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"Here, Darin Selnick (right), the leader performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Dr. Steve Ferrara (center), the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, listen to the director of Walter Reed, U.S. Navy Capt. Melissa Austin (left), provide an update on the situation. " (Default Alternate Text: "ere, Darin Selnick (right), the leader performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Dr. Steve Ferrara (center), the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, listen to the director of Walter Reed, U.S. Navy Capt. Melissa Austin (left), provide an update on the situation. ")

Aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance due to underfunding in recent years led to flooding in January 2025 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a hub of urgent, high-priority care for wounded service members and the facility at which the President of the United States is treated. High waters and loss of steam pressure impacted the capacity of services delivered, but the ability to deliver the hospital’s core capabilities of safe, quality care was never compromised.

Recently appointed Department of Defense leadership visited the hospital on Feb. 1, 2025, to survey the damage. Here, Darin Selnick (right), the leader performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Dr. Steve Ferrara (center), the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, listen to the director of Walter Reed, U.S. Navy Capt. Melissa Austin (left), provide an update on the situation.

Joining Selnick and Ferrara to survey the damage were Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. David Smith; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, Defense Health Agency director; U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Deydre Teyhen, director of the National Capital Region Defense Health Network; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and the Walter Reed leadership team.

Reflecting on what he saw, Selnick said, “This is the President’s hospital and home to many of our wounded warriors who put their lives on the line for our country. They deserve to have the best facility our government can provide. I am committed to doing whatever is necessary to meet this challenge, remain mission-focused, and help correct this issue. We will marshal the resources needed to fix this. This is about military readiness and strengthening our warfighting capability.” (Courtesy photo by Hailey Bangerazeco, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

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