Since joining our faculty earlier this year, Dr. Osama Kashlan has become a respected member of our neurosurgical team at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist. Dr. Kashlan is highly regarded for his expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery and has a real passion for innovative endoscopic and robotic approaches to the spine. What his patients may not know, however, is that he has another passion: he has been a major in the Air National Guard since 2019, and he participates in training and readiness exercises designed to keep reservists in top form. In 2023 the Air National Guard awarded him an Air and Space Commendation Medal, an award given for outstanding achievement or meritorious service in the Air Force. He recently took part in Exercise Northern Strike, one of the Department of Defense's largest readiness exercises, at Michigan's National All Domain Warfighting Center.
Dr. Kashlan was one of more than 6,300 participants from 32 states and territories who gave their time to enhance preparedness. Dr. Kashlan’s assignment was a simulated mass casualty event, preparing every component of a National Guard unit to respond to such an emergency. We are proud of Dr. Kashlan’s participation in this worthy venture and thank him for his service.