Uniformed Services University

The 2026 STEM Achievers Program, hosted by the USU Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing (GSN), continues to foster the next generation of innovators.

102 middle school students from across DC-area communities gathered at USU to address a critical design challenge—"How can STEM be used to help those with physical impairments?"

They pitched their prototype solutions to university and community leaders, using tools such as 3D printing, augmented reality, and virtual environments. These innovations included:

🦿Sensor-equipped prosthetics to aid navigation
📣Wearable AI tools to assist non-verbal individuals
🦽Specialized shower-accessible wheelchairs

Reflecting on the event, GSN STEM Achievers Program Director Dr. James Maiden shared: "This summer wasn't just about building robots or writing code; it was about building our achievers' confidence, curiosity, and courage to improve the lives of others."

Read the full recap and see highlights from the award ceremony: https://news.usuhs.edu/2026/07/usu-gsn-host-2026-stem-summer-program.html

📸 Photo Of The Week 📸

Congratulations to 1st-place award recipients 2nd Lt. Michael J. Ainsworth and Dr. Allison Ruchinskas, presented by Dr. Cara Olsen, Associate Dean for Graduate Education, at the 2026 USU Research Days Graduate Student Colloquium Poster Presentation held on July 22.

The USU Photo of the Week series features some of our favorite moments around USU. Tune in next week for the next feature!

Please join us in celebrating three USU EMDP2 graduates who were selected as 2026 Pat Tillman Scholars. 🎉

⚫ U.S. Army SFC Price Parker
🔵 U.S. Navy PO1 Andrew Wenthe
⚪ United States Air Force 2d Lt Bryce Daniel

This Pat Tillman Foundation honor highlights how these graduates personify former U.S. Army Ranger Tillman’s values of service, leadership, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and a dedication to making a meaningful impact.

Read more about the scholarship and recipients here:

They Answered the Call to Serve. Now They’re Answering the Call to Heal. Three USU EMDP2 graduates were named 2026 Pat Tillman Scholars for service and leadership in military medicine.

When it comes to performance in high-stakes environments, sleep is essential.

Military leaders at the Sleep and Fatigue Management Summit recently gathered to address sleep as a core element of readiness. Discover how leaders are reframing sleep health to protect service members and optimize performance.

Full story: https://news.usuhs.edu/2026/06/at-sleep-and-fatigue-management-summit.html

🇺🇸 USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson and 🇬🇧 UK Chief of Defence Medical, Air Marshal Clare Walton, signed an agreement creating new opportunities for military medical education, research, and training while advancing the US-UK partnership.

This partnership enhances the preparedness of both nations by enabling the exchange of clinical expertise and jointly training future medical leaders.

🔗 Read the full article here:

Uniformed Services University and UK Defence Medical Command Expand Collaboration to Strengthen Allied Medical Readiness USU and UK Defence Medical Command sign an MOU expanding military medical education, research and training between allied forces.

Please join us in celebrating two USU alumni, Captains Philip and Elizabeth Adriano, in their retirement from the U.S. Navy

Capt. Elizabeth Adriano graduated with her MD from USU in 1996, and Capt. Philip Adriano graduated with his MD in 1997. As married Navy captains, they followed a rare format for their retirement ceremony, in which they served as each other’s presiding official, honoring their commitment to both their service in the Navy and to each other.

Congratulations! 🎉

Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Marcus Stanley.