Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Accomplishments at the Uniformed Services University

USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson reflects on a year of continued success for the Uniformed Services University

(Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU)

December 31, 2024 by USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson

This year has been filled with remarkable achievements for the Uniformed Services University (USU). We began the academic year by welcoming new students, bringing our current student body to more than 8,500 across our four schools and graduate programs. Our faculty, staff, and students have worked tirelessly to foster another year of innovative learning, groundbreaking research, and numerous awards and accomplishments. We are especially grateful for their dedication, which also led to the graduation of an exceptional class of future leaders for our country in May. Our faculty’s contributions to research have spanned a range of topics, from a potential cure for rabies infection to rethinking faculty workload and developing new methods for measuring teaching effectiveness. Throughout the year, our community has been recognized for its outstanding achievements and scientific advancements, earning leadership roles in professional societies, contributing to humanitarian efforts, and gaining increased visibility in the media. Additionally, our work in support of the Military Health System (MHS) enterprise has driven advancements in military medicine, contributing to the health and readiness of our nation’s service members. 

USU has achieved significant progress in a variety of research areas this year. The Military Traumatic Brain Initiative advanced clinical trials, including the first multisite, placebo-controlled study on Erenumab for post-traumatic headaches, and expanded digital therapeutic solutions for service members and veterans. Research into repeated subconcussive blast exposures is also driving improvements in TBI prevention and treatment. Additionally, USU hosted a Brain Health Symposium, in collaboration with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, to discuss advancements in brain health research and its impact on military personnel.

USU scientists Dr. Paul Pasquina, Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Kent Werner, and Dr. Jeff Leggit participate
in the USU Brain Health Symposium session I:  Optimizing cognitive and physical performance.
(Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao, U.S. Air Force)

The Military Women’s Health Research Program continued to address the unique health needs of military women, with a celebration in October 2024 featuring key leaders from the Department of Defense, White House, Veterans Health Administration, and NIH. USU partnered with Tufts University and Northwestern Medicine to develop a smart band-aid to quantify chronic pain in women. Meanwhile, the Murtha Cancer Center Research Program made significant strides in breast cancer and gynecologic oncology, advancing personalized treatments and improving patient outcomes. 

USU scientists working with Northwestern University identified genetic and biochemical pathways that enable organisms to resist radiation, offering insights for developing radioprotective therapies to safeguard critical systems like bone marrow and the brain. These findings could also enhance vaccine development by improving resilience against environmental stressors and pathogens, benefiting both military and civilian populations. Using this process, USU researchers, in collaboration with Duke University, developed a promising vaccine candidate for preventing chlamydia infections, a leading cause of infertility and blindness worldwide. Progress was also made on a humanized monoclonal antibody, hu1F5, aimed at protecting against the Nipah virus. 

Efforts at the Center for Global Health Engagement (CGHE) strengthened partnerships to enhance military readiness and global health security. CGHE also provided critical coordination and support for the International Conference of Military Medical Schools meeting, which hosted 20 international partner military medical schools and educational organizations. 

Other notable achievements included advancements in pain management therapies, novel cardiac screening programs, and efforts to prevent heat-related injuries through collaborations with the Army Heat Center. The Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence advanced treatments using genetic markers and AI models, while the Radiation Countermeasures Program developed strategies to protect against radiation exposure, including tools for triage and treatment during radiological emergencies. 

Additionally, the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health continued its collaboration with the U.S. Northern Command to advance the Integrated CONUS Medical Operations Plan. The center also cultivated vital partnerships and initiatives for the National Disaster Medical System pilot sites in Washington, D.C.; Texas; California; Nebraska; and Colorado, with two additional locations added in fiscal year 2024 in Hawaii and Washington State.

Leadership Health Systems at USU introduced Friday Night at the ERⓇ, a systems thinking
board game, to the incoming medical class of 2028. Through gameplay, students gained
understanding of the interconnectedness of the Military Healthcare System.
(Photo credit: Tom Balfour)

This year, the university continued to embrace innovative learning tools to enhance education. The Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics department introduced Friday Night at the ERⓇ, a systems thinking board game, to the medical class of 2028, helping students better understand the interconnectedness of the MHS. Additionally, USU’s Center for Deployment Psychology earned the Gold Medal at the International Serious Play Conference for its immersive virtual suicide prevention training for behavioral health providers, showcasing the university's commitment to cutting-edge educational strategies. Faculty from the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) also explored whether the traditional credit-based system accurately reflected the actual time faculty spent teaching, further advancing the university’s focus on improving learning outcomes and teaching effectiveness. 

