Warren R. Kadrmas, MD, COL, MC, USAF
November 6, 1969-May 8, 2014
Matthew T. Provencher, MD, CAPT, MC, USNR, and John M. Tokish, MD
A Selfless Leader and Former Head of Air Force Orthopedics
In 2014, we tragically lost a true friend, outstanding clinician, great family man, and incredible human being. As one of the preeminent sports orthopedists in the military, Dr. Kadrmas was beloved by all and heralded for his many selfless contributions to military musculoskeletal medicine and injury prevention. He was known for his humble nature and steadfast integrity, and served as an exemplary role model whom we all aspired to emulate. We all remember our time with Warren fondly, and he left us all with lasting memories to cherish and countless stories sure to regale.
Warren Kadrmas was born in 1969 in Vermillion, South Dakota and grew up in Sheridan, Wyoming. Dr. Kadrmas graduated with distinction from both the US Air Force Academy in 1992 and Duke University School of Medicine in 1996. He then went on to complete his residency in 2003 at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City and was recognized with the Jean C. McDaniel Outstanding Resident Award. He began his Air Force orthopedic career at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on the grounds of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas as part of the 59th Medical Wing. Warren was deployed and served as 1 of 5 people on the mobile-field surgical team assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group. Subsequently, he returned to HSS, where he excelled in sports medicine and shoulder service subspecialty training.
After his fellowship, Warren returned to San Antonio to continue his work as a top military sports surgeon, serving as a mentor, educator, and leader for all of Air Force orthopedics. During this time he served several tours overseas, becoming an invaluable member of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group operating out of the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Warren served as the Program Director of the Orthopedic Residency Program at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. He held the position of Head of Orthopedics for the Air Force as Orthopedic Surgery Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General for 5 years, a role that entailed coordinating all orthopedic assets for the Global War on Terror for the Air Force. Selfless to a fault, he would never ask anything of anyone that he had not done himself. He completed 6 deployments away from family, loved ones, and work in San Antonio.
A true innovator and visionary, Warren was a pioneer in the integration of high-caliber hip arthroscopy, as well as cutting-edge shoulder and knee care for our active-duty military personnel. He was a prominent member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and Arthroscopy Association of North America, and was in line to be the incoming President of the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, after having previously served as the society’s 2nd Vice President. He was selected for and was scheduled to participate in the AOSSM Traveling Fellowship touring Asia just prior to his untimely accident.
One of Warren’s favorite quotes was on the topic of leading from behind. Nelson Mandela said, “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” Warren was the embodiment of this quote. He led from the front, and by example, in times of danger to inspire those he led. But he also honed the skill of leading from behind, with quiet self-sacrifice, to celebrate the success of those he led. His tireless dedication was prominent in all the facets of his life, whether as a father, son, brother, surgeon, educator, mentor, or friend. We miss him dearly, and try to embody his spirit by living our lives through what he taught us all.
Brian Allgood, MD, COL
1960-2007
Dean Taylor, MD
An Exemplary Selfless Leader in Orthopedics and Medicine
When people ask me what effective, ethical healthcare leadership looks like, I think of Brian Allgood. Brian was the epitome of leadership. He led quietly, by example and selflessly–always putting the interests of patients and those on his team ahead of his own.
Brian was a 1982 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Oklahoma. He completed his orthopedic training at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. I first met Brian in 1994 when he was practicing as an orthopedic surgeon at Womack Army Medical Center at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he also served at the Division Surgeon for the 82nd Airborne Division. At the time, I was extremely impressed with Brian’s outstanding orthopedic skills, and his unwavering commitment to leadership in orthopedics, military medicine, and medicine.
Brian’s role as the 82nd Airborne Division Surgeon was on the leadership track in Army medicine, a track that many of us who enjoyed and were good at patient care shunned because it was structured to limit the amount of time an administrative leader could spend in patient care. Brian was certainly a skilled orthopedic surgeon who loved caring for patients; however, he was courageous enough to put his responsibility to military medicine and the medical profession ahead of his own clinical interests. He realized that he could provide exceptional leadership that would benefit many instead of only those in his sphere of care. And what an exceptional leader he was!
From 2002 to 2004, I saw firsthand Brian’s extraordinary leadership when he served as the hospital commander of Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point. He was the best hospital commander I worked with during my 11 years at West Point. I saw the sacrifices he made for the rest of us. He gave up something he loved–orthopedic surgery–so that he could effectively lead our hospital. While we operated, he occasionally would look longingly through the operating room (OR) windows. When we saw him, we would invite him to scrub in, much to his delight. He would also show up in other services’ ORs and the hospital’s clinics, staying connected to patients and patient care. This patient-centeredness contributed significantly to the beloved leader he was.
Brian’s final assignment was in 2006 as the Command Surgeon of Multi-National Forces, the highest-ranking medical officer in Iraq. On January 20, 2007, Brian Allgood—on the verge of promotion to brigadier general and on the fast track to Surgeon General of the Army—was killed along with 11 other American service members when their helicopter was shot down.
In his life, Brian was an exemplary leader. After his death, he lives on in our memories as an example to which we should all aspire–an ethical, selfless leader who cared for all patients, always striving to do the right thing.
LCpl Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt
1987-2011
David R. Schmidt, MD
A Fallen Hero’s Legacy
On September 11, 2011, LCpl Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt posted on his Facebook page, “I guess you can use today as a reason for us to be here in Afghanistan. Just know I am fighting for myself, but most of all for my friends and family who read this. Everyone, it’s an honor to be your ambassador.”
Benjamin was a Marine Scout Sniper on his second tour to Afghanistan, this time voluntarily. Not one member of his platoon had combat experience. He felt called to lead, to be with his boys. During his first deployment to Afghanistan he was awarded the Navy/USMC Achievement Medal with Valor for his action in combat.
Less than a month later, on October 6, 2011, he was killed while on patrol in Helmand Province. Even now, 6 years after his death, his comrades continue to hail his virtues as a leader, a friend, a patriot, and an inspiration. He was also a fine athlete and a courageous, energetic young man with bold plans for his future.
Other than his family, few knew what Benjamin would inspire in his death. He left $200,000 of his life insurance to establish a scholarship in the History Department at his beloved Texas Christian University (TCU). With a matching gift from his father, orthopedic surgeon David R. Schmidt, MD, and stepmom Teresa, the scholarship provides annual funding for a graduate student. Asked why he chose to support graduate students, Benjamin replied with his signature humor and wisdom, “I wouldn’t invest in a freshman like myself.” Benjamin had spent 2 years at TCU prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps, and intended to return to TCU to complete his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Certainly not many young men at age 24 years, prior to going to war, have the foresight to envision and implement a legacy bigger than themselves, with the promise of influencing generations into the future. For his actions, Benjamin was a finalist for a Congressional Medal of Honor Society “Citizen Service Before Self” award.
David and Teresa Schmidt subsequently raised $1 million dollars to endow the LCpl Benjamin W. Schmidt Professor of War, Conflict and Society. It is truly inspirational to know that a young man’s selfless vision and his friends’ and family’s support could produce such a lasting legacy.