Walter Reed Tropical Medicine Course
Encyclopedia
The Walter Reed Tropical Medicine Course at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)
is one of the many Tropical Medicine Training Courses available in the US and worldwide (see Tropical medicine
). It is an intensive 5-day course created to familiarize students with tropical diseases they may encounter overseas. The course is open to Physicians, Physician Assistants
, Nurse Practitioners
, ESO, 18D, or other medical personnel. The course is run by the military and designed for personnel of the US Military (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force) and several other US government agencies.
was established in 1893 as the Army Medical School
by War Department General Orders
No. 51, dated 24 Jan 1893. The Tropical Medicine course began in that school in July 1941 while BG G. Russell Callendar
was Commandant. At that time, the course ran for 30 days and consisted of didactic and laboratory sessions similar to today’s course. Very much like the majority of the 52 years that this course was offered at WRAIR
, that first course presented continuing education to approximately 30 officers.
Over the next fifty years, the course changed names and length but remained dedicated to teaching continuing tropical medicine
education to military officers. In 1954, the Institute began the “Advanced Military Preventive Medicine
Course” which carried on the tropical medicine education tradition begun in 1941. This course was eventually supplanted by the “Global Medicine Course” in December 1966. During the next four and a half years, the Global Medicine course was offered on 8 separate occasions. This 12 week course was divided into 4 weeks of “Epidemiology and Applied Biostatistics”, 3 weeks of “Ecology and Disease”, and 5 weeks of “Tropical Medicine”. In February 1972, the Global Medicine course was split into a 5 week course called “Military Medical Ecology” and a 6 week course called the “Tropical Medicine Course”. The first Tropical Medicine Course was offered in July and August 1972 and was attended by 11 medical officers and 4 clinical clerks. The course endured until 1993 and was the only surviving remnant of the original Army Medical School
educational offerings.
In 1991, the Institute celebrated its 50 year tradition of tropical medicine education. In memory of his significant contributions to tropical medicine education, the Institute established “The Colonel George W. Hunter III
Certificate”. This award was to be presented yearly to no more than two course lecturers who embody excellence and longevity as senior lecturers in the course. The first two recipients of the award were Dr. Jay P. Sanford
(former University President and Dean of the Medical School at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
) and Dr. Theodore E. Woodward
(Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University Of Maryland School of Medicine). A special presentation of this award was made to Colonel Richard N. Miller, former Tropical Medicine Course Director, for his significant contributions to this course and its organization over the previous 12 years. The 50 year celebration also was particularly honored by the commencement address given by Dr. Theodore E. Woodward
who attended the first course in 1941.
Due to operational needs of the Special Operations Command
and the newly formed Africa Command, in 2010 it was decided to resurrect the former 6 week course at WRAIR
and convert it to a targeted short course that would provide a broader spectrum of individuals with the knowledge they need to combat international infectious disease threats. Operational demands upon the U.S. military facing wars on multiple fronts in areas affected with tropical disease identified a vital need for an intensely focused short course to familiarize medical personnel at all educational levels in tropical medicine.
tropical and military medicine course taught at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center
in Washington, D.C. The first edition, entitled a Manual of Tropical Medicine, was published in 1945 by three of the course instructors, Colonel Thomas T. Mackie
, Major George W. Hunter III
, and Captain C. Brooke Worth
. A second edition was published by the same authors in 1954. Colonel Hunter
was joined by co-authors from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine
for the third, fourth, and fifth editions, published in 1960, 1966, and 1976, respectively. George Hunter’s
contribution was acknowledged by adding his name to the book title in the sixth edition, edited in 1984."
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
This article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute . Otherwise, see Walter Reed .The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Defense...
is one of the many Tropical Medicine Training Courses available in the US and worldwide (see Tropical medicine
Tropical medicine
Tropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions....
). It is an intensive 5-day course created to familiarize students with tropical diseases they may encounter overseas. The course is open to Physicians, Physician Assistants
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
, Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
, ESO, 18D, or other medical personnel. The course is run by the military and designed for personnel of the US Military (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force) and several other US government agencies.
