Health officials visit returning troops

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alex Saltekoff
  • 316th Wing Public Affairs
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) --  Lt. Gen. James G. Roudebush, Air Force surgeon general, and Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, visited wounded troops returning from overseas to Andrews June 26. 

Dr. Casscells was given a brief tour of Malcolm Grow Medical Center's Aeromedical Staging Flight by Brig. Gen. Gar. S. Graham, the 79th Medical Wing commander, before meeting with the troops being offloaded from the aircraft and taken to buses for transport to local military hospitals. 

This was the assistant secretary's first visit to the staging flight. 

"The military health system has set new standards for care on the battlefield, here at home and at military treatment facilities around the world," said Dr. Casscells. "Our preventive services have dramatically reduced the rates of disease and non-battle injuries for forces in the combat theater. 

"For those who have been wounded, we have the highest survival rate in our history," he continued. "This is remarkable, given the very high velocity of the enemy's munitions, but it has given us a major new challenge. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are not easy to diagnose or treat, and require a special emphasis in caring and reporting. We have much work to do on this and with the out-patient care of wounded service members." 

"There are many other important issues to address as well," said Dr. Casscells.  "My greatest concerns are that we create value for our beneficiaries, that we offer choice and help patients to be in control of their health. To do this, we must be patient-centered and see the world through their eyes. Today's military health system must go beyond health care and (we must) do everything we can to promote healthy behaviors. Out of this, we will have a fit, healthy, protected force and we will have satisfied beneficiaries. 

"Safeguarding the health and safety of our service members is the Defense Department's highest priority," he said.  "The DOD stands ready to care for any service member with TBI or who develops mental health problems, including (post-traumatic stress syndrome).  The DOD has a comprehensive program of pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment mental health services." 

With much help from outside task forces, commissions and blue ribbon panels, there are many initiatives being worked to expand on our mental health and TBI support capabilities. The military now provides a broad array of support systems and services to our community. Services available at our installations include health and wellness programs, stress management, family readiness and community support centers, family readiness groups, volunteer programs, legal and educational programs, and chaplains, among many other community programs.
 

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