ALUMNI PROFILES
David Blake MPH (Graduated in May 2007)
Surgeon in the US Air Force
My name is David Blake, and I am a surgeon in the US Air Force. I received my undergraduate education in Mathematics (Statistics) and Biology from Washington University, 
where I attended on an AF ROTC full scholarship. Following graduation I spent two years on active duty as a Communications-Electronics Officer, managing operations and maintenance for base communications systems at Kelly AFB, Texas.
In 1986 I began my undergraduate medical education at the Uniformed Services University
F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. After completing my residency in general surgery, including a year-long research fellowship in metabolism & surgical critical care, I spent five years as a practicing general surgeon, followed by tours in medical staff administration and in command. I completed my most recent tour as Deputy Commander, 35th Medical Group, Misawa Air Base, Japan.
I finished my fellowship in surgical critical care and trauma in July 2009. I began my next assignment in August 2009 as Commander, Surgical Operations Squadron, 88th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson AFB OH. I have been busy learning a new organization, and practicing my surgical craft in our affiliated facility, Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton's level I trauma & burn center.
During my first tour as Chief of the Medical Staff, after some very kind mentorship from a senior surgeon, I elected to pursue another advanced degree. While the suggestion was for a business focus, I decided that a Master’s in Public Health would provide a more applicable and focused advanced education to complement my interests, namely injury prevention/epidemiology.
The broad spectrum of courses offered through the MPH-PHP program at UMass was very much in line with my career interests. As a fully accredited program it provided superb reinforcement/review of core skills, yet offered electives to bolster other areas of personal interest. Elective courses in Public Health Emergency Management, Health Care Organization and Administration, Health Care Finance, and Public Health Law each provided me with a very unique and focused look at certain aspects of our public health environment, and prepared me to provide leadership in these arenas. Additionally, I have found a renewed interest and ability to critically assess the medical literature. This has been a huge benefit in my current endeavors, particularly when applying the results of this literature to the subset of critically ill or injured patients.
The support I received from my professors and the program coordinator (thanks, Mary Beth!) during my MPH studies – even when stationed literally on the other side of the world, or in a warm sandy environment – was fantastic. Since completing these studies I have a better appreciation for the nuances of the public health environment. Furthermore, balancing family, full-time occupation and studies was a great challenge. My spouse and two teen-agers have been extremely supportive during my continued “student-status”, and for that I am grateful. Despite my very busy days (and nights), I manage to keep up with my son in Boy Scouting, with my daughter in her school band endeavors, and with my spouse in her professional (engineering) career and some much needed R&R (family time).
David Blake was an Alumni Inductee into the Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society, RHO Chapter in May 2009. David was chosen as an inductee into the Delta Omega Honor Society due to his academic excellence and demonstration of qualities of leadership in public health. He is also member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi which is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society.
