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Military Health System

Our History

Military medicine has a long and celebrated history. We apply lessons from our past to improve the care of military personnel and their families today and in the future. New surgical techniques, powerful painkillers, antibiotic drugs, and triage and evacuation procedures have revolutionized military medicine.

In this section, you'll find featured stories and information about the history of military medicine.

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Military Spouse Makes Mid-Life Career Change to Medical Profession

Article Around MHS
3/2/2023
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital civilian employee Lara Pellum returned to college at age 37 to become a medical laboratory scientist at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Military Health System has several job openings for health care support professionals at military hospitals and clinics nationwide. (Photo by Maria Christina Yager, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital)

It's never too late to pursue new goals. One military spouse's journey is proof positive. Find out what happened in Lara Pellum's previous career that led to her dream job at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.

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Education & Training

Medical Evacuation Training Enhances Coalition Partnership, Skillsets

Article Around MHS
3/1/2023
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron and the 405th Expeditionary Air Evacuation Squadron move a litter onto a C-130J Super Hercules at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Larsen)

Have you ever worried about packing your suitcase just the right way to fit everything you want to take on vacation? Well, medical Airmen have to figure that out from a standpoint of life and death. Find out what goes into training medical personnel to configure a nearly 4,000 cubic ft. C-130J Super Hercules aircraft—from floor to ceiling—to safely secure injured warfighters and medical equipment for safe transport.

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Education & Training | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability

Dental Team First to Treat Patients at New Redi Doti Dental Clinic

Article Around MHS
2/28/2023
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Gjekaj, Air Expeditionary Squadron pediatric dentist, operates on a student of the Johan Chelius School in Redi Doti, Suriname, on Feb. 13. Dental personnel from the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team engaged with members in the Lokono and Kalin'a villages to provide extractions, fillings, cleanings and teach best practices for sustaining good oral hygiene. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexus Wilcox)

The dental professionals of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team were the first to see patients in a newly opened dental clinic in Redi Doti, Suriname. The Youth Dental Care Foundation’s Redi Doti clinic will serve patients in rural communities, making dental services and preventative care more easily accessible for the region in South America.

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Medical and Dental Preventive Care Fitness | Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

The Hospital Corpsmen of Iwo Jima: Stories of Valor and Sacrifice

Article Around MHS
2/28/2023
Amidst Iwo Jima's black sand and the wreckage of war, hospital corpsmen struggle to save wounded marines shortly after the initial landings. Life saving plasma flows into two patients while a deceased comrade lies alongside. Few ratings have been more impacted by a single battle than Navy hospital corpsmen at Iwo Jima. Nearly 80 years later the battle for Iwo should be remembered as a memorial to the fallen, to their service, but also the shear grit and resilience of those Navy corpsmen who answered the call.  (Photo By André Sobocinski)

Nearly 80 years later, the battle of Iwo Jima is remembered as a memorial to the fallen, their service, and the sheer grit and resilience of those Navy corpsmen who answered the call.

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Our History

DOD Delivers Field Hospital to Turkey

Article Around MHS
2/28/2023
U.S. Naval Forces Europe, in coordination with U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command, facilitated the delivery of the Defense Department-provided field hospital, with assistance from staffs in Kelly Field in San Antonio and Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

United States Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen worked around the clock to deliver an emergency field hospital from the continental United States to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, as part of the United States' continuing commitment to assist survivors of the catastrophic earthquake.

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Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

Ireland Army Health Clinic Earns The Joint Commission Gold Seal Accreditation

Article Around MHS
2/27/2023
“Earning our Joint Commission Accreditation is truly an accomplishment which took teamwork, time, and tenacity,” said U.S. Army Col. Caryn R. Vernon, commander of Ireland Army Health Clinic Commander and director of the Central Kentucky Market. The clinic was recently awarded The Join Commission Gold Seal accreditation in both ambulatory services and behavioral health and human services. (Photo by Sara Morris, Fort Knox MEDDAC)

The Ireland Army Health Clinic, in Fort Knox, Kentucky, was recently awarded The Join Commission Gold Seal accreditation in both ambulatory services and behavioral health and human services. The primary care home was also awarded an additional certification.

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Our History | Global Health Engagement

Operation Blue Horizon Fosters a Joint Medical Environment

Article Around MHS
2/24/2023
U.S. Air Force, Army and U.S. Navy service members carry a mannequin to an Army UH-60 Blackhawk for a casualty evacuation during Operation Blue Horizon 2023 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Derrick Bole)

They say teamwork makes the dream work, and it's happening at MacDill AFB. Find out how Airmen and Sailors are collaborating to save lives.

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Education & Training | Health Readiness & Combat Support

Vermont National Guard Members Deploy for Medical Training Exercise in Senegal

Article Around MHS
2/23/2023
Military medical personnel drawing blood

Strengthening alliances and attracting new partners — especially cost-effectively — is paramount to global health engagement. Find out about the training that Vermont National Guard members are participating in to help make that happen in Senegal, Africa.

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Education & Training | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability

Opinion: Why a Healthy Heart Matters at Any Age

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
National Heart Health Month composite

We often think of heart health as an issue for older people, but heart disease actually affects every age group. Here's some expert advice for developing healthier habits at the earliest age to improve your and your loved ones' odds of better heart health later in life.

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Public Health | Physical Fitness | Nutritional Fitness | Heart Health

Makin Island Conducts Medical Operations with Carrier Strike Group 11

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
Military medical personnel performing mock surgery on a mannequin

Simulated surgical training is integral to successful real time trauma treatment and care — on land and at sea. We take a look inside the intricately detailed, true-to-life training exercises happening aboard the USS Makin Island and USS Nimitz preparing medical personnel to treat combat casualties during marine combat operations.

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Education & Training | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability

How One Officer is Chasing Her Dreams

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
U.S. Navy Lt. Tia Blythe

Her civilian physical therapy job wasn't enough. That's when Tia Laine Blythe decided to take her specialized skills to the military. Follow along with now U.S. Navy Lt. Tia Laine Blythe's military career path that has led to numerous awards, distinctions, and a whole new level of professional satisfaction.

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Warrior Care | Physical Fitness

U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity Gives an Update about Ongoing Burn Treatment Initiatives

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
Burn treatment infographic

Thousands of U.S. service members suffered debilitating blast and burn injuries during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's why better burn treatment plans across the Joint Forces are in the works. Find out about the new Burn Treatment and Skin Repair initiatives that aim to improve front line triage, treatment capabilities, and ultimately save lives.

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Injury Prevention and Occupational Health

Army and Air Join Forces for Mass Casualty, Medevac Training

Article Around MHS
2/17/2023
Military personnel during mass casualty exercise

"One team, one fight" is the credo at this mass casualty training exercise. Find out how new DOD guidelines are prompting this extraordinary branch collaboration to execute trauma life support and reduce preventable deaths during combat.

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Education & Training

Team McConnell's Vet Clinic

Article Around MHS
2/17/2023
Military veterinarian examines a dog's teeth

Just like their humans, animals on base need medical care, too. From military working dogs to personal pets (even rabbits!) a McConnell AFB veterinarian lends some tips and tools to help you keep your animals healthy.

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Veterinary Service

Army Dentist Shares Why Oral Health Care Should Begin During Infancy

Article Around MHS
2/16/2023
Pediatric dental exams

If you're delaying your children's dental exams until their permanent teeth come in, you could be putting their overall health and development in jeopardy. Find out why the experts say baby's first dental visit should happen in infancy.

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Children's Health | Total Body Preventive Health - Dental, Medical & Mental | Dental Health
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Last Updated: March 17, 2023
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