Eric Ahnfeldt, DO

Colonel Ahnfeldt is a 1998 graduate of Wheaton College. He earned a degree in Biology. He continued his education via the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program and attended medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. After graduation he transitioned to active duty in June 2004. Dr. Ahnfeldt completed his surgical residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) in El Paso, Texas. He graduated in 2009, completed the Officer Basic Course, and was assigned as a General Surgeon to Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas. Dr. Ahnfeldt deployed numerous times throughout his career: Iraq (2010), Kosovo (2013) Afghanistan (2011-12 and 2016-17). He also deployed with the 14th Combat Support Hospital in Oct 2017 to Puerto Rico in support of disaster relief after Hurricane Maria. Again deploying to Iraq in 2018.

Dr. Ahnfeldt completed Fellowship in Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopy at the Cleveland Clinic. Upon graduation, he completed Officer Advanced Course and was assigned to WBAMC. After deployment, he was selected to be Program Director for the General Surgery Residency Program. He is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College. Colonel Ahnfeldt graduated from the Army’s Air Assault Course in 2005. Colonel Ahnfeldt was selected to be the Chair of Surgical Services at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in 2019.

Dr. Ahnfeldt is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). He is Associate Examiner for the American Board of Surgery; member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Military Working Group; was the inaugural chair of the Military Committee for ASMBS. Dr. Ahnfeldt is a member of the program committee as well. Dr. Ahnfeldt also proctors military surgeons for robotics training. And serves as the liaison between the Defense Health Agency and ASMBS.

Colonel’s awards & decorations include: Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and a silver oak leaf cluster; Army Achievement Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars; Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Global War on Terror Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon.

Colonel Ahnfeldt is married to Dr. Kari Ahnfeldt and they have three children: Ian (13), Audrey (12), and Sam (9).