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“One Small Step” – Nicolas Heft, MD

“Hancock’s Headlines: Medicine in Space”

“Dive Medicine Press Release”

The Ocean Corporation will collaborate with of UTHealth Houston Space Medicine Training program

Houston, TX –  A two-week intensive training at The Ocean Corporation, focusing on hyperbaric technologies and analog environments similar to what astronauts experience when performing extravehicular activities, or “space walks,” will be added to the UTHealth Houston Space Medicine Training fellowship program.

This specialized training aims to deepen fellows’ understanding of physiological and medical challenges in extreme environments, a critical aspect of space medicine. “Integrating commercial diving insights with advanced medical training provides these fellows with unparalleled expertise in managing extreme conditions,” said Richard Johnston, an expert instructor at The Ocean Corporation with a background in commercial diving and emergency medicine and an Air Force veteran.

The fellowship focuses on rigorously preparing physicians to address the challenges of space-based health care. The program is led by Nicolas Heft, MD, an alumnus of the fellowship, and now the Director for the Space Medicine Training fellowship. Dr. Heft’s innovative curriculum will now include hands-on training with applied physiology relating to pressure changes, working in stressful and unforgiving remote environments, and the medical planning needed to support these unique activities. This is highly relevant knowledge that is essential for long-duration space missions and will be provided through direct practice as the fellows conduct “space walks” of their own. Dr. Heft notes that, “The training will allow our fellows to experience first-hand some of the challenges that astronauts experience when performing space walks both in microgravity and on the surface of the moon.”

UTHealth Houston’s second-year fellow, Curtis Lowery, M.D, Ph.D.,, added, “The UTHealth Houston Space Medicine program builds on decades of aerospace medicine research to develop a completely novel training pathway specifically designed for the future of human space travel. This dive training prepares us for various medical scenarios that can occur on expeditionary missions in space such as EVA support and treatment of barotrauma-related injuries.”

John Wood, President of The Ocean Corporation, emphasized the broader implications of this collaboration: “Collaborating with UTHealth Houston is a leap forward in our commitment to innovating education that meets the challenges of future space exploration. We’re equipping medical professionals to enhance human health, both on Earth and in space.”

The inclusion of The Ocean Corporation’s hyperbaric environment training underscores the innovative educational approaches of both institutions and their commitment to advancing human health across new frontiers. Ocean Corporation believes the intensive training is set to significantly impact the development of the next generation of space medicine professionals.

For more details on The Ocean Corporation and its innovative programs, visit OceanCorp.com.