Target Audience

Des Moines University faculty, staff, and students.

Speaker

Ben Gaumer, DO
Assistant Deputy Surgeon General for Total Force Integration, Associate Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Human Resources, Medical Corps

Rear Admiral Ben F. Gaumer attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, from September 1972 to December 1975, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He was commissioned an Ensign in June 1976 through the Health Professions Scholarship program while attending the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. He was commissioned a lieutenant upon graduation in June 1979 after receiving his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Gaumer reported to Naval Regional Medical Center, Camp Pendleton, Calif., for his internship. Upon completion in 1980, he reported to Branch Hospital, Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., for duty as a General Medical Officer. 

In July 1981, he was assigned as Battalion Surgeon, 4th Battalion, 11th Marines and served in this capacity until his release from active duty in July, 1983. He affiliated in the Naval Reserve in August, 1983 at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Des Moines, Iowa with Reserve assignments including Naval Hospital 416, Portsmouth, Va.; Battalion Surgeon, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines; Administrative Officer/Officer in Charge, Det D, NR Fleet Hospital 23, Minneapolis, Minn. While assigned to FH 23, he also served as Family Practice medical officer, and Head, Emergency Department. In November 1993, he became Director, Medical Services for NR Fleet Hospital 22, Olathe, Kan., and later assumed the same position for NR Fleet Hospital 9, Everett, Wash., in January 1996. In October 1996, he was assigned as Executive Officer, NR Fleet Hospital 22, Ft. Dix, N.J. In October 1997, Gaumer assumed command of NR Fleet Hospital Dallas, Texas. 

Following his command tour, he served as Director, Health Services for NR Readiness Command Mid-Atlantic from October 1999 until September 2002. His first flag assignment was as Deputy Fleet Surgeon, US Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va., from October 2002 to September 2004. His subsequent flag assignments have included Assistant Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Reserve Affairs and Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Future Plans and Strategies. He is currently assigned as Assistant Deputy Surgeon General for Total Force Integration and Associate Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Human Resources. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Naval and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Naval and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and various other unit and service awards. 

Objectives

• Explain rationale behind US Navy participation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
• Consider the global nature of HADR missions and their impact on host nations.  

Educational Grants

No commercial interest provided financial support for this continuing education activity.

Continuing Education Credit

• DO: Des Moines University Continuing Education and the AOA Council on Continuing Medical Education approve this program for a maximum of 1.0 hour of AOA Category 1-A CME credit(s). 
• Other: Attendees will be awarded 1.0 hour of continuing education credit.