A board-certified anesthesiologist, Martin Harssema, MD, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology before completing his doctor of medicine in 2000. Upon graduating, he undertook an internship at Wilford Hall Medical Center and began working as a flight surgeon for the US Air Force's 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. In 2005, Martin Harssema, MD, completed his first deployment as he served as a primary care physician for pilots and their family members stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea.
Upon returning to the United States, Martin Harssema, MD, completed a three-year residency in anesthesiology at the University of Florida's Shands Teaching Hospital, following which he returned to the Air Force as a staff anesthesiologist at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Through seven years in this role, he delivered regional and general anesthesia to patients and supervised Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Martin Harssema, MD, also served four years as a director of the 79th Medical Wing Critical Care Air Transport Teams and provided emergency care to military members stationed in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Qatar.
In addition to providing patient care, Dr. Harssema has completed research that has been lauded by military officials. His presentation on the Class A mishap of a F-15E Strike Eagle was praised for averting loss of life and saving over $180 million in Air Force assets.
