The Military Health System (MHS) is one of America’s largest and most complex health care institutions, and the world’s preeminent military health care delivery operation. Our MHS saves lives on the battlefield, combats infectious disease around the world, and is responsible for providing health services through both Direct CareDirect care refers to military hospitals and clinics, also known as “military treatment facilities” and “MTFs.”direct care and Private Sector Care to approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries, composed of uniformed service members, military retirees, and family members.
The MHS enables the National Defense Strategy by providing a Medically Ready Force, a Ready Medical Force, and improving the health of all those entrusted to its care. We are more than combat medicine. The MHS is a complex system that weaves together...
- Health care delivery
- Medical education
- Public health
- Private sector partnerships
- Cutting edge medical research and development
Our Mission
The missions of the MHS are complex and interrelated:
- To ensure America’s active duty and reserve-component personnel are healthy so they can complete their national security missions.
- To ensure that all active and reserve medical personnel in uniform are trained and ready to provide medical care in support of operational forces around the world.
- To provide a medical benefit commensurate with the service and sacrifice of more than 9.6 million active duty personnel, military retirees and their families.
Commonly Requested Information
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Photo
10/6/2022
The Defense Health Agency celebrated its ninth year as a combat support agency, one of eight combat support agencies in the Department of Defense. Cutting the ceremonial birthday cake are: (From left to right) U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Candace Stanfield, DHA health informatics division; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald Place, DHA director; Ronald Hamilton, DHA Deputy Assistant Director for Administration and Management; and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kossi Nyatso, DHA military personnel support.
Article
5/17/2022
From the development of the typhoid vaccine to the invention of the photomicrograph for the study of pathological specimens, the museum has been involved in the forefront of military medical research.
Photo
5/17/2022
Dr. William Williams Keen Jr was a medical surgeon during the Civil War who afterwards advocated and researched medical advances so the horrors of Civil War-era medicine would not occur again. He also served in the Army during World War I.
Article
2/22/2021
The 2021 Military Health System Research Symposium IS CANCELLED due to COVID-19 concerns. FAQs related to the cancellation: https://mhsrs.amedd.army.mil/SitePages/Home.aspx
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Last Updated: May 16, 2023