History
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
This article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute . Otherwise, see Walter Reed .The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Defense...
was established in 1893 as the Army Medical School
Army Medical School
Founded by U.S. Army Brigadier General George Miller Sternberg, MD in 1893, the Army Medical School was by some reckonings the world's first school of public health and preventive medicine...
by War Department General Orders
General order
In militaries, a general order is a published directive, originated by a commander, and binding upon all personnel under his command, the purpose of which is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to his unit's situation which is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military...
No. 51, dated 24 Jan 1893. The Tropical Medicine course began in that school in July 1941 while BG G. Russell Callendar
George Russell Callendar
Brig. Gen. George Russell Callender the commandant of the Medical Department Professional Service Schools in Washington, D. C. , founding commandant of the Walter Reed Tropical Medicine Course, and author of the famous work Malaria in Panama .- Biography :George Russell Callender was born in...
was Commandant. At that time, the course ran for 30 days and consisted of didactic and laboratory sessions similar to today’s course. Very much like the majority of the 52 years that this course was offered at WRAIR
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
This article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute . Otherwise, see Walter Reed .The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Defense...
, that first course presented continuing education to approximately 30 officers.
Over the next fifty years, the course changed names and length but remained dedicated to teaching continuing tropical medicine
Tropical medicine
Tropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions....
education to military officers. In 1954, the Institute began the “Advanced Military Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine
Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, rather than curing them or treating their symptoms...
Course” which carried on the tropical medicine education tradition begun in 1941. This course was eventually supplanted by the “Global Medicine Course” in December 1966. During the next four and a half years, the Global Medicine course was offered on 8 separate occasions. This 12 week course was divided into 4 weeks of “Epidemiology and Applied Biostatistics”, 3 weeks of “Ecology and Disease”, and 5 weeks of “Tropical Medicine”. In February 1972, the Global Medicine course was split into a 5 week course called “Military Medical Ecology” and a 6 week course called the “Tropical Medicine Course”. The first Tropical Medicine Course was offered in July and August 1972 and was attended by 11 medical officers and 4 clinical clerks. The course endured until 1993 and was the only surviving remnant of the original Army Medical School
Army Medical School
Founded by U.S. Army Brigadier General George Miller Sternberg, MD in 1893, the Army Medical School was by some reckonings the world's first school of public health and preventive medicine...
educational offerings.
In 1991, the Institute celebrated its 50 year tradition of tropical medicine education. In memory of his significant contributions to tropical medicine education, the Institute established “The Colonel George W. Hunter III
George W. Hunter III
George W. Hunter III, PhD was a parasitologist and educator with the US Army Sanitary Corps and Army Medical School. He is best known for his work with Schistosoma control and with the Tropical Medicine Course at the Army Medical School...
Certificate”. This award was to be presented yearly to no more than two course lecturers who embody excellence and longevity as senior lecturers in the course. The first two recipients of the award were Dr. Jay P. Sanford
Jay P. Sanford
Jay Philip Sanford was born in Madison, Wisconsin on May 27, 1928, and he died on October 23, 1996, at the age of 68 of lymphoma. He was a Chair in Tropical Medicine and Aurthor of the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. From 1975 until 1990, Jay was dean and then president of the Uniformed...
(former University President and Dean of the Medical School at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a health science university run by the U.S. federal government. The primary mission of the school is to prepare graduates for service to the U.S. at home and abroad in the medical corps....
) and Dr. Theodore E. Woodward
Theodore Woodward
Theodore E. Woodward was an American medical researcher in the field of medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In 1948, he received a Nobel Prize nomination for his role in finding cures for typhus and typhoid fever.-Biography:Born in Westminster, Maryland the son of Lewis K. Woodward,...
(Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University Of Maryland School of Medicine). A special presentation of this award was made to Colonel Richard N. Miller, former Tropical Medicine Course Director, for his significant contributions to this course and its organization over the previous 12 years. The 50 year celebration also was particularly honored by the commencement address given by Dr. Theodore E. Woodward
Theodore Woodward
Theodore E. Woodward was an American medical researcher in the field of medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In 1948, he received a Nobel Prize nomination for his role in finding cures for typhus and typhoid fever.-Biography:Born in Westminster, Maryland the son of Lewis K. Woodward,...
who attended the first course in 1941.
