USU Researchers Present More Than 100 Posters at the 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium

USU researchers shared more than 100 studies in military medicine, from cancer and operational readiness to battlefield mental health support.

August 13, 2026 by Sharon Holland

At the 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 3-6, 2026, the breadth of military medical research was on full display-research ranging from battlefield injuries and rehabilitation to emerging technologies, clinical care and the science behind keeping service members healthy and ready.

This year, more than 100 posters connected to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) were presented during three poster sessions held across two days, showcasing the work of researchers, clinicians, faculty, students and collaborators from across the university.

The posters represented a wide range of USU schools, departments and research centers, reflecting the university's unique role at the intersection of health sciences education, military medicine, research and operational readiness.

While it would be impossible to capture the full scope of that work in a single story, three presentations offer a glimpse into the range of research being conducted across USU, and how that work can ultimately help improve care for America's service members.

From Cancer Care to Operational Readiness

"From Cure to Combat: Deployment After Lymphoma" - Air Force Col. Christin "Blair" DeStefano, Department of Medicine

Air Force Col. Christin "Blair" DeStefano, from USU's Department of Medicine, presented research examining whether a lymphoma diagnosis precludes active-duty Service members from returning to deployment.

Among 866 previously deployed Service members diagnosed with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma between 2001 and 2022, 119 (13.7%) deployed again after diagnosis. Those who redeployed typically did so within about five years, and nearly one in five Service members with Hodgkin lymphoma returned to deployment. Half of those who redeployed did so more than once, with some completing multiple, extended and globally diverse assignments.

The findings demonstrate that a lymphoma diagnosis did not necessarily preclude a return to deployment and highlight the contribution of effective military cancer care to operational readiness. The researchers also identified a need for further study of the factors that predict successful return to deployment, as well as the long-term effects of cancer treatment on survivors serving in operational environments.

The research reflects the distinctive perspective of military medicine, where advances in diagnosis and treatment can have implications not only for individual health, but also for a Service member's ability to return to the mission.

Examining Dry Needling Across the Military Health System

"Provider-Specific Trends in Dry Needling Practice in the Military Health System" - Navy Cmdr. Rachel Condon, ARMORR

Navy Cmdr. Rachel Condon, representing USU's Center for Advanced Research in Military Optimization, Readiness, and Rehabilitation (ARMORR), presented research examining dry needling practices among different types of medical providers across the Military Health System (MHS).

Dry needling is used as an adjunctive treatment for neuromusculoskeletal conditions, which are relevant to military medicine given the physical demands of military service. Condon's study examined how different provider groups use the intervention across MHS clinical settings.

Survey findings indicated that physical therapists, followed by athletic trainers and other providers, use dry needling as an adjunctive treatment for neuromusculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder conditions. The findings point to opportunities for greater standardization of dry needling training and practice, streamlined credentialing, and additional prospective research to help inform clinical guidelines across the MHS.

The work illustrates the value of examining not only whether an intervention is available within military medicine, but also how it is being used across different provider groups and clinical settings.

Expanding Psychological Support in Large-Scale Combat Operations

"Expanding Psychological Health Support Capacity in Large-Scale Combat Operations: The Role of Non-Specialty Personnel" - Air Force Maj. Felicia N. Katzovitz and Army Maj. Julia G. Catanese, Graduate School of Nursing

In another study, Air Force Maj. Felicia N. Katzovitz and Army Maj. Julia G. Catanese of USU's Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing examined how psychological health support could be delivered during large-scale combat operations when contested and austere environments may limit resources, communications, evacuation timelines, and access to specialty mental health care.

Their review of 23 studies identified psychological support interventions that can be delivered by personnel without mental health specialization. The interventions were organized into dynamic, role-based tiers aligned with the Stress Continuum Model, providing a framework for scalable psychological support when traditional mental health resources may be limited.

The findings suggest that distributed psychological support could complement traditional mental health care during large-scale combat operations. The researchers noted that pre-deployment training and medic planning could benefit from incorporating role-based psychological support approaches.

A Snapshot of the Research Behind Military Medicine

The posters provide a window into research that may inform future clinical practice, as well as work that can help shape how military health care providers understand, treat and support their patients today. They also bring researchers and clinicians together to ask questions, exchange ideas and make connections that can move military medicine forward.

That research was also recognized during the symposium. ARMORR's Dr. Emily Ricker was awarded first place in her poster session for her presentation, "Prospective Identification of Stress Fracture Risk via Serum Proteomic Profiling upon Entry to Training at the US Military Academy." Her poster was presented in the session, "Neuromusculoskeletal: Integrating Holistic & Technological Approaches for Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention." Ricker's co-authors included Dr. Sarah de la Motte and West Point collaborators John Tra, Ken Cameron and Thomas Conrads.

For USU, the posters presented across the three sessions were more than a collection of individual research projects. Together, they offered a look at the depth and diversity of research being conducted across the university, and at the people working every day to advance military medicine and improve the health and readiness of those who serve.