Army Medicine Recruits Potential Docs

On March 10, 2018, Lt. Gen. Nadja West spoke to potential Army Medicine recruits at the "Opportunities in Army Medicine, Communities of Interest Engagement Lunch" in the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Room at the Union League in Philadelphia, Pa.

West talked at length about what Army Medicine does, what Army Medicine is FOR, and the future of Army Medicine.

"We are the nation's premier expeditionary integrated medical force. We are the best at garrison care, and we are the best at operational care," West said.

Expeditionary medicine means that when the 10th Mountain Division or the 82nd Airborne goes anywhere in the world Army Medicine goes with them ready to provide the best battlefield medical care in the world. "There isn't a squad or platoon that goes anywhere without a medic," she said.

"We live in exciting, challenging times," West said. "We have to be ready to respond whenever we need to."

Being a part of Army Medicine has significant career benefits. These benefits can advance your skills and knowledge and help prepare you for a career of great rewards.

A career in Army Medicine as a physician allows you to enter as a commissioned officer. Commissioned officers are managers, problem solvers, key influencers and planners, and they lead enlisted soldiers.

"We need the best to ensure our Army is ready to be successful in any environment." West said.

There are a number of options for military medical careers, including active duty or Army Reserve:

--As a physician, dentist, or nurse

--As an occupational therapist, physical therapist, registered dietitian or physician assistant with the Medical Specialist Corps

--As a professional in the behavioral sciences, health services, laboratory sciences, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry and preventive medicine with the Medical Service Corps

--As an Army veterinarian

-- As a research scientist

"We need creative thinkers, those who challenge the status quo, and those who can bring information from outside to make us better," West said.

Many of the world's top specialists are members of the Army medical team. As one of the largest and most advanced health care networks in the world, Army Medicine is the leader in a number of areas, developing advanced tools for preventing disease, treating illnesses, and overcoming mental and physical challenges.

Army Medicine is involved in cutting edge research--often with leading private or academic organizations or international partners--that save lives. Examples include research into burn care innovation, regenerative medicine, prosthetics, sleep disorder treatment, trauma care, vaccine development, preventing diseases such as Ebola and malaria, and developments in mental health care to improve resilience.

Topics discussed by West included virtual health, Army Medicine priorities, and the issues of supporting the soldier on the battlefield.

In short, Army physicians bring innovative medicine to the world and are having an impact in changing the health of those around the globe.

The primary medical focus is always caring for the soldier, West said. "If we don't get this right," she said, "it doesn't matter what else we get right."