The Department of Defense (DoD), Force Health Protection & Readiness (FHP&R) directorate, hosted about 40 high school students participating in the Presidential Classroom's Science, Technology & Public Policy Program last month. Participants, who come from schools across the country and around the world, visit FHP&R as just one small part of an intensive one-week session that allows them to interact with national leaders, professionals, and Washington DC insiders. As part of their curriculum, students look at how advances in technology and science affect government policies and operations.

Dr. Frank O'Donnell, FHP&R Senior Medical Consultant, kicked off the event with an overview of the organization and its programs. Ms. Lisa Kosh, from the Tricare Management Activity's Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program Technology Evaluation Center team, then highlighted some of the assistive technology made available to ill and injured Service members through the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). Students were then introduced to technology like alternative keyboards that assist Service members with amputations and disabilities that impact their range of motion and finger movement. Students were also able to experience for themselves technology for Service members with vision impairments and listening devices used by Service members who are hard of hearing or have communication or cognition issues.

Scott Henderson, Manager, Web and Application Development, and Phil Thompson, Project Manager, Theater Medical Information Program - Train the Trainer, wrapped up the day with a first hand look at the Military Health System's advances in Electronic Medical Records and Medical Surveillance in theater. Students received demonstrations of hand-held devices, programmed with AHLTA-Mobile technology, that help medical personnel document a Service member's illnesses and injuries in the field. This technology improves the variety of medical care given to Service members from the battlefield through their recovery at home.

FHP&R hosts a twice-yearly on-site visit by the Presidential Classroom program, which has long been considered an integral part of the civic education of our country's outstanding student leaders.

As an important part of FHP&R's student outreach to promote civil and military service by demonstrating MHS programs and technology developments, FHP&R constantly seeks to refine its Presidential Classroom program with the demonstration of a wide variety of medical technologies and more hands-on opportunities for the students.

"Making the program more enjoyable to students ensures their participation in the Presidential Classroom program in the future," said Michael Kilpatrick, M.D., Deputy Director, FHP&R Programs and Director of Strategic Communications for the Military Health System. "Presidential Classroom is an important part of FHP&R's student outreach to personalize Military Health System programs and technology. It allows us to raise awareness on how we prevent disease and injury, provide care and rehabilitation and maintain a fit and healthy military force."

For more information on the programs mentioned please visit the following links:

CAP Wounded Service Member's initiative: http://www.tricare.mil/cap/wsm/

CAPTEC: http://www.tricare.mil/CAP/acc_sol/CAPTEC.cfm

Electronic Medical Records/Medical Surveillance in theater: http://www.ha.osd.mil/peo/TMIP-J-p1.aspx

Presidential Classroom: http://www.presidentialclassroom.org/