Col. Mark D. Lyman is an Arizona native. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies from Brigham Young University (Magna Cum Laude), and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona School of Medicine. Upon graduation, Lyman was commissioned in 1997 into the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps. His postgraduate training included an internship in psychiatry and a residency in pathology at Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. Lyman is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.
Lyman is the fourth director of the Joint Pathology Center. His priorities as Director are to provide the military and Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems with comprehensive, high quality secondary pathology consultations; to digitally transform the Joint Pathology Center repository and to ethically use the data to develop artificial intelligence algorithms; and to conduct pathology research and education in support of a ready medical force, a medically ready force and veterans’ health.
Before serving as JPC director, Lyman was the Air Force Consultant to the Surgeon General for Pathology (2016-2023). In this role, he functioned as the Air Force subject matter expert on manning issues, assignments, and pathology education, including residency and fellowship training. Lyman spent seven years combined (2019-2023) at Keesler Air Force Base Hospital, Mississippi, and at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, hospitals (2021-2023), serving as the Pathology Department Chair at both locations. Prior, he served as Chief of Surgical Pathology at the U.S. Air Force Academy Hospital (2009-2016) and at Offutt Air Force Base Hospital, Nebraska, (2004-2009). During his time at Offutt, he founded and chaired the Air Force Telepathology Advisory Council, initiating the Air Force Medical Corps into the concept of digital pathology.
Lyman served an operational tour as a squadron medical element flight surgeon for the 384th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas (1998-2000). During this time, he deployed to Moron, Spain, in support of Operation Allied Force (NATO operations during the Kosovo conflict) and to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, in support of Operation Southern Watch. During his deployment to Spain, Lyman instituted a Preventive Health Assessment program for deployed troops.
Lyman’s military education includes the Combat Casualty Care Course (2001) and Air War College (2013, top 10% of class). His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Custers), Air and Space Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award (2 OLC), Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award (7 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (1 OLC), Air and Space Longevity Service Award (6 OLC), and the Air and Space Training Ribbon.