Meet the Team
At Mayo Clinic, our Military Medicine team is dedicated to transforming care for military populations through cutting-edge research, specialized education, and strategic partnerships.
Led by a diverse group of clinicians, educators, and innovators — many of whom have served in the armed forces — our team brings deep expertise in emergency medicine, trauma care, critical care, and operational readiness. We collaborate across federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry to co-create solutions that enhance clinical outcomes and support the unique needs of service members.
Whether developing new technologies, shaping curriculum, or driving translational research, we are committed to bridging civilian and military healthcare to ensure excellence in every mission.
Pierre Noel, M.D., Medical Director
Pierre Noel, M.D., is a physician in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine. He is a professor of medicine within Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Noel has a depth and breadth of military background and experience. He is a primary consultant in protective medicine for the White House Medical Unit and has held leadership roles at the National Institutes of Health, including acting director of Security and Emergency Response, and at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on disaster recovery and pandemic response planning. He was a military officer in military special operations unit from 1997 to 2010. Following 9/11, he worked with several federal agencies as well as the White House Homeland Security Council. In 2012, Dr. Noel developed a Special Operations Tactical Medicine Training Program at Mayo Clinic for military Special Mission Units. This program specializes in combat trauma, prolonged field care and critical care.
Christopher Russi, D.O., Associate Medical Director - Minnesota
Christopher Russi, D.O., is a consultant in Emergency Medicine and Director of Emergency Medicine Telehealth Innovations. He is also an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Russi was a major in the U.S. Army Reserves Medical Corps with the 945th Forward Resuscitation Surgical Team based in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He served as an emergency medicine physician, caring for wounded service members in far forward or austere environments. He is passionate about expeditious innovations to enhance care in telemedicine, remote biophysiologic monitoring, wearables, etc.
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Christine Hunt, D.O., Associate Medical Director - Florida
Dr. Hunt is a consultant in the Department of Pain Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida and serves as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. A board-certified physiatrist, she brings extensive expertise in pain management and musculoskeletal medicine. Since joining the Special Operations Tactical Medicine faculty in 2019, Dr. Hunt has played a key role in developing curriculum focused on musculoskeletal and pain medicine. She currently serves as co-course director of the Musculoskeletal and Pain Medicine Course alongside Lori DeCook, PA. This course also includes specialized content in amputee medicine and orthopedic trauma, reflecting Dr. Hunt’s commitment to advancing care for tactical and operational populations.
Melissa Gulden, D.B.A., M.A., Administrator
As the Administrator for Mayo Clinic Military Medicine, Melissa Gulden, D.B.A., M.A., collaborates closely with medical directors and oversees Military Medicine activities across Mayo Clinic. She coordinates all military-related practice, education, and research programs system-wide. Melissa has served in various leadership roles within the practice shield for over 20 years before transitioning to Military Medicine in late 2022. She is an instructor in healthcare administration through the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and holds the Fellow Level designation for Excellence in Teaching through the Academy of Educational Excellence. She earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership and management in 2013 and has recently completed her Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.).
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Amy Low, M.B.A., Manager
Amy J. Low, M.B.A., is an administrative leader with over 30 years of experience at Mayo Clinic driving operational and programmatic excellence across the domains of education and research. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to advancing strategic initiatives through collaborative leadership, cross-functional coordination, and a deep understanding of complex organizational environments. As the Operations Manager within Military Medicine, Amy partners with physician leaders and administrative teams across the enterprise to strengthen military collaborations in clinical practice, education, and research. She plays a vital role in supporting the development and implementation of innovative health solutions tailored to the unique challenges of austere and mission-critical environments. Her work ensures timely, scalable, and impactful responses to gaps in care and readiness. Amy is passionate about translating vision into action and enabling real-world impact through thoughtful execution and continuous improvement.
Elizabeth Adado, Program Manager
Elizabeth Adado serves as the Program Manager for the Mayo Clinic Military Medicine Arizona division, Elizabeth Adado provides education and program support. Her career at Mayo Clinic began in the School for Continuous Professional Development as a Continuing Medical Education Specialist and has provided support to the military and government accredited courses. In her role with Military Medicine, she partners with physician leaders and administration to foster increased military collaborations related to education, research and practice.
