From battlefield to bedside: How military surgeons advanced pediatric critical care transport and ECMO

While the mission of the United States military medical corps has always been to care for combat wounded and military troops, the passage of the 1956 Dependents' Medical Care Act extended the provision of medical services to military dependents into that mission. Our nation's goals have also included military humanitarian assistance in peace and war, which contributes to operational readiness. Given the global reach of the United States military, this support serves patients in all corners of the planet. Neonatal and pediatric patients have benefited significantly from the military development of global transport, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, and Pediatric Critical Care Air Transport Teams. This article highlights the development of these programs. Colleen M. Fitzpatrick, MD, MPA, FACS, FAAP served as a pediatric surgeon in the United States Air Force from 2008 to 2016. Additionally, she completed her general surgery training and research on active duty at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB from 1999 to 2006. During her military tenure, she was initially stationed at Wilford Hall Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center at the San Antonio Military Medical Center. She was then stationed at the Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills, St. Louis at St. Louis University where she completed her military commitment. During her time on active duty, she served at the Pediatric Surgery Consultant to the US Air Force Surgeon General, and she deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.