Introduction of Wright State University Aerospace Medicine Training Program

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Introduction of Wright State University Aerospace Medicine Training Program

Betty Somers, M.P.A.

Division of Aerospace Medicine, Wright State University, Ohio, USA

The Wright State University Aerospace Medicine (ASM) training program is funded by NASA and is the oldest civilian ASM training program in the United States. This program provides two functions: as a medical residency program for U.S. physicians, as well as a leading training institution for military and civilian physicians internationally.

Since its inception in 1978, the program has graduated physicians from around the world (S.Korea, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Mexico, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates).

In fact, several of our leading S. Korean aviation physicians have graduated from the the Wright State Master’s Program, including General Ki-Young Chung, Col. Sang ho Hwang, Col. Jeongku Lim, Lt. Col. Kang Cheol Huh, and Professor Kim Chan.

Presently, Lt. Col. Chang-Ho An is studying in Dayton and will graduate in June, 2012.

The Vision of the Wright State ASM Program is “To educate highly motivated physicians as world-class specialists in aerospace

medicine.” The class sizes are small, which is very conducive to interaction among the students and professors. Students are encouraged to share their personal experiences and to keep open minds to new ideas and perspectives.

The curriculum is unique, as it includes both aviation and space, and courses include environmental medicine, biostatistics, epidemio- logy, health services administration, community and behavioral aspects of health, Aerospace Medicine Basics as well as Operational Aerospace Medicine. Additionally, each student is assigned an Advisor for guidance throughout the required Research Project.

Minimum requirements for admission into this M.S. program include: M.D. or equivalent medical degree, as well as successfully completing the TOEFL examination. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in the field of aerospace medicine and provide three letters of recommendation from physicians in the field.

Wright State University, as well as other Ohio colleges and

universities, is in the process of changing from the quarter to

semester system. Effective with the 2012 class, the program will

begin in the fall semester (toward the end of August) and can be

Introduction of Wright State University Aerospace Medicine Training Program

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completed within three semesters (July of the following year), depending on the complexity of the chosen research project.

The first Director of the Program, Dr. Stanley Mohler, maintains Emeritus status at this time and sits on the Program’s Advisory Board. He still appears at the office each week and enjoys interacting with the students. Dr. Farhad Sahiar graduated from the program and has been teaching there since 1993. He was named Program Director on January 1, 2012, after Dr. Robin Dodge retired. In November, Dr. Thomas Jarnot, another WSU ASM alum, was hired as Assistant Professor and looks forward to moving the program forward and working with the students.

Recently, the Program Administrator, Betty Somers, arrived in S. Korea and spent two weeks visiting with alumni and touring the country (and Japan) with Dr. Kim Chan, Dr. Lim, Dr. Huh,

and Dr. Chung. She enjoyed spending time with their families and learning more about Korean culture and customs. She toured the Air Force Military Center, the Health Center, the AF Academy, as well as the AF and Academy museums, where she was welcomed by General Chung and Lt. Col. Kang. Toward the end of her visit, several of the Wright State graduates invited Betty to a “WSU Alumni reunion” dinner during her stay, where she was introduced to a future WSU student, Dr. Euntaek Lee.

The Program’s website is located at www.med.wright.edu/asm/

res/ms_program. Anyone who is interested in learning more about

the Wright State Aerospace Medicine Master’s program may

contact Betty at [email protected]. She is very helpful and

welcomes your interest in their program.