MAJOR LUIS A. MORENO, M.D., FAMILY PRACTICE: SERVING TO MAKE A BETTER WORLD.

For Major Luis A. Moreno, M.D., serving in the Army Reserve Medical Corps is an honor and a privilege. As a civilian physician, Dr. Moreno is certainly no stranger to pressure as he helps monitor and maintain the health of astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center in the Space Flight Medical Operations Branch. “My job at NASA involves taking care of flight crews and their dependents,” said Dr. Moreno. “When they come back from a mission, we help support the lab and researchers when they measure weight-loss or motion sickness. We also dabble in ground operation research. It takes enormous dedication on everyone’s part.”

He sees that same level of dedication treating soldiers and their families while fulfilling his Army Reserve duty at Patrick Air Force Base. “You don’t really understand the sacrifices people make until you’re involved with patients on a personal level,” said Dr. Moreno. “Being in the Army Reserve changed me because I now have a healthier respect for people who serve.”

His experience in the Army Reserve has also made him a better doctor. “It keeps my skills up,” said Dr. Moreno. And it helps him fulfill his desire to maintain a regular practice. “Here at Patrick, there’s a lot of hands-on activity. It’s a full-fledged family practice clinic where you see lots of walk-ins and you have to be on your toes,” he added.
“I think that providing care is half of what I do for a patient and the other half is to listen to them. With the patients I see, it’s remarkable that they have such character. I’m just completely in awe of many of them.”

Dr. Moreno first joined the Army Reserve Medical Corps soon after the events of 9/11. He was attending a medical conference and was approached by an Army recruiter. “I’d been thinking about joining for a long time, but after that day I wanted to make sure I helped to make this a better world for my family,” he said.

Initially, he was mobilized in Ft. Hood, which also happened to be where he did his civilian training. While there, he participated in the Soldier Readiness Program, meeting with returning soldiers from Afghanistan. “Some of the things those soldiers experienced at such a young age – I’m completely in awe of them.” After that, he was assigned to Patrick Air Force Base where he now belongs to a troop program unit as part of the Army Professional Management Command.

“Being a part of APMC works well with my schedule,” said Dr. Moreno. “The flexibility really works out to my benefit and the clinic has enjoyed my practice and has asked me to come back. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.”

Most important, Dr. Moreno believes in the importance of his work. “Things happen for a reason,” said Dr. Moreno. “Being able to serve allows me to do my job and give to the greater good.” For Dr. Moreno, the honor of serving comes in various forms. “I want my kids to grow up in a safe environment. In my own small contribution, I think I’m doing that.”

“After experiencing all of this, I would be thrilled if one of my daughters ever came up to me and said ‘I want to marry this man’ and it was a patient that I or someone like me took care of. I couldn’t expect anything greater in my life. The commitment and honor of serving would come full circle,” said Dr. Moreno.

Someday, he just may get his wish.

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