws, and planning for our conferences in reason behind moving SOMSA to Charlotte is so that
December 2015 and May 2016. We also discussed lead- more SOF medics can be within driving distance. With
ership development and succession planning within the TDY funds tight and with few medics previously able to
SOMA board. come to SOMSA, we decided to move SOMSA closer to
the medics. Please help get the word out and start plan-
SOMA’s mission is “To advance the science, technology, ning early so as many medics as possible can attend.
knowledge and skills of unconventional medicine to im-
prove the survival, reduce suffering and speed recovery The SOMA board has been able to accomplish much
of those who become injured and ill in SOF operations during the past couple of years. Our work to advance
or other Tactical settings.” the organization has in large degree been made possible
by our management team and our executive director,
Every organization needs a mission and a set of goals to Stephanie Newman. We are pleased to share the excit-
move forward. Working with our executive director, Ms ing news with you that Stephanie recently earned the
Stephanie Newman, we have developed four key goals Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation by
to work on during the next several years. meeting the eligibility requirements and passing the ex-
amination covering these content areas. The American
1. SOMA will ensure its long-term viability as the most Society of Association Executives (ASAE) developed
unique medical society in the world. the CAE to identify professionals who demonstrate the
2. SOMA will advance the art and science of SOF and knowledge essential to association management.
tactical medicine.
3. SOMA will enhance the professional development Stephanie passed the examination on May 1 after sev-
of prehospital, tactical, wilderness, austere, disaster, eral months of rigorous study. Please join us in congrat-
and deployed medicine providers. ulating Stephanie on this most deserved recognition of
4. SOMA will expand its reach, influence, and impact. her knowledge and expertise of the association manage-
ment profession.
These goals will guide us, keep us focused, and ensure
we are relevant to your mission. Finally, it is with great regret that I must announce this
is my last column and that I will be stepping down as the
Planning is going well for our two upcoming assem- SOMA president. It has been an extraordinary honor to
blies. Dr Cord Cunningham is the program chair for serve as SOMA’s president. I have been accepted into the
the San Marcos, Texas, meeting in December. We are Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fel-
very excited about this meeting, where we will “Trans- lows program in Washington, D.C. The RWJF program
late SOF Medical Lessons Learned to the Conventional is a prestigious civilian health leadership program and
Force.” It is my hope that this will become an annual an opportunity that I could not pass up. As a condition
event whereby SOF medical leaders can interact with of the fellowship, I am required to step down from any
and share lessons learned with conventional force medi- positon where I have a fiduciary role. While I will miss
cal folks. This will be a key strategic engagement going serving as the SOMA president, I know I am leaving the
forward. organization in extraordinarily capable hands. Master

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