Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Military Health Symposium Research Shapes Future of Warfighter Health

Image of U.S. Army Col Jennifer Stowe presents her research from behind a podium at the MHSRS meeting 2022. . U.S. Army Col. Jennifer Stowe, with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Enterprise, Alabama, presented research on eye trauma and ophthalmic surgery at the Military Health System Research Symposium.

During this year’s Military Health System Research Symposium, a series of presentations highlighted critical military medical issues related to combat casualty care, operational medicine, clinical and rehabilitative medicine, and infectious diseases. While dozens of panels were held over the course of four days, a “scientific plenary” session featured several of the most significant research focused on furthering the health care of service members. 

Trauma Care on the Battlefield and at Home

MHSRS highlighted how research not only benefits our warfighters but offers solutions. Presenters gave high-level overviews of their research, sharing insights and advancements that may improve care on and off the battlefield. 

Dr. Edward Mazuchowski from Forensic Pathology Associates in Allentown, Pennsylvania, shared his research on “United States Military Fatalities during Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.” Mazuchowski reiterated a now-known data point from the past 20 years of conflicts: One of the leading causes of casualties are hemorrhages. The study of fatalities can guide prevention and treatment efforts focusing on common and unique injuries and diseases. Findings may help inform clinical guidelines, training, requirements for equipment, and future research. His work aims to help develop more strategies focusing on all stages of prevention.

Dr. Michael Roy of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, discussed the “Evaluation of U.S. Special Operations Personnel During Heavy Weapons Training: the Investigating Training Associated Blast Pathology (INVICTA) Study.” Roy reviewed cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in athletes with repetitive subconcussive exposures, and service members with repeated subconcussive blast exposure. Findings indicated service members suffer from blast effects, and research is guiding the development of protective measures and methods to mitigate blast exposure.

Dr. Jason Sperry with the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, presented his research on “Whole Blood is Associated with a Lower Independent Risk of Mortality and Improved Hemostasis: Results of a Multi-Center Prospective Observational Study of Patients in Hemorrhagic Shock.” As hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of battlefield deaths, his research showed the benefits of whole blood resuscitation following injury in the civilian population. Findings showed that patients who received whole blood had earlier cessation of bleeding and improved 30-day mortality.

U.S. Army Col. Jennifer Stowe, with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Enterprise, Alabama, presented research on “Forward Operating Base Expert Telemedicine Resource Utilizing Mobile Application for Trauma (FOXTROT).” Her team conducted research focused on eye trauma and ophthalmic surgery interventions. With many service members being deployed to more remote locations, it was necessary to find a way to provide ophthalmic care to any posting. By utilizing telemedicine, medical personnel in remote areas were able to better diagnose eye injuries in the field, which could mean the difference between diminished or loss of sight. 

The Future of Pain Management and Mental Health

As pain management and mental health are an ongoing focus for the Department of Defense, MHSRS presenters showcased research into pain and behavioral health care, as well as additional topics on various concerns for military medicine.

Lauren Walker from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, presented research on “Mental Health Diagnoses and Suicide Attempts in Combat-injured Service Members: A DOD/VA Retrospective Cohort Study.” Her team found there were increased suicide attempts in those who were injured in combat compared to those who had not deployed or had not suffered an injury during time in combat. They investigated the comparison between those who were receiving mental health care over those who were not, and the rates of attempts for suicide between the groups. Other factors such as alcohol usage, those with post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar, and adjustment disorders factored into their research. Their research continues, as they identify and adjust various factors in their study. 

Dr. Dianne Flynn from Madigan Army Medical Center, located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, discussed “Predictors of Sustained Response to Functional Restoration in a Military Population with Chronic Pain.” The DOD is prioritizing making access to interdisciplinary pain care, with several military hospitals establishing pain centers to focus on a broad spectrum of therapies, including physical therapy, psychology, yoga, and chiropractic care. By including areas such as cognitive, behavioral, and other therapies that can target pain, research suggested an increase in overall satisfaction with treatment. 

Dr. David Tate from the University of Utah School of Medicine, in Heber City, Utah, discussed his research on “White Matter Hyperintensities, Cognitive Function, Comorbidities, Blood Biomarkers, and Mild TBI: A LIMBIC-CENC Multicenter Study.” Brain lesions usually occur in individuals over the age of fifty, but research is showing that those who suffer from mild traumatic brain injuries can have such lesions much earlier. Memory and cognitive tasks can diminish as lesions grow. 

Dr. Leor Weinberger of VxBiosciences, Oakland, California, discussed the findings of their study, “Therapeutic Interfering Particles: A Novel, Intranasally-administered, Single-dose Agent for the Treatment and Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” Their presentation highlighted how virus mutation rates can prohibit effective vaccines for a wide array of viruses. Their research continues, as they look for different therapeutic interfacing particles to help break the mutation cycle.

The scientific plenary introduced new and ongoing research. While the studies continue, the military medical community and warfighters are gaining valuable and life-saving techniques and technologies.

You also may be interested in...

