Page 6 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Summer 2016

from the

SOMA PRESIDENT

Dear SOMA Members, Friends, (global health engagement), and COL
Donors, Volunteers, and Teammates (Ret) Craig Llewellyn, MD (TEMS, and
a variety of other programs), along with
ax De Pree (an American business- a host of volunteers, set the bar very high
Mman and writer) once observed, for next year’s event. I’d like to extend
“The first responsibility of a leader is Steven Viola a heartfelt “thank you” for your passion
to define reality; the last is to say thank SOCM, ATP, NREMT-P and hard work in making this a spectacu-
you and, in between, the leader is a lar event! We have not named a successor
servant.” for the program chair, but we do have a few candidates
whom we are pursuing. More will follow as this develops.
The first SOMA Scientific Assembly in its new location
of Charlotte, North Carolina, was absolutely stellar. At With such a successful event, it’s difficult to select just a
the registration desk, everyone received a wooden coin few highlights to include here. There was outstanding di-
to welcome them as official “plank owners.” Plank alogue during a Tactical EMS stakeholder meeting held
owners have bragging rights of attending the first con- during SOMSA from the 17th Surgeon General of the
ference held in the new location. This year marked the United States, Dr Rich Carmona; from the Department
28th annual SOMA Scientific Assembly, and it was a of Homeland Security’s Assistant Secretary for Health
standout in many categories. It was exciting to recon- Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kathy Brinsfield;
nect with old friends and colleagues and set into motion as well as from past SOMA president, COL(Ret) Craig
a wealth of innovative ideas for this world-class organi- Llewellyn, MD, regarding the belief that, “Unity of be-
zation and its members. I have never been to an event lief does not always mean uniformity of expression.”
where I was inspired multiple times throughout each
day and throughout the duration of a 4-day event. We The Mess Night was perhaps one of the best we have
have experienced a lot of change this year, and through offered. The respect to the fallen was, as always, emo-
your efforts and support, these changes have been well tional and moving. We also honored our valiant medics
managed and not manipulated. of the year and their unwavering dedication to those who
were injured. Former Senior Enlisted Advisor to Chair-
In terms of sustainability and strengthening our num- man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC), Sergeant Major
bers, we are making a concerted effort to offer the right Bryan B. Battaglia, was the first enlisted speaker and
speakers and professional development experiences, did a fantastic job explaining balance! A special “thank
facilitated by the right people, and making sure this is you” goes to our generous sponsors who made the night
continuous and ongoing. The overall feedback for this possible: Carolinas HealthCare System, BMK, Combat
assembly was that we met the mark. Medical, and Patriot Military Family Foundation.

We set out to expand the diversity of our partnerships and On the administrative side, the newly elected board
were successful in attracting a greater international atten- members were announced during the Membership Busi-
dance. We had attendees from 19 countries spanning three ness Meeting and have now begun their terms. For the
continents, as well as a host of interagency personnel. first time in SOMA history, the military members of the
board are composed entirely of enlisted personnel (. . .
This year’s endeavor was made possible by our program the “enlisted swine” wrestling the helm from the “cake-
chair, LTC Guyon Hill, who, unfortunately, we say good- eaters”)—said, of course, tongue-in-cheek.
bye to as he begins his fellowship in pediatric emergency
medicine. His efforts, along with those of Dr Jason Pick- The newly elected board members are:
ett (labs, TEMS), LTC Dave Haight, MD (human perfor- Military Vice President MSG (RET) Harold
mance), Nick True, MD (second half), PA Kyle Faudree “Monty” Montgomery
(MILSOF), COL (Ret) Warren “Butch” Anderson, MD Secretary/Treasurer MSG John Dominquez

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