An Institution For Operational Medicine
Operational medicine is the whole of what we do at AMC — medicine practiced where the system isn’t. So when we point to the organizations advancing the discipline itself, the Academy of Operational Medicine sits near the top of the list.
The Academy — known by the post-nominal FAOM — is an international learned society for the practitioners and students of operational medicine. The Academy defines the field as the practice of medicine in unconventional, hostile, or austere environments where access to critical resources is severely limited. That is the same patient, the same conditions, and the same problem set AMC was built to serve.
Our founder and CEO, Matthew Bertini, MD, DABFM, FAOM, is a Fellow of the Academy and serves as its medical director for continuing education. We’re proud to share their work with the professional prepared citizen and the operational provider alike.
“The Academy of Operational Medicine advances the science, practice, and leadership of operational medicine through dynamic education, applied research, and sustained global collaboration.”
Beyond that charter, the Academy’s aim is a global community of operational medicine professionals who support, challenge, and inspire one another — a platform for networking, mentorship, and career development. Membership is open to all healthcare providers and students with an interest in the field.
Fellowship — FAOM
The Academy’s fellowship program recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated their advanced practice of operational medicine through experience, education, scholarly activity, and leadership. Those elected to the College of Fellows may use the designation Fellow of the Academy of Operational Medicine and affix the credential FAOM to their name.
Who can apply. Applicants must have completed the education and licensing requirements of their medical discipline and have at least three years of professional practice, plus verifiable operational medicine experience. Eligible disciplines include:
- Physicians
- Registered Nurses
- Physician Associates
- Advanced Practice Nurses
- Paramedics
- Physical Therapists
- Dentists
- Veterinarians
- Pharmacists
- International equivalents
The strongest candidates carry military, disaster, law enforcement, wilderness, or humanitarian medical experience — though the Academy defines operational medicine broadly and encourages anyone who believes they qualify to apply. EMTs with advanced training in military, law enforcement, or search-and-rescue settings are encouraged to apply as well.
The path to election:
-
Apply
Submit your fellowship application to the Academy.
-
Verification
The Academy independently verifies your professional license.
-
Statement of Service
You complete a statement validating your training and experience in operational medicine.
-
Election & Diploma
The Academy notifies you of the outcome, elects you to the College of Fellows, and issues your diploma.
Journal of Operational Medicine
The Journal of Operational Medicine (JOM) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal for interdisciplinary research in all aspects of operational medicine. It is intended for researchers, practitioners, and students who provide medicine within unconventional, hostile, or austere environments where access to critical resources is severely limited.
It is the official publication of the Academy — but membership is not a requisite for publication and does not influence editorial decisions.
- Access Open access — no fees for readers or authors.
- Review All manuscripts undergo blinded peer review.
- Speed Accepted papers publish within three months, on a continuous basis.
- Scope Original work not published or under consideration elsewhere.
Membership, CME & the Foundation
Membership is open to every healthcare provider and student interested in operational medicine, and carries a growing set of benefits:
- Member directory
- Equipment discounts
- Free CME credits
- Scholarships & research grants
- Journal of Operational Medicine
- Certification discounts (in development)
- Societal fellowship
- More benefits to come
Education. In partnership with Prodigy EMS, the Academy provides accredited continuing medical education for operational providers, and is working toward postsecondary institution licensure and a graduate medical education program with associated board certification.
The Operational Medicine Foundation. The Academy’s charitable arm is funded primarily by membership dues and proceeds from its online store. It is a tax-deductible public charity and holds a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, with a board elected from the fellowship and full autonomy over how philanthropic funds are disbursed.
Same Patient. Same Problem.
AMC equips the professional prepared citizen and the operational provider with scalable, durably packaged field medicine and definitive treatment solutions. The Academy advances the science and standards behind that work and certifies the people who do it. The missions run parallel — medicine, anywhere, for the environments where help is far away and resources are thin.
If you practice in that world, the Academy is worth your time. Explore the Academy, read the Journal of Operational Medicine, or visit the Academy store.
FAQ
What is operational medicine?
What is the Academy of Operational Medicine?
What does the FAOM credential mean?
Who is eligible to become a Fellow?
Is the Journal of Operational Medicine free to read and publish in?
How is the Academy’s charitable work funded?
Organization details and quoted mission, fellowship, and journal statements provided by the Academy of Operational Medicine (Jaime Phillips, FAOM) and published with permission. Additional detail from faom.org. Featured here as an authoritative reference for our readers; AMC and the Academy maintain a professional affiliation.
More From Field Notes
Medical Threat and Capability Assessments: Scope, Deliverables, and When Your Organization Needs One
A first-aid kit is not a medical system. Neither is a telemedicine subscription, an evacuation plan, or a staff member with medical training.
Read Article
Journal Club: How to Read, Analyze & Use Medical Literature — Written by Guest Author, Michael O'Brien, MD, NRP, FACEP, FAEMS, FAOM
Staying current with evidence is essential everywhere — and mission-critical in austere environments. A structured, pragmatic approach to reading, analyzing, and critiquing medical literature for resource-limited care.
Read Article
A Civilian Austere Medic Loadout
A theoretical four-day exercise in severe scarcity: what an austere medic carries when infrastructure, supply chains, and the rule of law are gone — and why training, not gear, is the most important thing...
Read ArticleMedicine. Anywhere.
Austere Medicine Consultants brings hospital expertise and capability to the field. Explore physician-built kits engineered for the moments that matter.
Shop the Kits