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Military Medical History

Military medicine has a long and celebrated history. We apply lessons from our past to improve the care of military personnel and their families today and in the future. New surgical techniques, powerful painkillers, antibiotic drugs, and triage and evacuation procedures have revolutionized military medicine.

In this section, you'll find featured stories and information about the history of military medicine.

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Physician-astronaut Col. Drew Morgan holds live Q&A from space

Article
10/25/2019
Army Col. Drew Morgan held up a floating blue USU pennant and grinned live from the International Space Station. He said there were tears in his eyes because "I am so proud. I am so proud to be a part of your team," talking to medical students at his alma mater, at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. (DHA photo)

Event connects International Space Station with USU, global audience

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Military Medical History

Space Medicine: Military docs help to explore the final frontier

Article
10/23/2019
Army Col. Drew Morgan, a graduate of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in 2013. Drew Morgan is also an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Astronauts need health experts on the ground; it helps when they’re military

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Military Medical History

Live, from the International Space Station, it's Col. Drew Morgan

Article
10/16/2019
Drew Morgan of NASA waves as he boards his Soyuz spacecraft for pre-launch preparations. Morgan, a graduate of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, will participate in a live Q&A from the International Space Station. NASA photo; Editor: Mark Garcia

USU alumnus-astronaut will answer questions via live feed

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Military Medical History

Moments in Military Medicine: The Genesis of MHS GENESIS

Video
10/3/2019
Moments in Military Medicine: The Genesis of MHS GENESIS

Electronic records are so common, it's hard to remember a time they weren't around. Learn about the #genesisofGENESIS and how electronic health records evolved in the Military Health System over the decades.

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MHS GENESIS | Military Health System Electronic Health Record | Military Medical History

Borden Institute releases fifth edition of Emergency War Surgery book

Article
1/25/2019
Borden Institute logo

Emergency War Surgery fifth revision published

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Military Medical History

1918 Spanish Influenza

Video
10/16/2018
1918 Spanish Influenza

The 1918 Spanish Influenza killed 21-50 million people worldwide, and there's a surprising connection to military medicine.

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Military Medical History

Shok Valley medic to receive Medal of Honor

Article
9/26/2018
Former Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II will receive the Medal of Honor at an Oct. 1, 2018, White House ceremony for going above and beyond the call of duty April 6, 2008, while assigned to Special Operations Task Force 33 in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo courtesy of Ronald J. Shurer II)

A former medic with the 3rd Special Forces Group will receive the Medal of Honor

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Military Medical History

Military doctors and the president

Video
9/4/2018
Military doctors and the president

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln's first responder was a military doctor? Military medicine has come a long way since Lincoln's assassination. Watch this video to learn more.

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Military Medical History

Borden Institute encourages submission of new publication ideas

Article
8/29/2018
Borden Institute logo

Art and science of military medicine submissions encouraged

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Military Medical History

Paul Revere

Video
7/3/2018
Paul Revere

Before his midnight ride, Paul Revere was an amateur dentist. See how his work during the Revolutionary War inspired the use of dental identification on the battlefield and beyond.

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Military Medical History

Vietnam Vascular Registry helps veteran reunite with doctors

Article
3/13/2018
The Vietnam Vascular Registry, developed by Dr. Norman Rich at Walter Reed General Hospital, documented and analyzed blood vessel injuries in Vietnam. Each patient entered into the registry was assigned a consecutive number and given a vascular registry card, such as this one. (Courtesy photo by Dr. Norm Rich)

The Vietnam Vascular Registry, developed by Dr. Norman Rich at Walter Reed General Hospital, documented and analyzed blood vessel injuries in Vietnam

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Military Medical History | Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

New exhibit at military medical museum features gas warfare during World War I

Article
2/21/2018
Two soldiers participate in gas warfare training at Fort Myer, Virginia in 1917. Soldiers were drilled to maintain “gas discipline” and use their gas mask at the first instant the presence of chemical agents are detected. (Reeve 001061, Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine)

A new exhibit at the NMHM reveals how American military medicine responded to chemical warfare on the battlefields of France during the Great War

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Military Medical History

Dr. Charles Drew: The Man Who Saved a Million Soldiers' Lives

Video
2/9/2017
Dr. Charles Drew: The Man Who Saved a Million Soldiers' Lives

During African American History Month we celebrate Charles Drew, who revolutionized the blood collection and distribution process and developed large-scale blood banks, allowing medics to save untold numbers of lives during World War II. Drew’s methods are still used to save lives in the armed forces today.

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Military Medical History

Defense Health Agency Overview

Presentation
2/9/2017

Defense Health Agency Overview

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Military Medical History | Research and Innovation

Overview of Air Force Medical Service

Presentation
2/9/2017

Overview of Air Force Medical Service

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Research and Innovation | Military Medical History
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