VCOM 2021 Annual Report

ALUMNI

ALUMNI VIEWS

COVID-19 Mitigation in the Military

Karl Kingry, DO, MPH VCOM-Carolinas, Class of 2015 Aerospace Medicine, Marine Aircraft Group 31, Beaufort, SC I am board certified in Aerospace Medicine via the Navy’s residency in Aerospace Medicine in Pensacola, Florida. I graduated in July of 2020, and now I am the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) with Marine Aircraft Group 31 in Beaufort, SC. I have a team of 12 providers ranging from family physicians, flight surgeons, general medical officers and aviation physician assistants caring for over 3,500 active duty service members.

members are willing to give their lives for their fellow citizens. Providing consistent, quality healthcare is my way of paying back these selfless individuals. Q: What has the process of risk mitigation been like? What are the steps to help combat COVID-19 along with other illnesses to ensure troops are mission-capable? A: COVID risk mitigation in the military has been very similar to what the CDC and local public health entities have done. Screening, testing, isolating and testing possible COVID patients occurs daily at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC. Emphasis is placed on preventive measures such as social distancing, personal hygiene, mask-wearing and vaccination. As more of the Marines here

Q: What inspired you to join the military?

A: Previously serving with the Marines as an EA-6B Electronic Countermeasures Officer, it was an easy decision to continue serving my

country through medical service. The Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) gave me the opportunity to pursue my career in medicine and provide a way back to the Marine Corps, which allowed me to provide medical care for those I served with for 12 years. Q: What is the most fulfilling part of being able to treat the members of our armed forces? A: The most fulfilling part of treating members of the armed forces is knowing that I am helping those who place their country before themselves. Our military

choose to get vaccinated, we increase our resilience against this pandemic. Q: What has been the most surprising aspect of getting troops ready for A: The most surprising aspect of getting Marines and Sailors ready for deployment is how rapid deployment and redeployment requirements change based on developing CDC and international guidelines. As vaccination becomes more prevalent, we anticipate deployment deployment along with COVID-19 mitigation?

requirements to be more solidified. ■

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