ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This edition of TopMedTalk at Anesthesiology 2026 in San Diego, features Kate Leslie and Sol Aronson interviewing Major Zachary Affrin, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, and Captain Joy Ferré, a PGY3 anesthesiology resident at Brooke Army Medical Center/SAUHEC.
They discuss paths into military medicine and anesthesiology, including HPSP and Uniformed Services University, and emphasize early leadership opportunities, subspecialty development supported by the Army (including Affrin's fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), and work-life balance with unique military experiences. Ferré describes Global Health Engagement mission trips, highlighting a Panama trip that delivered 80 cataract, corneal transplant, and glaucoma surgeries for civilian patients. Affrin also notes military innovation efforts such as renewed use of whole blood for trauma care at geographically isolated facilities.
Disclaimer: "The views expressed in this recording are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Defense Health Agency, Department of War, nor the U.S. Government."
