Space Med & Ultrasound Teams Advance Austere and Operational Care at SOMA Conference
UTH-EM Represented at SOMA Conference Through Research and Hands-On Training
Our Space Medicine and Ultrasound teams were excited to represent the department at the recent Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA) (external link) Conference in Raleigh, NC.
Nicolas Heft, MD, Fellowship Director of Space Medicine, alongside Richard Gordon, MD, FACEP, Ultrasound Fellowship Director, and Ryan Walsh, MD, current Ultrasound faculty and former fellow, delivered high‑impact contributions through both innovative research and dynamic, hands‑on educational sessions.
Together, they highlighted progressive approaches to delivering medical care in extreme, resource‑limited, and austere environments; bridging academic innovation with real‑world operational practice.
At the conference, Dr. Heft presented a poster titled “Regional Anesthesia in Prolonged Casualty Care: Converging Strategies for Special Operations Forces and Space Medicine,” showcasing innovative and evolving approaches to pain management in complex operational settings where adaptability is critical.
Beyond research, the team led two highly engaging hands-on workshops, “Regional Anesthesia for Austere Trauma,” training U.S. and international special operations physicians and operators.
These sessions emphasized experiential learning and incorporated silicone models, cadaveric simulation tools, and standardized patients to bridge theory with field-based application.
Additionally, Dr. Heft successfully completed the Counter Narcotics and Terrorism Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS) (external link) Medical Director’s Course, a nationally recognized program focused on preparing physicians to oversee medical support for law enforcement and special operations teams in high-risk and austere environments, further strengthening his expertise in operational and austere medicine.
These experiences continue to shape how our team approaches training and care delivery in some of the most challenging clinical settings.
From academic discovery to operational execution, this work reinforces the department’s commitment to advancing emergency medicine wherever the mission demands it!