KrisMatthewBellandDOMPH, MBA, MSS(he/him)

Summary

• Dr. Kris Belland is a highly accomplished medical professional with a distinguished career in the United States Navy and the aviation industry. He holds a master’s degree in business administration, Public Health, and Strategic Studies, in addition to being board-certified in Family and Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Belland is a United States Naval Academy graduate and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. During his 30+ year career in the US Navy, Dr. Belland served as both a flight surgeon and pilot, accumulating 2,000 flight hours, 112 arrested landings, and participating in 25 combat missions on aircraft such as the EA-6B Prowler, A-6 Intruder and F-14 Tomcat. His exceptional service was recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, US Navy Flight Surgeon of the Year, the Sonny Carter Memorial Award, and the Society of US Naval Flight Surgeons Robert E. Mitchell lifetime achievement award, among others. Dr. Belland's contributions to the field of aerospace medicine extend beyond his military career. He served as the Southwest Regional Deputy Flight Surgeon for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), overseeing the medical programs for five states. In this role, he provided guidance on airman medical certification, air traffic control specialist medical qualification policy, and the oversight of aviation industry drug and alcohol testing programs. Additionally, he played a vital role in the Aerospace Medical Association's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, actively participating in international organizations such as the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) working groups and the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).