SAN ANTONIO – The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) hosted its 2024 Heroes of Military Medicine San Antonio Awards at The Red Berry Estate, highlighting the collaborative efforts of military and civilian medical teams in Military City USA. The event, in its third year, recognized five honorees for their commitment to advancing military medical care and research, celebrating the public-private partnerships in San Antonio that support the Department of Defense (DoD).
Among the honorees were U.S. Navy Cmdr. Rachel Werner of the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Luis Rohena of Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC), U.S. Air Force Maj. Theodore Hart of BAMC, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Travis Reyes. These individuals were commended for their exceptional service in treating wounded, ill, and injured military personnel.
Dedication to Military Medicine
HJF President and CEO retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., MD, who formerly commanded BAMC, opened the event with remarks on the honorees’ dedication. “Our honorees have displayed excellence in their areas of expertise and were personally selected for recognition by their respective command leaders,” Caravalho stated. “Additionally, we will introduce you to a Marine corporal who, through his strength and courage, personifies what is possible with the support of outstanding medical professionals such as those honored today.”
Cmdr. Rachel Werner was recognized for her leadership at NAMRU San Antonio, where she manages a $20 million annual research budget and directs a team of military and civilian investigators. Rear Adm. Walter Brafford, commander of Naval Medical Forces Development Command, introduced Werner, praising her impact on military medicine. “In her role, Cmdr. Werner continuously provides support in project development and grant writing, overseeing critical research efforts across the Department of Defense,” Brafford said.
Werner expressed her gratitude to HJF for recognizing military healthcare professionals and thanked those who supported her career development. “I am grateful to my command’s former senior leadership, especially Dr. Sylvain Cardin, who changed the trajectory of my career,” Werner said. She also highlighted the collaborative efforts within the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and across the military medical community.
Marine Corporal’s Courageous Story
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Travis Reyes was another standout honoree at the ceremony. Reyes, originally from Oxon Hill, Maryland, was injured in a training flight crash off the coast of Australia in August 2023. He required extensive medical care and was treated at multiple hospitals, including the Royal Darwin Hospital and Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
In a complex medical retrieval operation, the DoD’s only Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) team and the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) Burn Center worked together to transport Reyes to BAMC, marking the longest ECMO retrieval mission in history. “I am so grateful to be standing before you today,” Reyes said. “There were moments when I thought I would never make it, but because of my amazing support system and medical teams, I am here today.”
Reyes also thanked his previous unit, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, for supporting his wife, as well as the Wounded Warrior Battalion for their assistance in his recovery. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, commanding general of Training and Education Command (TECOM), paid tribute to Reyes, saying, “Military medical professionals have saved the lives of many Marines and sailors under my command. All the honorees tonight are impressive, but Cpl. Reyes’ resilience and courage are truly extraordinary.”
Recognition of Medical Research and Development
NAMRU San Antonio plays a crucial role in military medical research, with a focus on combat casualty care and craniofacial and directed energy research to enhance the safety and operational readiness of DoD personnel. The research unit, one of the Navy’s leading labs, operates under the Naval Medical Research Command and is part of a global network dedicated to advancing military medicine.
HJF’s Heroes of Military Medicine Awards serve as a platform to highlight the significant contributions of military healthcare professionals and the innovative research that continues to save lives on and off the battlefield. By fostering collaboration between military and civilian researchers, the event underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing the quality of care for service members.
