Page 8 - 2022 Spring JSOM

fromthe

SOMA PRESIDENT

SOMA Members and JSOM Readers, past 20 years, from 2001 to 2021. Les-
sons learned are not lessons learned un-
Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MP
H
t has truly been an honor and a privi- Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH less you learn them. History, and our
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lege to have served as your SOMA pres- COL (Ret), US Armymy experiences from combat and training,
Iident over the past two years; thank you must continue to inform and guide our
very much for entrusting me with this responsibility. efforts. The JSOM is the Official Journal of SOMA and
As I now assume the position of immediate past presi- our voice in the peer-reviewed medical literature. I want
dent, I want to thank Stephanie Newman and the entire to thank Lt Col (Ret) Michelle DuGuay Landers and
Kellen management team for their unwavering support the entire JSOM team for their tireless efforts to publish
of SOMA and its members. I also want to thank MSG this unique journal. Also, I want to continue to encour-
(Ret) Harold “Monty” Montgomery for all of his efforts age SOMA members and JSOM readers, as well as any
on behalf of SOMA as he transitions out of the position others involved in operational and tactical medicine, to
of immediate past president and off of the board after write and publish your efforts in the JSOM and to pres-
6 years of volunteer service and leadership. Addition- ent and share your experiences, vignettes, case reports,
ally, I want to thank MSG (Ret) John Dominguez for all case series, research, performance improvement efforts,
of his efforts and support as the military vice president; and tactics, techniques, and procedures at the SOMA
I look forward to continuing to work with John as he scientific assemblies.
assumes the position of SOMA president.
If you have not done so already, please mark your calen-
MSG (Ret) John Dominguez is a tactical paramedic and dars and make your reservations for the SOMA Train-
flight paramedic who retired from the US Army in 2016 ing, Education, Scientific Assembly and Exhibition,
with over 20 years of service as a Special Operations scheduled for May 2–6, 2022, at the Raleigh Conven-
Medic. He has held positions from team medic to 95th tion Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The SOMSA
Civil Affairs Brigade Medical Force Modernization Program Committee, in collaboration with the other
NCO to Special Warfare Medical Group liaison officer SOMA committees, has dedicated much time and effort
to chief of operations, culminating in the position of toward providing you with an exceptional program,
senior enlisted medical advisor for Special Operations venue, and scientific assembly. We are confident that
Command South, where he was responsible for advising you will enjoy the program. We look forward to seeing
the command on medical planning, employment, policy, you soon in Raleigh!
and interagency collaborations of Special Operations
medicine in Latin America and the Caribbean. John If you are not a member of SOMA, I strongly encour-
has deployed 14 times as part of several Joint Special age you to join. Our mission is “to advance the science,
Operation Task Forces in support of military, combat, technology, knowledge, and skills of unconventional
and humanitarian operations and missions in Afghan- medicine providers in order to increase survival, reduce
istan, Haiti, Bangladesh, Philippines, Ethiopia, Iraq, suffering, and speed recovery of those who are injured
Suriname, Honduras, and Belize. John is currently the or become ill during Special Operations or Tactical mis-
director of DoD Programs for North American Rescue. sions.” Through the years we have remained true to our
history and our character as the most unique medical
The United States and other countries concluded com- society in the world. We look forward to having you on
bat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq over this past the team!
year. Although we must continue to move forward, and Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH
focus on current and future efforts, we cannot afford COL (Ret), US Army
to forget what we have learned at great cost over the SOMA President

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