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Sen. Daniel K. Inouye

Mr. President, today I pay tribute to James A. Zimble, President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USUHS. On August 3, 2004, this remarkable individual will mark the end of his 46-year career in Federal service.

Dr. Zimble, Vice Admiral, Medical Corps, United States Navy (Retired), and 30th Surgeon General of the United States Navy, was born on October 12, 1933, in Philadelphia, PA. He served as a senior medical student and ensign in the Navy Reserve Program from 1958 through 1959, earning a Medical Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine (SOM). Thus commenced a career dedicated to service to his nation, medical readiness, and force health protection.

Dr. Zimble's 33-year career in the Navy began with his internship and residency at the Naval Hospital in St. Albans, New York. By 1969, he was board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. From 1972 through 1987 he served with distinction in a series of assignments directing clinical services and strategic planning. His Navy career culminated with his selection to serve as Surgeon General of the Navy, from 1987 through 1991. Vice Admiral Zimble earned multiple honors and awards during his Navy career, including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service, Superior Service, and Meritorious Service Medals, the Department of Navy Legion of Merit, the Naval Reserve Association Distinguished Service Award, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Founder's Medal.

Dr. Zimble was selected by the Secretary of Defense to serve as the President of USUHS in 1991. He was first to initiate strategic planning and assessment processes, which focused on mission accomplishment and the annual achievements of the 1,824 members of the USUHS community. Today, the University provides a comprehensive, performance-based annual report to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

In 1996, under Dr. Zimble's leadership, the Graduate School of Nursing was established and officially recognized by OSD, thereby, providing uniquely qualified advanced practice nurses for the military. In December of 2000, the OSD Joint Meritorious Unit Award was presented to Dr. Zimble and the University, which officially recognized the multiple products and services of USUHS and their generation of cost avoidance for the Department. In addition, research conducted at USUHS was recognized in Science as one of the top ten scientific breakthroughs of 2002. In 2003, the University received the maximum term of ten years of accreditation with commendation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Today, the USUHS School of Medicine Graduate Education Programs in Public Health rank sixth in the Nation according to U.S. News & World Report's 2004 Rankings of America's Best Graduate Schools on the list of the top 10 community health master or doctoral programs. The American Medical Association has recognized that USUHS not only educates its own graduates, but also provides a significant national service through its continuing medical education courses for military physicians in combat casualty care, tropical medicine, combat stress, disaster medicine, and medical responses to terrorism, courses not available through civilian medical schools. Significantly, the Emerging Infectious Diseases Graduate Education Program provides courses on the agents and effects of bioterrorism and is the only graduate program in the Nation to offer formal training in these critical areas. Over the past 13 years, USUHS has gained recognition and evolved into the Academic Center for Military Medicine.

During his tenure, Dr. Zimble remained focused on the medical readiness and force health protection requirements of the Uniformed Services. Today, USUHS prepares its career-oriented physicians, advanced practice nurses, and scientists for the practice of health care in contingency environments. USUHS alumni possess the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required during Joint Service deployments. Relevant knowledge in the psychological stresses of combat and trauma and the medical effects of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and extreme environments have been integrated throughout the USUHS educational programs. USUHS' internationally recognized operational exercises, Operations Kerkesner and Bushmaster, ensure flexibility in meeting the ever-evolving requirements of medical readiness. Dr. Zimble's meticulous focus has secured recognition for USUHS throughout the uniformed and civilian health care communities for providing uniformed physicians, advanced practice nurses and scientists with a better understanding of, commitment to, and preparation for the practice of health care in the military. Such accomplishments were recognized in 2000, when the Surgeon General of the United States awarded Dr. Zimble the Public Health Service Surgeon General's Medallion. In December of 1998 and 2001, the Association of American Medical Colleges confirmed the critical role of USUHS in national security by recognizing the USUHS is the one place where physicians of tomorrow, obtain today, thorough preparation to deal with many contingencies, including the medical aspects of chemical and biological terrorism. As of April 2004, the USUHS SOM alumni averaged approximately 20 years of active duty service and represent 22.2 percent of the 11,901 physicians on active duty. The Center for Navy Analysis has reported that where the median length of non-obligated service for physician specialists is 2.9 years, the median length of non-obligated service for USUHS SOM alumni is 9 years, making USUHS the most cost-effective and recommended accession source for leadership positions and ensuring continuity in the military health system. Today, USUHS alumni are globally deployed and providing essential care for our Armed Forces in every theater of operation.

Dr. Zimble provided visionary leadership in the establishment of the National Capital Area Medical Simulation Center and the immersive Computer-Aided Virtual Environment. Both projects serve as a template for civilian entities to model and participate in similar training scenarios.

Dr. Zimble's extraordinary contributions are respected and admired throughout the Joint Services and within the Federal and civilian health care communities. Our Nation is proud of Dr. Zimble's long and distinguished career and his devotion to the health of the Armed Forces and that of all citizens. I take this opportunity to thank him for his tremendous dedication and love for our country. I wish him fair winds and following seas.