Mike Shertz, MD/18D
Practicing Emergency Medicine Physician
Mike Shertz, MD is a board-certified Emergency Physician practicing in one of the busiest emergency departments in Oregon. He serves as a founding member of the Guidelines Committee for the Committee on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care.
Fire Service
Additionally, Dr. Shertz holds a sub-specialty board certification in Emergency Medical Services and serves as the medical director for several EMS agencies and private corporations. He previously was the medical director for several regional fire departments, supervising paramedics and providing training.
Law Enforcement
He holds a law enforcement commission with the multi-jurisdictional Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Negotiations Team and runs a tactical medic program which is embedded in the TNT team.
US Army Special Forces
He is a former US Army Special Forces Medic (18D) with over ten years experience in that role.
International Medicine
Dr. Shertz’s unique background and credentials also include a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (earned at the Gorgas Course in Peru), as well as a Certification of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers Health.
Training
In the last thirty years, Dr. Shertz has trained thousands of private citizens, first responders in law enforcement, fire, and EMS in casualty management in high risk and tactical environments. Dr. Shertz’s expertise has made him a sought-after instructor in far-flung locations as he has taught soldiers, host-nationals, and physicians in North America, Iraq, Afghanistan, Thailand, Australia, and East Africa.
“Crisis Medicine trains students to quickly identify and treat immediately life-threatening injuries during a high-risk environment and avoid unnecessary loss of life”
At its core, the ATC2 course is a masterclass in evidence-based tactical medicine. It covers the full spectrum of care under fire—beginning with foundational principles, anatomy, and physiology, then moving through the nuances of tourniquet application, wound packing, airway management, trauma assessment, and other essential interventions. At each stage Dr. Shertz explores likely wounds, their mechanisms and resultant injuries.
Dr. Shertz's expertise is immediately evident. Drawing on years of field experience in both as an ER physician and a Special Forces 18D, he shares not just textbook knowledge, but also insights that only come from treating casualties in austere, high-threat environments. He is direct, concise, and pragmatic—never sensationalist, but always mindful of the gravity of the work. Where controversies or evolving practices exist, Dr Shertz's experience does not shy away from critical discussion, providing learners with a clear understanding of both the “what” and the “why” behind many actions, all presented with a wry sense of humor. He has a great teaching style..
Moreover, Dr. Shertz is careful to address common errors and misconceptions. For example, the nuances of different tourniquet types are dissected, and the importance of patient reassessment is stressed repeatedly. The tone is encouraging and professional, inviting questions and critical thinking rather than rote memorization. I learned a lot and feel more confident in emergency decisions moving forward.
