International Public health expert to speak at WVU Health Sciences

Col. Michael R. Brumage will discuss effects of tsunami, earthquake and nuclear disaster on U.S. forces in Japan

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Public health expert Col. Michael R. Brumage, M.D., M.P.H., a West Virginia native and West Virginia University School of Medicine alumnus, will return to his alma mater to discuss the impact of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and subsequent Fukushima nuclear disaster on U.S. forces in Japan as part of the School’s Public Health Grand Rounds.

Col. Brumage is the Commander of the Public Health Command Region-Pacific (PHCR-PAC) headquartered at Camp Zama, Japan. His presentation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 in the Fukushima Auditorium at the WVU Health Sciences Learning Center.

As part of his discussion, Col. Brumage will describe the public health issues U.S. Forces faced, both on base and in support of Japanese forces, at areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. He will also discuss the radiation risks to U.S. citizens in the Kanto Plain and to U.S. forces assisting with recovery relief efforts.

“We are delighted to welcome Col. Brumage back to West Virginia. As we continue to move forward with the creation of our new School of Public Health, we remain committed to educating our future health professionals not only about the public health issues that affect our state but issues that affect the nation and populations worldwide,” Christopher C. Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., WVU chancellor for health sciences, said. “Col. Brumage brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time in Japan as well as his previous deployments, and we look forward to learning from his experience.”

A native of Fairmont, Col. Brumage received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from WVU in 1982 and graduated from the WVU School of Medicine in 1986. He received a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from the University of Washington in 2003. He is board certified in internal medicine and preventive medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Before becoming Commander of the PHCR-PAC, Col. Brumage served as Commander of the Schofield Barracks Health Clinic, one of the largest free-standing clinics in the Department of Defense.   

The School of Medicine’s Public Health Grand Rounds is held in collaboration with the WVU Global Health Program, West Virginia Prevention Research Center, the WVU Injury Control Research Center and the West Virginia Collaborative Health Outcomes Research of Therapies and Services Center.