Mass Casualty Preparedness: Are We Ready?

Colonel Christopher Mitchell is the current ACGME Designated Institutional Official and Director of Medical Education for Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC), Fort Cavazos, Texas, starting this position in summer 2026.

COL Mitchell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with specialization in Biochemistry from The University of Virginia in 2004 with a second major in Spanish Linguistics and Philology with High Distinction. He was commissioned through the Health Professions scholarship program as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in November 2003. He received is Doctor of Medicine, magna cum laude, in 2008 from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio and completed residency training in Emergency Medicine in 2011 at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine (2012), Emergency Medical Services (2017), and has a Focused Practice Designation in Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography (2026).

COL Mitchell’s military education includes the Army Command and General Staff College, AMEDD Captain’s Career Course, AMEDD Officer Basic Course, Army Flight Surgeon Course, Brigade Surgeon Course, Combat Casualty Care Course, Tactical Combat Medical Care Course, Hyperbaric Medical Officer’s Course, DHA Lean Leader Course, and DHA/AMEDD Executive Skills Course.

COL Mitchell’s military assignments include Faculty Emergency Physician (2011-Present), CRDAMC, Emergency Physician, 47th Combat Support Hospital, FOB Adder and COS Warrior, Iraq (2011), Director of Prehospital Care and EMS Medical Director, Fort Hood (2011-2015), Emergency Department Operations Officer, CRDAMC (2014-2015), Regimental Surgeon, 3d Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood (2015-2017), Train-Advise-Assist Command East Surgeon, TB Gamberi, Afghanistan (2016-2017), Deputy Chief, Emergency Department, CRDAMC (2017-2019), Chief, Emergency Department, CRDAMC (2019-2021), Special Mission Wing Flight Surgeon and interim NATO Special Operations Component Command Afghanistan Command Surgeon, Kabul, Afghanistan (2019-2020), and emergency physician in the 11th Field Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, and the 555th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team in Green Village, Syria, in 2024, and Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director (2021-2026). COL Mitchell also serves as the Deputy Consultant to the Surgeon General for Emergency Medicine and the Director of the Army Medicine Diving Program.

COL Mitchell’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 awards, with C device), Joint Achievement Medal (2 awards, with Combat device), Army Achievement Medal (7 awards, with C device), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (one star), the Iraq Campaign Medal (one star), the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (one star), the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the NATO Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 3), and the Army Service Ribbon. COL Mitchell has earned the Army Flight Surgeon Badge, the Combat Medical Badge, and holds The Surgeon General’s 9A Designation. Dr. Mitchell is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.

Dr. Mitchell is a Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and a lifetime member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He remains grounded through the joys of marriage to his wife Heather and parenting his 3 children, Alex (12), Heidi (10), and Clara (7).