Hannelisa Callisen, P.A.-C, Co-Course Director/Educator
Hannelisa Callisen, P.A., serves as the Military Medicine Educator, where she oversees and coordinates multiple specialized courses within the military medicine curriculum. In her multifaceted role, she contributes as faculty, curriculum developer, and research collaborator, while also providing operational oversight to ensure program excellence. With over a decade of dedicated service in Military Medicine, Hanne has played a pivotal role in advancing curriculum delivery and continuously seeks innovative, evidence-based approaches to enhance medical education. In addition to her work in military medical education, Hanne practices clinically as a Physician Assistant in Critical Care Medicine at Mayo Clinic Arizona, bringing frontline experience and clinical insight to her educational leadership.
Matthew (Matt) Tentis, DMSc, P.A.-C - Co-Course Director/Educator
Matt is a Physician Assistant in Emergency Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Emergency Medicine Fellowship. He brings over 20 years of distinguished service in the Minnesota Army National Guard, including three overseas deployments. He currently holds the rank of Major and serves with the state’s medical detachment. In his role with Military Medicine, Matt focuses on curriculum development and course implementation, integrating his expertise in emergency medicine, simulation training, and prolonged casualty care. His dual commitment to clinical practice and military medical education reflects a deep passion for advancing care in both civilian and operational environments.
Lori DeCook, P.A.-C, M.S. - Co-Course Director/Educator
Lori serves as the Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (NPPA) Supervisor in the Blood & Marrow Transplant Department at Mayo Clinic Arizona. She also holds an academic appointment as Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. In her role with Military Medicine, Lori focuses on expanding and enhancing curriculum related to head, neck, and traumatic brain injuries, as well as the advanced management of pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and human performance in tactical athletes. She is deeply committed to both injury prevention and optimizing recovery strategies to support long-term performance and resilience.
Bhavesh Patel, M.D., Co-Course Director
Dr. Patel is a physician in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Mayo Clinic and holds academic appointments as Assistant Professor of Medicine, Neurology, and Anesthesiology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Since 2012, Dr. Patel has been a key contributor to the development of the Special Operations Tactical Medicine Training Program at Mayo Clinic, created in collaboration with Dr. Noel to support Military Special Mission Units and government organizations. He continues to serve as faculty, mentor, educator, and researcher within Military Medicine, with a focus on prolonged field care and critical care in austere environments.
Caleb Bagby, Education Fellow
Caleb Bagby serves as a Military Medicine Education Fellow at Mayo Clinic, acting as a vital liaison to partners across the armed forces and national security sectors. With nearly 20 years of military service, Caleb continues to serve in the National Guard as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant with the 20th Special Forces Group. His diverse background includes prior roles as a firefighter and paramedic for the cities of Nashville and Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and several years providing austere medical care for federal agencies overseas. These experiences inform his current work in curriculum development and course implementation within Military Medicine. Caleb is passionate about collaborating with military and national security partners to develop innovative solutions that advance medical capabilities for those operating in complex and evolving conflict environments.
Christa Jaramillo, Education Fellow
Christa brings over 15 years of combined experience in military casualty operations, surgical technology, and clinical education to her role as a Military Medicine Education Fellow at Mayo Clinic. She began her career in the U.S. Army as a Mortuary Affairs Specialist, where she was responsible for the search, recovery, processing, and repatriation of fallen U.S. and allied service members. Her work spanned both peacetime and combat environments, including close collaboration with the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) and civilian medical examiners to support forensic identification efforts. Following her military service, Christa worked as a surgical technologist across multiple specialties before transitioning into simulation-based education at Grand Canyon University. She later served as a Clinical Specialist, providing procedural training and support for minimally invasive spine procedures. Since 2022, Christa has supported multidisciplinary education at Mayo Clinic’s Center for Procedural Innovation, where she advances clinical readiness for both military and civilian healthcare professionals through innovative training and curriculum development.
