Colonel Michael R. Frayser is the Commander, 88th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As commander, he directs the Air Force’s second largest Medical Center with a total annual budget of $133 million, employing a professional and technical staff of over 1,700 personnel supporting readiness, primary and specialty healthcare, and medical education missions across the installation.
This 57-bed facility provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient healthcare for 62,000 beneficiaries generating 320,000 outpatient visits, 3,600 same-day surgeries, over 800 admissions, and 24,000 dental patients annually. Col Frayser is also responsible for oversight of training of physicians and dentists in seven residency programs, nurses in the Nurse Transition Program, and physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, and certified nurse anesthetists in respective internship programs. Additionally, he is responsible for training over 350 Phase II and Phase III technicians annually.
A native of Kansas, Col Frayser was commissioned through the Health Professions Scholarship Program in January 2000. He received his osteopathic medical degree in 2003 and completed his Family Medicine residency and board certification in 2006. In 2018, he completed a second residency in Aerospace Medicine from the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. Throughout his career he has served in various clinical and leadership positions, to include 12 months as lead Flight Surgeon Air Advisor in Afghanistan. As Commander of the 325th Operational Medicine Readiness Squadron, he was present for the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Michael and assisted with the recovery and rebuild phases for the 325th Fighter Wing. Prior to his current position, he served as the Commander and Medical Treatment Facility Director of the 78th Medical Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
EDUCATION:
1999 Bachelor of Arts, Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan
2003 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Mo.
2006 Family Medicine Residency, John C. Lincoln Health Network, Phoenix, Ariz.
2009 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course, Brooks City Base, Texas
2016 Master of Science, Aerospace Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
2016 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Certified Physician Executive, American Association for Physician Leaders, Tampa, Fla.
2018 Residency in Aerospace Medicine, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2021 Joint Senior Medical Leaders Course, Falls Church, Va.
2023 MHS Capstone, Falls Church, Va., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. January 2000 – May 2003, Medical Student, USAF Health Professions Scholarship Program, Kansas City, Mo.
2. June 2003 – June 2006, Resident, Family Medicine Residency, John C. Lincoln Health Network, Phoenix, Ariz.
3. July 2006 – August 2009, Element Leader, 95th Medical Operations Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
4. September 2009 – June 2012, Flight Medicine Flight Commander, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
5. June 2012 – June 2015, Flight Surgeon, 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo. (December 2013 – December 2014, Lead Flight Surgeon Advisor, NATO Air Training Command, 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan)
6. June 2015 – June 2016, Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine Graduate Student, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
7. July 2016 – June 2018, Resident in Aerospace Medicine, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. July 2018 – July 2020, Commander, 325th Operational Medicine Readiness Squadron and Chief, Aerospace Medicine, 325th Medical Group, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
9. July 2020 – June 2022, Chief, Flight and Operational Medicine, Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, Falls Church, Va.
10. June 2022 – July 2024, Commander/Medical Treatment Facility Director, 78th Medical Group, Robins AFB, Ga.
11. July 2024 – Present, Commander/Medical Treatment Facility Director, 88th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Senior Flight Surgeon
Flight hours: More than 370, including more than 65 combat hours
Aircraft flown: C-130H, MI-17, C-208B, C-21, C-5, C-130J, KC-135R, C-17, C-40, C-32, and E-11
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with star
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2014 U.S. Air Force Malcolm C. Grow Flight Surgeon of the Year Award, Society of U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons
2017 Star Spangled Banner Medallion, Kansas City University Alumni Association
2018 U.S. Air Force Team Aerospace of the Year Award, Society of U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS:
Member, Society of U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons
Diplomate, American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
Member, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant January 6, 2000
Captain May 18, 2003
Major May 18, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel May 18, 2015
Colonel May 18, 2021
(Current as of August 2024)