Throughout the year, the faculty and students of the School of Medicine achieved numerous prestigious honors. Faculty members received prominent awards in recognition of their contributions to medical education and research, while SOM researchers earned top honors at major symposia. Students distinguished themselves as Pat Tillman Scholars, earned high marks at prestigious military training programs, and achieved success in innovative competitions. Additional accomplishments included the development of a patented healthcare device and recognition for leadership and service by junior officers. A team of graduate students from USU's Master of Health Administration and Policy program advanced to the semifinals at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health Administration Case Competition, showcasing their ability to address complex healthcare challenges, while numerous others showcased their research in professional society meetings and other forums. 

The Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) continues to lead in nursing education and practice, with several accolades highlighting its excellence. The school maintained its recognition as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence and was ranked #1 in Nurse Anesthesia by U.S. News & World Report. It also celebrated the success of its 2024 graduates, with 100% passing their national board certification exams, 99% on their first attempt. GSN faculty and students received multiple prestigious awards and honors, including for leadership, research in women’s health, and contributions to psychiatric mental health nursing. Students and faculty also demonstrated their expertise in real-world scenarios, successfully rescuing a hiker during a mountain medicine training exercise, a program that also awarded 13 students Diplomas in Mountain Medicine. 

The Postgraduate Dental College (PDC) continues to demonstrate excellence in dental education and faculty development. It achieved successful American Dental Association Council on Dental Accreditation re-accreditation for three PGY-1 residency programs at Ft. Moore, Ft. Sill, and Offutt AFB, earning the highest accreditation rating of “Approval, without reporting requirements” for full seven-year terms. The PDC also sponsored robust faculty development initiatives, including the Federal Services Dental Educator Workshop and the ADEA Academy of Academic Leadership Institute for Teaching and Learning, with six faculty members participating in AAL-ITL in FY2024. Thirteen faculty earned SOM certificates in Teaching or Academic Leadership, two completed Master’s programs in Health Professions Education, and twelve are actively pursuing advanced certificates or degrees. 

The College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) enrolled 6,626 students, achieved 12 national accreditations, and conferred 1,106 degrees during the 2023-2024 academic year.  For the first time ever, a CAHS graduate participated in the USU commencement ceremony in May. The CAHS also successfully implemented the Automated Faculty Appointment Workflow to route, track and approve faculty appointment documents, on a limited basis at the METC Branch Campus as a test of the Medical Laboratory Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Hospital Corpsman Basic, and Radiologic Technologist programs. 

ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff delivered the USU Commencement address.

Woodruff spoke of his firsthand experience as a recipient of care from the Military Health 

System following his 2016 life-threatening injuries in Iraq. (Photo by Tom Balfour, USU)

This year, we updated our strategic plan for 2024–2028, establishing a framework that guides each of our schools, colleges, institutes, centers, and programs in fulfilling their missions and executing supporting strategic plans. The University also played a pivotal role in developing the MHS Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS), which supports the overarching MHS strategy by emphasizing digital health's role in advancing a medically ready force, a ready medical force, and improving patient care, clinical efficiency, and health outcomes. The DTS sets a course for continued progress through the decade and beyond, informing each Future Years Defense Program. Additionally, USU championed an enterprise-wide approach to MHS education and training, ensuring alignment between the University’s educational efforts and military healthcare priorities.

In 2024, USU alumni achieved significant success in various fields, with many receiving prestigious awards and appointments. Alumni were recognized for their leadership in military health, education, and innovation, with some earning top roles in military medicine and defense policy. The year also saw notable losses of alumni, former faculty and staff who had made lasting contributions to USU and military medical education. 

The university welcomed several new leaders in 2024 who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our community. Honorable Jon Rychalski joined us as the new Vice President for Financial Operations, bringing valuable experience from the VA and DOD. Dr. James Nash, formerly of Hudson University, was appointed as the Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences, and is working to shape the future of our enlisted training programs. Additionally, Dr. Andrew Bean, currently at Rush University, was selected as the new Provost and will be joining us in the spring to lead the academic vision and drive continued innovation across our schools and programs. 

These are just a mere snapshot of our accomplishments.  As we move into 2025, we can take pride in all we’ve achieved, and I look forward to the continued impact we will make in the coming year. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Wishing you all a joyful and prosperous New Year.