ASDHA
A Message from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
MHS Colleagues:
September, with the first hints of cooler weather and schools back in session, often seems more like the start of a new year than the official new year in January. We in the MHS stand ready to serve our beneficiaries as they get ready for the cold and flu season, make sure their vaccinations are up to date, and allow us to provide the care they need.
Last week, we said a formal farewell to Hon. Gilbert Cisneros, who has served us so well as the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. His personal commitment to the well-being of all our people was foremost in everything he did, and it was a privilege to work for him. I know you will join me in thanking him for his service and wishing him well in the next chapter.
September is also Suicide Prevention Month, a time for us to renew our commitment to preventing this tragic loss of life. Within our organizations, it’s important for us to communicate to our people about the resources available to help anyone in crisis. By example, we can help remove the stigma around seeking mental health care. I will never forget meeting Teri and Patrick Caserta, parents of Brandon Caserta, a young Sailor who died by suicide in 2018. I met them during the formal signing of the implementation order for the Brandon Act, named for their son, which is designed to ease access to mental health care. While I admire their ability to channel their grief into action by successfully advocating for this legislation, I am saddened by their need to do so. The Brandon Act will help prevent military suicides and spare other parents, but there is more to be done to increase access to mental health care, and to educate those serving at all levels about how to help. There is useful information to share with your organizations at this link. Please use this resource to communicate about this vital issue, not just this month, but all year.
I wish you and your families well as we enter this new season and thank you for all you do every day. As always, stay safe!
A message from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
MHS Colleagues,
Mental health care is a priority focus for the Military Health System every single day, but as May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to highlight the effort we are making to address this critical need.
Secretary Cisneros signed the implementing policy for the Brandon Act on May 5, with Teri and Patrick Caserta present. The Act, designed to help service members access timely mental health evaluations, is named for their son Brandon, a young sailor who died by suicide. We welcome this measure as part of our approach to suicide prevention and mental health and it was a privilege to meet the Casertas.
One of my personal goals is to do everything possible to eliminate the stigma that too often still inhibits our people from seeking and getting care. Mental health is health, period – and we need to embrace that fact and encourage and support people in need of this care. We are working to develop training to help educate those in leadership roles on how to support their people, to look for signs that someone is struggling and to enable them to get help. Efforts are underway to address the shortage of mental health providers in our system. We know the answers aren’t simple, but we are committed to finding them.
There is a wide range of resources available to help us all learn more about mental health, and they can be found here: Mental Health Spotlight. Please take time to learn about them, to know what is available and how to access them. Our collective success in improving mental health across the total force starts with an individual commitment by each of us, to learn as much as we can about this issue and how to put the resources we have in play, to demonstrate by our own actions and words the importance of mental health. We need to normalize seeking mental health care so it becomes as accepted as seeing a doctor for the flu or a broken bone.
As leaders of the MHS, we have a particular responsibility to help move these goals forward. I know I can count on you to keep mental health priorities in mind this month, and throughout the year.
Very Respectfully,
Lester
Lester Martinez-López, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
A Message from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Monday marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In addition to providing an important annual reminder of the significance of public service, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on his rich legacy.
Dr. King believed in the best of what our nation could be. And it was for that reason he fought dearly against injustice, inequality, and racism against Black Americans, and prejudice against other marginalized groups. He understood that it’s our differences that make us great—and fought to lift all people, as well as to help others understand that we share much more in common than we may think.
His life’s work provides many important, inclusive lessons. One that I return to, both personally and professionally, was his example of individual sacrifice. Whether seeking fair housing, safer working conditions and higher wages, or, of course, righting human injustice, he put the whole above self-interest.
Selfless service has always been one of the tenets of military service, an ideal we continually strive for, and a timely reflection point given the unique challenges facing our communities and military medicine.
The pandemic lays these collective challenges bare every day. While the virus doesn’t recognize race, rank, tax bracket, or geography, it continues to demonstrate the continued inequities and injustices that Dr. King fought so hard against. This necessitates our collective response — specifically to uplift and care for those the pandemic affects the most.
And, for more than two years now, that’s precisely the kind of leadership you’ve provided. The MHS has been a model of collaboration and selfless service. Your focus on the whole ensured our Service Members were safe and at the ready and saved the lives of countless more.
The health and wellbeing of those that you serve has always been top of mind, and you never wavered. I know the national response often pulled many of you away from your families and loved ones — and continues to. Thank you. We’re all incredibly grateful.
Focusing on the whole is also why you’re leading by example and encouraging vaccinations. Omicron is unrelenting, and the only way to protect both ourselves and our communities is by ensuring we’re both vaccinated and boosted. It’s vital that we continue to bang this drum!
A lot has been asked of you over the last year, and the New Year has already proven just as challenging. But I know we can meet this future if we continue to view our service through Dr. King’s legacy of selflessness and pursuing the common good.
And I look forward to taking this work on together.
Dave
Dr. David J. Smith, M.D.
Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense – Health Affairs
Holiday Message from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
MHS Team:
I’m honored to be performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.
Having been a part of this extraordinary organization for several years, and having spent most of my career in military medicine, I know both its important work and the outstanding talent of our personnel accomplishing our important work. In my experience, few match the skills and expertise of those within the Military Health System.
