Combat Casualty Care

Gregory Beilman
Professor of Surgery and Anesthesia, Owen H. and Sarah Davidson Wangensteen Chair of Surgical Research, Associate Dean of DoD Research and Partnerships, University of Minnesota

Abstract: Prolonged casualty care refers to ongoing care that is delivered to injured soldiers on the battlefield when they cannot be immediately evacuated to the next level of care. Accordingly, prolonged casualty care is expected to play a key role in the treatment paradigm of injured soldiers on the battlefield during the next military conflict. This presentation will focus on medical device needs and technology gaps during prolonged critical care on the battlefield.

Bio: Dr. Gregory Beilman is a trauma and critical care surgeon. He is a retired Colonel in the Army Reserves and has deployed five times, serving during a recent deployment as the CENTCOM Joint Theater Trauma Director in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has an active translational research program that studies the metabolic response to hemorrhagic shock and injury.

"Here is a link to the Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care at the University of Minnesota led by Dr. Beilman, with a goal of improving care for future military combatants by conducting translational research: https://traumacare.umn.edu/."

Todd Rasmussen
Professor of Surgery, Senior Associate Consultant, Vice Chair for Education, Mayo Clinic

Abstract: Traditional approaches to managing hemorrhage, the leading cause of potentially survival death on the battlefield, have focused on external compression or exovascular techniques. However, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan saw important advances in strategies and technologies for managing trauma using endovascular techniques. Accordingly, this presentation will focus on medical device needs and technology gaps in the endovascular management of trauma on the battlefield.

Bio: Dr. Todd Rasmussen is a vascular surgeon. He is a retired Air Force Colonel after a 28-year career in the military, during which he deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan. During his time in the Air Force, he initiated a research and innovation program aimed at better understanding and developing treatment strategies for vascular injury, hemorrhage control, and shock.

This recent podcast interview complements the session perfectly.

B. Christie Vu
Program Manager, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command

Abstract: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) fosters novel approaches to biomedical research in response to the expressed needs of its stakeholders-the American public, the military, and Congress. Appropriations for fiscal year 2023 includes funding for 35 distinct research programs covering a wide range of topics, to include combat medicine such as the Combat Readiness—Medical Research Program. The presentation will provide an overview of the CDMRP, programs of interest, and information on current and upcoming funding opportunities.

Bio: Dr. B. Christie Vu is a Program Manager for the Combat Readiness—Medical Research Program (CRRP) at the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The CRRP develops innovative high-impact solutions which will increase survivability and readiness of the Warfighter. Dr. Vu also supports research efforts under the DOD’s Combat Casualty Care Research Program and Military Operational Medicine Research Program.

For more information on the CDMRP please see https://cdmrp.health.mil.

Mithun Suresh
University of Minnesota, Physician, CentraCare and M Health Fairview

Dr. Mithun Suresh is a physician with CentraCare and M Health Fairview. His medical interests include critical care, resuscitation, cardiac arrest, and combat casualty care. He previously spent time working at the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, where he worked on projects and published manuscripts on burn care, hemorrhagic shock, and other topics related to combat casualty care.