Heather M. Wobbe, DO, MBA

VA IT security programs just got a closer look. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released its Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) Audit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The audit includes 25 recommendations that are worth exploring for anyone involved in VA IT security programs. This audit report is a good source for identifying some of the agency's important "pain points," especially in light of the recent breach of Change Healthcare. Check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/e7mZgNCZ #GovCon #Defensehealth #Veteranshealth

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For military members, PTSD can be a relentless enemy. Traditional therapies like CBT and medication are effective but can be time-consuming and emotionally taxing. TMS offers a new hope with non-invasive magnetic pulses to the brain, requiring no medication and having minimal side effects. 1. Traditional Therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought patterns. Exposure Therapy: Involves reliving traumatic events in a controlled setting. Medication: Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs to manage symptoms. 2. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Non-Invasive: Uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation. No Medication Required: Can be used alongside traditional therapies or as a standalone treatment. FDA-Approved: Proven effective for treating depression and being researched for PTSD. Comparing Effectiveness: Traditional Therapies: Proven Track Record: Long history of use with many success stories. Personalized: Tailored to individual needs, often involving a combination of methods. Challenges: Can be time-consuming and emotionally taxing, with varying success rates. TMS Therapy: Quick Results: Many patients notice improvements within a few sessions. High Success Rate: Particularly effective for treatment-resistant cases. Minimal Side Effects: Non-invasive with no systemic side effects. PTSD Management in Active Military: Traditional Therapies: Often the first line of treatment, but not always effective for everyone. TMS Therapy: Offers hope for those not responding to traditional methods, providing an alternative or complementary option. Why Consider TMS? Rapid Improvement: Ideal for active military personnel needing quick, effective treatment. Non-Invasive: No need for medication, making it easier to incorporate into daily life. High Success Rate: Especially beneficial for those with treatment-resistant PTSD. The TMS Institute of Arizona is here to guide you on the path to recovery.  We proudly partner with Tricare, ensuring accessible and specialized care for our military members and veterans. #TMSInstituteOfArizona #TMSTherapy #MentalHealth #MilitaryMentalHealth #VeteranSupport #NonInvasiveTherapy #CBT #PTSD

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U.S. Air Force Reserve members have been integral to the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team, or LAMAT, a U.S. Air Force medical assistance mission that complements care for patients across medical specialties in island nations in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. Air Force Reserve members traveled to Suriname, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts and Nevis starting in February, and over the span of eight weeks encountered diverse experiences and opportunities to increase readiness and support communities. Air Force-led global health engagement, or GHE, activities are increasingly utilizing Total Force Integration, including active-duty and reserve component personnel and units. The Air Force Reserve’s support of LAMAT offers a powerful opportunity for practicing expeditionary medical skills and force retention. The overall mission enhanced U.S. Air Force and partner nation medical capabilities with more than 6,000 procedures performed on more than 3,500 patients. Every year, Air Force Reserve members have two weeks of annual training focused on maintaining military medical readiness. GHE activities offer a unique opportunity for reserve medical Airmen enabling them to operate in new and austere environments, which strengthens their readiness for a wide range of potential future operations. Read more extensive details about how Air Force reservists supported the medical assistance mission and strengthened medical readiness during LAMAT 2024 here: https://lnkd.in/e9SrQvqA

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The House version of the Defense Bill has an amendment to increase funding to the Defense Health Programs by $4 million....and then it decreases funding by $4 million...what gives!? These are called "plus-minus amendments" for appropriations to allow members to speak during floor considerations for a bill. In this case, Rep Molinaro (NY) is using this particular amendment to reinforce the importance of ensuring #military members and #militaryfamilies have access to comprehensive health services, especially those with a #disability. The #EFMP and #SNP communities are struggling to access critical health services such as #aba services and #mentalhealth services for our #militarychildren. #MAa will continue partnering with Congressional champions to advocate for access to worldclass healthcare and a high quality of life for our #efmp families. Sign up for our newsletter to continue receiving insights and updates: https://lnkd.in/gPRncMzW

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Stepping into the future with #DISANext - a comprehensive 5-year blueprint from the Defense Information Systems Agency. Spearheading industry change through its 4 fundamentals: Secure Capabilities, Strategic C3, Modernization, and Data. Hear from the visionary himself, Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner about the strategic imperatives of this plan: https://bit.ly/3WcCrb2. Paving the way for advanced #Cybersecurity and #strategy!

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Geoffrey Dardia, FMCHC, who founded the SOF Health Initiative discusses why good, quality sleep is critical for peak performance, and life in general. Lack of sleep is a common challenge for active duty and former special operation force members. Military personnel experience sleep problems at higher rates than the general population. A 2023 RAND report found that 48.6% of military personnel surveyed had poor sleep quality, and recent studies have reported that insomnia affects roughly 22.8% of military personnel. Our organization, along with partner organizations are standing ready to assist you if you're struggling with sleep, and wellness in general. All it takes is a reach out via our website. #sleep #military #functionalmedicine #health #wellness #specialoperations

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What is your skill stack? This article really resonated with me because it reflected how my career had gone. With a disparate stack of skills gathered from being in the army, an emergency physician, EMS chief medical officer, resuscitation science researcher, a tech enthusiast, innovator, a government policy maker, strategist and reorganisation specialist, public health physician and now a digital leader, it makes for an interesting combination to be world’s best at.

