JULY 30, 2026 — As the aerospace, austere and military medicine sectors continue to grow, so, too, do their workforce needs. The Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine is building one of the nation’s premier programs to help fill that gap and prepare Aggie leaders for meaningful work in extreme environments in space and on Earth.
The newly combined Aerospace, Austere and Military Medicine (AAMM) Program at the Vashisht College of Medicine is growing with the launch of new courses, graduate medical education and clinical services. Some of its highlights include:
- Offering an 18-credit-hour, fully online graduate certificate designed for professionals
- Announcing its new, accredited Aerospace Medicine Residency
- Planned opening of the Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine Aviation Medicine Clinic
“We are proud to offer rigorous academics, hands-on research and training opportunities, and collaboration with the best and brightest in academia, government and industry,” said Jeff Chancellor ’18, Ph.D., executive director of the AAMM Program. “At Texas A&M, we are designing a program rooted in real-world experience, advanced academic and clinical training, and collaboration across the aerospace, austere and military medicine industries to prepare students to step directly into mission-critical careers with success.”
Application Deadline Fast Approaching for AAMM Online Graduate Certificate Program
The new online graduate certificate in Aerospace, Austere & Military Medicine is accepting applications for a Fall 2026 start date through July 31, 2026. The 18-credit-hour program is designed for graduate students, researchers, engineers and medical professionals working at the intersection of healthcare, military operations, human performance and spaceflight.
Designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in aerospace and extreme environment medicine, the program offers:
- Flexible online delivery with both live and asynchronous coursework
- Choice of Aerospace Medicine or Austere/Military Medicine tracks
- Courses taught by expert faculty and industry leaders
- Specialized education applicable to aviation, military, remote and spaceflight environments
- Ability to seamlessly transfer all credits into the upcoming Master of Science in Aerospace Physiology (anticipated in 2027)
Interested applicants can learn more about the certificate and application at tx.ag/AAMMGradCert.
Aerospace Medicine Residency Receives Initial ACGME Accreditation
The new Aerospace Medicine Residency at the Vashisht College of Medicine is designed to train physicians to care for astronauts before, during and after spaceflight – from pre-flight readiness to in-mission performance and post-flight recovery.
“Spaceflight places demands on the human body at every stage of a mission,” said Serena Auñòn-Chancellor, M.D., MPH, FACP, Director, Aerospace Medicine, at the Vashisht College of Medicine. “We’re preparing physicians to support that entire journey.”
The residency received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in March 2026 and is one of only a handful of aerospace medicine programs in the nation with the accreditation
“Human spaceflight is entering a new era,” said Amy L. Waer, M.D., FACS, MPSA ‘23, Jean and Tom McMullin Endowed Dean of the Vashisht College of Medicine. “As we push farther into space, we must also advance how we care for the people making that journey. This residency positions us to contribute to that future in a meaningful way.”
Plans to Serve Licensed Pilots
Texas A&M now has Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and plans to launch the Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine Aviation Medicine Clinic in Bryan, Texas, this fall. The licensed AMEs will provide physical exams for student and licensed pilots, as well as air traffic controllers, as required by the FAA.
For more information on the AAMM Program, visit medicine.tamu.edu/aerospace-medicine or contact med-aerospace@tamu.edu.
About the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine:
Advancing medicine for Texans and the world, the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine is a comprehensive, community-based, research-driven academic medical institution with a statewide footprint rooted in the belief that Texas is our campus. We prepare future physicians and scientists through rigorous medical education, accelerate discovery through translational research, and collaborate with clinical partners to deliver compassionate, high-quality care across rural and urban settings. Established in 1977 through the Teague-Cranston Act, we remain committed to leading with purpose, empathy, and innovation—equipping health care leaders to meet the evolving needs of Texas and beyond. Learn more at medicine.tamu.edu.
About the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine Aerospace, Austere & Military Medicine Program:
The Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine Aerospace, Austere & Military Medicine (AAMM) Program is preparing Aggie leaders for meaningful work in extreme environments in space and on Earth. Led by internationally recognized physicians, scientists and operational leaders who are shaping the future of aerospace, austere and military medicine — and backed by the power and unrivaled network of Texas A&M — the AAMM Program is building a multidisciplinary ecosystem where students and medical trainees gain the knowledge, skills and first-hand experience they need to step directly into mission-critical careers. Learn more at medicine.tamu.edu/aerospace-medicine or contact the team via email at med-aerospace@tamu.edu.