Page 6 - JSOM Fall 2024

fromthe

SOMA PRESIDENT

SOMA Members and JSOM Readers, an interwar period—with the obser-
vations of complacency described by
am honored to assume my role as the “Walker dip”—we know our ef-
your next President and thank John forts throughout the world continue
I Dominguez for his tireless efforts as we support our allies and continue
K
Sean
COL
(Ret)
eenan
leading our organization and setting us COL (Ret) Sean Keenan, MDMD to monitor and prepare for the next
up for future success! Given the success potential threat. It is through sharing
of the last two Assemblies—increasing attendance by lessons observed with an earnest professional respect
20% year over year—I am privileged to continue these and urgency that we will elevate care in our community.
recent successes as we emerge from the “COVID years”
stronger than ever. We have solidified our reputation as SOMA is not just a yearly gathering for one week in
the leading operational medicine society in the world! May. It is a professional and academic organization ded-
icated to the art and science of SOF medicine. As such,
As John nicely outlined during many of his SOMA Presi- the Board has created the Academy of Special Opera-
dent Messages over the last two years, SOMA is the de- tions Medicine, and we are developing a fellowship pro-
velopment engine and think tank for many of the sentinel gram to recognize experts in this unique and challenging
advances in operational medicine. From Tactical Com- practice of prehospital medicine. Updates will be pushed
bat Casualty Care, to Prolonged Field Care (and now to our membership in the coming months as the Fellow-
Prolonged Casualty Care), Austere Resuscitative Surgi- ship Committee develops the standards and pathway for
cal Care, and, most recently Medical Support to Irreg- recognition.
ular Warfare, SOMA is the place where these initiatives
all started. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Looking to the near future, interoperability of capabil-
Defense and international military organizations, gov- ity will become a necessity as small wars in dispersed
ernmental and academic institutions, all backed by a locations will require continual SOF interventions, even
growing list of dedicated industry partners, meet once as nations plan and prepare for large-scale conflicts. As
a year to collaborate, train and advance support to our always, excellence at mastering the basics, turning our
brothers and sisters in arms, law enforcement, and first lessons observed into lessons learned, and continually
response within our communities. Nowhere else in the providing excellent care despite austerity will be the
world will you see this broad and inclusive collabora- hallmark of SOF medical support. SOMA is the nexus
tion and raw intent to improve our practice. of this international effort. Become a member, and we
hope to see you at next May’s Assembly!
As I reflect on decades of SOMA history, I know we
will continue to innovate and push the envelope to Sincerely,
demand the best care for our colleagues and charges. COL (Ret) Sean Keenan
Though some may observe that the U.S. Military is in

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