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The U.S. governament reautorised to collect information of non-Americans to gather foreign intelligence without a warrant. It has been used to identify multiple Ransomware attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure. It was also used to uncover planned terrorist attacks in 2022. Will it be used only to prevent cyber-attacks or for counter-terrorism? Is it going to affect the EU-US Privacy Shield? What are your toughts about it? #FISA #PRISM #CLOUDACT

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New Military Health System Study: Mortality Rates in the U.S. Army The Military Health System released a critical study on mortality rates among active-duty soldiers from 2014-2019. Key Findings: * The study identified suicide and accidents as the leading causes of death. * Mortality rates for natural causes declined significantly during the study period. * The research underscores the need for enhanced preventive measures, particularly in mental health and safety areas. This study provides valuable insights for military law and health professionals. By understanding these mortality trends, we can better develop strategies to protect soldiers and ensure force readiness. #MilitaryMedicine #PublicHealth

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What?!? My diagnostic test has to work outside at -40 degrees in the dark?!? The MHSRS is a fabulous forum focused on learning the Warfighter's very unique medical needs. I've been developing medical products for decades and none of them have had product requirements like these!! Yet they could have if we just knew about them. Thinking of the DoD as a potential customer, and designing in these requirements early in a product's development, are a great way to make more robust products that impact more lives and increase sales. "The Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) is the Department of Defense's premier scientific meeting. This annual educational symposium draws approximately 4,000 attendees and provides a collaborative environment for military medical care providers with deployment experience, research and academic scientists, international partners, and industry on research and related health care initiatives falling under the topic areas of Combat Casualty Care, Military Operational Medicine, Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Information Sciences, Military Infectious Diseases, and the Radiation Health Effects." MTEC | Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium will also be at MHSRS and helping connect DOD funders with product manufacturers. #scienceservinghumanity https://www.mhsrs.net/

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Take Home Messages from Dr. Wilkes' Episode 1. **The Unpredictable Path of Military Medicine**: The tragic events of 9/11 can pivot the career trajectory of medical professionals in unexpected ways. This episode highlights how one doctor's path shifted from the prospect of peaceful Navy service to the intense realities of combat medicine on the battlefields of Fallujah. 2. **Rigorous Preparation for Battlefield Medicine**: The transition from medical school to serving as a physician in a combat zone requires extensive and specialized training. From officer training and combat casualty care courses to field exercises and trauma rotations, military doctors must be equipped with a unique set of skills to make life-saving decisions under the pressure of war. 3. **The Emotional Toll of Combat on Medical Personnel**: Experiencing the front lines of battle has a profound psychological and emotional impact on medical personnel. Dealing with casualties and the loss of life in a warzone requires not only medical expertise but also immense mental resilience and the ability to cope with high-stress situations. 4. **Post-Deployment Challenges and Growth**: Returning to civilian life after serving in a combat zone presents its own set of challenges, including readjusting to a different pace of life and dealing with the after-effects of constant vigilance and exposure to trauma. However, these experiences can also result in personal growth, leading to improved empathy and patient care practices. 5. **Mentorship and Foresight in Military Medicine**: For medical professionals considering or preparing for military service, seeking mentorship and learning from those with firsthand combat experience is invaluable. Strategic foresight, such as choosing between stationary or mobile medical units, is also critical for effectively managing medical services in potential future conflicts.

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🏛The Defense Bill is two steps closer to becoming law! 👏The House passed their draft of the Defense Bill, and the Senate Armed Services Committee released their markup. Here are a few highlights from the House version... 1)Feasibility of Integrating Clinical Case Management in the Exceptional Family Member Program 2)Services Supporting Dependents with Special Needs and Their Caregivers (a GAO report studying the barriers to TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option(ECHO) program) 3)Special Education Legal Assistance in the Exceptional Family Member Program (Congress mandating a report by DoD to ensure all service branchs are offering legal assistance) 4)Access to Applied Behavior Analysis in the Department of Defense’s Autism Care Demonstration 5)Autism Research on Females (directs the DoD to report autism prevalence in femal service members) 6)Department of Defense Behavioral Health Provider Expansion 7)Medical Qualifications for Accessions of Military Applicants (DoD to brief Congress on policy revisions for military applicants related to mental health medications and treatments Don't worry, we'll be providing a more in-depth look at the House draft and potential benefits/negative effects to #EFMP military families. #maa #missionalphaadvocacy #advocate #militaryspouse #military

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Our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan outlines response as one of our major goals. BARDA works to enhance and maintain a sustainable, mission-ready response posture. To support this, we are improving U.S. manufacturing capabilities to help meet medical countermeasure production needs to respond to future public health emergencies. Learn more about BARDA’s progress under our Response goal: https://ow.ly/uBKY50RPBUg

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More military retirement prep stories: Back in 2008/2009, I spent the better part of a year in southern Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). I learned something about myself: I couldn't sleep the night before a mission. I'd analyze every little detail in my head. Was my threat analysis accurate? Did we prep the vehicle? Were my weapons ready? What would we do in XYZ situation? But I was fine on mission day. So how does this relate 15 years ago? I'm in the lead up to skillbridge applications & interviews and I find myself over analyzing every detail. Did I look at the right sites? Did I adjust my resume for the job? Did I reach back out to the PM? Etc, etc. I'll be fine when it's go-time, but man...my brain needs to slow down right now.

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