Global engagement involving U.S. military medical research is key in the fight against global health threats. The impact of this research on national security, partner capacity, and operational readiness is undeniable, as leaders dive into the need for continued vigilance and collaboration on and off the battlefield.
Dr. David Smith, acting principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, said the importance of medical research cannot be overstated in a rapidly changing global landscape. As world events continue to demand military engagement in unpredictable ways, the Military Health System is prepared to respond, he added.
“A broad spectrum of threats requires a broad spectrum of research and solutions,” said Smith, the keynote speaker at the Military Health System Research Symposium opening session Aug. 27. “Our advancements in the collaborative, innovative medical research environment clearly help the health of the military community at large, and save lives both on and off the battlefield.”
The symposium, which has grown from 1,500 registered attendees to more than 2,700 in three years, highlights military research topics, products, and news from across the services, industry partners, and academia.
Research throughout the Department of Defense plays a major role in building capacity with other nations, reducing global health and security threats, and increasing operational readiness, said Smith. Missions conducted through the DoD’s 10 laboratories around the globe help the prevention and detection of international health threats through regional partnerships and joint research projects.
“Across the board, our research and development work in the context of global health proves to be an important mutually beneficial entry point to build partner capacity and help engage more effectively with our partners so that when the next disease outbreak or disaster happens, we can better and more rapidly mitigate the impact,” said Smith.
Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono, director of Defense Health Agency, said the greatest value in research and development is that it encourages a new way of thinking. By challenging conventional thoughts, researchers and leaders can find alternate solutions and what needs to be done to implement new solutions.
“As we’re moving into this particular environment of significant fiscal austerity, I think we also need to be prepared to share the value of the research we’re doing and how it’s making a difference,” said Bono.
The Defense Health Agency is looking to standardize its own internal processes to build an in-depth collection and translation of knowledge, said Bono. With a goal of creating joint operational health services and optimizing care, the services are working toward creating more common standards and procedures.
“We need a ready and lethal total force that is stronger, faster, smarter, better equipped, more resilient and just more capable than our adversaries,” said Terry Rauch, acting deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight. “That’s what we need to aim for.”
While basic research can be a risky business, learning from failures that arise helps improve the odds for better outcomes as research progresses, said Rauch, who also serves as the director of medical research and development for deployment medicine and force health protection. As products move from research labs to the commercial sector, the impact of research and development on the readiness of the services and their families becomes clear.
“It’s the people in this room – military, civilian, academic, or industry – that serve as the critical human foundation, if you will, for what we have achieved, both on the battlefield and here at home,” said Smith. “I’m grateful for your commitment and perseverance in conducting the exceptional scientific research that has allowed us to advance the standard of care across some of the most challenging environments imaginable.”
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