USU Founders’ Day Looks Back at Legacy, Forward to the Future of Military Health

Day-long event underscores Uniformed Services University’s enduring impact on readiness, innovation, and service to the nation.

USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson opens the Founders’ Day ceremony as alumni/leaders Dr. Stephen L.

Ferrara and Dr. Robert Kadlec look on. (Photo by Tom Balfour, USU)

September 23, 2025 by Sharon Holland

The Uniformed Services University (USU) celebrated its annual Founders’ Day on Friday, September 19, marking the institution’s establishment by Congress on September 21, 1972. The event paid tribute to USU’s history, its mission of preparing uniformed health leaders, and the enduring bonds among alumni, students, and faculty.

The day began with a medical student research poster display, showcasing innovative projects from the next generation of military physicians. Attendees also explored exhibits from several of USU’s Centers, which highlighted advances in operational medicine, military readiness, global health, infectious diseases, and other fields of research.

Adding to the festivities, members of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine Classes of 1984 and 1985 returned to campus to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their graduation.

It was standing room only for USU's annual Founders' Day ceremony on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. Students,

faculty, staff and alumni packed the University's Rice Hall to hear remarks by guest speakers Dr. Stephen

Ferrara and Dr. Robert Kadlec. (Photo by Tom Balfour)

The highlight of the day was the Founders’ Day Ceremony, where university and national leaders reflected on USU’s unique mission and the evolving role of military health professionals in today’s complex global environment.

USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson welcomed attendees, saying, “Founders’ Day is more than a celebration of the past. It’s also a reminder of our ongoing mission: to educate military and public health leaders who will serve and protect our nation, and to advance research that strengthens our Armed Forces and the health of our communities.”

Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara, acting Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs and a 1995 graduate of USU’s School of Medicine, underscored the University’s legacy of service, innovation, and leadership. “USU isn’t just an educational institution; it’s a national asset, a strategic resource that’s essential to the future of the Military Health System. It’s the place where future leaders are trained, where innovative research is conducted, and where the values of service, scholarship, and leadership are instilled.”

Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara, acting Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs, speaks at the podium during

USU's 2025 Founders' Day ceremony. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU)

Dr. Robert Kadlec, former Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Preparedness and Response and pending nominee for Assistant Secretary of War for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense Policy and Programs, also addressed the audience as a proud alumnus—earning his MD in 1983 and a Master of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 1989 – and emphasized the importance of his USU education and network that formed his military medicine foundation, and the incredible opportunities he experienced at USU. “It’s the opportunity, the innovation, the history—but most of all the courage and commitment of the faculty and the students—that create something very special here.”

In closing, Dr. Woodson reflected on the University’s progress and future: “USU has come a long way since 1972, and we’re still writing that story together—faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I hope today leaves you proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited about where we’re headed.”

Since its founding, USU has educated and trained more than 14,000 physicians, advanced practice nurses, dentists, scientists, clinical psychologists, public health leaders, medics, and corpsmen—professionals dedicated to advancing health and readiness around the world.

Alumni from USU's classes of 1984 and 1985 returned to campus for the University's annual Founders'

Day celebration and Alumni Weekend. (Photo by Tom Balfour, USU)