Holcombe Medical Consulting

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Holcombe Medical Consulting Holcombe Medical Consulting, PLLC provides physician-led occupational medicine and medical-legal consulting services to employers, insurers, and attorneys.

All services are consultative, grounded in current evidence and operational experience. Dr. Thomas Holcombe is an accomplished physician specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health where he also completed his residency in occupational and environmental medicine. Before moving to Texas for residency Dr. Holcombe served as a medical officer in the US Navy for six years. He served two tours of duty as a flight surgeon—the first with Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) at NAS Oceana, and the second with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO-EIGHT (HSC 28) at Naval Station Norfolk. In his role as Medical Director at HV Health & Safety, Dr. Holcombe provides pivotal clinical governance and medical oversight for on-site occupational health practitioners across various projects. His responsibilities extend to managing telemedicine services and overseeing the credentialing of all medical practitioners within the company. His proactive management and strategic leadership in health and safety protocols significantly enhance operational efficiency and workforce welfare in high-risk industries such as construction, mining, and renewable energy sectors. Dr. Holcombe also continues to serve in the US Navy as a Reserve Flight Surgeon. His current assignment is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 473 (MWSS 473) out of MCAS Miramar, where he oversees medical readiness and support for over 800 Marines. His extensive military service has equipped him with unique insights into the demands of emergency medical scenarios and large-scale health operations, making him a valuable asset to any safety-focused organization. His research and presentations at various conferences further reflect his dedication to advancing occupational health standards and his commitment to lifelong learning and service. Dr. Holcombe holds medical licenses in more than 20 states and numerous certifications as Medical Review Officer, FMSCA DOT Medical Examiner, NIOSH Pulmonary Function Testing, and CAOHC Hearing Conservation.

Had a great time at the HIMS conference in Denver this past week. Great speakers and excellent training. Looking forward...
09/14/2026

Had a great time at the HIMS conference in Denver this past week. Great speakers and excellent training. Looking forward to getting my HIMS designation soon.

If you're a pilot in need of a HIMS AME, send me a message. I would love to connect with you and learn more about how I can help you in your flying career.

Are you a pilot who avoids the doctor because you’re not sure what it might mean for your FAA medical?You’re not alone —...
07/04/2026

Are you a pilot who avoids the doctor because you’re not sure what it might mean for your FAA medical?

You’re not alone — and that concern is exactly why I built a direct primary care service specifically for pilots.

I recently shared four real cases from my practice (all de-identified):

✈️ A sinus infection that could have been mislabeled as a migraine — with real consequences for a pilot’s certificate

📊 A lab panel that looked “fine” on the surface but needed an aviation medicine physician to interpret correctly

🩺 A back injury before a trip — treated effectively, with clear guidance on when it was safe to fly again

🩺 A hypertension case built around an upcoming Class 1 flight physical, not around a generic prescription refill

Every prescription decision, every chart note, every clinical recommendation — made with your medical certificate in mind.

If you’re a pilot looking for a physician who actually understands what’s at stake, I’d love to connect.

🔗 Read the full post, link in the comments.

📞 Schedule a consultation: calendly.com/holcombe-medical-consulting/aviation-consultation-appointment

For any pilots out there — or anyone who flies with one — this one's worth reading.Alcohol use disorder doesn't have to ...
06/04/2026

For any pilots out there — or anyone who flies with one — this one's worth reading.

Alcohol use disorder doesn't have to end a flying career. The FAA's HIMS program exists specifically to bring pilots back to the cockpit after treatment, with an 85 to 90 percent long-term success rate.

But the process is detailed, the rules are strict, and the mistakes pilots make — especially around disclosure — can be more damaging than the underlying condition itself.

My latest article covers:

✔️ How the FAA defines substance dependence (it's not the same as your doctor's definition)
✔️ What a DUI means for your medical certificate — and the two separate reporting requirements most pilots don't know about
✔️ The HIMS certification process from start to finish
✔️ What the 4-phase, 7+ year monitoring program actually looks like
✔️ Why FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder are still off the table for active pilots
✔️ The most common mistakes that end flying careers — and how to avoid them

Link in the comments. Questions welcome.

