Col. Samuel Galvagno is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander at the 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The 711th HPW advances human performance and integration for air, space and cyberspace through research, education, consultation, and operational support. The Wing operates at nine geographically separated sites and includes the Human Effectiveness Directorate and the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. The colonel assists the Commander with overseeing more than 2,000 personnel and an annual $421 million budget. He assists with the strategic direction for training, consultation, policies and programs in biotechnology, aerospace and occupational medicine, public health and bioenvironmental engineering.
Col. Galvagno graduated cum laude from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a B.S. in biopsychology. The colonel was commissioned through the Health Professions Scholarship Program while attending the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a residency and chief residency in anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, followed by fellowships in critical care medicine and research at the Johns Hopkins University, where he also earned his Ph.D. in 2012. Among his previous assignments are duties as a Flight Surgeon, Squadron Element Chief, Chief of Occupational Medicine, Medical Director for the USAF’s “Top Knife II” Program, CCATT Flight Commander, Chief of the Physical Standards Branch (SGO, Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command), and Squadron Commander. The colonel has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and humanitarian contingencies. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Galvagno was the Mobilization Assistant to the Command Surgeon for Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
In his civilian capacity, the Colonel works as a Tenured Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he is the Interim Chair for the Department of Anesthesiology. Col. Galvagno is board certified in anesthesiology (ABA), critical care medicine (ABA), neurocritical care (ABPN), emergency medical services (ABEM), and public health (NBPHE) with additional qualifications in critical care ultrasound (ACCP) and basic transthoracic echocardiography (NBE). Col. Galvagno serves his community in a volunteer capacity as an Assistant Medical Director for Emergency Medical Services in the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, as well as a prehospital physician and educator for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
EDUCATION
1995 Nationally Registered Paramedic, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Frederick, Md.
1996 Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Md.
2000 Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, N.Y.
2001 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Aircraft Mishap and Investigation Course, Brooks City Base, Texas
2003 Global Medicine Course, Brooks City Base, Texas
2004 Chief of Aerospace Medicine (SGP) Course, Brooks City Base, Texas
2008 Residency in Anesthesiology, The Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
2009 Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
2010 Critical Care Air Transport Team Basic Course, Brooks City Base, Texas
2011 Postgraduate Research Fellowship (NIH T32), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
2012 Doctorate in Philosophy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014 Critical Care Air Transport Team Advanced Course, Cincinnati, Ohio
2014 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Certificate, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Villanova University, Philadelphia, Pa.
2018 Combined Senior Leader Course, Falls Church, Va.
2023 Master of Business Administration, University of Maryland, Md.
2024 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C.
2024 Senior Leadership Orientation Training, Air Force Reserve Command, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1997- July 2001, Student, Health Professions Scholarship Program, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, N.Y.
2. July 2001-July 2002, General Medical Officer/Emergency Physician, Medical Director for Laboratory Operations, Osan Air Force Base, Republic of Korea
3. July 2002-July 2003, Flight surgeon and Chief, Squadron Medical Element, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. July 2003-July 2005, Flight Commander and Chief of Occupational Medicine, 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. (
5. July 2004-July 2005, Medical Director, USAF Top Knife II Program, 56 Operational Readiness Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. July 2005-July 2009, Physician, United States Air Force Reserve (inactive)
7. July 2009-July 2010, Critical Care Physician and Director of Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) Operations, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
8. July 2010-January 2011, Interim Chief of Professional Services, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.
9. July 2010-July 2012, Deputy Chief of Professional Services, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.
10. July 2012-June 2018, Flight Commander and Director of Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) Operations, 943rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. (June 2014 – September 2014, Senior Flight Surgeon / Critical Care Physician, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti)
11. August 2018-April 2018, Chief of Medical Operations (SGO) / Physician Standards Branch, Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command, Office of the Command Surgeon, Robins AFB, Ga.
12. April 2018- December 2019, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Surgeon General’s Chair to Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. December 2019- November 2021, Commander and Chief of Flight Medicine (SGP), 459th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 459th Air Refueling Wing, JB Andrews, Md.
14. November 2021-November 2023, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director, Reserve Medical Directorate (REM), Headquarters, United States Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
15. November 2023-November 2024, Mobilization Assistant to the Command Surgeon, Air Combat Command, JB Langley-Eustis, Va.
16. November 2024- Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Flight Surgeon
Flight hours: Over 500
Aircraft flown: F-16D, C-130, KC-135, KC-10, T-37, UH-60, C-17, C-21, F-15, F-18, AW-139, Eurocopter
AS365 Dauphin, Bell 429 (certificated as single engine sea and land instrument-rated pilot)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals
Korean Defense Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 hourglass device)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (with service star)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2001 Intern of the Year, St. Clare’s / St. Vincent’s Midtown Medical Center
2002 Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, Osan AFB
2004 Company Grade Officer of the Year, 56th Medical Group, Luke AFB, AZ
2004 Malcolm Grow USAF Flight Surgeon of the Year (AETC)
2009 Outstanding Dedication to Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins Hospital
2010 Teacher of the Year, Johns Hopkins Hospital
2011 Baltimore Magazine “Top Doctor,” Adult Anesthesiology
2012 Best Preceptor Award, Air Force Expeditionary Medical Skills Institute
2013 Annual Scientific Award, Society of Critical Care Medicine
2013 Washington Post, “Super Doctor, Rising Stars Edition,” Critical Care Medicine
2014 R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Hero Award
2014 R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Critical Care Attending of the Year
2015 Golden Apple Award (Teacher of the Year), University of Maryland Department of Anesthesiology
2016 Elected as Fellow, American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM)
2016 Physician Colleague Award, University of Maryland School of Nursing
2020 Commendation, White House Medical Unit
2020 Presidential Citation for outstanding contributions to the Society of Critical Care Medicine
2020 R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Critical Care Attending of the Year Award
2020 Elected as Fellow, Air Medical Physician Association (FAMPA)
2021 Mackenzie-Imle Mentoring Prize, University of Maryland Department of Anesthesiology
2021 University of Maryland Medical Center, Physician of the Year
2021 R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Critical Care Attending of the Year Award
2021 Presidential Citation for outstanding contributions to the Society of Critical Care Medicine
2022 CRISP Patty Brown Innovation Award (for developing a statewide critical care coordination center)
2023 Presidential Citation for outstanding contributions to the Society of Critical Care Medicine
2023 Maryland Institute for Emergency Services System- Special Recognition Award, for dedicated service and expertise as Medical Director for the statewide Maryland Critical Care Coordination Center
PUBLICATIONS
More than 200 peer reviewed publications
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=galvagno+S&sort=date)
Numerous books and book chapters
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) – President Elect, Anesthesiology Section
American Board of Anesthesiology—Chair Elect, Critical Care Exam Committee
American Board of Surgery—Member, Critical Care Exam Committee
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology—Member, Neurocritical Care Exam Committee
Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA)
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
Trauma Anesthesiology Society (TAS)
Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST)
Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO)
National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians (NAEMSP)
Air Medical Physicians Association (AMPA)--Fellow
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 27,1997
Captain May 20, 2000
Major May 20, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel August 10, 2012
Colonel October 1, 2017
(Current as of December 2024)