John M. Cho, MD is a retired US Army Brigadier General, currently serving as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, since January 2018. He has over 20 years of senior executive experience in healthcare operations, management, and administration and in leading the planning and direction of six Army health management organizations — from clinics to large healthcare systems— as Commander (CEO). Dr. Cho has a proven record of leading change, achieving value for large organizations through creative, strategic problem-solving, and effective coaching and mentoring leading to former subordinates serving as the CEO of medical centers and hospitals. Dr. Cho is a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) of the American Association for Physician Leadership since 2011, Board Certified in Cardiothoracic and General Surgery, American Board of Surgery, in 1998 and 1995 respectively, a Fellow American College of Surgeons (FACS) since 2000, and Fellow, American Association for Physician Leadership (FAAPL) since 2020. BG (Retired) Cho’s military awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (BS), the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (MD), and the United States Army War College (MS).

Ken Canestrini is a retired Army Colonel (Medical Service Corps) with over 40 years of service in the United States Army and as a Federal Employee. He has experience in leading combat medical units, military installation healthcare systems, and as a senior leader on the Army Surgeon General’s Staff. Prior to coming to AMSUS, he was the Acting Director for DoD’s TRICARE Program at the Defense Health Agency. He oversaw the policy and execution of the TRICARE Health Plan totaling $22B and serving over 9 million beneficiaries worldwide. He has a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Air War College.

Dr. Rothwell received his Ph.D. degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the field of cell biology and conducted research on leukocyte physiology, immunology and hemostasis at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). He taught histology, physiology and anatomy to medical students at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) for 35 years prior to his retirement as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics. His tenure with Military Medicine began in 2016 when he joined the ranks of Mil Med editors. In 2018, he was appointed as Editor in Chief, the position that he currently holds. Dr. Rothwell’s experience with the military includes growing up as the son of active duty Army officer, serving 12 years in the US Army Reserves, and having one brother who is a retired Army officer and a son who is currently an active duty Army officer.

William Haffner, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD. He retired from the U.S. Public Health Service after completing a full 30-year career with the Indian Health Service and USUHS and has subsequently served in a civilian capacity in several roles as Professor Emeritus, former Department Chair, and former Acting Associate Dean. In addition, he is Chair Emeritus of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Indigenous Health and Editor Emeritus of Military Medicine. He was a member of the Editorial Board of Military Medicine for a number of years prior to his appointment as Editor in Chief of the Journal in 2006 and then in 2018 he became Editor Emeritus. Dr. Haffner’s career has been focused on assuring excellence in the provision of clinical care, in educating providers in several health disciplines in the principles and advances in medical practice and patient care, in research in education in women’s health, and in fostering academic and career development of students and faculty alike. Among his awards and recognitions, he is recipient of Distinguished Service Medals from both the USUHS and the U.S. Public Health Service, the Joel T. Boone Award from AMSUS, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He feels greatly privileged to continue to serve in his Emeritus role with the Journal as a mentor and a professional colleague.

Dr. Laura A. Talbot is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurology. In addition to her academic achievements, she has played a significant role in shaping military medicine through her work with AMSUS. As the official journal of AMSUS, Military Medicine: International Journal of AMSUS has been a significant part of Dr. Talbot’s professional journey. Her involvement with AMSUS began with annual membership and progressed to life membership in 1993. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Talbot has made noteworthy contributions to the journal. She joined the editorial board in 2002, demonstrating her commitment and expertise in military medicine. In 2016, she advanced to associate editor, further solidifying her leadership within the journal. By 2020, she assumed the pivotal role of Editor, where she played a key part in driving significant developments and publications. In recognition of her outstanding service and dedication, Dr. Talbot was honored as Emeritus Editor in 2024. Dr. Talbot is a retired Air Force Colonel with a notable 30-year career serving in both Active and Reserve status. She entered the Air Force through direct commission and has served in numerous pivotal roles including medical commander, AF liaison officer to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Chief Nurse, and clinical nurse. Her final assignments were as the mobilization assistant to the Command Surgeon at Headquarters Air Force District of Washington, and commander of the 79th Medical Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, MD. Additionally, Colonel Talbot was appointed to the role of assistant to the Assistant Surgeon General for Nursing Services, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and expertise. Upon retirement she received the prestigious Legion of Merit. Dr. Talbot has established a highly productive, solidly funded, independent program of research focusing on interventional and descriptive studies in military deployment health, fitness, lower extremity strength, and symptom management (e.g., pain). Caring for military families is a deep commitment for Dr. Talbot, who has two sons and a son-in-law serving in the military, a daughter who is a military wife, and four grandchildren as military beneficiaries.

Dr. Holt is Clinical Professor and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he was the founding chair. He holds advanced degrees in bioengineering, public health, health care policy, and bioethics. Dr. Holt has published over 225 scientific articles in a wide range of medical journals and textbooks. In addition to his term as Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Medical Journal, Dr. Holt is a past Editor-in-Chief of the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and past Editor-in-Chief of the journal Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine (official journal of the Aerospace Medical Association). He is a past Co-Editor of The Yearbook of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He has served on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Long-Term Medical Effects of Implants, the Journal of CranioMaxillofacial Surgery, and Texas Medicine, and regularly reviews for the Journal of Trauma (now the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery), the American Journal of Transplantation, Military Medicine, Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, and the Laryngoscope. Dr. Holt previously served as the Section Editor for Ethics and Public Policy for the AMA Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.