Lt Colonel Derek Sorensen is the Medical Director, Initial In‐Flight Care Division (ETT), En Route Care Training Department, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. ETT executes the four en route care training courses to include Flight Nurse, Aeromedical Evacuation Technician, Critical Care Air Transport Initial, and Ground Surgical Team courses.
Lt Colonel Derek Sorensen received his commission in 2002 through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) of the United States Air Force. He earned his medical doctorate from Loma Linda University in 2006 and is board certified in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. Lt Colonel Sorensen holds appointments as Assistant Professor at Wright State University and Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. Lt Colonel Sorensen’s career includes a variety of operational assignments as a medical provider, health professional educator, and research consultant.
EDUCATION
- 2002 Bachelor of Science, Biophysics, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA.
- 2006 Doctor of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA
- 2009 Residency in Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- 2013 Air Command and Staff College, correspondence
- 2015 Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
ASSIGNMENTS
- 2002 – 2006 HPSP Medical Student, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
- 2006 – 2009 Deferred HPSP Medical Student, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- 2009 – 2013 Emergency Physician, 633 MDG, Langley AFB, VA
- 2013 – 2015 Fellow, Critical Care Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
- 2015 – 2017 Emergency Physician, 88 MDG / Emergency Services Flight, Wright‐Patterson AFB, OH
- 2017 – 2018 Medical Director, 88 MDG / Emergency Services Flight, Wright‐Patterson AFB, OH
- 2018 – present Medical Director, USAFSAM/ETT, Wright‐Patterson AFB, OH
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Aerial Achievement Medal Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Various other unit and Campaign Medals
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
- Second Lieutenant April 29, 2002
- Captain May 26, 2006
- Major May 26, 2012
- Lieutenant Colonel May 26, 2018 (Current as of June 2020)