COLONEL RALPH M. SUTHERLIN

Col. Ralph M. Sutherlin is the 124th Medical Group Commander for the Idaho Air National Guard, Boise, Idaho. He is responsible for the medical readiness of the Fighter Wing's flying squadron, range squadron, and 16 support units, with more than 1,400 members. The 124th Medical Group is based at Gowen Field (Boise Air Terminal) in Boise, Idaho, and is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command.

Col. Sutherlin graduated from Long Beach State University in 1983 earning his Bachelors degree in Physiology & Chemistry. After attending medical school in Iowa, he completed a Family Medicine residency in California. He joined the Idaho Air National Guard in 2003 after an eleven year active duty career that started at March Air Force Base, California, including assignments in Germany, Boston, San Antonio, and ending at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He also completed Air Command and Staff College in 1998 and Air War College in 2006. Col. Sutherlin graduated from his second residency in 2000 obtaining his Masters in Public Health from Harvard University and becoming board certified in Aerospace Medicine, Occupational Medicine and Community Medicine/Public Health. He is currently the Past-President of the Ada County Medical Society and Governor appointed member of the Idaho Board of Medicine.

He is a Senior Aeromedical Examiner for the FAA, as well as a Medical Review Officer and certified Independent Medical Examiner. He is currently the department chair of the Occupational Medicine Department at St Luke's Regional Medical Center, Occupational Medicine Specialist on staff at St Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and Medical Director at Optimal Health Medical Institute, Boise, Idaho.
EDUCATION:

1981 -- Associate of Science in Biology, Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA
1983 -- B.S., Physiology/Chemistry, Long Beach State University, Long Beach, CA.
1989 -- Doctor of Osteopathy, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA
1996 -- Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence
1998 -- Master's of Public Health (Occupational Medicine and Environment Health)
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
2005 -- Air War College, Correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. July 1992 - July 1995, Family Practice Physician March Air Force Base, California
2. August 1995 - August 1997, Squadron Medical Element C-130 Flight Surgeon Ramstein Air Base, Germany
3. July 1997 - June 2000, Resident - Aerospace Medicine (RAM) & Occupational Medicine School of Aerospace Medicine Brooks Air Force Base, Texas
4. July 2000 - July 2003, Chief, Aeromedical Services Mountain Home Air Force Base, ID
5. July 2003 - December 2008, Chief, Aeromedical Services 124th Medical Group Air National Guard Gowen Field, Boise, ID
6. December 2008 - Present, Commander 124th Medical Group
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Senior Flight Surgeon
Flight hours: More than 600
Aircraft Flown: C-130, T-1, F-16, F-15, C-141, C-17, C-9, C-5, T-37, T-38, KC-135, KC-10, UH-60, MH-53
MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Cluster
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Cluster
AF Organizational Excellence Award
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Idaho Board of Medicine (Board Member 2013)
Idaho Medical Association (IMA)
IMA Financial Services Advisory (Board Member)
Ada County Medical Association (Board of Directors, President)
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Northwest Association of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (Board Member)
Aerospace Medical Association
American Osteopathic College of Occupational & Preventive Medicine
American Osteopathic Association
Master Mason Third Degree (Oriental Lodge)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Board Certified (AOBPM) - Aerospace Medicine 2012
Board Certified (AOBPM) - Occupational & Environmental Medicine 2011
Board Certified (AOBPM) - Public Health & Community Medicine 2013
Board Certified (ABFM) - Family Practice (board eligible)
Board Certified (ABIME) - Independent Medical Examiner (board eligible)
MROCC Certified-Medical Review Officer 2014
PUBLICATIONS
"Impact of Bright Light and Caffeine on Physiological Parameters and Performance during Simulated Air Traffic Control Night Shifts", original research, Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine Journal (ASEM) April 2002; 73:341-50. "You're the Flight Surgeon", Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, ASEM Journal, October 1999. TIA in an Aviator (Case Report), ASEM Journal, publication pending. Unusual Presentation of Coronary Arterial Disease in a Commercial Pilot (Case Report), ASEM Journal, publication pending. Traumatic Stress in Rescue Personnel and the Effects of Critical Incident Stress
Debriefing (Peer Review Paper)-Harvard (1998). Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide in Iron Foundries Workers (Peer Review Paper)-Harvard (1998). Screening of Industrial Workers' Exposure to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Peer Review Paper) Harvard (1998).
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Captain: July 1989
Major: July 1995
Lieutenant Colonel: July 2001
Colonel: May 2006
(Current as of January 2010)