Residency in Aerospace Medicine

Department 53AR -Aerospace Medicine Residency

The Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI) Residency in Aerospace Medicine (RAM) is a Graduate Medical Education (GME) program for military physicians with a focus on the aerospace and other austere environments of operational military medicine. The Navy RAM has retained continued accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) since 1957.

Mission

• Train physicians in all aspects of medical practice in aerospace, operational and austere environments.
• Prepare and Teach physicians to apply principles of preventive health to protect military populations who are exposed to unique and extreme occupational and environmental conditions.
• Provide a learning environment which will enable a physician to develop and manage the full spectrum of aerospace, preventive medicine and occupational health programs for military and civilian personnel.

Program Objectives

• Train and prepare physicians to become experts with knowledge and experience in general preventive, aerospace medicine and military operational medicine.
• Support the development of new policy and doctrine through research in aerospace medicine.
• Support the U.S. Armed Forces by developing operational and research expertise that will facilitate the health and survival of its warfighter’s across the spectrum of operational military medicine.

Residency Curriculum

Residents will work with military and civilian medical organizations and engage in research as part of their Master of Public Health degree, which will be completed by the end of the second year of training. All residents will participate in a 24 month training program in Aerospace Medicine approved by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. All candidates must have successfully completed an internship year (PGY-1) with at least 11 months of direct patient care to include both inpatient and outpatient settings. All candidates must meet physical qualification standards as a Flight Surgeon in their respective service.
During the two years of the residency, residents are concurrently enrolled in the Master of Public Health Program at the University of West Florida while participating in Aerospace Medicine clinical rotations. Through the Master of Public Health degree at the University of West Florida, residents complete graduate courses in epidemiology; biostatistics; health policy; environmental health, behavioral aspects of public health, toxicology and accident investigation/risk management and mitigation (held jointly through the Naval Aviation Safety Officer’s Course). Rotations in Space Medicine, Global Medicine, Medical Effects of Chemical and Biological Weapons, Radiation Health Indoctrination as well as the opportunity to attend the Military Tropical Medicine course and other specialized military training courses are available or required. An internship/research project through the Master of Public Health Program is required for completion of the degree program and the residency.
Residents are expected to attend and participate in weekly academic activities including lectures and Journal Clubs. Residents are also expected to attend the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) scientific meeting during their training.

Board Certification

All graduates of the aerospace residency program are eligible to sit for the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) certification exam in Aerospace Medicine.
The certification exam is offered in October of each year. For more information regarding exam requirements, visit the ABPM web site, https://www.theabpm.org/

Post Residency

The practice of Aerospace Medicine focuses on preventive medicine: the study of disease processes in defined communities or population groups and the promotion of best practices with respect to these communities that advance health and prevent disease and injury. Upon completion of the residency, Aerospace Medicine specialists are expected to be leaders in aerospace and preventive medicine practice.
There are over 50 billets for this specialty in the Navy and the Marine Corps. These include assignment as the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) on an aircraft carrier, shore assignments, administrative, teaching, preventive medicine and occupational medicine positions. After military service, opportunities are available in the civilian aerospace industry, preventive medicine, occupational medicine, public health positions at city, county, state or federal levels, in executive medicine, and in universities and for-profit or volunteer health organizations.
Applications
The Graduate Medicine Education Selection Board meets annually in early December. Navy Medical Officers should apply as early as possible using information and application forms as published in the annual BUMED Notice 1524. BUMED Notice 1524 is published in the summer of each year and it outlines the application process. It is available at the Navy Medicine Professional Development Center (NMPDC) website. Applications are accepted over the summer with results posting in December of the same year. A personal interview with the residency director is strongly recommended for all prospective residents.
International Students
NATO military physicians interested in residency training through the Aerospace Medicine program must apply through their respective military service, which will coordinate with the Security Assistance Officer at the U.S. Embassy. A prospective resident must be sponsored by their country’s military or their federal governments, meet proficiency requirements in the English language, and meet any other requirements stipulated by their country and the U.S. Embassy. Training positions may be limited. For further information, please contact LCDR Justin Meeker, the international student coordinator, at (850) 452-5970 or email: justin.w.meeker.mil@mail.mil .
 

Contact Info

CDR Jonathan Elliot MD MPH
Program Director, Navy, Residency in Aerospace Medicine
Email: jonathan.n.elliot.mil@mail.mil
Mr. Michael Walter 
GME Coordinator, Residency in Aerospace Medicine
340 Hulse Road Pensacola, FL 32508-1092
Ph:(850) 452-8125, DSN 459
Fax:(850) 452-5194, DSN 459
Email: usn.pensacola.navmedotcnamefl.list.nami-ramcoord@mail.mil