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Daniel Hohman Is an MPH Student, a Naval Doctor, and Star of Hair
When Daniel Hohman was a young boy he wanted to be a doctor.
Then his mother became acquainted with a pilot who took Hohman flying
in small aircraft. Hohman quickly switched his ambition from
physician to pilot.
Now, later in life, Hohman has been able to fulfill both of these childhood ambitions and is playing the lead role in the upcoming Longwood Players production of Hair, to boot.
"The character I play in Hair is Claude, and Claude's big dilemma is whether to join the military service or not. It strikes me as ironic that I play this role!" said Hohman.
After earning an undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology at Michigan State University, Hohman entered the US Navy flight school and began what has thus far been a fourteen-year career in the Navy. He fulfilled one of his dreams by serving for six years as a flight officer on an E2C Hawkeye, a plane launched from an aircraft carrier.
In 1992, as Hohman finished up a three-year sea tour on the carrier, he was faced with a change in the US military: "At that time, we were beginning a huge stand-down in the military. The Cold War had ended, and all branches of the military were scaling back. In the Navy, we were cutting from thirteen aircraft carriers to ten. We simply had too many pilots and aircrew. Knowing that I was likely going to have to change jobs, I asked if I could go to medical school. To my delight, the Navy agreed."
Hohman packed his gear and traveled to Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri.
After earning his medical degree in 1997, Hohman went to Bethesda Naval Hospital for a transitional internship. "At Bethesda, I did a bit of everything," said Hohman. "Pediatrics, OB, internal medicine, surgical and ophthalmalogic rotations, and clinical services. The goal was to become competent in internal medicine, trauma, and the treatment of orthopedic injuries, because these are the most common types of injuries associated with life on a boat or out in the field."
Now Hohman is working on his residency in aerospace medicine, the first year of which consists of an MPH. After earning this degree, he will go to Pensacola, Florida, to a naval base where he'll spend two years finishing his residency. After that, Hohman returns to life on an aircraft carrier--this time as a medical officer, rather than as a flight officer.
Hohman believes that his military background and his age affect his experience at HSPH. "Mostly, it's the discipline," he said. "Compared to the way I was as an undergraduate student, I'm more focused now and take education more seriously. Another factor for those of us in the military is that we're on duty while we're here--being here is our job for the time being. We have to take it seriously because the government expects us to come back with knowledge. Also, we owe it to the US public because they are, essentially, paying us to be here."
One common thread that has linked all of Hohman's diverse experiences has been his love of music. "My parents started me off in grade school," he said, "and music has been part of my life ever since." As an undergraduate, he performed in productions of Pippin and Grease. In the Navy, he has sung with the Naval Air Training Choir at two Miss USA pageants and at George Bush's presidential inauguration. As a member of the Naval Air Choir, he sang at President Clinton's holiday party in 1996.
Soon the HSPH community can see and hear Hohman perform in the Longwood Players production of Hair. "When I heard there were auditions, I thought I'd go and see if I couldn't get a part in the chorus or a minor role--I never expected to get a starring role. The production is fabulous: I love the music and the cast. I think audiences are in for a treat."
Not only has Hohman's military training taught him discipline, it has taught him how to budget his time. In addition to his studies, in addition to preparing for his role in Hair, Hohman has been training for and ran this year's Boston Marathon with the American Liver Foundation's Team.
"I'm having a great time here. It's a great ride, and I don't want
to get off."
Three facets of Daniel Hohman.
From left to right: Naval Lieutenant Hohman with his
sister Theresa Pahlajrai; Hippie Hohman as Claude
in Hair; MPH student Hohman as he appears on
his ID card.
