Military Surgeons Saw More Readmissions After Returning From Deployment
BLUF – A University of Pennsylvania study of military physicians found that surgical patients experienced a 48% increase in readmissions during the first two months after their surgeons returned from deployment, while obstetricians performed 74% more cesarean sections, with both measures eventually returning to baseline. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining clinical proficiency during deployments and suggest Navy Medicine should consider structured return-to-practice programs, competency assessments, and gradual increases in procedural complexity to protect patient safety and sustain clinical readiness.
Navy Medicine, You Have a Scale Problem
BLUF – In a November 2026 Proceedings article, retired Navy Captain Justin Campbell argues that Navy Medicine’s reliance on small, forward-deployed surgical teams is insufficient for the mass casualties anticipated in a conflict with China, particularly when evacuation, resupply, and communications are contested. He recommends shifting toward scalable, modular medical capabilities that consolidate scarce surgical personnel, expand casualty treatment capacity, and strengthen prolonged casualty care rather than prioritizing proximity to the battlefield.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/november/navy-medicine-you-have-scale-problem
Preserving the past, informing the future: inside the National Museum of Health and Medicine
BLUF – The National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland, preserves more than 25 million artifacts and specimens documenting over 250 years of medical innovation, including advances in battlefield trauma care, forensic identification, and traumatic brain injury research. Established during the Civil War, the museum highlights how lessons from military medicine continue to improve warfighter care and civilian healthcare while supporting research, education, and public engagement.
Pilot Program Offers PCS Child Care Benefit
BLUF – The Department of Defense has launched a pilot program, running through September 30, 2027, that reimburses eligible active-duty service members for travel expenses to bring a trusted caregiver to their new duty station when full-time military child care is unavailable within 30 days of a PCS move. Navy Medicine personnel with preschool-age children may qualify for up to $500 for moves within the continental United States or $1,500 for overseas moves, provided they request care through MilitaryChildcare.com before arrival and meet additional eligibility requirements.
Policy Implementation – Mandatory Transition to Super Intelligence (SI) Terminology Across the Department of the Navy
BLUF – NAVADMIN 252/26 directs the immediate replacement of “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) with “Super Intelligence” (SI) throughout official Navy communications, policies, training materials and operational doctrine, implementing a September 29, 2026, executive order while exempting historical records, existing contracts and statutory definitions. For Navy Medicine, the directive requires updating applicable official publications, educational materials and technology-related policies, with Echelon II commanders responsible for reviewing command communications and reporting compliance to OPNAV N6 within 30 days of the message’s October 22 release.
VA, DOD are now live on national health data sharing superhighway
BLUF – The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have joined the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), a nationwide health information network connecting nearly 25,000 organizations and facilitating more than 2 billion health record exchanges since December 2023. This integration will enable Navy Medicine providers to securely access and share patient information across military treatment facilities, VA hospitals, and participating civilian healthcare systems, improving care coordination, reducing fragmented medical records, and supporting continuity of care and medical readiness for service members, veterans, and their families.
10 Years of Well-Being: How USU’s School of Medicine Built Support Into Medical Education
BLUF – The Uniformed Services University’s School of Medicine is celebrating 10 years of its Well-Being Program, established in 2016 to combat medical student burnout and promote lifelong resilience through peer support, wellness education, facility dogs, and student-led initiatives. The program now extends to clinical training sites and fosters collaboration among medical and nursing students, helping prepare future Navy Medicine and other military healthcare professionals to manage stress, maintain personal well-being, and sustain effective patient care throughout their careers.
https://news.usuhs.edu/2026/11/10-years-of-well-being-how-usus-school.html
Hardcover Now Available – Joel Schofer’s Promotion Board Preparation: A Guide for Officers in Navy Medicine
The initial release only included the Kindle eBook and a softcover version, but now there is a hardcover available. You can get it here:
How women Veterans won the right to healthcare
BLUF – Women who served in the U.S. military historically faced significant barriers to federal healthcare and veterans’ benefits, despite their contributions as nurses and other military personnel during the Civil War and World War I. Advocacy by organizations such as the Women’s Overseas Service League helped secure access to federal veterans’ hospitals in 1923, laying the foundation for today’s comprehensive VA healthcare services for women veterans and highlighting the lasting importance of equitable healthcare access for those who serve.
https://news.va.gov/150723/how-women-veterans-won-right-to-health-care/