News & Information - News

Dear Team Army Medicine:

Reflections on our first 525,600 minutes together.

On this date, 5 December 2011 at 09:58 Central Daylight Time, I assumed command of the United States Army Medical Command with all of the requisite responsibilities and vulnerabilities inherent in leading the second largest command in the Army inventory.  In one of my very first instructions to the field - I spoke in great detail regarding the need to fix Behavioral Health and the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES).  I concluded that without a major overhaul in our existing programs and standardization of processes in these two critical aspects of healthcare- that Army Medicine could not transform from a system of healthcare to a system for health.  In short, Behavioral Health and IDES were identified as our first two priorities - our 50 meter targets.  In truth, standardizing these processes required an extraordinary commitment from the entire organization for essentially our first year.  Yesterday, as I received the informational briefs on the Behavioral health, IDES and the Service Dog Policy - I was reminded of just how far we have come from being a federation of holding companies to actualizing the operating company model across the enterprise.  All of this was made possible by the collective talents of engaged leadership powered by deliberate and disciplined staff work at every level of Army Medicine.  CSM Brock and I are so grateful for this team and so privileged to lead such a dynamic organization.  Thank you.

With regard to our next 525,600 minutes, Army Medicine must look forward to the year 2020 and beyond to chart a new course that will support the strategic reset of the Army, increase Soldier readiness, improve the health of all of its beneficiaries, and ensure that medical diplomacy is a strategic Army asset.  In the face of 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.  Our vision for Army Medicine continues our primary mission to care for Soldiers, Families and Retirees, but we must broaden that mission to engage all patients in novel ways to influence health outside of clinic visits.  Guiding and encouraging patients to make healthier choices will increase the Army's medical readiness and improve patient health outcomes.  We are fully committed to health generation as we medically equip a ready and resilient force for 2020 and beyond.  We face a time of change which opens an "era of possibilities."  CSM Brock and I are proud to work with you as we usher in a new era of unimagined possibility for 2013.

Army Medicine is Serving to Heal... Honored to Serve.

v/r,
Patricia D. Horoho, LTG,
The Surgeon General and
  Commanding General, USAMEDCOM