Virtual Medical Center Awarded for Ground-Breaking Technologies

Article Around MHS
6/6/2023
Zekelia Rembert and Anna Moore, virtual health nurse care coordinators, coordinate virtual health projects and outline participating military hospitals and clinics at the Virtual Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on May 16, 2019. Virtual health nurse care coordinators train nurses at varying military hospitals and clinics while providing each nurse with 3.5 hours of continued education. Moore created the program. (Photo by Jason W. Edwards, U.S. Army)

The Virtual Medical Center at Brooke Army Medical Center will be recognized for four groundbreaking programs at the 2023 FORUM Information Technology Innovation Awards on June 7 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Protecting the Warfighter's Health and Readiness, Now and Into the Future

Article Around MHS
3/30/2023
An anopheles mosquito specimen sample sits under the microscope during a demonstration of the U.S. Army’s medical technology development and modernization efforts, Fort Detrick, Maryland, on Feb. 23. (Photo by Summer Abdoh, U.S. Army)

A cure for a debilitating and sometimes deadly disease, new treatments for working military dogs, a snakebite antidote, and a treatment for respiratory disease! See how years of research collaborations are providing protections for warfighters in remote places like never before.

DHA Honors Military Medical “Young Investigators”

Article
3/29/2023
DHA Honors Military Medical “Young Investigators”

U.S. Army Capt. Stephanie Bulder of Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was recognized in February 2023 by the Defense Health Agency’s Clinical Investigations Program, a branch of DHA’s Research and Engineering directorate, for her research into human papillomavirus vaccination rates in service members.

Brooke Army Medical Center Interventional Radiology Offers Less-Invasive Option for Patients with Disc Degeneration

Article Around MHS
3/21/2023
U.S. Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Taon, interventional radiologist, demonstrates a minimally invasive image guided procedure at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jason W. Edwards, Brooke Army Medical Center)

You may not have to go "under the knife" to ease debilitating back issues, thanks to a new technology. Find out how surgeons at Brooke Army Medical Center are relieving patients from pain where surgery was once the only option.

Belvoir Hospital Reaches Milestone with Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery

Article Around MHS
3/20/2023
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital is the first military hospital in the Defense Health Agency to employ this robotic-assisted platform, and the cutting-edge technology provides the joint replacement surgeons an unparalleled amount of real-time surgical data.  (Photo by Reese Brown, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital)

Would you trust your surgical procedure to a robot? See the cutting-edge technology that's taking Belvoir Hospital's joint replacement surgery into a new era.

USU President Encourages Attendees to “Think Outside the Box” at Infectious Disease Symposium

Article Around MHS
3/17/2023
Uniformed Services University President Dr. Jonathan Woodson delivered opening remarks during IDCRP's first annual Science Symposium March 6-10. The event was held in collaboration with the Defense Health Agency Infectious Disease Working Group Subcommittee. (Photo by  HJF communications)

Infectious diseases like COVID-19, HIV, and battlefield wound infections cause illness and disruptions that threaten health and military readiness around the world. To help foster collaboration in the field and share best practices, the Uniformed Services University’s Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program hosted its first Science Symposium March 6-10.

Walter Reed Audiology and Speech Pathology Center Focuses on Improving Quality of Life for Military Health System Beneficiaries

Article Around MHS
3/15/2023
World Hearing Day is observed annually on March 3, and this year’s theme is “Ear and Hearing Care for All.”  (Courtesy photo)

Although World Hearing Day is observed just one day during the year, the Audiology and Speech Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center focuses on improving the health and quality of life for MHS beneficiaries nearly every day of the year.

How This USU Student's Daughter Inspired His Surgery Invention

Article Around MHS
3/13/2023
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Harvey Harper and his daughter, Niyah, who was integral to the development of the Harper Innovative Safety Suture Kit. (Photo by U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Harvey Harper)

A surgical tool inspired by a child's toy? The father-daughter collaboration that gave us the Harper Innovative Safety Suture Kit.

Innovations in Military Medicine Recognized by Military Health System

Article
2/24/2023
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, director of the Defense Health Agency, presents Beverly Luce, senior nurse consultant with DHA’s Primary Care Clinical Management Team, the Federal Military Nursing Leadership Excellence Award. Luce was given the award during the Military Health System awards ceremony at National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 16.  

The Military Health System and AMSUS, the society of federal health professionals, presented a series of awards.

Genome Sequencing Work at U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine

Article
2/16/2023
Military personnel posing by Wright-Patterson AFB sign

U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine technicians and scientists working in Military Health System laboratories helped to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Vision Center of Excellence Sponsoring Landmark Eye Health Study

Article
2/8/2023
Military personnel in eye exam

Eye problems can end military careers. Now, there's new study that could launch a better way to screen and track service members' vision heath. See why expanding the current guidelines for routine eye care can help you.

Brooke Army Medical Center Using New Robotic Guidance System for Spine Surgery

Article Around MHS
2/7/2023
Military medical personnel performing spinal surgery

Groundbreaking innovations at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) are taking spinal surgery to a whole new level. Hear from a surgeon and his patient about the incredible benefits of BAMC's new robotic guidance system.

Frontline Expeditionary Dental Care is Near-Time Reality

Article Around MHS
1/26/2023
Field Portable Dental System

U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s Warfighter Deployed Medical Systems is working to modernize several field deployable dental treatment systems to provide dental treatments to warfighters in a not-so typical way.

U.S. Army Medical Laboratory Forges Relationship with Australian Defence Force Institute

Article Around MHS
1/25/2023
Military personnel in medical laoratory

American soldiers from the 1st Area Medical Laboratory were hosted by their counterparts at the Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute in Brisbane, Australia. Find out what was discussed at this meeting to strengthen critical relationships, save lives, and enable both sides' mission readiness.

Genome Sequencing Assists Research at Naval Health Research Center

Article
1/24/2023
Lab technicians doing genome research

Learn how unique samples from naval vessels, US-Mexico border populations, and DOD beneficiaries aided in the Naval Health Research Center’s sequencing efforts.

Page 1 of 10 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: October 05, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery