Page 6 - JSOM Winter 2021

fromthe

SOMA PRESIDENT

SOMA Members and JSOM Readers, Currently, a selection of presentations
and educational content are available
Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MP
H
lways be a student, and always strive to Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH on the SOMed LMS platform at no
COL (Ret), US Armymy
Abe a master of education and training. CO L (R et ) U S Ar additional charge to SOMA members
Actions conducted during training equate currently paying annual dues. This con-
to actions conducted in combat. Conduct rehearsals to tent includes vignettes, seminars, guideline updates, and
the greatest degree and detail possible. An after-action lectures that are continuously available for an asynchro-
report, with both “sustains” and “improves,” should be nous on-demand and self-paced learning experience.
integrated into all that you do. Listing “improves” will Additionally, several presentations have been identified
require sacrifice of pride, but pride is dispensable. Real- and prepared for continuing education credit through
istic training will save lives on the battlefield. Safety is the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Ed-
paramount, but do not be risk averse in training at the ucation (ACCME) with plans to include Commission
expense of lives in combat. Train to standard, not to on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education
time. Muscle memory is achieved through repetition – (CAPCE) credit for EMS professionals. The video pre-
no shortcuts, only discipline, everything is conditioning. sentations can be viewed now by SOMA members who
pay annual dues and will soon be available to lifetime
The SOMA Education and Training committee was members and the general public at a nominal cost.
chartered to provide educational opportunities to our
membership. This committee is charged with develop- Our SOMA committees serve our members so that our
ing, implementing, offering, overseeing, and managing members may in turn better serve and care for others.
quality rigorous educational programs and activities that The selfless service and resultant accomplishments of
provide SOMA members with unique and cutting-edge the volunteer members on these committees has and
learning opportunities. This committee is particularly re- will always be greatly appreciated. A heartfelt thank
sponsible for curating and distributing educational con- you goes out to all the volunteer members of the Ed-
tent beyond that which is provided during our annual ucation and Training committee for their time and ef-
scientific assembly. The current chair of this committee is forts to ensure that SOMed LMS presentations meet
Max Dodge. Most recently, Max and the Education and accreditation standards, as well as their tireless efforts
Training committee have been hard at work standing up on the entirety of the SOMed LMS! To learn more and
a new online learning management system (LMS) for to volunteer to serve on the Education and Training
Special Operations Medicine (SOMed) to host recorded committee, or one of the other SOMA committees, I
sessions from our scientific assemblies and manage all would encourage you to visit the committee page on the
types of educational content, including video, lectures, SOMA website (http://www.specialoperationsmedicine
and documents. .org/Pages/committees.aspx).

Online access to SOMA Scientific Assembly recorded If you are not a member of SOMA, I encourage you to
presentations is the culmination of a vision, effort, and consider joining. As the JSOM is the Official Journal
the foundational work from a lot of people behind the of SOMA and our voice in the peer-reviewed medical
scenes through the years. Following the labor of many, literature, I would also encourage you to let your voice
the current Education and Training committee is very be heard, submit an article to the JSOM.
proud to finally be able to offer this educational benefit
to our SOMA membership. The knowledge, experience, Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH
practical skills, and wisdom presented at the SOMA Sci- COL (Ret), US Army
entific Assembly each year have an incalculable effect on SOMA President
the development of medical professionals who are in at-
tendance, and ultimately have potential to contribute to
their ability to save lives both on and off the battlefield.

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