Your tireless dedication to our Service members and their families has always been an inspiration. That’s perhaps never been more apparent than over this past year. You not only ensured we met our readiness mission, you helped us navigate truly unprecedented changes and challenges—and military medicine and the people and communities we serve are stronger for it.
Together, we led critical, system-wide modernization efforts, and completed all market standups in the U.S. under the direction of the DHA. The MHS assumed a leadership role in responding to the pandemic, both within DoD and our larger communities. To date, we’ve administered more than 6.5 million COVID-19 vaccines, ensured the military got vaccinated to protect themselves and their teammates against COVID-19, and supported many more vaccinations at civilian sites around the United States.
And of course, this was all done while continuing to deliver the exceptional, world-class care our beneficiaries deserve and expect. Thank you!
The year ahead will undoubtedly present new challenges—and I’m confident in our ability to respond. Your many efforts have positioned the entire enterprise for future success, and I look forward to taking this work on together.
Finally, as friends and family gather in the coming days, it’s vital that we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and we continue to employ prudent public health measures. Omicron is spreading quickly, and the best way to ensure a safe holiday season for everyone is by getting your shots and boosters. In addition, this can be a difficult time for some of our personnel, so please stay vigilant and aware of the needs of your teammates. Finally, in the coming weeks, some of you will deploy to help our Nation weather the Omicron wave. For those mobilizing and those maintaining our exceptional care, thank you!
As I noted, it’s been an extremely busy year. I want to encourage you to try to take time to recharge and reflect on all that you’ve accomplished. Your colleagues, our beneficiaries, and our Country are incredibly grateful.
From our MHS family to all of yours, wishing you a very joyous and safe holiday season!
Dr. David J. Smith, M.D.
Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense – Health Affairs
Department of Defense
ASD(HA) Thanksgiving Message
MHS Colleagues:
As we come upon Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about family - from my own to all the families of those who make up the Military Health System.
It’s because of your heroic efforts that many families everywhere, however that may be defined, are able to be together this week. For many, it’ll be the first time they have shared a meal and enjoyed each other’s company in more than a year.
Far too many families have been torn apart by COVID-19, but our work within DoD and in the civilian sector has been critical in saving lives and keeping families intact. You’ve not only treated those affected by the virus, but our ongoing vaccination efforts are preventing further spread, allowing us to continue our national security missions, and importantly, preventing hospitalizations and deaths. As we approach the deadlines for service member and federal civilian vaccination, I’m hopeful that we are turning another important corner in our battle against COVID-19.
Your work supporting Operation Allies Welcome and Operation Allies Refuge has also ensured that loved ones are staying together. Like generations before them, our Afghan allies have sought the security and support of our country and we are welcoming them with open arms. Families are now able to call our nation home, and the redeeming spirit of America continues.
This past year tested our communities like never before. For the MHS, that’s when we shine.
You stepped up and put your own interests aside to serve others. Our personnel worked countless hours, often away from their own families, in support of these and many other critical, life-saving efforts. And all while continuing to ensure the readiness of our military to fight anywhere, anytime.
So on behalf of families everywhere this Thanksgiving, thank you.
Of course, thank you also for leading by example and getting vaccinated. I know we can do even more. For those of you who are eligible, please consider getting a booster to assure continued protection against COVID-19 and limit the virus’ spread. For our MHS parents, as a pediatrician and a mom, I ask that you consider getting your children vaccinated and protected against COVID-19. Boosters and pediatric vaccines are free and widely available in the MHS.
I hope you’ll spend this well-deserved time with your families and those closest to you. Rest and recharge, but also take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve achieved. It’s a lot, and all our DoD senior leaders are incredibly grateful for your work.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Terry
Terry Adirim, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense – Health Affairs
Department of Defense
Veteran’s Day Message from the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
MHS Colleagues,
Each year, we pause on Veterans Day to recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. America’s brave military men and women, past and present, represent the very best of us. Their courage, love of country, and willingness to serve are ideals to which we should all aspire.
For the Military Health System, it’s also a reminder of the trust that has been placed in each of us to deliver a level of care that they deserve and have earned. We have the unique privilege of honoring their legacies not just one day, but every day—and throughout their lives.
Caring for our nation’s veterans is a role in which I’ve always taken a great deal of pride. It’s a sacred responsibility, and one in which the MHS continues to make a measurable and lasting impact.
This is also a day to recognize military families. The family members of the MHS are every bit as vital to meeting our readiness and national security mission. They, too, have served and sacrificed, and have earned our care and support when they need it.
Finally, to my veteran colleagues, thank you!
Your leadership and experience are essential to continuing to move the MHS forward. You strengthen our work with a perspective few can provide. I learn from you and am inspired by your example every day.
Wherever you find yourself this Veterans Day, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on those we’ve lost, those still with us, and of course those who are within our care.
Our obligation to our service members and their families doesn’t end when they’re out of uniform. And our mission affords us a tremendous opportunity to give back and provide the post-service support these heroes deserve.
Happy Veterans Day! And thank you for your service.
Terry
Terry Adirim, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense – Health Affairs
Department of Defense
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