FAQs for Aerospace Medicine Residency

Aerospace Medicine FAQs

• 1. What is Aerospace Medicine?

  Aerospace medicine focuses on the clinical care, research, and operational support of the health, safety, and performance of crewmembers and passengers of air and space vehicles, together with the support personnel who assist operation of such vehicles.  AsMA | Aerospace Medical Association

• 2. For how many years has the program been in existence? What is the experience like?

  The Residency in Aerospace Medicine was founded in 1993 as a joint collaboration between UTMB and NASA Johnson Space Center. We have proudly been training physicians to become experts in Aerospace Medicine for over 30 years. In that time, our alumni and faculty have been found supporting all aspects of the space and aviation industries, including Axiom Space, the FAA, NASA, Sierra Space, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic. They can also be found supporting various branches of the United States military with whom we share a valued relationship.

• 3.  What if you already have a Master of Public Health or other Master’s degree?

  We will review your transcripts and other pertinent material with faculty in the School of Public and Population Health (SPPH). We may be able to give credit for prior courses. Of note, the M.S. in Aerospace Medicine contains a significant amount of material unique, and in some cases proprietary, to this field of study and will still be required. This matter will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with you if accepted into the residency.

• 4. Is a USMLE or COMLEX score needed to apply? What if I did not do that well?

  We look at scores as part of your overall application, and there is no minimum to apply.
  

• 5. What if I cannot pass a NASA/military physical examination? Does that mean I will not be able to do the residency?

   Certain activities may come with a fitness for duty requirement that is not set by the Aerospace Medicine Division.

  If you have questions about the impact of your health on partaking in the residency, please contact us directly.

• 6. What jobs are available after I complete training?

  Over 30 years, our Alumni have secured positions in many different arenas within the space and aviation industries including Axiom Space, the FAA, NASA, Sierra Space, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic. More specifically at NASA, areas of opportunity have included the Flight Medicine Clinic, Medical Operations, Occupational Medicine Clinic, Neutral Buoyancy Lab, and the Human Research Program. Most individuals begin as contract employees before joining the civil servant workforce. In more recent years, other alumni have been hired into commercial space companies.

• 7. Do you need a military background to apply?

  No. It is worth noting that many of our faculty, alumni, and current employees on the Human Health and Performance Contract (HHPC) have ties to the U.S. military and we are proud to support them.
  

• 8. Do you need a pilot license?

  No, it is not an application requirement. We provide limited flying experience during the residency.

• 9. What is the interview day like for the UTMB aerospace medicine program?

  Applicants invited for an interview will be part of two-day, virtual interview process. This will certainly include UTMB faculty and may also include a number of other representatives from UTMB partners such as NASA, KBR, Texas A&M University, and potentially commercial space companies.

• 10. What type of preparation would you recommend prior to applying to the residency?

  Study to be a great doctor in whatever primary residency you are pursuing. Aerospace Medicine will draw on those skills and build upon it. Next, take the initiative to better understand what this field is all about. This can be done a number of ways like attending the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) annual conference, being a member of the Aerospace Medicine Student and Resident Organization (AMSRO), listening into UTMB Aerospace Medicine Grand Rounds, applying for the NASA Johnson Space Center Clerkship or even UTMBs Principles of Aviation and Space Medicine (PASM) course.

• 11. What should you do if you do not get in the first time around?

  We are hoping to increase the number of residency slots we offer and are looking for other sources of funding. Visit our display booth at AsMA/attend an AsMA meeting, talk to our faculty and residents, stay involved with AMSRO, focus on getting operational experience/research/becoming a good clinician.

• 12. What kind of prior specialties have been admitted to the program in the past?

  A number of different disciplines have come thru our program, including Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Surgery, Psychiatry, Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

  Click here to see a list of our current residents and recent graduates.