Dr. Alexander L. “Alex” Eastman, MD, MPH, FACS, FAEMS is a board-certified trauma surgeon, surgical intensivist, and emergency medical services (EMS) physician based in Dallas, Texas. With more than two decades of experience, he has practiced at major trauma centers, held academic appointments, pioneered the integration of tactical medicine into law enforcement operations, and served in federal public-health and preparedness roles. He maintains an active Texas medical license (through 2026) and continues clinical practice, teaching, and public-safety leadership as of 2026.
Dr. Eastman joined the UT Southwestern faculty as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in 2009, later advancing to Associate Professor, and received a teaching award in 2011. At Parkland Health–Dallas (a Level I trauma center), he served in multiple leadership roles, including medical director, chief surgeon, interim chief, and director of the Rees-Jones Trauma Center (promoted ~2015). He resigned from UT Southwestern effective August 31, 2018.
He has held affiliations with Medical City Healthcare facilities, including Medical City Plano and Medical City McKinney, providing trauma and critical care surgery. As of available records, he remains affiliated with Parkland Health–Dallas and Medical City McKinney through Acute Surgical Care Specialists PLLC and is listed as accepting new patients in general surgery and trauma care.
Dr. Eastman currently serves as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Since 2004, Dr. Eastman has embedded himself with the Dallas Police Department (DPD) as a surgical resident. He became the first trauma surgeon to receive clearance to provide direct care on SWAT missions. Dr. Eastman formally joined the DPD Reserve program in 2010 as a sworn officer. Currently, Dr. Eastman is a Reserve Lieutenant. Dr. Eastman serves as the department's Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Eastman provides on-scene tactical medical support, officer wellness guidance and integrates prehospital trauma care into DPD operations. Dr. Eastman was on-scene during the 2016 Dallas police ambush.
Dr. Eastman has received more than 17 commendations. These include the Dallas Police Medal of Valor (2017), Reserve Officer of the Year (2013), and the 2025 Reserve Officer of the Year award from the Dallas Police Assist the Officer Foundation (announced January 2026).
Dr. Eastman's work has established national models for cooperation between law enforcement and physicians in tactical operations. His work has also contributed to initiatives such as the Hartford Consensus and the "Stop the Bleed" hemorrhage-control program for first responders and civilians.
At the federal level, Dr. Eastman has served as Senior Medical Officer - Operations in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Health Security. Dr. Eastman was detailed as Acting Chief Medical Officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) beginning in 2023 and returned to DHS headquarters by late 2024.
Dr. Eastman has also participated in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services disaster-response teams. Dr. Eastman has also contributed to prehospital trauma education through the Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) program. Dr. Eastman has advised the White House, testified before President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing (2015) and participated in the U.S. Department of Justice's Officer Safety and Wellness Group.
Dr. Eastman has published/co-published 40 peer-reviewed articles that have garnered more than 1800+ citations. Articles are in areas such as trauma systems, prehospital care, mass casualty incidents, pelvic trauma, and ballistic injuries. Dr. Eastman co-edited the Parkland Trauma Handbook. Dr. Eastman has also contributed to reference textbooks in the fields of trauma surgery and disaster response. Dr. Eastman's current research focuses on improving patient care prior to arriving at a hospital and injury prevention strategies throughout communities.
Dr. Eastman has received more than 17 commendations and awards from the Dallas Police Department for his service and tactical medical leadership. The major honors include:
Where is Dr. Eastman currently affiliated?
As of 2026, Dr. Eastman practices trauma and surgical critical care in the Dallas area. He is affiliated with Parkland Health–Dallas and Medical City McKinney through Acute Surgical Care Specialists PLLC and is listed as accepting new patients in general surgery and trauma care.
What is Dr. Eastman’s current academic position?
Dr. Eastman serves as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Has Dr. Alex Eastman ever served in the U.S. military?
No. Dr. Alex Eastman has never served in the United States military or any branch of the armed forces.
Is Dr. Eastman still licensed and practicing?
Yes. He holds an active Texas medical license through 2026 and continues clinical practice, teaching, and public-safety leadership as of 2026.
How can Dr. Eastman be contacted for speaking or consulting?
Dr. Eastman is available for speaking, consulting, and media engagements on tactical medicine, crisis leadership, and emergency preparedness through his professional websites: dralexandereastman.com and alexeastman.net.
Dr. Eastman currently splits his time between clinical trauma and surgical critical care in the Dallas area, teaching in academia, leadership in the DPD Reserve program (including SWAT medical support), and federal consultant roles. Dr. Eastman is available for speaking engagements, consulting and media interviews on tactical medicine, crisis leadership and emergency preparedness through his professional websites.
* All information gathered for this career profile was collected exclusively from publicly available sources.
Sources
Dr. Alexander Eastman Website
OurFeatured Profile
U.S. News & World Report Doctor Profile
Doximity
CMS NPI Registry
ResearchGate
PR Newswire
University of Texas at Austin Alumni Records
Uniformed Services University Faculty Listings
Parkland Trauma Handbook
Dallas Police Assist the Officer Foundation Awards
Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Program References
