Health Expert Susan Orsega’s Insights – Health.mil
TL/DR –
Susan Orsega serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Services Policy and Oversight, leading a team of experts overseeing military health system policies for 9.6 million military personnel, retirees and their families. Prior to this, Orsega served in the United States Public Health Service for 34 years, retiring as a Rear Admiral Upper Half and serving as Acting Surgeon General from January to March 2021, the first nurse practitioner to hold the position. Orsega, who has been deployed in various health crisis situations including Ebola outbreaks and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, holds degrees from Towson University and the Uniformed Services University, and has received honorary doctorates from USUHS and Georgetown University.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Services Policy and Oversight
Orsega’s team provides medical advice to senior Defense officials, Congress and other Department of Defense stakeholders. The team examines workforce environments, adjusts human resource policies, and works with various DOD committees and the Department of Veterans Affairs. They cover areas like Medical Quality Assurance, Preventive Medicine, Warrior Care, and Behavioral Health.
Prior to this, Orsega served as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Health after retiring as Rear Admiral Upper Half, United States Public Health Service. From Jan. 20, 2021, to March 23, 2021, she was the Acting Surgeon General, being the first nurse practitioner to hold this position. She is recognized for her leadership and strategic expertise during health crises.
In 2019, she directed USPHS, managing the largest historical deployment of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps for international and national COVID-19 efforts.
Earlier, Orsega held significant roles at the National Institutes of Health, including leading research operations in Africa during disease outbreaks like Ebola. She has also responded to public health crises such as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Orsega’s goal is to address public health issues and implement necessary changes while managing complex government regulations and structures.
She graduated from Towson University and the Nurse Practitioner Program at Uniformed Services University. Orsega received honorary doctorates from USUHS and Georgetown University. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
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