Announcements 

» U.S. Africa Command Health Symposium
What: The Military Health System and the U.S. Africa Command Surgeon will host a first-of-its-kind symposium to explore health capacity development partnerships in African nations, an issue of critical importance to efforts aimed at fostering peace and stability within Africa and the larger international community.
When: January 8-9, 2009
Where: Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Details      
Click here to REGISTER      

» 2009 DoD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference
What: Building Community Connections: Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century For the first time ever, the conference will be a joint effort between The Department of Defense and The Department of Veterans Affairs.
When: January 12-15, 2009
Where: Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, Texas Details      

» TRICARE Pilot Programs Offer Continuing Medical Education in PTSD and TBI Education
What: Managed Care Contract civilian healthcare providers can now earn 17 Continuing Medical Education (CME) Units approved by ACCME, ANCC, and CA CRN at no cost in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury education as part of a pilot training program offered by TRICARE Management Activity in partnership with the VA. The courses were developed by the faculty of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, our partner in delivering medical care to our heroes. This 6 month pilot courseware is a response to the Behavioral Health Task Force Recommendations to develop a plan and materials to educate civilian primary and mental health providers on combat care issues related to military battlefield injuries and experiences. ** Cases in which drugs usages and regimes are discussed within these courses reflect the positions of the VA faculty, VA policy and VA formulary. VA faculty and planning committee members have completed required disclosure forms assuring that no conflict of interest exist. Direct care healthcare providers can take advantage of this CME educational opportunity through their existing MHS Learn accounts. Register      

» 2009 Annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference
What: HIMSS09 is where physicians, nurses, HIT executives, pharmacists, vendors and health care IT professionals from around the world come together for a week that will forever change the face of health care IT. They come in search of solutions. They leave with a shared vision.
When: April 4-8, 2009
Where: Chicago, Ill. Details      

» Access Measures Now Available on MHS Insight!
What: The MHS Office of Strategy Management in conjunction with subject matter experts from the Services, Health Affairs and TRICARE Management Activity developed access measures for the MHS Values Dashboard. The measures portray access from the eyes of MHS customers and are available to registered MHS Insight users. Details      

» Guide the MHS: It's Yours!
What: Please take a few minutes today to complete a survey here on health.mil that will help the Military Health System continue to provide the best service possible to our patients. We need your input on what is most important to you and the areas that need our immediate focus. Click here to participate   

» National Institute of Mental Health Funding Opportunity Announcement
What: The NIMH intends to commit approximately $2 million in FY 2009 to fund three to six new grants in response to applications to study the impact of existing national, state, and/or local community-based programs that address the behavioral adjustment and mental health needs of recent OIF/OEF combat veterans, including returning National Guard, Army Reserve, and newly separated active duty personnel. Details   

- William Wordsworth