Colonel Robert W. Feldtman
Colonel Robert W. Feldtman’s last Reserve duty assignment was as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 59th Medical Wing (Wilford Hall Medical Center.) His prior assignment was as commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 433d Contingency Hospital. Wilford Hall Medical Center is the Air Force’s largest medical center.
Dr. Feldtman entered the Air Force during the Viet Nam conflict, joining the Early Commissioning program in 1969. He did his internship and surgical residency at Wilford Hall from 1972-1977, treating many casualties from Viet Nam, including the repatriated POWs. During residency, he completed the hyperbaric oxygen course at Brooks AFB and treated patients "at depth" with 125 hrs of hyperbaric time logged. Col. Feldtman was then assigned to the USAFA Hospital in Colorado Springs as surgeon from 1977-1980. He left active duty in 1980 to start his private practice.
After completing a Cardiovascular Surgery residency under Dr. Michael DeBakey in Houston, Dr. Feldtman established his cardiovascular surgery practice in Houston and became active in the Air Force Reserve in 1988. As a reservist, he participated in the care of injured soldiers from the Panama “Just Cause” operation and volunteered for duty during “Desert Shield.” He was called to duty during “Desert Storm” and served at Wilford Hall as the senior Cardiac Surgeon. Colonel Feldtman completed the Aerospace Medicine course at Brooks AFB in 1992, pinning on his wings as a rated USAF Flight Surgeon.
He has written over fifty scientific articles and is a member of several dozen local, state, national and international societies. He was associate professor of surgery at UT Houston and clinical assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He is boarded in Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Thoracic Surgery.
Dr. Feldtman is an active civilian pilot with over 3000 hrs and multi-engine, commercial & instrument ratings. As a flight surgeon, he was secretary of the Society of USAF Reserve Flight Surgeons.
EDUCATION:
1968 - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, Pan American College, Edinburg, TX.
1972 - Medical Doctorate, UTMB, Galveston, TX
1977 - Surgical Residency - Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX
1982 - Cardiovascular Surgery Residency, Baylor Coll. of Medicine, Houston.
1990 - Air Command and Staff College Graduate, Correspondence
1991 - Air War College Graduate, Correspondence.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1969-June 1972 - AFIT - Early Commissioning Program
2. July 1972 - June 1977 - Wilford Hall Medical Center - Surgical Residency
3. July 1977 - Jan. 1980 - USAFA Hospital - Surgeon
4. Dec. 1988 - Jan 1991 - 11th Contingency Hospital, Wilford Hall Medical Center - Surgeon.
5. November 1990 - Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Volunteer surgeon for Desert Shield.
6. Jan 1991 - June 1991 - Activated to Active Duty for Desert Storm - Wilford Hall Medical Center - Cardiac Surgeon.
7. July 1991 - July 1993 - Commander, Detachment 1, 11th Contingency Hospital, Carswell AFB, TX.
8. July 1993 - July 1997 - Commander, 433d Contingency Hospital, Wilford Hall Medical Center.
9. July 1997 - present - Mobilization Assistant to Commander, 59th MW.
10. April 1999 – Retired Reserve.
Flight Information:
Rating - Flight Surgeon, Commercial, single engine, multi-engine land, instrument rating
Flight hours - >3000 hrs PIC.
Aircraft flown - Single engine piston, Multi engine piston, Turbocommander turboprop.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with service star
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant - June 1969
First Lieutenant - July 1971
Captain - July 1972
Major - June 1974
Lt. Col. - November 1978
Colonel - November 1991
As of April 1999