Celebrating Innovation in Military Medicine
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MEDICINE IS A 24/7 JOB, AND MILITARY MEDICINE IS EVEN MORE DEMANDING.
For troops on the battlefield, the quality of military medicine determines whether they live or die. Medicine is a 24/7 job, and military medicine is even more demanding. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, our military medical professionals have been on the frontlines, keeping our armed forces combat ready and healthy, healing the wounds of the battlefield, and saving lives here at home.
Every day, military medical personnel face new challenges in combat medicine and homeland security. That is why I am committed to supporting innovation in the field of military medicine, with cutting-edge medical research, unique training for military doctors and nurses, and programs to bring together military and civilian firstresponders.
America today is in an amazing race. A race for discovery and new knowledge. A race to remain competitive and to foster an innovation society. We need innovations that have the power to save lives, protect the homeland, and make America safer, stronger and smarter. Last fall, I launched my Defense Innovation Tour of Maryland to highlight the military facilities and private companies who are already working on this innovation agenda. As a part of that tour, I recently visited the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), in Bethesda, Md.
There is no better place to highlight innovation in military medicine than USUHS, where we train military doctors, nurses and technicians to meet the unique medical needs of those who fight to keep us safe. USUHS research programs solve military-relevant problems, finding new ways to save lives on the battlefield and sharing those discoveries with the first-responders who protect the homeland. During my visit, I saw first-hand how military medical practitioners are innovating today to meet the threats of tomorrow.
One of the most innovative training programs at USUHS is the new weapons of mass destruction (WMD) distance learning program. Those of us who live and work in the National Capital Region know that we face a very real threat from weapons of mass destruction, not just on the battlefield, but also here at home. USUHS has developed a program that will prepare military and civilian first responders to deal with a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or highexplosive event. Materials for this Web-based program will include a field guide and reference library on issues related to diagnosing and responding to a WMD attack. The website will also offer scenario-based interactive simulations, to allow emergency responders to train virtually for an attack. These resources will be available to the public, including firstresponders at all levels of government across the country.
This WMD distance learning program is exactly the kind of innovative approach to military medicine and homeland security that we must support if we are to keep America safe and strong. It combines the technology of the Internet and the world-class resources of our military medical school to bring together our uniformed and civilian medical students and emergency personnel. In this virtual learning environment, they can share expertise and develop a coordinated response so they can act together in the event of an attack.
Another example of how USUHS supports innovation in military medicine is the new Doctoral and Clinical Nurse Specialist program at the Graduate School of Nursing. This program will allow advanced-practice nurses and nurse scientists to develop new skills and procedures to meet emerging military medical challenges. Through lab work and clinical research, they will generate new preventative care practices to keep our troops healthy and maintain military readiness. They will explore innovative responses to new battlefield injuries, such as the blast wave internal trauma caused by improvised explosive device attacks. And they will work on programs to prevent and respond to new and emerging health threats, such as the possibility of an avian flu pandemic.
This new nursing program is also important because America needs more nurses. To train the nurses of tomorrow, we need to increase the number of nursing faculty today. The advanced education program at USUHS will allow our military nurses to continue their professional development and take their practice to the next level. Nurses are on the frontlines, whether they are in emergency rooms or on the battlefield. Wherever they work, they save lives. I have been fighting for opportunities for nurses since my first days in Congress. I am so proud to support this new program at USUHS that will train the teachers of tomorrow and foster innovation in how we care for those in harm’s way.
Our investment in innovative programs like these is already saving lives on the battlefield. Fewer than 2 percent of those wounded on the battlefield and receive medical care die of their wounds. We know that this astounding success is due mostly to the talent and commitment of our military medical personnel, from the highly-trained surgeons and nurses to the combat medics who risk their lives to provide that first, critical care. I am so proud to support investments in advanced training techniques and the development of better medical procedures and equipment that have given military medical professionals the tools they need to save lives.
A stronger and safer America begins at home. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I want the best training for our medical professionals and first responders, the best care for our service members and their families, and the best value for the dollar. Together, we can develop the smart tools to protect America. We can create new opportunities for our medical professionals on the battlefield and make sure that we have the resources to protect ourselves against attacks here at home. ♦