WAUWATOSA, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS)— Wisconsin doctor saves lives overseas and in the state of Wisconsin.
Dr. David Milia is a trauma surgeon with a passion for serving. He has over a decade of experience working at a fast pace to save lives.
On an average day he can be found walking the halls of Froedtert Hospital and the Medical
College of Wisconsin or in the trauma bay working on the latest patient coming in with a life threatening injury.
He finds out what he can do to help, because that’s what he does best, helps save lives.
"Basically I do the same thing on both sides, but there I wear a different hat," Trauma Director at Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. David Milia said.
The other side of things he works on is overseas. Dr. Milia is in the US Army reserves and has been deployed to Afghanistan four times.
"I deploy about every other year or so and go for a period of about four months," Dr. Milia said.
He takes his talents and abilities to those who may need him most. He works closely with a group of doctors who help keep those safe who are serving our country.
"My periods of deployment serve to recharge me and really remind me of why I do what I do, and train how I train. When I work with young American soldiers and I am able to get them back home to their families in one piece that's the most rewarding thing that I have ever done," Dr. Milia said.
He has a passion to save those who serve. He says the skills he's learned overseas have helped better him as a surgeon here in Wisconsin.
"Some of the skills I learned down range and applied them to my practice here it allows me to do more with less and work more efficiently," Dr. Milia said.
He has been transitioning back and forth every other year and he says coming back to civilian life is always a little different.
"Sometimes there is a bit of transition time coming home now. There is a little bit of a culture shock when I have to come back to the hospital and wear crocs instead of boots," Dr. Milia said.
Although he has put in plenty of service, he says his time saving lives overseas is not done yet.