A Message from the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Colleagues,
I am honored to join you as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and for the time being as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, expertise, and impact of the Military Health System (MHS), and I am committed to supporting and advancing our shared mission.
Having served 25 years as a Navy physician, I have a deep appreciation for the complexity of the military medical mission and the critical role each of you plays in ensuring the health and readiness of our service members, families, and retirees. My experience across combat, humanitarian, and disaster relief missions has reinforced the importance of a strong, integrated healthcare system – one that balances operational readiness with the highest quality of care.
My relationship to the MHS vastly transcends simply my professional association, however—I have a deep personal affection for the institution. Both of my children were born in an MTF, and the dedicated healthcare professionals of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have expertly and compassionately cared for my family for nearly 35 years.
Beyond uniformed service, my time as Chief Medical Officer of the Central Intelligence Agency and as a Congressional Fellow on the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce committee allowed me to remain deeply engaged in national security, health policy, and oversight of key agencies like CMS, FDA, CDC, and NIH. These roles have only strengthened my belief that the success of the MHS relies on collaboration, accountability, and a steadfast focus on our people.
In an ever changing and uncertain national security environment, we are again reminded that we bear the privilege and responsibility to honor the compact made between those who pledge to go into harm’s way: that should they become ill or injured, they will receive prompt and effective medical care whether on land, sea, air, or space.
We have a unique opportunity to confront the challenges that lay ahead and to take bold initiative. Our greatest strength, our most potent defense against our adversaries, is you. Your intellect, your ingenuity, your character, and your dedication will carry the day just as it has for nearly two-and-a-half centuries.
I look forward to all we will accomplish together as we continue to advance the health and readiness of our force. We are building on a strong foundation and will ensure that the MHS remains a model of excellence in military and civilian health care.
It’s an honor to serve with you. Your continued service and frequent sacrifices are truly inspirational.
Respectfully,
Stephen Ferrara, M.D.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
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