This knowledge is being utilized in our military medical treatment facilities, at information management commands, and by health care policy staffs. There is also growing Nurse Corps participation in the rapidly expanding field of telemedicine. While the primary users are currently physician-focused, as exemplified by radiology, pathology and medical education applications, nurses are increasingly involved as more clinics, hospitals and ships utilize telemedicine as an adjunct in the delivery of health care. As telehealth awareness increases, there are endless possibilities for increasingly independent applications of telehealth by nurses, corpsmen and other professionals. A few of the nursing applications include wound care clinics and the extensive array of patient education opportunities.
Leadership is one of the strongest attributes of the nurses in our corps.
Changes allowing Nurse Corps officers to compete for promotion to O-8, and for all Medical Department Corps to be eligible for selection as Surgeon General are welcome. By mid-1998, there will be 9 nurses in command and 15 executive officers or chiefs of staff at military medical treatment facilities, lead agent staffs, and education commands. Reserve Nurse Corps officers currently command two of the four Reserve Fleet Hospitals. They hold such pivotal positions as Director, Health Services Financing Policy, acting TMA Chief of Staff and another as the Clinical Business Area Functional Manager. Additional experience is provided to our Nurse Corps leaders of the future, who will continue to break new ground in health care delivery and contribute to a strong Navy presence in the Military Health System.