The Surgeon General's Letter to FASSL Members

Former AMEDD Senior Strategic Leaders:
…embracing our past and shaping our future

           
           For 237 years Army Medicine has served Soldiers, Families and Retirees in support of their health, fitness and readiness. Each of you has been an integral part of this rich legacy and I am respectfully seeking your input as we boldly engage our future. As a result of 11 years of persistent conflict on two major fronts, we have made significant contributions to global healthcare, medical research and training.  Wars have always informed the practice of medicine, and have advanced areas of research, innovation, and treatment guidelines in military medicine.  Robust research agendas that increase survival rates, improve recovery, and enhance life after injury, have provided the field of medicine with incredible advances in a relatively short interval. We have been on this journey of discovery and healing and we have learned so much.  In many ways, we must define our “new normal” and boldly look to the future as we establish a new approach to health.  Our ultimate destiny is – toward a healthier America.

            Promoting health for over 9.7 million beneficiaries in the Military Health System (MHS) is a shared responsibility among the Military Services, purchased care providers, and beneficiaries that requires team collaboration to successfully achieve medically ready forces, healthy beneficiaries, and a high quality, cost-effective System For Health.  The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is a key component in that shared responsibility.  Army Medicine has developed and continues to develop initiatives to meet the changing needs of Soldiers and their Families during the past decade at war.  We must continue to maintain the adaptability and flexibility to meet future Army requirements.  In the face of certain budget constraints, this transformation is critical to ensure Army Medicine continues to set the example for the Army, DOD and the nation in quality healthcare, wellness, prevention and collective health.  My expressed vision for Army Medicine continues our mission to care for Soldiers, Families and Retirees, but broadens that mission to engage all patients in multiple ways to influence health outside of clinic visits. Guiding and encouraging patients to make healthier choices when not under our care will increase the Army’s medical readiness and improve patient health outcomes.

            Clearly, changes are occurring in the military all around us, and whether it is a change in the size of the force, location of the force, or dollars for the force, the AMEDD as a unit must maintain its competitive edge not by reactive planning, but by pro-active strategizing.  If we remain stagnant, wedded to the status quo or business as usual, then we will find ourselves behind the power curve in a short amount of time.  We need to respond to rapid fire and acute needs while simultaneously projecting forward and planning our long term goals and visions.  What I seek from the FASSL is not simply Lessons Learned, but Visions Unexplored, and perhaps previously Unimagined.

            The challenging problems Army Medicine faces today are as complex as they have ever been in our 237 year history. Collaboration— both within the organization and with former Army strategic senior leadership is necessary to achieve lasting solutions. My intent is to foster this collaborative spirit and harness the capacity of this august group. For these reasons and so many more, I need your input, your experience and your continued commitment to our collective efforts.

Serving to Heal…. Honored to Serve
v/r
LTG Patricia D. Horoho

FASSL members click https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/682460 to enter the FASSL AKO webpage.