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Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

Official photo for Dr Lester Martinez LopezThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD[HA]) is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD[P&R]) for all Department of Defense health and force health protection policies, programs, activities, and the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. In carrying out these responsibilities, the ASD(HA) exercises authority, direction, and control through the Defense Health Agency over the DOD medical and dental personnel authorizations and policy, facilities, programs, funding, and other consolidated resources.

Vision

The ASDHA ensures the effective execution of the DOD medical mission, providing and maintaining readiness for medical services and support to members of the Military Services, their families and others entitled to or eligible for DOD medical care and benefits. Learn more about ASDHA responsibilities and functions in DOD Directive 5136.01.

Objective

Promote more effective and efficient health operations through enhanced enterprise-wide shared services.

  • Deliver more comprehensive primary care and integrated health services using advanced patient-centered medical homes.
  • Coordinate care over time and across treatment settings to improve outcomes in the management of chronic illnesses.
  • Match personnel, infrastructure, and funding to current missions, future missions, and population demand.
  • Establish more inter-Service standards/metrics, and standard process to promote learning and continuous improvement.
  • Create enhanced value in military medical markets using an integrated approach in 5-year business plans.
  • Align incentives with health and readiness outcomes to reward value creation.

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Jan 31, 2024

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (January 31, 2024) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez meets with leadership from Defense Health Network (DHN) Atlantic and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth to learn more about current and future medical requirements that can better serve military medicine patients. DHN Atlantic is one of nine ...

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Jan 31, 2024

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (January 31, 2024) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez meets with staff outside Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s Trauma Center during a visit to the region to learn more about current and future medical requirements that can better serve military medicine patients. In 2023, the hospital was ...

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Jan 31, 2024

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (January 31, 2024) U.S. Navy Lt. Lauren Preston, the division officer of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s Sterile Processing Division (SPD), gives a tour of SPD spaces to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez during his visit to the region to learn more about current and future medical ...

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Jan 31, 2024

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (January 31, 2024) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez meets with staff assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s Healthcare Simulation and Bioskills Training Center during a visit to the region to learn more about current and future medical requirements that can better serve military ...

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Jan 31, 2024

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs visits DHN Atlantic

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (January 31, 2024) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez meets with staff assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s Healthcare Simulation and Bioskills Training Center during a visit to the region to learn more about current and future medical requirements that can better serve military ...

Last Updated: July 11, 2023
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