Col Elizabeth Somsel is the Military Treatment Facility Director and Commander of the 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Florida. She oversees the provision of primary care to over 30,000 beneficiaries, including 10,000 Active Duty members from all services, in support of a global Air Refueling Wing, two joint Combatant Command headquarters, 31 mission partners, and 44 international coalition nation representatives. Col Somsel directs the Defense Health Agency’s largest outpatient single-unit Prime Service Area supporting more than 145,000 military personnel, retirees, and family members in the Tampa area. Leading a staff of 500 personnel, she manages delivery of primary care, surgical, dental, and specialty services at MacDill’s Ambulatory Clinic and the Sabal Park Clinic, 20 miles away, with a total operations and maintenance budget of 46 million dollars annually.
Col Somsel commissioned in 2003, entering active duty service directly after civilian residency training in 2006. An experienced leader, she has served on medical executive staffs for over ten years at seven institutions. Her knowledge of safety and quality spans medical and line operations, with participation in multiple mishap investigations in both spheres and a masters’ thesis on Human Factors. Prior to her current position, she was the Deputy Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, leading the Department of Defense’s largest cancer investigation, the Missile Community Cancer Study.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, Cellular Biology & Renaissance Art History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
2003 Doctor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
2006 Pediatrics Residency, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.
2006 Commissioned Officer Training, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Intermediate Executive Skills Course, San Antonio, Texas
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2017 Certified Physician Executive, American Association for Physician Leadership, Tampa, Fla.
2018 Masters in Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Masters in Business Administration, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 2006 - July 2009, Staff Pediatrician, 374th Medical Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan
- August 2009 - July 2012, Pediatric Element Chief/Medical Director, 31st Medical Group, Aviano AB, Italy
- August 2012 - August 2014, Chief of Medical Staff, 90th Medical Group, FE Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.
- August 2014 - June 2016, Chief of Medical Staff, 15th Medical Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
- June 2016 - June 2017, Chief of Clinical Services, Office of the Command Surgeon, Pacific Air Forces, JBPHH, Hawaii
- July 2017 - June 2018, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- June 2018 - July 2020, Commander & Chief of Aerospace Medicine, 49th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
- July 2020 - July 2021, Chief of Medical Staff, 56th Medical Group, Luke AFB, Ariz.
- July 2021 - July 2023, Commander, 7th Medical Group, Dyess AFB, Texas
- July 2023 – June 2024, Deputy Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
- June 2024 – present, Military Treatment Facility Director and Commander, 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: flight surgeon
Flight hours: 49
Aircraft flown: C-12, F-16, T-38, MQ-9, UH-60
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 American Academy of Pediatrics Outstanding Young Pediatrician, East Chapter, Air Force
2012 Air Force Global Strike Command Female Physician Leader
2013 Air Force Global Strike Command SGH of the Year
2018 Holloman AFB Small Squadron of the Year
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Fellow, American Board of Pediatrics
Member, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Aerospace Medical Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Captain July 1, 2003
Major July 1, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel May 31, 2015
Colonel May 31, 2021
(Current as of June 2024)