Surgical research at the uniformed services university: One graduate's perspective - From student to chief, division of surgical research

In the 23 years since Dr. John Sharefkin presented his personal experience with Surgical Research at the Uniformed Services University, the opportunities offered have expanded. In addition, there have been many contributions to the surgical literature, including some leading to improved care of combat casualties. This article outlines how these opportunities have impacted the education of our students, the academic advancement of our active duty surgeons, and will offer benefit to our surgical patients of the future. USUHS is a unique resource for military medical research because its breadth of staffing and equipment and its neighbors make all these kinds of help and expertise available. It offers an opportunity for cooperation between military and civilian researchers of the kind that marked the great research success of WWII and radar, mass blood-banking, code breaking computers and antibiotic production.