What happens when the nation’s top defense health leader touches down at Fort Riley? In this interview, Dr. Stephen Ferrara, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, shares his vision for military medicine and why Irwin Army Community Hospital is critical to the medical readiness of the 1st Infantry Division. From the front lines of healthcare delivery to the training grounds of America’s premier fighting force, this conversation highlights the trust, teamwork, and transformation driving military health forward.
FORT RILEY, Kansas – What does it mean to be mission-ready—medically, operationally, and as a team? For the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. Stephen Ferrara, the answer lies not in policy memos or PowerPoint decks, but in the work happening inside military hospitals like Irwin Army Community Hospital.
On June 30, Ferrara walked the halls of IACH to understand firsthand how the Military Health System can better support the 1st Infantry Division and its families. He spent the day engaging with healthcare providers, leadership, and staff to assess the facility's capabilities and address concerns about the future of military healthcare at Fort Riley, home to the oldest continuously serving active-duty...
07.01.2025 | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
Story by Jorge Gomez
