USU’s National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation Strengthens Partnerships for a Changing World

The USU institute unites disaster medicine, global health engagement, and security cooperation education to support readiness.

Military and civilian partners meet in NIDHC's conference space to share expertise across the defense and public health communities. (Photo courtesy of NIDHC)

September 23, 2026 by USU News

Preparing for crisis and conflict requires more than responding when an emergency occurs. It requires trained personnel, strong partnerships, relevant research, and rigorous academic preparation well before a crisis begins. 

On October 1, 2025, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) established the The National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC) to bring these key areas of expertise together under one academic umbrella.

A Unified Academic Platform

NIDHC was formed through the strategic integration of two USU academic centers — the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH) and the Center for Global Health Engagement (CGHE) — with the security cooperation education and training functions of the Defense Institute for Medical Operations (DIMO). Together, these capabilities provide a unified platform for education, research, and collaborative knowledge sharing to support Military Health System leaders, the Defense Health Agency, the Services, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and U.S. government interagency partners.

“Our nation and military are facing unprecedented challenges, due in part to the convergence of threats across nature, technology, and geopolitics,” said Dr. Jeffrey Freeman, NIDHC’s executive director. “These challenges require more integrated solutions. This Institute will provide a unified approach to its support to the Military Health System and to advancing the core warfighting mission.”

Dr. Jeffrey Freeman, NIDHC's executive director, outlines NIDHC's strategic priorities and its three capability areas: training and education, research and analysis, and planning and partnership. (Photo credit: U.S. Air Force T. Sgt. Caleb Pavao)

Building on Established Missions

The institute builds on decades of academic expertise and support to a wide range of stakeholders, combining priority efforts and expertise of each legacy organization. Carrying on prior work of CGHE, NIDHC provides support to international military health partnerships and prepares military personnel to engage with allies and partners. Transitioning the health security education and training capabilities from DIMO incorporates extensive experience educating international military and civilian health professionals. Programs focused on whole-of-government preparedness for crisis or conflict, such as the National Disaster Medical System Pilot Program, transitioned from NCDMPH to NIDHC. As a component of NIDHC, NCDMPH continues its mission and responsibilities under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-21, including oversight of the Disaster Health Core Curriculum.

NIDHC supports the broader defense enterprise through academic initiatives that focus on academic and professional education, applied research and analysis, and fostering interagency and international academic partnerships that strengthen health security, public health preparedness, and joint operational effectiveness.  

“The establishment of the National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation represents a strategic alignment of expertise that will directly benefit the Department of War (DoW) and the nation,” said USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson. “By bringing together the work of NCDMPH, CGHE, and DIMO, we are creating a powerful hub that enhances disaster preparedness, fosters global health engagement, and ensures our armed forces are ready to operate in any environment.”

Strengthening the Military-Civilian Health Ecosystem

Partnership is central to NIDHC's mission. The institute collaborates with military services, CCMDs, federal agencies, academia, healthcare systems, industry, and international partners to exchange knowledge, expertise, and lessons learned before a crisis occurs. One way NIDHC partners is through its Military-Civilian Ecosystem, which connects national expertise and capabilities to priority efforts. 

Examples of NIDHC programs with Ecosystem partnerships include contributions to the National Disaster Medical System Pilot Program, the Military-Civilian Medical Surge Program, and the Pre- and Post-Crash Care Program conducted in partnership with the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Air Force Col. (Dr.) Elizabeth Erickson, principal deputy director of NIDHC, speaks at AMSUS, a forum that brings together health professionals from across the services and federal agencies. (Photo courtesy of NIDHC)

Leadership Grounded in Public Health and Global Engagement

NIDHC is led by Freeman, former director of NCDMPH, and Air Force Col. (Dr.) Elizabeth Erickson, principal deputy director, and former director of CGHE. An interagency board of advisors featuring senior leaders from the DoW, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Transportation, guides the institute’s strategic outlook. 

Freeman, who joined USU in 2023, specializes in public health, national and global disaster preparedness, risk science and public policy, and bioinformatics. He has led research teams during global health emergencies including COVID-19, Mpox, and Ebola. 

Erickson, an alumna of USU’s General Preventive Medicine Residency program, has led global health engagement programs and activities in multiple regions and worked at two joint combatant commands. She has deployed to Mali and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror and, more recently, leading health security assistance to Ukraine. “It has been exciting to build this new institute, bringing together an amazing team with experience from across the spectrum of domestic and global military and civilian operations,” Erickson reflected. “We are able to translate research and lessons learned to recommendations and support capabilities that strengthen readiness for future contingencies, whether overseas or in the homeland.” 

Looking Ahead

As NIDHC moves toward full operating capability on October 1, 2026, its focus remains on synthesizing research across its portfolio and making actionable recommendations available to decision-makers. By combining research, education, scholarly evaluation, and technical advisory capabilities, NIDHC is positioned to inform and strengthen total force readiness for generations to come.