Residents in Aerospace Medicine are provided with diverse routine training opportunities rich in operational aeromedical problems and encounter aerospace operations and human life support systems that are under active study and development.
Mission Statement
It is our mission to prepare physicians in the operational aspects of aerospace medicine and space biomedical research and to concern them with protecting the health of populations exposed to unusual or extreme environments, to be knowledgeable about the physical and engineering aspects of the flight environment, and in managing public safety issues from a variety of regulatory agencies.
Program Objectives
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Train and prepare physicians to become experts with knowledge and experience in space medicine, space biomedical research, aerospace medicine and manned space flight
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Aviation Medicine Training
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Facilitate the development of a new generation of space medical researchers who have a comprehensive background in clinical aerospace medicine and the operational environment of space
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Support the development (concept, funding and implementation) of research in space medicine
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Support the U.S. Space Program by developing operational and research expertise that will facilitate human health and performance for advanced space missions
Successful candidates will work with national and international experts in space medical disciplines and will receive training in space biomedical research design, aerospace medicine space physiology and biostatistics. In addition to coursework, they will participate in NASA medical operations activities, will continue advanced clinical training in relevant subspecialties (such as hyperbaric medicine), and will develop and complete a capstone project at the end of the first year, at which time, they will earn a Master of Public Health degree. The residency has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) on April 11, 1997.
The educational program in preventive medicine is 24 months in length including broad-based education followed by focused preventive medicine education.
Curriculum
Through a Master of Public Health or Master of Science degree, residents complete graduate level courses in epidemiology; biostatistics; health services management and administration; environmental health; and the behavioral aspects of health. Residents complete graduate level courses prior to completion of the program in toxicology; global health and travel medicine; principles of aviation and space medicine; and accident investigation/risk management and mitigation. Additionally, residents have a minimum of four months of direct patient care experience during each year of the program. The master’s degree will satisfy the academic requirements set forth by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) for eligibility for the certifying examination and the Residency Review Committee (RRC) of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).]
A capstone (applied) or thesis (research) project and a mentored public health practice experience is required for completion of the degree program. The residents are encouraged to initiate research work in the first year of training but have two years to complete the project.
Resident practicum opportunities include pilot medical certification, operational flight medical support, disability assessment of pilots, and aircraft and/or spacecraft accident investigation or problems directly applicable to the specialty and the aviation/space environment. Trainees have the opportunity to concentrate and tailor training towards aviation or space medicine. Those interested in space medicine have the opportunity to develop and apply medical care standards and programs, evaluate the physiological effects of spaceflight, and conduct and evaluate longitudinal studies on astronauts.
Residents are expected to participate in and attend monthly aerospace medicine Grand Rounds, Journal Club and Board Review didactic sessions. In addition, residents are required to attend an aerospace medicine didactic conference such as the Aerospace Medical Association annual scientific meeting in both years of training.