Empathy Affect

Simulation Saves Lives: How DHA Trains Combat Medics for the Battlefield

Fors Marsh Media Season 3 Episode 5

On the battlefield or in an emergency, military health professionals must make life-or-death decisions under extreme pressure. So how do they prepare to step into a high-pressure trauma scenario without putting real lives on the line? Enter medical modeling and simulation, where virtual reality, augmented reality, high-fidelity mannequins, and other cutting-edge technology are integrated into training to give military health professionals the reflexes and experiences they need to save lives when it matters most. 

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) Defense Medical Modeling and Simulation Office (DMMSO) identifies and adopts these training technologies for the Military Health System. In the latest Empathy Affect episode, DMMSO Chief Ruben Garza shares how advanced simulation tools are strengthening medical readiness and ensuring military medics are prepared for anything. 

Ruben Garza is chief of the DHA DMMSO. He has served in the military for 37 years—first in the Air Force as a medical technician, then standing up a modeling and simulation program in the Air Force. He has since helped centralize joint defense medical modeling and simulation training at DMMSO. 


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