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# Navy surgeon general strengthens Navy Medicine’s ties with Brazil

By Petty Officer 1st Class John Kotara, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, met with senior officials and toured Brazilian Navy medical facilities during a visit to Brazil March 11-14. 

Accompanied by Force Master Chief Hosea Smith, director, Hospital Corps, this series of meetings gave Faison the opportunity to strengthen Navy Medicine’s ties with their Brazilian counterparts.

"Our friendship with Brazil and the friendship between our militaries is not only important to preserving peace and stability in light of the global challenges we face, it is important because of our ability to work together in order to save lives," Faison said.

Faison kicked off the four-day trip with an office call with U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia. Faison also met with Dr. Anna Toness, Environment Office director for the United States Agency for International Development, and Aristides Barbosa, director of the Brazilian Center for Disease Control (CDC), to discuss ways the U.S. military and Brazil can collaborate to get critical care to those in need throughout Brazil.

“I see a great opportunity for the U.S. and the Brazil CDC to work together,” said Barbosa. “We help and save lives throughout the country, but with so many people needing help, and spread throughout remote areas, it is incredibly tough.”

Faison received a tour of the facilities and spoke with Brazilian service members at the Marcílio Dias Naval Hospital and the Biomedical Research Institute in Rio de Janeiro. He also discussed educational opportunities and potential partnerships with Vice Adm. Edmar da Cruz Aréas, director of Brazilian Navy Health, and Rear Adm. Lúiz Claudio Barbedo Fróes, director, Marcilio Dias Naval Hospital.

"It was amazing to meet with our Brazilian counterparts and discuss issues of mutual concern," said Faison. "Participating in this partnership and in these discussions will help improve the overall medical care for our two countries."

While at the Brazilian Navy Operational Medical Center in Rio de Janeiro, Faison and Rear Adm. Humberto Giovanni Canfora, director, Brazilian Navy Center of Operative Medicine, emphasized the strong relationship between the United States and Brazil, and efforts to reinforce growth and the bonds between the two countries. 

“I believe there is great potential to continue to make a change,” said Canfora. “We will continue to address and grow the partnership between Brazil and the U.S. in order to promote health throughout our countries.”

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provides health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

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Vice Adm. Forrest FaisonNavy surgeon general and chiefBrazil