Author: Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE
A Message from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Colleagues:
Today is my last day as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, and I can’t leave without expressing my gratitude to all of you for your support while I was privileged to serve in this office. The people of the Military Health System are its lifeblood – and we in military medicine know the meaning of that analogy! Without your talent, experience, and dedication, fulfilling our sacred mission to take care of our people would be impossible. Each of you have a variety of professional opportunities and options, and the fact that you have chosen service to our county, service to our mission, service to the people we are trusted to care for is something I don’t take for granted. Thank you.
The challenges facing our world, our nation, and our system are great. In my time here, I have worked to create a climate where candid assessment and truth telling is encouraged and rewarded. It’s not always easy, and within the MHS, we don’t always agree on how best to overcome challenges and make the most of opportunities. But to a person, we share a commitment to our mission, to delivering outstanding health care to everyone who depends on us, whether that’s in combat or at home. That sense of mission is what unites us, motivates us, and makes us an outstanding organization.
As Ms. Seileen Mullen once again answers the call, taking on the role of Acting ASD HA, I know that she can count on your continued support, advice, and energy. I’m confident that with her leadership, you will maintain and increase the momentum we’ve achieved together to stabilize and strengthen the MHS.
Again, I thank you for all you do every day, for all the support you generously provided to me, and I wish all of you the best.
Very Respectfully,
Lester
Lester Martínez-López, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
The Future of Great Power Competition: Trajectories, Transitions, and Prospects for Catastrophic War
This article is a little long, but it is a good summary of the current state of affairs:
Executive Medical Planning Tools
The below attachment is an announcement for a 3-hour virtual course on two medical modeling tools: the Medical Planners’ Toolkit (MPTK) and the Joint Medical Planning Tool (JMPT). These tools inform the Joint Medical Estimate (JME) which influences our end strength. There are several dates available with differing nomination deadlines.
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Health Science Researcher (Undersea Medicine)
A new position has been added to this cycle’s Non-Specialty Specific List:
Command: Naval Medical Research Command
Job Title: Health Science Researcher (Undersea Medicine)
Billet Location: Silver Spring, MD
Billet Rank: O-3 to O-5
Tour Length: 3 years
GMO Privileging Required: No
Description: The Undersea Medicine Department (UMD) is seeking a physician with a strong interest in biomedical research aimed at increasing safety, readiness, and performance of Navy and Marine Corps forces engaged in demanding occupations such as diving, special operations, and submarine duty. Interested physicians need NOT be an Undersea Medical Officer (UMO). UMD conducts translational research focused on decompression sickness and hyperbaric oxygen toxicity (both pulmonary and central nervous system). Additional unique research efforts include testing plans for disabled submarine rescue and identifying countermeasures to improve warfighter performance at high altitude. The successful applicant will serve as a principal investigator, collaborating with UMD leaders, scientists, and technicians to submit funding proposals, develop protocols, conduct experiments, analyze data, present results at scientific meetings, and draft manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
The deadline to apply is November 1, 2024. The applicant input form is attached.
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 