Skip to main content

Military Health System

DOD's Whole of Government Approach to COVID is Working, Says Adirim

Image of Dr. Terry Adirim, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, right, speaks during a panel discussion. Dr. Terry Adirim, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, right, speaks during a panel discussion.

Recommended Content:

COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Health Care Technology | Telehealth Program | Military Health System Transformation

During the opening keynote at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s annual conference, Dr. Terry Adirim, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, explained how she has been extremely impressed by the Department of Defense’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic since taking over her current role. She also detailed how adaptation and innovation have played key parts in that response.

The panel, entitled “Preserving the Health of a Population – Early Lessons from a Global Pandemic,” was hosted by Hal Wolf, HIMSS president and chief executive officer, and included Adirim, Dr. Ran Balicer, chief innovation officer for Israel’s Clalit Health Services; Dr. Patrice Harris, CEO and co-founder of eMed; and Dr. Hans Henri Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe.

“I was very impressed when I came in in January with all of the work that the department has done. It really took a whole of government approach and that was very much emphasized by Secretary (of Defense, Lloyd) Austin,” Adirim said. “He really supported all aspects and sectors in doing that, as well as taking care of our service members and beneficiaries.”

Adirim explained how she was also impressed with how “thoughtful,” the DOD’s Force Health Protection Guidance was regarding COVID, although emerging variants such as Delta may necessitate a shift in the department’s approach.

“Even pre-vaccination, we were able to protect our force and they were able to complete their mission,” she said. “I think Delta has thrown a wrench in that a little bit, but I think overall, the Department of Defense has, and continues to do, a pretty good job.”

Adirim said the early lessons learned should be catalysts for change within DOD healthcare.

“We need to take what we’ve done during the pandemic – and those things that are working, document that for going forward,” she said.

With the changing nature of the virus, and new information becoming available daily, she said flexibility and change are essential to the DOD’s mission.

“Our healthcare system has been fairly nimble when it comes to re-looking at how we do things and when it comes to completing our missions, especially our national security mission,” said Adirim. “We’ve had to adapt and change. It was hard, but when people see that it’s working, we’ll continue to do those things going forward.”

Change includes looking at an issue and adapting to the current environment. She spoke specifically about addressing children’s mental health citing that, of the Military Health System’s 9.6 million beneficiaries, a significant portion are children of service members who have to deal with the anxiety that can go along with frequent moves, changing schools, etc.

“We’ve been leveraging technology and we’ve greatly expanded tele-behavioral health,” Adirim said. “Necessity is the mother of invention. The pandemic hit and we made sure we expanded that, so our families could have better access to mental health services.”

Adirim also spoke about the innovation that has taken place within the DOD. Just one example was using 3D printing for protective items such as face shields to overcome supply chain issues and equipment shortages that presented themselves early in the pandemic.

“I think using technology for even the more mundane things would help us be more well-prepared,” she said

You also may be interested in...

Austin Seeks Presidential Approval for Mandatory Troop Vaccinations by Mid-September

Article
8/10/2021
Sailors receive COVID-19 vaccinations

The COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for service members by mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a message to the force released yesterday.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

Top Military Medical Doctor Predicts Coronavirus Longevity

Article
8/9/2021
Army Lt. Gen. Ronald J. Place, director of Defense Health Agency, delivers remarks at a media briefing on COVID-19 at the Pentagon, April 21, 2021

I believe we will get to a place where we're not talking about COVID all the time

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Puget Sound Military Health System Certified by Defense Health Agency

Article
8/6/2021
Photo of a shuttle bus

The Puget Sound market leaders are responsible for managing all health care for its military population within Western Washington.

Recommended Content:

Military Health System Transformation | DHA Health Care Market Structure | Direct Reporting Markets | Multi-Service Markets: Our Pathway to the Health Care Market Structure

Debunking Anti-Vaccine Myths with Scientific Facts

Article
8/5/2021
A soldier gets a shot in the arm.

Get the facts: Myths on why not to get COVID-19 vaccination debunked by science

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

Line Leader Presentation (Powerpoint)

Publication
8/4/2021

Leaders across the Department can leverage this briefing deck to discuss COVID-19 vaccines with their troops. Don't forget to reference speaker notes and to personalize the title slide!

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

Line Leader Presentation (PDF)

Publication
8/4/2021

This document is identical to the PowerPoint presentation for line leader reference and use.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

MHS Minute - July 2021

Video
8/2/2021
Infographic for MHS Minute

The Defense Health Agency continues to establish new health care markets across the U.S. Markets are designed to increase access to care for beneficiaries and improve coordination, standardization, and best practices across the MHS. Watch this month's MHS Minute to learn more!

Recommended Content:

Military Health System Transformation

Mask Guidance for Department of Defense Facilities

Infographic
7/30/2021

In accordance with CDC guidance, the Department of Defense (DOD) requires all Service members, Federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in all indoor DOD facilities. If you are not vaccinated, continue to physically distance consistent with applicable CDC and DOD Force Health Protection Guidance.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

COVID-19 Vaccines: Benefits Still Outweigh the Risks

Article
7/30/2021
Military personnel getting vaccinated

Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections are extremely rare, DHA’s Place says

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Vaccine | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

New Markets, MHS Transformation and You: What Does it All Mean?

Article
7/27/2021
Team members of the Fort Belvoir Community prepare for the start of a new day

With ten new markets launching, U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Tracy Farrill, talks about what this means for beneficiaries.

Recommended Content:

Military Health System Transformation | Direct Reporting Markets | DHA Health Care Market Structure | Multi-Service Markets: Our Pathway to the Health Care Market Structure

Revamped Virtual Med Center Makes Health Care Feel Like a Video Game

Article
7/26/2021
Picture of the Virtual Medical Center

The Virtual Medical Center, a joint Department of Defense/VA incentive, is relaunching by the end of summer, leveraging emerging technologies to increase and improve accessibility, convenience, and efficiency of medical care for all registered users.

Recommended Content:

Health Care Technology | Research & Innovation | Education & Training

DHA releases App to Support Service Member Recovery

Article
7/26/2021
Infographic for the Antidepressant Adherence app

To ensure that military beneficiaries receive the support they need to continue on their mental wellness journey, the Antidepressant Adherence app supports those taking medication

Recommended Content:

Psychological Fitness | Depression | Health Care Technology

Digital Health Competency Resource

Fact Sheet
7/23/2021

This reference provides information and links to online tools to aid MHS providers in maintaining competency in using digital health technology in clinical practice.

Recommended Content:

Health Care Technology

San Antonio Market to Standardize, Optimize Local Healthcare

Article
7/19/2021
Military personnel unveiling flags

The Defense Health Agency’s San Antonio Market is the seventh market to stand up over the past year, and is designed to standardize, optimize local healthcare.

Recommended Content:

Military Health System Transformation | DHA Health Care Market Structure | Direct Reporting Markets | Multi-Service Markets: Our Pathway to the Health Care Market Structure

Military Health System Transformation Will Improve Care & Innovation

Article
7/6/2021
Infographic about Health Innovation Month

MHS Innovation Must Be Backed by Best Practices, Standardization

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Military Health System Transformation | MHS Research Symposium
<< < ... 6 7 8 9 10  ... > >> 
Showing results 106 - 120 Page 8 of 32
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 25, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery