Melissa Ferrari, CAE
Executive Director
As we approach Independence Day, our nation also continues the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a fitting time to reflect on the enduring values of service, sacrifice, and commitment that have shaped our nation for nearly two and a half centuries.
Within ACPM, those same values are reflected every day by our members serving in the Uniformed Services. Whether caring for service members and their families, supporting operational readiness, responding to public health threats, advancing global health, or leading efforts to improve population health, preventive medicine physicians in the Uniformed Services make extraordinary contributions to our nation’s health and security.
Their expertise also strengthens ACPM.
One of the ways we support and amplify that expertise is through the Uniformed Services Academy of Preventive Medicine (USAPM), one of ACPM’s valued member components. USAPM provides a professional home for preventive medicine physicians, residents, and medical students affiliated with the Armed Forces and the U.S. Public Health Service, ensuring their unique perspectives help shape the future of our specialty.
The Academy’s mission extends beyond networking. USAPM works to foster interest in preventive medicine careers within the Uniformed Services, advocate for educational curricula that prepare physicians for operational and military practice and represent the interests of Uniformed Services physicians within ACPM — USAPM serves as an important bridge between the Uniformed Services and the broader preventive medicine community.
The lessons learned by preventive medicine physicians serving in uniform — from responding to emerging infectious diseases and environmental hazards to disaster response, force health protection, global health, and health system leadership — often lead to innovations that benefit communities far beyond military settings. Their leadership strengthens not only our national readiness but also the practice of preventive medicine as a whole.
As ACPM continues to advance our mission of improving the health of individuals and populations through leadership in preventive medicine, USAPM is an essential part of our community. I encourage eligible members to consider adding USAPM membership to their ACPM membership. For just $35 annually, you can help support mentoring opportunities, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts that advance both the specialty and the physicians who serve our nation.
This Independence Day — and throughout the 250th anniversary celebration — we extend our deepest appreciation to every preventive medicine physician who has served or is currently serving in the Uniformed Services. Thank you for your dedication, your leadership, your service and your unwavering commitment to protecting the health and readiness of those who protect us and our freedoms.
Happy Independence Day!
