College of Medicine student named 2018 Army Hero of Military Medicine

Second-year medical student and Tillman Scholar, Andrew Fisher, PA-C, SP, MS-2, ARNG, was recently announced as the 2018 Hero of Military Medicine by the Center for Public-Private Partnerships at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.

In addition to medical school, Fisher continues to serve in the Texas National Guard as a physician assistant. Currently he is also a voting member on the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care and chairman for National Stop the Bleed Day.

One of Fisher’s goals in becoming a physician is to improve prehospital combat medicine. During his time on the frontlines for the U.S. Army, Fisher saw firsthand the importance of medical improvements in combat zones.

“The drive to save lives is always pushing me to the next step,” Fisher said. “I always want to know more. I know that as a physician I can to take the next step to saving more lives.”

As an Army physician assistant, Fisher has already been involved in improving patient outcomes at the point of injury in the battlefield. He has been extensively involved in research examining ketamine use at the point of injury; the development and implementation of a Group O low titer whole blood program; resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) for point of injury; pain and sedation in prolonged field care; and Tactical Combat Casualty Care education and adherence.

“Being awarded the Army Hero of Military Medicine is truly a humbling honor.  While this award goes beyond my service within the 75th Ranger Regiment, it is there where I feel we made the biggest impact. This award is a direct representation of the incredible teamwork and efforts of the men of the 75th Ranger Regiment, especially the Ranger Medic and the Ranger Medical Section,” Fisher said. “My mentors have been supportive in all my endeavors, no matter how outlandish they may sound at the time. Finally, my wife Danielle is the biggest reason for any and all of my success.”