Navy Medicine participates in OPMED 2026

18 March 2026

From Burrell Parmer - Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – (March 18, 2026) – Senior leaders across the Department of War (DoW), federal government, academia, and industry attended the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, March 17 – 18.

OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from and engage with senior leaders across the community to learn how the Military Health System is evolving healthcare technologies and medical capabilities to prepare for large scale combat operations.

“Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater” was one of the featured continuing education panels moderated by Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps.

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps, served as the moderator for a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Panelists included Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. Navy Medicine is committed to expanding partnerships in the medical field and the importance of sharing best practices, advancing medical capabilities, research and training opportunities. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – Dr. Darrin Frye (right), chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, served as a panelist on a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Other panelists included Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command. Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps served as the panel’s moderator. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. NAMRU San Antonio, part of Navy Medicine Research & Development, works alongside research partners in the civilian sphere, academia, industry, and other government agencies to drive support of Department of War objectives for a lethal fighting force and ensure U.S. service members have access to the latest scientific advances. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox (center), commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command, served as a panelist on a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Other panelists included U.S. Navy Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio. Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps served as the panel’s moderator. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – U.S. Navy Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr. (center), Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, served as a panelist on a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Other panelists included Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio. Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps served as the panel’s moderator. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. Navy Medicine is committed to expanding partnerships in the medical field and the importance of sharing best practices, advancing medical capabilities, research and training opportunities. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – U.S. Navy Capt. Delbert Clark (center), Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division, served as a panelist on a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Other panelists included Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio. Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps served as the panel’s moderator. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. Navy Medicine is committed to expanding partnerships in the medical field and the importance of sharing best practices, advancing medical capabilities, research and training opportunities. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – U.S. Navy Capt. Niels Olson (center), Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit, served as a panelist on a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Other panelists included Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio. Dr. Michael McGinnis, executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps served as the panel’s moderator. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. Navy Medicine is committed to expanding partnerships in the medical field and the importance of sharing best practices, advancing medical capabilities, research and training opportunities. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (March 17, 2026) – Dr. Michael McGinnis (left), executive director of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and director of the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps, served as the moderator for a continuing education panel titled, “Overcoming the Unique Medical Challenges across the Indo-Pacific Theater during the 2026 Annual Operational Medicine Symposium (OpMed) & Technology Showcase held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Panelists included Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio. OpMed is one of the largest and most influential military medical events in North America for senior medical officials, clinicians, government leaders, and solution providers. The symposium explores how the Military Health System is preparing for large scale combat operations by championing innovations in combat casualty care to strengthen warfighter survivability and enhance the medical readiness of the joint force. Navy Medicine is committed to expanding partnerships in the medical field and the importance of sharing best practices, advancing medical capabilities, research and training opportunities. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

Panelists included U.S. Navy Capt. Niels Olson, Medical Corps, chief medical officer, Human Systems Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit; Capt. Delbert Clark, Medical Corps, command surgeon, 3rd Marine Division; Capt. Richard Gilliard Jr., Medical Service Corps, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Darrin Cox, commanding general, 18th Theater Medical Command; and Dr. Darrin Frye, chief science director, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio.

Navy Medicine is committed to expanding partnerships in the medical field and the importance of sharing best practices, advancing medical capabilities, research and training opportunities.

Navy Medicine Research & Development works alongside research partners in the civilian sphere, academia, industry, and other government agencies to drive support of DoW objectives for a lethal fighting force and ensure U.S. service members have access to the latest scientific advances.

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