"Mission Zero" Grant Brings Air Force Trauma Surgery to Tampa General Hospital and University of South Florida.

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and the U.S. Air Force have partnered in a program called "Mission Zero" to enhance the trauma capabilities of active duty trauma surgeons while also providing skilled surgical care to the Tampa community. The program, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, integrates military care providers into civilian trauma centers to ensure medical readiness and share expertise in austere and combat settings. Two active duty Air Force trauma surgeons have joined TGH as attending trauma surgeons and will also serve as educators to surgery residents and trauma surgery fellows. This partnership was made possible through the Mission Zero grant and logistical support from the U.S. Air Force 6th Medical Group. The program is not currently open to anesthesiologists, nurses, or medical technicians, but there is hope for expansion in the future. TGH is an ideal institution for this partnership due to its capacity, case volume, and status as a level 1 trauma center. The partnership also offers opportunities for research through its close affiliation with the University of South Florida. This program is part of a broader effort by the Army and Navy to maintain the skills of medical personnel during periods of military conflict. Military-civilian partnerships like this one can increase exposure to acute medical and trauma care environments and provide an attractive location for rotation. [Extracted from the article]