The DHA Research and Engineering Directorate leads the discovery of innovative medical solutions responsive to the needs of combatant commands, the military services, and the Military Health System. The directorate guides research investments in military health and medicine that lead to solutions to enhance future warfighter health and readiness.
R&E manages the enterprise research portfolio to improve medical care for service members, their families, and all Military Health System beneficiaries. This includes the Defense Health Program Research, Development, Test and Evaluation appropriations that support the health and medical mission of the MHS. The directorate guides innovative medical materiel products and clinical practice knowledge solutions from concept to product development. R&E also oversees several MHS centers of excellence which advance scientific knowledge and evidence-based practices to diagnose and treat conditions that impact service members and other beneficiaries.
R&E achieves its goals by:
- Strategically managing the enterprise research portfolio to meet prioritized needs
- Producing new knowledge through health studies and analyses
- Synthesizing evidence from existing knowledge
- Applying findings to promote the adoption and integration of evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes
R&E Impact
R&E gathers, consolidates, and prioritizes needs and gaps in research areas and clinical practice. It partners with academic institutions, private industry, research organizations, and government to undertake research and clinical investigations. And it translates research results into practical/clinical knowledge for products and policy recommendations to improve care.
R&E Divisions and Branches
R&E is comprised of two divisions, the Science and Technology Enterprise Integration Division and the Research Support Division.
STEID improves health outcomes and supports a ready medical force by advancing excellence in military medical health research. The Science and Technology Portfolio Management Branch develops research investment strategies for Defense Health Program Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funding that supports Science and Technology projects. The Operations and Analytics Branch supports the overarching functions of STEID that span across the MHS. The Military Health System Research Program advances health system research and innovation that address the unique health care challenges facing the MHS. The National Museum of Health and Medicine is responsible for the preservation of military medical and biomedical historical assets.
Science and Technology Portfolio Management Branch
Operations and Analytics Branch
Military Health System Research Branch
National Museum of Health and Medicine
RSD supports and enables enterprise-wide scientific studies, research activities, and analyses to advance MHS research and engineering priorities. The division performs research support functions in joint clinical investigations, research protections, and implementation science and is home to five centers of excellence.
Clinical Investigations Program Branch
Implementation Science Branch
Research Protections Branch
Centers of Excellence
Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence
Hearing Center of Excellence
Psychological Health Center of Excellence
Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence
Vision Center of Excellence