Since 2015, Joseph O’Brien has been Head of the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Post Anesthesia Care Unit of the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Throughout his long military career, he has served his country with distinction as a Flight Surgeon, Senior Medical Officer, Pediatric Anesthesiologist, and Safety Analyst, all in numerous naval bases across the country, including Portsmouth, VA, Norfolk VA, Cocoa Beach, FL, and Jacksonville, FL.
In 1991, Dr. O’Brien was the Assistant Officer in Charge of a Helicopter Combat Squadron in Bahrain, part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In 2003, he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. During those times and beyond, he has served as Search and Rescue Pilot, Curriculum Instructor, Aviation Safety Officer, and Officer in Charge of missions that included helicopter mine countermeasures and special operations. His long list of military awards includes 2 Navy and Marine Corps Awards, 4 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and 7 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Awards.
His research activities and publications include work on total intravenous anesthesia for field use, one-lung ventilation in the neonate, ocular changes after prolonged exposure to altitude, He has contributed articles to the ASA Newsletter and served as a Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Not content with the role of Chairman, Dr. O’Brien has recently left his position at Camp Lejeune to complete a fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesia in Boston Children Hospital. Taking a test from him will be working with one of the most overqualified fellows in history.
