NASA’s Chief Medical Officer To Give Osteopathic Keynote June 17

J.D. Polk

The Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association on Monday announced that J.D. Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, will deliver a keynote address on June 17 during its four-day 32nd Annual State Convention.  

The convention will take place at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith.

Polk is leading the effort to ensure astronauts’ safety as NASA prepares for its first manned flight to Mars. He previously served as chief of space medicine at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Polk is the former assistant secretary for Health Affairs and chief medical officer of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

He also served as dean of medicine for Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, is a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, and is an associate fellow of the Aerospace Medicine Association.

Polk received his degree in osteopathic medicine from the A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri. He completed his residency in emergency medicine with Mt. Sinai hospitals via Ohio University and completed his training in aerospace medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Polk has received numerous NASA awards and other commendations, including citations from the FBI, White House Medical Unit, Association of Air Medical Services and U.S. Air Force.