Army Medicine

Today marks a pivotal moment for Army Medicine as we celebrate the activation of the 68th Theater Medical Command! This historic step enhances our commitment to medical readiness and operational support across Europe and Africa. Together, we honor our legacy while embracing a future of innovation and partnership.

31st Annual Multinational Military Medical Engagement in Poland strengthens allied and partner nation relations https://www.army.mil/article/279752

WROCLAW, Poland -- More than 200 military and civilian medical experts from 16 allied and partner nations, including senior Polish military medical officials, gathered in Wroclaw, Poland Sept. 16 - 18 for the 31st Annual Multinational Military Medical Engagement (MMME). Jointly hosted by U.S. Army Medical Readiness Command, Europe, 68th Theater Medical Command and the Polish Ministry of Defense and Polish Department of Military Medical Services, the theme for this year's multinational military medical engagement was, “Strengthening Military Medical Partnerships through Synergistic Collaboration.” (Photo Credit: Kirk Frady)

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of the people killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaguirre, the U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command, inspects the sword during an Assumption of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The MEDCOM welcomed its first Command Chief Warrant Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Deanna Hughes, on Sept. 9, 2024.

Article available at:

DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/480573/

Army.mil: https://www.army.mil/article/279578/

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Lieutenant General Izaguirre, the Army Surgeon General, addressed the Army Veterinary Corps Summit, emphasizing the importance of diversity, strategic thinking, and preparing for the future.

She highlighted the theme of aligning, modernizing, and preparing the Army Veterinary Service for the challenges of tomorrow while meeting the needs of today. The AVS remains a critical component of Army Medicine and the DOD, always ready to sustain the health of our forces.

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PVT Steven Dries and PV2 Elisabeth Guynn (A Company, 188th Medical Battalion) provide a static display of a Medical Evacuation Vehicle at the Medical Warfighting Forum in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 4, 2024. The Forum included cutting-edge training simulations and discussed strategies for balancing medical capabilities and resources between the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard components.

Sgt. Connor Verploegh (Reserve Component Advisors Office) explains the mission of the Brigade Combat Trauma Team at the Medical Warfighting Forum in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 4, 2024. The Forum included cutting-edge training simulations and discussed strategies for balancing medical capabilities and resources between the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard components.

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Sgt. 1st Class Jinsol Kim (NCOIC, Combat Paramedic Program) demonstrates the role of the Brigade Combat Trauma Team at the Medical Warfighting Forum in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 4, 2024. The Forum included cutting-edge training simulations and discussed strategies for balancing medical capabilities and resources between the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard components.


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Lt. Col. Bryan Nowak (Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army) presents a briefing on Total Army Analysis (TAA) and Army Force Structure at the Medical Warfighting Forum in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 4, 2024.

Maj. Gen. Tony McQueen, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army, addresses the Medical Warfighting Forum on the topic of Army Medicine modernization efforts and continuous transformation in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 4, 2024.

The Forum included cutting-edge training simulations and discussions on balancing multinational, NATO, and joint medical planning partnerships. It also addressed strategies for balancing medical capabilities and resources between the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard components.

(from left: Maj. Gen. Tony McQueen; Maj. Gen. Paula C. Lodi, Commanding General, Medical Research and U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command (MRDC), Fort Detrick, MD; Rear Adm. Robert J. Hawkins, Chief, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps -; and Brig. Gen. Clinton K. Murray, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, and Chief, U.S. Army Medical Corps, San Antonio, Texas)

Maj. Gen. Tony McQueen, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army, addresses the Medical Warfighting Forum on the topic of Army Medicine modernization efforts and continuous transformation in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 4, 2024.

The Forum included cutting-edge training simulations and discussions on balancing multinational, NATO, and joint medical planning partnerships. It also addressed strategies for balancing medical capabilities and resources between the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard components.

(from left: Maj. Gen. Tony McQueen; Maj. Gen. Paula C. Lodi, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command (MRDC), Fort Detrick, MD; Rear Adm. Robert J. Hawkins, Chief, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps; and Brig. Gen. Clinton K. Murray, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, and Chief, U.S. Army Medical Corps, San Antonio, Texas)

September is Su***de Prevention Month.
Let's look out for our battle buddies!

