Colonel Samuel M. Galvagno is the Mobilization Assistant to the Command Surgeon General, Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC), Joint Base Langley- Eustis, Virginia. The ACC/SG Directorate organizes, trains, equips, and maintains combat-ready forces for rapid deployments and employment. The ACC/SG is also responsible for the health of 81,000 active-duty and civilian personnel located at 11 bases and more than 300 operating locations worldwide, as well as a comprehensive, community-based health care system. He supports Combatant Command requirements as the Air Force’s medical global force provider and serves as the Air Force Surgeon General’s Readiness Goal Champion. Additionally, he serves as the liaison and advisor on all medical matters involving the mobilization, training, and equipping of over 1100 medics from 31 gained Air Combat Command Air Force Reserve Squadrons.
Colonel 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 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 multiple humanitarian contingencies. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Galvagno was the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director, Reserve Medical Directorate, Pentagon, Washington, DC.
In his civilian capacity, Doctor Galvagno works as a Tenured Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he is also 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 for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
He is married to the former Karol Murillo, Lawrence, MA. They have two children, Aryanna and Gianna.
FORMAL EDUCATION
1995 Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
1996 Bachelor of Science in biopsychology, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD
2000 Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine, NY College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY
2001 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course, Brooks Air Force Base, TX
2008 Residency in Anesthesiology, The Brigham and Woman’s Hospital /Harvard, Boston, MA
2009 Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2010 Critical Care Air Transport Team Basic and Advanced Courses, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
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 AFB, AL., by correspondence
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Maxwell AFB, AL
2014 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2017 Certificate, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Villanova University, PA
2018 Combined Senior Leader Course, Falls Church, VA
2023 Master of Business Administration, University of Maryland, MD
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Feb 1997- July 2001, Student, Health Professions Scholarship Program, New York College of
Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY
1. July 2001-July 2002, General Medical Officer/Emergency Physician, Medical Director for Laboratory
Operations, Osan AFB, ROK
2. July 2002-Aug 2002, Student, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Aerospace Medicine Primary
Course, Brooks City Base, TX
3. Aug 2002-July 2003, flight surgeon and chief, squadron medical element, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air
Force Base, AZ
4. July 2003-July 2005, Flight Commander and Chief of Occupational Medicine, 56th Aerospace Medicine
Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ
5. July 2004-July 2005, Medical Director, USAF Top Knife II Program, 56 Operational Readiness Squadron,
Luke AFB, AZ
6. July 2005-July 2009, physician, United States Air Force Reserve (inactive)
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
7. July 2010-Jan 2011, Interim Chief of Professional Services, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, JB
Andrews, MD
8. July 2010-July 2012, Deputy Chief of Professional Services, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, JB
Andrews, MD
9. July 2012-June 2018, Flight Commander and Director of Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT)
Operations, 943rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
10. 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
11. April 2018- Dec 2019, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Surgeon General’s Chair to Air
University, Maxwell AFB, AL
12. Dec 2019- Nov 2021, Commander and Chief of Flight Medicine (SGP), 459th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 459th Air Refueling Wing, JB Andrews, MD
13. Nov 2021-Nov 2023, IMA to the Director, Reserve Medical Directorate (REM), Headquarters, United
States Air Force, Pentagon, VA
14. Nov 2023-Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Command Surgeon, Air Combat Command, Joint
Base Langley-Eustis, VA
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior flight surgeon
Flight hours: More than 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 four 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
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (with bronze star)
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
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 190 peer reviewed publications
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=galvagno+s&sort=date&size=200)
Numerous books and book chapters
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) – President Elect, Anesthesiology Section
American Board of Anesthesiology—Vice Chair, Critical 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)
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 November 2023)