A Message from the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Colleagues,
As spring reveals herself in nature’s annual rite of renewal, I hope this note finds you well and filled with the spirit of optimism that the season brings.
After attending our organization’s annual “family reunion” in Cleveland last week—better known as the MHS Conference—I’ve returned invigorated, with a renewed sense of pride and excitement. The theme, “The Future of Military Medicine: Integrated, Innovative, Ready,” perfectly captures this pivotal moment in the Military Health System. The plenary and breakout sessions rose to the occasion, brimming with ideas to enhance our support to the warfighter through clinical care, research, and technological advancement. At the same time, we continue to invest in workforce wellbeing, forge new partnerships, and strengthen existing ones.
Lieutenant Commander Dan Cnossen, Navy SEAL and seven-time Paralympic medalist, inspired us with a powerful reminder of our raison d’être. Dr. Scott Steele, President of Cleveland Clinic and recently retired Army combat surgeon, reaffirmed our core values—Quality, Safety, and Patient Experience—while emphasizing the critical need for high-complexity case volume. Mr. Jay Hurst, PTDO Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, opened the week with his unequivocal support for the MHS, saying “our medical providers and our medical support staff are the best people in the world.”
If you were unable to attend the conference, I encourage you to watch the recorded sessions that will be available on the conference website within the next two weeks and check out the articles and videos posted in the news room on health.mil, including one on our “top guns” of health care — our annual MHS award winners! Very impressive!
Across military medicine, the past few weeks have been fast-paced and full of accomplishments. We were proud to learn that 73% of DoD hospitals received the prestigious “A” grade for Patient Safety from the Leapfrog Group—more than double last year’s rate of 43%, and well above the national average of 32% among participating hospitals. Congratulations to the team at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for earning designation as a German Level 1 trauma center.
Our multilateral partnership strategy continues to expand in both scope and relevance to our readiness mission. From the DAD-R&E team’s work in Denver with the VA on prosthetic access innovation, to the DHA-VA collaboration identifying over 10 sites for enhanced partnerships across enlisted and officer roles, momentum is building. The 48th Medical Group at Lakenheath, England signed six contracts with the United Kingdom National Health Service to enable U.S. European Command personnel to work within NHS hospitals. Meanwhile, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, continues advancing toward burn unit certification in partnership with Johns Hopkins.
These are just a few highlights of the remarkable integration and innovation taking place across the MHS in support of readiness—but our work is far from over.
The coming weeks will be critical. As part of a zero-based budgeting restructuring initiative, we’ll be making the case for sustaining vital resources, demonstrating how we bolster warfighting capability and enhance lethality. I was heartened to see the House Armed Services Committee hear our February call by adding $2 billion in direct support for military medicine in the current reconciliation bill. I will continue to advocate vigorously on your behalf—your dedication and accomplishments make my job not only easier, but a true privilege.
Thank you for making the Military Health System such an extraordinary team to represent.
Keep up the great work and thank you for all that you do. Don’t forget to enjoy the beauty of spring—and take a moment to stop and smell the flowers.
Very respectfully,
Steve
Stephen Ferrara, M.D.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
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