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Nursing in the Military Health System

Nurses across the Military Health System are making a difference. They serve in leading roles to maintain military health and readiness and help make transformative changes in military medicine.

Nurses Week Spotlight image


Nurses of all backgrounds, ranks, and roles are an essential part of the MHS mission. Our nursing team includes:

  • Active duty service members.
  • Guard and Reserve members.
  • Civilians.
  • Contractors.

Our nurses provide services beyond their roles in military hospital and clinics. These roles include:

  • Serving in research labs and classrooms.
  • Working in classrooms as teachers and mentors.
  • Evaluating informatics to improve patient care systems.

DHA’s nursing leaders are optimizing the system of care and the patient experience. This is done by integrating and standardizing nursing practices across the continuum of care.

Meet DHA's Chief Nursing Officer

BG Katherine A. SimonsonBrig. Gen. Katherine A. Simonson is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Canisius College, Buffalo, New York. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Masters of Nursing from the University of Washington, Seattle. She was commissioned into the Regular Army in 1990.

Read her Full Bio

DHA Nursing Key Areas of Interest

  • Research and Innovation: Our nursing-focused research results in new, evidence-based, professional practices.
  • Policies and Practice: We base our nursing policies and practices on validated evidence. This evidence is consistent with national standards.
  • Education and Training: By working with our MHS partners, we’re providing and enhancing educational opportunities across the MHS. Our leaders are prioritizing our nurse’s professional growth and development.
  • Readiness: We’re providing operational readiness platforms to make sure our nurses have the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need wherever and whenever they are called upon to serve. And we’re establishing partnerships to enhance the readiness of the total nursing force.

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Walter Reed Celebrates U.S. Navy Nurse Corp's 115th Birthday

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Military Nurses Provide Professional Insight to Students

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Recognizing Excellence: Four Walter Reed Nurses Honored with DAISY Award

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The Walter Reed national Military Medical Center honored four of its own with the prestigious DAISY Award during the Director's Town Hall. The Daisy Award is a national recognition program that celebrates the extraordinary work of nurses, physicians, and health care staff members.

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Last Updated: June 06, 2023
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