The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Military Health Institute (MHI) will host former Surgeon General of the United States Army and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs retired Army Lt. Gen. James Peake, MD on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Peake will speak about veterans’ health and the impact of military medicine to an audience of medical professionals, faculty, staff, students and the community at the UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine’s Holly Auditorium.
“It is an honor to have Dr. James Peake at this year’s MHI Fall Distinguished Lecture series,” said Byron Hepburn, MD, FAAFP, a retired Air Force major general, and director of the Military Health Institute. “Dr. Peake has a connection to San Antonio, and his expertise in both the military and medicine will shine a light on veterans’ health and the need for strong community collaboration.”
Peake served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with a V for Valor, and Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Peake is West Point graduate. He went to medical school at Cornell University in New York and completed his residency at Brooke Army Medical Center as a General Surgeon.
From 2000 to 2004, Peake served as the 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army, commanding 50,000 medical personnel and 187 army medical facilities worldwide. The commander of several medical posts, Peake was credited for improving training of the Army medical force. He served as Commanding General of the US Army Medical Department Center and School.
In 2007, the retired lieutenant general was appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs by former President George W. Bush, and remained in his role until 2009, overseeing the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Peake’s visit kicks off a significant month for veterans and their families. November is Veterans and Military Families Month, an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the important role military families and transitioning veterans have in supporting the military.
The Military Health Institute’s Distinguished Lecture series focuses on topics relevant to the military, veterans and the community. This event will be an opportunity to network and educate faculty, students and community partners on current advances in military medical care and research, plus foster collaboration and engagement.
The foundation of MHI stands on four main pillars: research support, education, clinical advocacy and engagement. Each pillar speaks to MHI’s mission to strengthen the military health activities of UT Health San Antonio and to improve the lives of service members, veterans and their families.
The public is invited to attend the MHI Fall Distinguished Lecture, “University, Military, VA Collaboration in San Antonio,” inside the UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine’s Holly Auditorium. The Wednesday, Nov. 1 event can be attended virtually or in-person. It begins with a lunch and networking session at 11 am, followed by Peake’s lecture at noon.
Registration is required. Visit militaryhealthinstitute.org/events and click on Military Health Institute Fall Distinguished Lecture to register for the event. To learn more about UT Health San Antonio’s Military Health Institute, visit militaryhealthinstitute.org.