Medics treat a patient at the point of injury while awaiting a drone delivery of blood to the battlefield during Exercise Northern Strike (NS) 24-02. The National Guard conducted its largest semi-annual combined arms maneuver exercise, Exercise Northern Strike (NS) 24-02, at Camp Grayling, Michigan, August 2 – 17, 2024. The exercise involved land, sea, and air operations and over 6,000 participants, including over 1,000 foreign partners from the United Kingdom, Latvia, and Lithuania. The exercise placed a great emphasis on providing medical care to wounded troops.
Photo by Brig. Gen. Robert Ferry
Read full article at: https://www.army.mil/article/279311/

Medics of the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) prepare a patient for transport by helicopter hoist during Exercise Northern Strike (NS) 24-02. The National Guard conducted its largest semi-annual combined arms maneuver exercise, NS 24-02, up in Michigan, August 2 – 17, 2024. The exercise involved land, sea, and air operations and over 6,000 participants, including over 1,000 foreign partners from the United Kingdom, Latvia, and Lithuania. The exercise placed a great emphasis on providing medical care to wounded troops. Photo by Brig. Gen. Robert Ferry

Read full article at: https://www.army.mil/article/279311/

At the Align, Modernize, and Prepare (AMP) Summit, Dr. Malinowski, Deputy Director of DHA said, “We must modernize healthcare delivery—shifting to patient-centered care enabled by technology. It's time to reimagine and innovate for a better future.”

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Closing day one of the Align, Modernize, and Prepare (AMP) Summit, Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Sprunger of U.S. Army Medical Command challenged attendees to think beyond borders, focus on real problems, and create inclusive solutions. True leadership means consistently practicing what we preach, even when it's not convenient. Together, we can overcome any challenge.

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At today’s Align, Modernize, and Prepare (AMP) Summit, Lt. Gen. Mary Izaguirre said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to gather our Army Medicine senior leaders across all commands and components to build on the legacy of Army Medicine. I have pride in your commitment, confidence in your capabilities, and I trust you to execute our sacred mission.”

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Women's Equality Day, August 26th, commemorates the struggles of women to be heard, as fierce advocates who gained the statutory right to vote. Also, known as women's suffrage, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guarantees all American women the right to vote.

Read doctrine. Understand doctrine. Practice doctrine.

Tough, realistic training creates combat ready medical forces.

UPDATE.....SFC Marks won Silver Medal at this year's Games. See Stars & Stripes article at the following link:

https://www.stripes.com/sports/2024-09-07/paralympics-marks-100-backstroke-silver-15098258.html

SFC Marks will be competing in her third Paralympic Games in Paris 28 AUG – 8 SEP 2024.

Elizabeth Marks enlisted in the Army in 2008, just after her 17th birthday, continuing a family legacy of military service. As a Combat Medic (68W) she got promoted several times and reached the rank of Sergeant First Class.

SFC Marks was on deployment in Iraq when she suffered bilateral hip injuries. During her recovery, she discovered a natural talent for swimming. Since then, SFC Marks has gone on to win several Paralympic medals:

Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020
• Gold (100m Backstroke)
• Silver (50m Freestyle)
• Bronze (50m Butterfly)

Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016
• Gold (100m Breaststroke)
• Bronze (4 X 100m Relay)

Let’s cheer SFC Marks on to more gold medals in Paris next week!

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The Society of Army Physician Assistants kicked off its annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, on August 20, 2024. The Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, Lieutenant General Mary K. Izaguirre, delivered opening remarks. In particular, she praised the Interservice Physician Assistants Program (IPAP) which is a combined Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard Program that is currently located at both Travis Air Force Base, California, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. “The IPAP program is one of our great interservice success stories,” she said. The SAPA conference continues through August 23 and will address issues such as influenza, ADHD, osteoporosis, pediatric asthma, EKG, ultrasound, knee injections, and medical support during natural disasters.