When Humanity Heals: Benjamin Hall on Grit, Survival, and the Power of Military Medicine
Few stories embody the true meaning of resilience and unity more profoundly than that of Benjamin Hall.
In the aftermath of a near-fatal attack while reporting in Ukraine in 2022, Hall’s path from the battlefield to recovery quickly became a testament to what can be achieved when courage meets compassion. Hall’s survival was not only the result of his own unwavering grit, but of the extraordinary dedication and innovation of the U.S. Military Healthcare System–a vast network of healers, researchers, and caregivers who kept hope alive. Together, they transformed tragedy into testimony, reflecting the very essence of the Military Health Institute’s mission: advancing discovery, delivering exceptional care, and empowering the communities dedicated to those who serve our nation.
For Benjamin Hall, resilience became more than a word–it became a way of life. After sustaining life-altering injuries in a missile strike outside of Kyiv, his fight for survival began with the fast, fearless actions of combat medics and continued through months of surgeries, rehabilitation, and enduring support within the military healthcare community. Each milestone in Hall’s recovery reflected the expertise of military medicine and the compassion that drives it.
Through that journey, Hall came to see resilience in a new light; not as endurance alone but as the strength we find in one another. Today, through his book, Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds, alongside his public talks and lecture series, he reminds audiences that recovery is never a solitary act; rather, it is the outcome of courage, collaboration, and care.
Benjamin Hall’s story acts as a reminder that resilience is not born from strength alone, but from the bonds that unite us during moments of crisis. His journey stands as a powerful reflection of what military medicine makes possible–and of the Military Health Institute’s continued commitment to advancing care, discovery, and hope for those who serve.
Shared by: University Technology Solutions (UTS) Bold Careers Interns and Ambassadors Program from UT San Antonio
Cristian Aldrete – UTS Program Coordinator, Erika Michelin – Tech Specialist, Atinuke Ajibolade – Tech Specialist, Cynthia Castaneda-Prieto – UTS Marketing Intern