From the AMSUS President

Military Medicine, Summer 2005 by Arthur, Donald C

Dear AMSUS Members:

This year it is my distinct honor to serve as your 2005 AMSUS President. I would like to cordially invite you to attend the 111th AMSUS Annual Meeting, 30 October to 4 November 2005, in Nashville, Tennessee. The AMSUS Program Planning Committee and Section Chairpersons have collaborated with RADM Frederic G. Sanford, AMSUS Executive Director, and the AMSUS staff throughout this year to ensure another outstanding conference program.

This year our annual meeting theme, AMSUS: Joint Interoperability, is in keeping with my vision of Force Protection and providing the best medical care available to those entrusted in our care. We must focus on how we can be fully integrated across the services, between active and reserve forces, and to show the integration between local, state, and all federal agencies, as part of our response to homeland security threats. I envision a strengthening of the partnership between the US Public Health Service, as well as the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Consequently, we also need to find ways to strengthen the ties and share resources with our foreign allies, who are full partners in helping us combat the global war on terrorism. In light of ever changing world events, our challenge must be to promote a seamless handoff of patient care between ourselves and through all echelons of care. No one Service can do it alone. Our annual meeting provides a tremendous opportunity for the Federal Medical Services to discuss these timely issues.

AMSUS: Joint Interperability will be continually highlighted throughout the three-day Joint Service and Service-specific plenary sessions supported by presentations and panel discussions. This program format, which facilitates open and cross-Service discussions and interactions, worked well last year. Therefore, I believe it will again provide an excellent format to support the many important presentations and discussions planned for this year's annual meeting.

In closing, the 111th AMSUS Annual Meeting promises our members a better understanding of our joint mission and unique opportunities to discuss and address issues currently confronting our Federal Medical Services, as we commit to joint operability in maintaining optimal care needed to ensure optimal Department of Defense capabilities. I look forward to seeing all of you again at our Annual Meeting in Nashville in October.

Sincerely,

Donald C. Arthur

Vice Admiral, MC, USN

President

Donald C. Arthur

Vice Admiral, MC, USN

President