FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The newest member of the Army’s Senior Executive Service
corps in Science and Technology, Victor “Vic” Convertino, Ph.D., was presented
with his official flag and pin during a ceremony July 30 at the U.S. Army
Institute of Surgical Research at Fort Sam Houston.
The physiologist/researcher has served at the USAISR for the
last 13 years as the tactical combat casualty care research task area program
manager and is now the Combat Casualty Care Research Senior Scientist.
Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein, commanding general, U.S. Army
Medical Research and Materiel Command at Fort Detrick, Md., and deputy for
medical systems to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, presented
Convertino with his flag, equivalent to a one-star general/admiral, and praised
him for his contributions to research and combat casualty care throughout his
career.
“His bio speaks for itself,” Lein said. “More research has
come out of this organization over the course of the last 15 years that
directly impacts the care of Soldiers on the battlefield and Convertino has
been a huge part of that.”
Convertino earned a bachelor’s in mathematics and physical
education at the California State University at San Jose, a master’s in
exercise science and a Ph.D. in Physiology at the University of California
at Davis. Before coming to the USAISR,
he was at NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Stanford University School of
Medicine, the University of Arizona, NASA’s
Kennedy Space Center and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
During his remarks, Convertino talked about the passing of
Dr. Norman McSwain, who was a member of the Committee of Tactical Combat
Casualty Care, “and a huge contributor to critical care medicine for trauma
patients,” he said.
“If he knew you, he would come up to you and start the
conversation with ‘What have you done for the good of mankind lately,’”
Convertino recalled. “In that context, I believe that there’s not a person in
this audience that can’t say ‘I come to work every day and I support the
research and clinical mission to advance our capabilities to treat our wounded
warriors and save lives on the battlefield.’
“I am truly humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to
continue to work with all of you to meet our mission,” Convertino said. “Our
mission, I believe, is very important and that is optimizing combat casualty
care.”
Convertino has collaborated in numerous areas of research
nationally and internationally. His accolades
include the 2013 Outstanding Distinguished Alumnus Award from the
College of Biological Sciences at the University of California at Davis, the
2013 Emergency Medical Services Top Ten Innovator Award and the 2014 Texas
Regional American College of Sports Medicine
Career Award. He was also inducted into the Space Foundation Technology
Hall of Fame in 2008.
“Dr. Convertino’s extensive research experience and
established position as a leader in the greater scientific community positions
him to be an ideal advisor to the Army on scientific and technological
problems, said Col. (Dr.) Michael D. Wirt, USAISR commander. “We all expect
great things from Dr. Convertino as he looks to position Army research to meet
challenges of the future.”
The SES was created in 1978 by Congress to form a corps of
executives selected for their leadership credentials and are charged with
leading the ever-changing American government.