Dr. Kharod is a dual board-certified emergency and EMS physician, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, educator, and leadership strategist with more than three decades of experience leading in high-consequence environments. From combat deployments and operational medicine to executive leadership, medical education, and innovation, his career has centered on developing people and building high-performing teams. As Content Strategist and Co-Host of the STAT Leadership Podcast, he translates hard-earned lessons from medicine, the military, business, and public safety into practical leadership strategies that help listeners lead with greater clarity, character, and purpose. His mission is simple: to empower & elevate people and organizations they serve. 

Dr. Pickett joined the University of Utah in July as the EMS Fellowship Director. Prior to his move to Utah, he was Chief Deputy Medical Director for Austin/Travis County EMS, Austin Fire Department, and the Texas Ranger Division Special Operations Group, and previously was served as the Director of the Center for Prehospital and Operational Medicine at Wright State University. He has nearly two decades of service in the US Army, 11 in special operations, multiple combat deployments, and a 30 year career in EMS as an EMT, Paramedic, instructor, and Medical Director. He is the non-military vice president of the Special Operations Medical Association, Tactical EMS Chair for the National Tactical Officer’s Association, and serves on the guidelines committee for the Committee on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC) and standards and practice committee for the National Association of EMS Physicians.