Aerospace Medicine

[Docgeorge]

Does any body know about career oppertunities in aerospace medicine? How much they make post residency and where they usually work?

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[Future GI Guy]

I think this could really be a field that would "take off" if certain technological advances were made. Yes, I know there was a pun, there, but seriously...

Aerospace Medicine has traditionally been a military field, and when you do a FREIDA search, you'll find that there's only one "Civilian" program (UTMB at Galveston).

I think they study the effects of air and space flight on the human body, and they work with NASA and stuff. Working for the government has never really been a way of making tremendous amounts of money, but I'm not sure about those figures so I can't say with any certainty. That said, Galveston has a combined program with Internal Medicine, so it would be a nice program to get into. The only downside is the amount of spots: 2 each year (I think--I'm doing this from memory).

Anyway, it's exciting. This link may provide you some insight:

<a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/guide/medstudent/specialties/aerospace.html" target="_blank">http://www.studentdoctor.net/guide/medstudent/specialties/aerospace.html</a>

 

[Pilot Doc]

Wright State in Dayton, OH also has a civilian program. On the aero side, you can work for airlines or in the substantial cottage industry of being a pilot advocate in the FAA medical certification process.

Check out <a href="http://www.leftseat.com" target="_blank">leftseat.com</a> and <a href="http://www.aviationmedicine.com" target="_blank">www.aviationmedicine.com</a>

 

[Docgeorge]

Thanks for the info guys, what I really want to do is get my self in to space one day. Any ideas on how get up there as a physician?

 

[misfit]

Hi Docgeorge,

I've considered the idea of being a physician-in-space for a long time. I am fascinated with planes, spacecraft, etc.

Believe it or not, there is a well-established precedent for physicians to join Shuttle missions as crew members. Usually, the route is through the military.

I am a Navy HPSP student and I am exploring the possibility of doing Flight Surgery, then Aerospace Medicine as a residency and then working for NASA (through the Navy) to become an astronaut (2 year training period before mission.) It does happen, it is not a mysteriously rare event and it adds to the experiences you get as a physician.

I do not remember any websites for info off the top of my head. But, I will search for them, because I remember finding great stuff about the background of various Shuttle crew members (a lot were Navy/Air Force pilots) and also info on Navy Flight Surgery/Aerospace Medicine training.

If interested, e-mail me at: [email protected] to continue our dialogue.

misfit

 

[Docgeorge]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm just about ready to get out of the military, and I really dont want to go back. Does any body out there know how to get into space as a civillan physisian.

 

[mpp]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Docgeorge:
• Does any body out there know how to get into space as a civillan physisian.•••••$20,000,000

 

[Docgeorge]

Funny!
Now seriously how do go about getting into space?

 

[mpp]

There is an application process to be a candidate for astronaut selection. Check with <a href="http://www.nasajobs.nasa.gov/jobs/astronauts/" target="_blank">NASA</a>.

 

[Docgeorge]

Thanks mpp