Military University Marks 20 Years of Graduate Nursing Education Published Nov. 5, 2013 By Christine Creenan-Jones Uniformed Services University FALLS CHURCH, Va., -- The Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences recognized an important milestone, 20 years of groundbreaking education, with an all-day celebration that included a dedication ceremony to honor the school's namesake, Daniel Inouye, Oct. 29. The event began with a retrospective look at the school's history beginning in 1993. Back then, only one program existed, and just two students comprised the first graduating class. The student body quickly multiplied, with the matriculation of hundreds of uniformed nurses over the past 20 years. Like the first cohort, every ensuing class has received a unique education with a strong focus on military medicine. The benefits of this signature approach were highlighted by all five school program directors, who led a panel discussion about the growth of their school, which now includes both master's and doctoral-level programs. Dr. Mary Wakefield, the administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services, spoke about the impact the Uniformed Services University has had during her morning talk. "This university has a very significant reputation and a unique approach to education and research, and your nursing programs have become an important resource for the health of our military and for the nation's public health," she said. Wakefield's words and the tone of the entire day's discussions validated the goals Inouye - the second longest serving U.S. senator at the time of his death in 2012 - had for establishing a graduate school of nursing at the university in the first place. The school's opening was a personal victory for Inouye, a World War II veteran, who was grievously injured during a firefight with enemy forces. Although his right arm had to be amputated, military doctors and nurses saved his life, and helped Inouye move past his wounds. "Senator Inouye was an American hero, a servant leader, an advocate, a mentor, and an inspirational man, who in the face of challenges rose to become a person who embodied patriotism, resilience and dedication," said Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, the surgeon general of the Army. Horoho - Inouye's long-time colleague and friend - delivered the keynote address at the dedication ceremony. Her emotional talk included personal anecdotes about the late senator. Senator Inouye "showed me what an impact one person can have on the world. He would remind me time and time again how much gratitude he had for nurses and for all of military medicine. His stories reminded me of why I became a nurse," she said. The commemoration event also included talks by Dr. Christine Engstrom, acting chief nursing officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Patrick DeLeon, Inouye's chief of staff for more than 38 years, Dr. Dale Smith , a professor of military medicine and history in the university's department of Military and Emergency Medicine; retired Navy Rear Adm. Nancy Lescavage, a Senator Inouye Fellow; and Ken Inouye, the late senator's son.