LTC DOUG YODER, M.D., GENERAL SURGEON: ARMY RESERVE TRAINING HELPS SURGEON IN CIVILIAN PRACTICE.

When Dr. Douglas Yoder originally went to medical school, he quickly realized he was meant to be a surgeon. During his second year of residency, he joined the Army Reserve Medical Corps, taking advantage of STRAP (Specialized Training and Assistance Program). “At the time, the stipend I received as a result of STRAP was about a third of my pay, which really made a big difference,” said Dr. Yoder. He also recalled how his recruiter handled many of the details to get him and others acclimated to the Army. “He did an awesome job, and it made a huge difference in our lives,” noted Dr. Yoder who joined the Army Reserve with one of his best friends. Both were commissioned on the same day.

In his eight years of service, Dr. Yoder has been deployed twice, each time to Iraq. He’s also been sent overseas to Egypt on a training exercise. “I have no question that being in the Army Reserve has made me a better doctor. I’ve seen things I would never get a chance to see otherwise, and had experiences that few people get to have.”

Many of those experiences have better prepared him for work as a surgeon in the civilian world. “When I see things now in a civilian world, they don’t seem as bad,” said Dr. Yoder. “When I’m on Trauma Call, I have a lot more confidence treating those patients. And I certainly don’t get as bent out of shape when I have an unstable patient or a patient who’s really severely injured,” he added.

Being in the Reserve has also allowed Dr. Yoder to experience new techniques and new high tech equipment in hospital settings. But out in the field, Dr. Yoder has learned to rely more on his own talents and instincts. According to Dr. Yoder, “In the field, we’re not getting CAT scans or fancy x-rays. It’s either not available or there simply isn’t time for it and, honestly, I think it’s made me a better surgeon because I’ve learned not to totally rely on them.”

What he has learned to rely on are members of his Forward Surgical Team. “We’re a small group and we really depend on each other. I’ve gained new respect for people who are specialists, who take a real interest in what we’re doing in surgery. It’s been an awesome thing to help others learn and improve during the time I’ve spent.”

Being in the Army Reserve has changed Dr. Yoder on a personal level as well. “It’s helped me develop a better respect for my family and to be more understanding of their concerns,” said Dr. Yoder. It’s also changed how people view Dr. Yoder. “Everyone has been very kind and has thanked me profusely for serving,” said Dr. Yoder.

As to the differences between being a surgeon in civilian life and in the Army Reserve, Dr. Yoder said, “The discipline, motivation, education and the experiences that a person can get in the military are unique. I’ve learned and seen things I’ll never see anywhere else.”

So what would Dr. Yoder tell other surgeons contemplating joining the Army Reserve Medical Corps?  “The experience you’ll get in the military, especially in the area of surgery and trauma, you simply won’t get anywhere else.” Dr. Yoder then pointed out that even though physicians are well respected, it’s different in the military. “They know who we are, they take care of us – and we like that part,” he said with a smile.

Bottom line, serving in the Army Reserve Medical Corps allows Dr. Yoder to do what he does best. “I’m a surgeon and that’s what I love to do.” He added, “The biggest reward for me being in the military is just the satisfaction of being there when people are hurt, and then being able to put them back together and get them back home….knowing that I’ve made a difference in their lives.”

Back to All Physician Spotlight Articles