Reproductive Health Needs of the Military and Veterans, Part 2

James H. Segars, MD

Reproductive health care for veterans and service members on active duty is a topic with many dimensions, from considerations of legislative policy to increased neonatal intensive care utilization for military families. This issue is part 2 of the Seminars on, “Reproductive Health Needs of the Military and Veterans,” by guest editors Alicia Y. Christy and Richard Burney. While readers were introduced to Dr. Alicia Y. Christy, Colonel (retired) U.S. Army, and Dr. Richard (Rick) Burney, Colonel (retired), U.S. Army, in the introduction to part 1 of the series, I would like to again briefly mention that both of them are truly leaders in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Both guest editors have amassed an understanding of the reproductive needs of active duty and veterans that is remarkable. As for part 1, in this issue the guest editors provide readers with an up-to-date understanding of military-specific considerations, as well as broad reproductive issues that face our service women and men.

Dr. Christy completed her undergraduate training at Princeton and her MD at Northwestern where she was elected to AOA. Alicia completed obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob/Gyn) residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (before the merger with the National Naval Medical Center), followed by a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at the combined Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)-National Institutes of Health program. Dr. Christy is a natural leader and she has held many leadership positions while on active duty and following retirement at the rank of Colonel. Notably, she was the first woman and first African American to serve as Department Chair in the 100-year history of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in District of Columbia. Among other duties, she served as consultant to the Army Surgeon General for Women's Health Issues. After retirement, Dr. Christy was recruited to NIH and there she received a master's degree from Duke University. I shared an office with Dr. Christy during her time at NIH, the memory of which kindles fond memories of her wit, humor, and many watercolor paintings. Currently, Dr. Christy is Director, Reproductive Health Women's Health Services, in the Office of Patient Care Services of the Veteran Health Administration.

Dr. Burney is former Chief, Department of Clinical Investigation, and Fellowship Program Director for the Reproductive Endocrinology Fellowship program at Madigan Army Medical Center. Dr. Burney is recognized for his research on endometriosis and biomarkers, and his leadership. Dr. Burney completed his master's research on the immunogenetics of HLA at the Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine in Oxford, England. Next, he attended the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, graduating AOA. Rick completed his Ob/Gyn residency at Madigan Army Medical Center and then his Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at Stanford. Rick was a CREST scholar and his career is notable for numerous honors and awards.