Page 8 - JSOM Fall 2020

fromthe
SOMA PRESIDENT

Greetings to SOMA Members and JSOM to serve as our president, and together
Readers, they strengthened the course of action
on behalf of our medics, as well as for
t is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPHH all within our organization.
Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MP
your president; thank you for entrusting me COL (Ret), US ArmyCOL (Ret) US Army
Ito do so for the next 2 years. I am most hum- Medics and other first responders com-
bled by the phenomenal efforts of many before prise the center of mass of our organiza-
me and look forward to continuing to advance these and other tion, our very heart and soul. Monty and Steve’s insights
efforts on behalf of SOMA members and, more importantly,
for the benefit of our patients. and wisdom have proved invaluable in leading our or-
ganization. The common sense and tip-of-the-spear
Many complex issues demand our attention daily; how- perspectives of our Special Operations and tactical pro-
ever, we cannot waver from the basics of providing viders must remain a resounding voice for reason and
exceptional care to our patients. These basics are not progress in all our efforts.
negotiable. These basics are the foundation of our exis-
tence. Selfless service to our patients and to each other JSOM is the Official Journal of SOMA. We greatly ap-
should remain our guiding star. We must continue to preciate Michelle Landers and her team for their tireless
increase survival, reduce suffering, and expedite the re- efforts to provide the voice of Special Operations med-
covery of those who are injured or become ill. icine in the peer-reviewed literature. Let your voice be
heard; submit an article to JSOM.

As our members are often called on to perform their du-
ties in a variety of diverse and challenging environments, SOMA is a professional medical society that serves its
our organization cannot waver from our mission to members in order to help them better serve their pa-
optimize support and innovate on behalf of unconven- tients. If you are not a member, I would ask that you
tional medicine. As an organization, we must continue strongly consider joining SOMA. If you are a member, I
to advance the art and science of Special Operations and would ask that you strongly consider joining a commit-
tactical medicine and enhance member capability and tee or assuming a leadership position. Make this orga-
readiness. nization better through your membership, contribution,
and selfless service.
I want to personally thank Harold “Monty” Montgom-
ery for his outstanding service and leadership as the Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH
president of our organization over the past 2 years. He COL (Ret), US Army
and his predecessor, Steve Viola, were the first medics SOMA President

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