The UAB Department of Surgery is pleased to welcome Richard D. Betzold, M.D., FACS, to the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery as a clinical assistant professor.

Betzold is an active duty Air Force trauma surgeon with the Joint Special Operations Command. He received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he also completed his residency. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he completed an Air Force Active Duty sponsored fellowship in trauma and critical care and was a clinical instructor of surgery.

From 2018 to 2021, Betzold was a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Maryland's Medical System R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. In 2020, he received the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Hero Award.

Betzold is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of and serves on committees for the Surgical Infection Society and the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and is also a member of the Western Trauma Association.

His research interests include vascular trauma and the evolution of vascular trauma care, advancing minimally invasive techniques into trauma and acute care surgery, and ways to optimize resident education.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Betzold to the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery," said Jeffrey Kerby, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and the Brigham Family Endowed Professor in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. "He is a highly respected active duty Air Force trauma surgeon previously stationed at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Betzold’s arrival signals another step in continuing to strengthen our already robust military-civilian collaboration at UAB. His wealth of experience in treating trauma patients in both the military and civilian settings will greatly enhance the our trauma care delivery and our educational missions."