FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 6, 2009) - Brett Chamberlin was a member of the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine's Class of 2006 and graduated in 2007 after taking a year off between his M3 and M4 year to do research. These days, Dr. Chamberlin is a medical officer with the First Battalion of the 4th Marines serving in Fallujah, Iraq.

He sent the following message in March:

"I just wanted to send you an email with a picture of the College of Medicine banner in Iraq. I always had a good time visiting with interviewing medical students and trying to explain how special the College of Medicine truly was. I wanted to say how special a time that was for me and what a great program you have there. It served me well as an intern and continues to do so as I wrap up my first tour in Iraq. I am currently the primary care physician for approximately 1200 Marines responsible for the security of Fallujah. Although we have had some Urgent Surgical Evacuations, things are much better over here which has allowed us to implement some basic healthcare programs which have been very successful (one of them was modeled after the health circus idea I picked up at A&M)."

We then sent him a few questions to answer, and received the following responses:

When did you arrive in Iraq and how long is your deployment?

We arrived during the first week of October and will hopefully be heading home soon.

Is this your first time to travel overseas? If not, where else have you been?

I've been pretty lucky and had the opportunity to do a fair bit of traveling. I've spent some time in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Actually, at the end of my 4th year in med school I travelled across China into Tibet and then hitch-hiked my way to Mt Everest. Ha, I wasn't actually sure if I was gonna make it back home in time for graduation.

Where are you based? What is your role?

Right now we are operating out of Camp Baharia, which is located right on the outskirt of Fallujah, Iraq. Myself and a few others on base are responsible for the leadership and training Corpsmen, direct advisor to the Battalion Commander on all medical issues and responsible for all of the health care needs in the Battalion (including general sick call, mental health, physical screening, preventative medicine, initial trauma triage and management, and coordination of medical evacuations).

What is your daily routine like?

Things are actually a lot quieter now than they used to be in Fallujah. It's actually kind of nice, I feel like a throwback to the days of the old western doc. With all of the other supporting units on base without a doctor (smaller units, contractors, interpreters, etc.), we are essentially "local docs" for a small town of 3500 people - which is enough to fill up a morning with fairly routine patients. Afternoons and evenings are usually spent with minor ER type stuff, small procedures, as well as Battalion Staff meetings where we plan future operations. Training and hanging out with my Corpsmen is the highlight for me though. Of course, we are on call 24/7 for any major events as they unfold - but right now the Iraqi Police and Army are doing a fairly good job of handling everything themselves.

Why did you decide to join the military after medical school?

I went to the Naval Academy for my undergrad, and was therefore already committed to a few years of service, but truthfully would have signed up anyways. I strongly believe that the Global War on Terror is the calling of our generation. I wouldn't want my grandkids thinking that I didn't do my part.

What would you tell other medical students considering a career in military medicine?

To absolutely apply for it and take the scholarship. I would actually love to hear that this article peaked some people's interest in becoming a Navy Doctor. People don't need to be worried about making a career of it yet, but there are a ton of great short-term opportunities out there (especially in the Navy). Operation tours include Flight Surgery, Dive Medicine (like the "Bachelor"), Ships, service with the Marines and some have even used it as a pipeline to becoming an Astronaut. These are all active jobs that allow you to do something with your twenties other than just school and training.

You guarantee yourself a residency at one of the Major Hospitals in San Diego, Washington D.C., or Portsmouth (Virginia Beach) or a family Practice residency at one of the smaller hospitals California, North Carolina, Florida, and Washington State. Also, what a lot of people don't realize is that if you take a break from the residency training to do an operational tour (typically after intern year) you are about 100 times more competitive for any of the other "more selective" residencies out there when you're done. Not to mention the fact that they throw a boat-load of money at you to do so.

How much time have you been able to spend with the local people in the area you're stationed in?

Because the security situation is so much better now, a lot of our efforts have been focused on rebuilding the infrastructure of Iraq and supporting the Iraqi Government in providing essential services to its people. I wound up in charge of the healthcare rebuilding efforts in Fallujah (a city of 400,000 and site of one of the biggest battles of Operation Iraqi Freedom) and therefore worked closely with several local physician leaders and helped establish a lot of very successful programs. I also had the opportunity to live with a bunch of Iraqi Policemen at their station during the elections (we were there for emergency medical support in the event of mass casualties).

What, in your opinion, is the biggest misconception people back in the U.S. have about Iraq and the Iraqi people?

The educated people that I met are truly thankful for everything that we are doing and realize the sacrifices that we have made for their country. Historians are starting to refer to it as "the awakening", but a couple of years ago the vast majority of the public realized that we were here with good intentions and rejected the ideologies of the insurgents. There are still bad guys out here, but we are working with the Iraqi Police and Army to protect the population from what amounts to a murderous gang of thugs and zealots who kill indiscriminately.

What do you feel like is your biggest contribution in your work?

I am here to take care of Marines and Sailors. I am reminded of the first day of med school when someone handed out a motivational quote that read: "To cure sometimes, relieve often, and comfort always." I just hope that my contribution was being a good doctor.

How do you feel like your training at A&M/S&W prepared you for this experience?

Even back when I was giving tours to prospective medical students, I've always said that the clinical experience at Scott & White was second to none. The hands on experiences with the surgery department and the base I received at A&M helped give me the confidence it takes to handle the truly stressful situations. The rural medicine rotation in Beeville was also great preparation to be a "small town doc in the middle of nowhere."

What has been the hardest part about this experience?

Personal growth is never easy, but leading the very people whom I respect the most (greenside Navy Corpsmen) will be the most challenging and rewarding aspects of my life. Making decisions that affect other people's lives (outside of medical management) is a very sobering responsibility. As a physician, living amongst your patients is pretty interesting as well.

What are some things you have encountered during your deployment that you have been surprised by?

I'm not sure if surprised is the right word, but I have been consistently impressed and re-impressed with so many of our young Marines and Sailors - it's just awesome to be around them. Being around true 'character' is awesome, inspiring, and humbling all at once. I'd go anywhere with these guys.

What do you look forward to most about coming home?

Women and Beer. (Ha ha!)

Dr. Chamberlin (far left) shows off his College of Medicine banner with three Corpsmen from his unit at their camp in Fallujah.