Col. (Dr.) Michael J. Higgins is the Command Surgeon, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He advises the Commander and coordinates Department of Defense medical operations for health service support in the conduct of homeland defense, civil support and security cooperation to defend and secure North America, the U.S. and its interests.
Col. Higgins was born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy as a distinguished military graduate earning a degree in Biochemistry. He earned his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He completed a combined residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry through a joint service program with Malcolm Grow Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Col. Higgins holds board Certifications in Family Medicine, Psychiatry and Medical Management as a Certified Physician Executive.
Prior to his current position, Col. Higgins was the Command Surgeon for the Air Force Air Education and Training Command. He commanded at the squadron and group levels overseas and deployed including at RAF Lakenheath, England, the Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram, Afghanistan, the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, Southwest Asia, and at David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB. He further led teams as Vice Commander of the Air Force Medical Operations and Medical Readiness Agencies.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1997 Doctor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md.
2002 Family Medicine and Psychiatry Residency, National Capital Consortium, Andrews AFB, Md
2002 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2005 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2007 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course
2008 Certified Physician Executive, American College of Physician Executives
2011 Air War College, by correspondence and in-residence equivalency
2013 Federal Healthcare Executive Course, Interagency Institute, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
2021 Medical Strategic Leadership Program, Army Medical Center of Excellence, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2002 - January 2003, Staff Psychiatrist and Family Physician, Life Skills Support Center and Family Practice Clinic, 72d Medical Operations Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
2. January 2003 - July 2005, Family Physician, Deputy Mental Health Flight Commander, Chief of Psychiatry and Deputy Chief of Medical Staff, 72d Medical Operations Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
3. July 2005 - July 2009, Chief of the Medical Staff, 436th Medical Group, Dover AFB, Del.
4. July 2009 - July 2012, Commander, 48th Surgical Operations Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
5. August 2012 - March 2013, Chief of Psychiatry and Family Physician, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; Staff Officer, San Antonio Military Health System, Texas
6. March 2013 - August 2013, Commander, 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron and Chief of Medical Staff, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
7. September 2013 - June 2015, Chief Operating Officer, San Antonio Military Health System eMSM, San Antonio, Texas
8. June 2015 - June 2016, Commander, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, Southwest Asia
9. July 2016 - July 2018, Commander, 60th Medical Group, Travis AFB, Calif.
10. July 2018 - July 2019, Vice Commander, Air Force Medical Operations Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
11. July 2019 - June 2020, Vice Commander, Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
12. June 2020 - August 2022, AETC Command Surgeon, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, JBSA-Randolph, Texas
13. August 2022 - present, NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command Surgeon, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Department of State Meritorious Honor Award
Order of Military Medical Merit
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1993 U.S Air Force Academy Leadership Excellence Award
2002 National Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher Award
2004 Air Force Material Command Clinical Excellence Award, Field Grade
2008 AMC Selectee for Paul Myers Physician Award
2008 AMP Distinguished Graduate and Leadership Award
2010 USAFE Selectee for Paul Myers Physician Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1993
Captain May 15, 1997
Major April 17, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel May 31, 2008
Colonel May 31, 2013
(Current as of August 2022)