[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 91 (Tuesday, July 6, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7574-S7575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    TRIBUTE TO JAMES A. ZIMBLE, M.D.

 Mr. 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

[[Page S7575]]

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.

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