OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL, FALLS CHURCH, Va.--On 28 Sept. 2017, Lt. Gen. Nadja West and Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Ecker hosted representatives from a number of military and veteran's service organizations (MSO/VSOs). The group discussed healthcare issues relevant to the members of the organizations and Army Medicines' evolving role in military medicine.
West stated when people think of Army Medicine they often think of hospital care. But we are enhancing the skills of the combat medic, we extensively train our providers for the hospital and clinic, and we support our Army when we respond to natural disasters she said. We have learned much in the areas of behavioral health and traumatic brain injury, she said, and we are sharing that knowledge with our civilian counterparts.
A partial list of topics covered included Army Medicine's lines of effort, the expanded role of the expeditionary combat medic, access to acute and specialty care at Army medical treatment facilities, quality and safety, behavioral health, and traumatic brain injury. There was also an extended discussion of the potential changes associated with the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act on how military MTFs may be administered.
The MSO/VSOs were asked to help Army Medicine keep Army families and retirees informed about possible changes in access to care. Military and service organizations play an important part in opening communication channels to our military families, veterans, and retirees and provide assistance that lies outside the extensive healthcare provided by official Department of Defense organizations.
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