Shield and Ship: Lt Col Charisma Evangelista, MD, on Combat Ocular Trauma, Refractive Readiness, and Her Journey Becoming a Hero of Military Medicine

This episode of WarDocs features Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Charisma Evangelista, the Air Force’s leading voice on refractive surgery and an expert in ocular trauma. The conversation begins with her upbringing in the Philippines and her unique path to military medicine, driven by a desire for service and the supportive, collaborative culture she found at the Uniformed Services University. Dr. Evangelista explains her transition from a prospective general surgeon to an ophthalmologist, highlighting the precision of microscopic surgery and the profound impact of sight restoration. She provides a detailed look at the "shield and ship" protocol for managing ruptured globes in combat environments, emphasizing the critical importance of preventing further injury at the point of care. Dr. Evangelista also shares her experiences as the sole ophthalmologist deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, where she managed severe, multi-system trauma cases while navigating limited resources. A pivotal moment in the interview occurs when she describes her own experience as a patient; she suffered a retinal detachment while performing surgery, an event that deepened her empathy for those facing vision loss and shaped her leadership style. Currently serving as the Refractive Surgery Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General, she discusses the technological advancements in corneal collagen cross-linking and refractive standards that maintain pilot and warfighter readiness. The episode concludes with her leadership philosophy of trust, empathy, and perseverance, alongside her advice for the next generation of military physicians. This comprehensive discussion highlights the technical expertise, emotional resilience, and deep compassion required to protect the vision of the American warfighter, offering listeners an inspiring look at the intersection of high-stakes surgery and humanitarian service. Chapters (00:00-01:11) Introduction of Lt Col Charisma Evangelista, MD (01:12-05:13) Foundations in Medicine and the Choice of Ophthalmology (05:14-09:32) Specialized Training and Combat Deployment to Afghanistan (09:33-17:00) Ocular Trauma Protocols and Innovations in Refractive Surgery (17:01-22:35) Personal Resilience as a Patient and Leadership Philosophy (22:36-27:10) Advice for Future Medics and Defining a Military Hero Chapter Summaries (00:00-01:11) Introduction of Lt Col Charisma Evangelista, MD: The episode opens with a tribute to the delicate nature of eye surgery in combat. Host Dr. Doug Soderdahl introduces Dr. Charisma Evangelista as a deeply compassionate healer and a leading expert in military ophthalmology and refractive surgery standards. (01:12-05:13) Foundations in Medicine and the Choice of Ophthalmology: Dr. Evangelista shares her journey from a small town in the Philippines to the Uniformed Services University, highlighting the family-oriented culture of military medical training. She discusses her transition from general surgery to ophthalmology, sparked by a love for microscopic precision and the collaborative nature of the specialty. (05:14-09:32) Specialized Training and Combat Deployment to Afghanistan: The discussion follows Dr. Evangelista through her prestigious civilian fellowship and her subsequent deployment to Bagram Airfield. She details the challenges of serving as the sole ophthalmologist in a combat theater, managing severe ocular trauma and multi-system injuries with limited resources. (09:33-17:00) Ocular Trauma Protocols and Innovations in Refractive Surgery: This section focuses on the "shield and ship" protocol for point-of-injury care and the rewarding outcomes of sight-restoring surgeries. Dr. Evangelista also explains her role as a consultant for the Air Force Surgeon General, detailing how advancements like corneal collagen cross-linking keep service members mission-ready. (17:01-22:35) Personal Resilience as a Patient and Leadership Philosophy: Dr. Evangelista provides a moving account of her own retinal detachment and the traumatic recovery process that followed. She explains how being a patient informed her leadership at the Department of Defense's largest eye center, prioritizing trust, empathy, and perseverance. (22:36-27:10) Advice for Future Medics and Defining a Military Hero: In the final segment, Dr. Evangelista offers encouragement to pre-med and medical students, emphasizing the unique opportunities for growth in military medicine. She reflects on her "Hero of Military Medicine" recognition and her desire to leave a legacy of inspiration and compassionate service. Take Home Messages Protecting the Ruptured Globe: In cases of severe ocular trauma, the most critical step for non-specialists is the "shield and ship" protocol, which involves placing a hard, protective shield over the eye without applying any pressure to the globe. Preventing additional injury at the point of care is essential for giving specialists the best chance to restore a service ...