Due to operational needs of the Special Operations Command
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
and the newly formed Africa Command, in 2010 it was decided to resurrect the former 6 week course at WRAIR
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
This article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute . Otherwise, see Walter Reed .The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Defense...
and convert it to a targeted short course that would provide a broader spectrum of individuals with the knowledge they need to combat international infectious disease threats. Operational demands upon the U.S. military facing wars on multiple fronts in areas affected with tropical disease identified a vital need for an intensely focused short course to familiarize medical personnel at all educational levels in tropical medicine.
Recipients of "The Colonel George W. Hunter III Certificate"
- 1991: Dr. Theodore E. WoodwardTheodore WoodwardTheodore E. Woodward was an American medical researcher in the field of medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In 1948, he received a Nobel Prize nomination for his role in finding cures for typhus and typhoid fever.-Biography:Born in Westminster, Maryland the son of Lewis K. Woodward,...
, Nobel Prize nominee for his work with typhoid fever - 1991: Dr. Jay P. SanfordJay P. SanfordJay Philip Sanford was born in Madison, Wisconsin on May 27, 1928, and he died on October 23, 1996, at the age of 68 of lymphoma. He was a Chair in Tropical Medicine and Aurthor of the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. From 1975 until 1990, Jay was dean and then president of the Uniformed...
, author of the Sanford Guide - 1991: Colonel Richard N. Miller, course director
- 1994: Dr. Stephen L. Hoffman, malaria vaccine researcher
- 2011: COL Peter J. Weina, course director, malaria and leishmaniaisis researcher
Offshoots
Hunter’s Tropical Medicine: "Hunter’s Tropical Medicine grew out of a World War II Army Medical SchoolArmy Medical School
Founded by U.S. Army Brigadier General George Miller Sternberg, MD in 1893, the Army Medical School was by some reckonings the world's first school of public health and preventive medicine...
tropical and military medicine course taught at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
in Washington, D.C. The first edition, entitled a Manual of Tropical Medicine, was published in 1945 by three of the course instructors, Colonel Thomas T. Mackie
Thomas T. Mackie
Thomas T Mackie, MD was a research/public health physician in the United States Army during World War II. He was involved in the creation of the first tropical medicine course at the US Army Medical School in 1941...
, Major George W. Hunter III
George W. Hunter III
George W. Hunter III, PhD was a parasitologist and educator with the US Army Sanitary Corps and Army Medical School. He is best known for his work with Schistosoma control and with the Tropical Medicine Course at the Army Medical School...
, and Captain C. Brooke Worth
C. Brooke Worth
Charles Brooke Worth, MD was a naturalist and virologist who worked as a professor at Swathmore College, with the US Army during WWII, and then with the Rockefeller Foundation during the post-war period...
. A second edition was published by the same authors in 1954. Colonel Hunter
George W. Hunter III
George W. Hunter III, PhD was a parasitologist and educator with the US Army Sanitary Corps and Army Medical School. He is best known for his work with Schistosoma control and with the Tropical Medicine Course at the Army Medical School...
was joined by co-authors from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine
Louisiana State University School of Medicine
Louisiana State University School of Medicine refers to two separate medical schools in Louisiana: LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport.-See also:* LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans...
for the third, fourth, and fifth editions, published in 1960, 1966, and 1976, respectively. George Hunter’s
George W. Hunter III
George W. Hunter III, PhD was a parasitologist and educator with the US Army Sanitary Corps and Army Medical School. He is best known for his work with Schistosoma control and with the Tropical Medicine Course at the Army Medical School...
contribution was acknowledged by adding his name to the book title in the sixth edition, edited in 1984."
See also
- Walter Reed Army Institute of ResearchWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchThis article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute . Otherwise, see Walter Reed .The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Defense...
- Naval Medical Research Center
- Tropical medicineTropical medicineTropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions....
- American Society of Tropical Medicine and HygieneAmerican Society of Tropical Medicine and HygieneThe American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene is a non-profit organization of scientists, clinicians, students and program professionals whose longstanding mission is to promote global health through the prevention and control of infectious and other diseases that disproportionately...
- Walter Reed Army Medical CenterWalter Reed Army Medical CenterThe Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...