👉 Holcombe Medical Consulting, PLLC | FAA Aviation Medicine

Are you a pilot with a history of ADHD or do you know one?A diagnosis does not automatically disqualify a pilot from FAA...
05/21/2026

Are you a pilot with a history of ADHD or do you know one?

A diagnosis does not automatically disqualify a pilot from FAA medical certification. But the process is complicated, and small documentation errors can cause delays of six months or more.

The FAA updated its ADHD evaluation framework in October 2024.

There are now two pathways:

The Fast Track applies if you have had no symptoms, no ADHD medication of any kind, no major problems in work or daily life related to ADHD, and no other psychiatric history - all within the past four years. If all four conditions are met, a qualified Aviation Medical Examiner can issue your certificate the same day as your exam.

The Standard Track applies to everyone else. It involves a referral to a HIMS neuropsychologist, a 90-day medication washout period before testing, a full neuropsychological test battery, and FAA review. Well-organized cases still typically take six to twelve months from start to finish.

The most common mistakes - wrong track, incomplete records, the wrong type of urine drug screen - can set the process back significantly.

I have put together a complete guide covering both pathways, the full document checklist, the errors to avoid, and what the FAA is actually evaluating when it reviews these cases.

Read the full guide here:
https://holcombemedicalconsulting.com/resources/adhd-faa-medical-certification-pilots

I am a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and board-certified occupational medicine physician. I work with pilots navigating complex FAA certification cases and also offer direct primary care for pilots who need physician-documented medical records as part of their submission. Feel free to reach out with questions.

Thomas P. Holcombe, MD, MPH, MA
Holcombe Medical Consulting, PLLC
holcombemedicalconsulting.com

Proud to share this from AOHC 2026 in Chicago this week.My friend and colleague Dr. Joe Abrams gave an outstanding prese...
04/21/2026

Proud to share this from AOHC 2026 in Chicago this week.

My friend and colleague Dr. Joe Abrams gave an outstanding presentation on a topic that deserves a lot more attention — a potential cancer cluster among U.S. military members who served as ICBM missile launch officers.

These are men and women who spent 24-hour shifts underground in facilities built in the 1960s, breathing recirculated air in spaces that contained PCBs, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and combustion products from burning classified materials — often with no protective equipment and no occupational health oversight. For decades, nobody was tracking what they were being exposed to or what was happening to their health after they left service.

Dr. Abrams laid out the science clearly and honestly — what the data shows, where the gaps are, and what physicians like me need to start doing differently: asking veterans what they did before they entered civilian life. A military occupational history can change the entire picture for a patient.

This is occupational medicine doing exactly what it's supposed to do — advocating for workers, following the evidence, and speaking up even when the answers aren't complete yet.

Joe, I'm glad you're in this fight. Well done.

🔗 Full writeup on the case study on my website — link in comments.

Your FAA medical certificate depends on your documentation — not just your health.Most pilots who run into trouble with ...
04/08/2026

Your FAA medical certificate depends on your documentation — not just your health.

Most pilots who run into trouble with FAA medical certification aren't medically unfit to fly. The problem is documentation that doesn't meet the FAA's standard.

The FAA requires a Current, Detailed Clinical Progress Note (DCPN) — not the After Visit Summary you download from your patient portal. They are different documents, and submitting the wrong one can delay or defer your certification. As of January 2025, a deferral now means an immediate initial denial on your record.

We put together a guide explaining exactly what the FAA requires in a DCPN, the most common documentation mistakes pilots make, and how to structure your care so your records support your certification instead of working against it.

Read the full guide here: https://holcombemedicalconsulting.com/resources/faa-detailed-clinical-progress-note-dcpn-guide

If you have questions about FAA medical certification, CACI documentation, Special Issuance renewals, or need a physician who understands what the FAA expects — we're here to help.

Learn about Direct Primary Care for Pilots: https://holcombemedicalconsulting.com/services/direct-primary-care

Holcombe Medical Consulting, PLLC — Aviation Medicine | Direct Primary Care | Occupational Medicine
Houston, TX · Serving pilots nationwide

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214 East X Street
Deer Park, TX
77536

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