Research Program

Empowering the healthcare system to better serve our nation’s service members is a critical mission for SOFtoSOM. With less than 2% of veterans represented in the healthcare field, our research program aims to address this disparity by:

• Creating Actionable Awareness: Our research program will generate valuable insights into the impact our Scholars have on the healthcare landscape. By highlighting their contributions, we can better advise our partners, medical schools, and donors on the hidden value of SOF in medicine.
  

• Establishing a Unique Database: We are pioneering the creation of the only database dedicated to SOF medical school applicants. This database will capture both quantitative and qualitative attributes, showcasing the unique qualities that make our Scholars exceptional throughout their medical school journey.
  

• Promoting Academic Research: We actively encourage our Scholars to engage in academic research before applying to medical schools. Through partnerships with scientific journals, academic institutions, and esteemed physician-scientists, we provide mentorship to guide our Scholars through the academic and research writing process.
  

We extend our gratitude to the Journal of Special Operations Medicine for their support of our program and Scholars. Stay tuned as we highlight our Scholars and document their significant contributions and lessons learned from the Global War on Terror.