AMSUS 111th Annual Meeting Comments

Military Medicine, Apr 2006 by Anderson, George K

The 111th Annual Meeting of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) was held in Nashville, Tennessee. The plenary sessions and service breakout sessions focused on the theme "Joint Interoperability". Over 3,300 men and women representing all Military Departments, Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Public Health Service and our Sustaining Members attended the meeting held at the Gaylord Opryland hotel and Convention Center.

Among the diverse range of healthcare providers were 77 foreign delegates from 29 countries. A welcome reception honoring the International Delegates was held on Sunday evening.

At the Opening Ceremonies on Monday morning the attendees heard a presentation by Vice Admiral Karsten Ocker, MC, Surgeon General of the Federal Armed Forces of Germany; and the Keynote Address delivered by the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary for Veterans Affairs. Service plenary sessions were held in the afternoon.

The Tuesday morning consisted of 5 track presentations: Medical Surveillance, Trauma/Blast Injuries, Psychological Trauma, Humanitarian Relief/Disaster Preparedness and Homeland security. In the afternoon there was a panel presentation entitled "Joint Interoperability: Planning for the Future". On Wednesday the services held their respective breakout session.

Delegates attended lectures, seminars, symposiums and luncheons focusing on a wide range of subjects relating to this year's theme. Between sessions, the attendees visited the exhibit hall to see the newest products and services offered by the 132 organizations and 52 government agencies represented.

The AMSUS Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday night was the social climax of the week. Guests honored the recipients of the 2005 AMSUS awards whose contributions to federal healthcare earned them the recognition of their peers and the praise of the AMSUS Awards Committee and members.

Following the Presidential Address by Vice Admiral Donald A. Arthur, MC, USN at the Annual Dinner, the gavel was handed to Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D., 2006 AMSUS President. The 112th Annual Meeting will be held from 5-10 November 2006 in San Antonio. The Veterans Health Administration will host the 112th Annual Meeting, and the theme is "Health 2015: Actionable Strategies for Caring for our Warriors, Veterans and Population".

Major General George K. Anderson, USAF, MC (retired)