Video

Video by Sara Barger

2025 Military Health System Conference -- First Day Review

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs/Military Health System

April 29, 2025 | 1:35

The annual Military Health System Conference kicked off on April 29, 2025, with the theme, “Future of Military Medicine: Integrated, Innovative, Ready.” The conference, taking place in Cleveland, Ohio, brings military medical leaders together from around the world to focus on ongoing efforts to stabilize, strengthen, and modernize the MHS.

This video depicts a review of key speakers opening the conference:
-- Mr. Jules W. Hurst III, who is currently performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, who told the audience of nearly 2,000, "I am going to advocate for you to receive the resources you need…and ask for better policies and authorities to let you provide the kind of patient care that you want to provide, so we can be world-class leaders in medical care."
-- Dr. Stephen Ferrara, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, outlined the renewed priorities for the Military Health System supporting warfighting readiness. "When the soldier goes into battle carrying the sword of freedom, we are their armor, and we are their shield," said Dr. Ferrara, unscoring the direct role the MHS plays in warfighter readiness.
-- Mr. Dan Cnossen, retired U.S. Navy SEAL who lost both his legs deployed to Afghanistan. He moved on to become a seven-time paralympic medalist. “It’s very meaningful to be here in front of you given your critical and vital mission,” Cnossen told conference attendees. “The mission is vital… I am alive on this high platform because of the MHS. This is a success story.”