Uniformed Services University

🚨 Updated life-saving medical guideline just released! 🚨

USU, the U.S. Army Heat Center, and U.S. Department of War partners have developed updated standardized clinical practice guidelines for managing exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) — a dangerous muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney injury and other serious complications.

This new playbook helps military clinicians (and even civilian doctors, trainers, and first responders) detect ER earlier, treat it more effectively, and safely guide Warfighters and athletes back to full strength.

👉 Read the full story and access the guideline here: https://news.usuhs.edu/2025/09/life-saving-guideline-released-to.html

Day 1 of this year's Military Health System Research Symposium was a rousing success for USU. Check out the first day's wrap-up: https://shorturl.at/VnaeY

USU Research Addresses TBI, Su***de Prevention, and Emerging Threats at MHSRS 2025 USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

For over four decades, Dr. Robert Ursano has been a driving force in military mental health—advancing care for our service members, veterans, families, and communities. This week at , he was recognized with a prestigious lifetime achievement award for his groundbreaking work in trauma, PTSD, su***de prevention, and more. 👏 Join us in celebrating this incredible leader whose research has shaped care across the Military Health System and beyond.

Dr. Robert J. Ursano Honored with 2025 MHSRS Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Contributions to Military Mental Health Research USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

USU alum and acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. Stephen Ferrara, kicked off the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium, urging agility, innovation, and real-world testing to save lives in future conflicts.

“Whether you're in a lab or you're in a field hospital, or you're leading an operational test meeting, you're part of the system that directly affects the ability to save lives on the battlefield.”

The 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium kicked off this week with a powerful keynote address from Dr. Stephen Ferrara, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and a 1995 graduate of the Uniformed Services University’s School of Medicine.

Full story: https://news.usuhs.edu/2025/08/military-medical-research-must-evolve.html

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🪖⛰️ Rough terrain. High altitude. Real-world medical training.

USU nursing students teamed up with explosive ordnance disposal medical teams for the Military Mountain Medicine Course (MC3) in Vermont—learning to deliver care where it's needed most: in the field, under pressure, and off the grid.

👉 Read more: https://news.usuhs.edu/2025/07/usus-mountain-medicine-course-prepares.html

USU’s Mountain Medicine Course Prepares Military Medical Personnel for High-Altitude Challenges USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

Meet the newest EMDP2 class at USU — a powerhouse group of enlisted service members trading their boots for books as they take the first big step toward becoming military doctors. 🪖➡️🩺
These service members aren’t just answering the call — they’re raising the bar. With grit, smarts, and an unwavering commitment to service, they’re diving into USU’s Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) and preparing to lead the future of military medicine.
👏 Help us cheer them on as they start this incredible journey!
📖 Read their stories here:
🔗 https://news.usuhs.edu/2025/07/newest-emdp2-cohort-brings-exceptional.html

Newest EMDP2 Cohort Brings Exceptional Talent and Tenacity to USU USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

USU was honored to receive the remains of Harford County Sheriff's Office Sgt. George Gregory "Greg" Dietz, whose final act of service will advance medical education for the next generation of Military Health care providers. This solemn occasion was a moving reminder that service doesn’t always end at the uniform—it can carry on in ways that save lives and shape futures.

Fallen Harford County Sheriff’s Deputy Honored Through Final Gift to Medical Education USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

Temperatures around the country have been brutal the last few weeks. Summer heat is no joke! As temps rise, it's important to protect yourself, your family, and your team from heat-related illnesses.

Dr. Fran O'Connor, medical director of USU's Consortium for Health and Military Performance, shares essential tips for recognizing the signs of heat stress and exertional heat illness, and preventing heat injuries before they happen. "Danger isn’t just about how high the temperature gets but how long someone remains overheated. Prolonged high body temperature damages organs and can be fatal if not treated quickly."

Staying Safe When the Heat Is On: Understanding Heat-Related Illnesses USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

Researchers with USU's Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Research for Operational Readiness (MIRROR) program are tackling one of the most common musculoskeletal issues in the military—shoulder instability. By focusing on early detection of structural damage in the shoulder joint, their goal is to prevent repeated injuries before they happen. Learn how this groundbreaking study could change the future of care for service members:

Revolutionizing Shoulder Instability Research with 3D MRI Imaging and AI USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

In a new article by Dr. Stephen Ferrara, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, discover how the Military Health System (MHS) stands ready to meet the demands of both peacetime and combat. With a focus on human performance and medical readiness, the MHS supports more than 9.5 million beneficiaries — including active duty service members, retirees, and their families.
Learn how this one-of-a-kind health system is built to adapt, innovate, and lead in military medicine.

👉 Read Dr. Ferrara’s article: https://health.mil/News/Articles/2025/06/02/The-Military-Health-System--A-Medical-System-Ready-for-Any-Challenge

🎓 Join us live Saturday, May 17 -- Armed Forces Day -- as we celebrate the incredible achievements of the USU Class of 2025! Tune in starting at 10:15 a.m. to watch the Commencement Ceremony and honor our newest uniformed health professionals and federal scientists. The Commencement Procession starts promptly at 10:30 a.m. https://www.youtube.com/live/EO4vIDLvEHQ

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Commencement 2025 Nearly 300 graduates of the Uniformed Services University of Nursing, Postgraduate Dental College, and College of Allied Health Sciences Class of 2025 will r...

USU researchers are changing the game with WounDx™, a smart, biomarker-based tool that helps surgeons know exactly when to close a wound—saving lives, cutting costs, and speeding up recovery for injured warfighters and trauma patients alike.
Precision medicine meets machine learning in this revolutionary approach to healing.

WounDx™: Revolutionizing Wound Care to Improve Warfighter Readiness and Reduce Costs USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University