Panel Presenters

Health Affairs Keynote Speaker

Susan Orsega, DSc(hc), MS, NP

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War, Health Services Policy and Oversight

Susan Orsega serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Services Policy and Oversight within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs. In this role, Orsega leads a team of subject matter experts in establishing and overseeing Military Health System policies concerning 9.5 million military personnel, retirees, and their families.

Orsega’s HSP&O team provides medical advice and consultation to senior officials, Congress, and other Department of War stakeholders. HSP&O examines the MHS workforce environment and adjusts human resource policies for more than 150,000 military and civilian health professionals. Orsega and the HSP&O team serve as lead coordinators with several DOW committees, and in partnership with representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Areas of policy and oversight responsibility include, as follows: Medical Quality Assurance and Clinical Quality Management, Health Information Technology, Preventive Medicine, Population Health, Warrior Care, Chronic Disease Management, Child & Women's Health, and Behavioral Health.

Prior to this senior executive service appointment, Orsega retired at the rank of Rear Admiral Upper Half, United States Public Health Service after 34 years of service as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Health in December 2023. While serving in the USPHS, Orsega held various assignments leading teams to build programs and improve complex global health care problems. From Jan. 20, 2021, to March 23, 2021, Orsega served as Acting Surgeon General. Orsega is the first nurse practitioner to hold this position, chosen for her leadership and executive presence within the government, as well as her strategic operational expertise during health crises.

In 2019, she was selected as the Director of USPHS and managed activation of the largest historical deployment of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in support of international and national COVID-19 efforts.

Earlier in her career, Orsega held various positions with progressive responsibility at the National Institutes of Health. Notably, she was selected by the NIH, National Institute of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases Clinical Director, to lead research operations partnerships in multiple African countries during periods of emerging infectious disease outbreaks such as Ebola. In addition to 15 public health crises around the world, Orsega deployed to: New York City after September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; the U.S. Capitol following an anthrax terrorist event; New Orleans following devastation from Hurricane Katrina; and Pacific Partnership, DOD humanitarian-assistance mission in several Southeast Asian Ports.

Orsega’s focus is addressing pressing issues of public health and health policy. Orsega works to collaborate and influence people to implement necessary changes while navigating complex government regulations, legislation, policies, and organizational structures.

Orsega graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Towson University, Baltimore, Maryland in 1990. In 2001, she graduated with a Master of Science from the Nurse Practitioner Program, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland. Orsega later received honorary doctorates from USUHS and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Dr. Terry Rauch, PhD

Director, Medical Research and Development Health Readiness Policy and Oversight, Health Affairs Department of Defense

Dr. Rauch has more than 35 years of experience in many facets of the Military Health System and has held numerous senior level positions in the Army and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As a senior military officer, he served as the Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, and principal advisor to four Assistant Secretaries of Defense for Health Affairs. He has advised on matters pertaining to biomedical research, development, and acquisition as well as medical products and devices needed to protect U.S. military forces against Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) threats.

He commanded the U.S. Army Public Health Command-Europe, a scientific and technical organization that provided comprehensive preventive medicine services to garrisoned U.S. Army forces in Europe. Dr. Rauch served as the Chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Working Group on Preventive Medicine advising Stabilization Forces–Bosnia and Stabilization Forces–Kosovo on preventive medicine matters.

As Deputy Commander, and then later as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, he supported the daily management and integration of a medical research, development, and acquisition program encompassing 11 subordinate laboratories in six countries, 3,000 personnel, and over $1 billion in funding.

After retiring from the U.S. Army in October 2005 at the rank of colonel, he joined Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as a Senior Principal Life Scientist. At SAIC, he focused on comprehensive strategic planning and analysis for the Office of the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to Defense biomedical research, development and acquisition investment strategies and their supporting infrastructure.

He left SAIC in March 2009 for his current position.

Dr. Rauch received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati, where he also earned his Ph.D. in biology and psychology. Dr. Rauch has served as an expert medical witness for the U.S. Department of Justice as well as private industry on anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy. He has authored numerous scientific and technical publications about psychology, neurosciences, and national security matters.

Dr. Kent Werner, Jr, MD, PhD

J. Kent Werner is a neurologist and neuroscientist serving as an active duty Commander in the Navy Medical Corps. An Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD, he is board certified in sleep medicine and neurology, treating patients with sleep and traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related neurological disorders at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and in the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). He also serves as the Director of Research of the WRNMMC Sleep Disorders Center. His research focuses on the impact of TBI on sleep physiology and cognitive performance. After graduating from the US Naval Academy, he deployed as a Surface Warfare Officer onboard the USS MAHAN (DDG-72), earning his Surface Warfare qualification. Upon entering the Medical Corps, he completed his medical degree, cellular and molecular neuroscience doctorate, and neurology residency at Johns Hopkins University, where he serves currently as Adjunct Faculty. He previously served as Chief of Neurology at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital before completing his fellowship in sleep medicine at WRNMMC.

COL Vincent Capaldi

COL Vincent F. Capaldi, II, MC, USA, is Professor and Chair of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Senior Medical Scientist at the Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He is board-certified in Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, and Sleep Medicine, having completed dual residency training and a sleep medicine fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Dr. Capaldi has held key leadership roles, including Officer in Charge of the Restoration Program in Afghanistan and Theater Behavioral Health Consultant in Iraq. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed works on sleep disorders, traumatic brain injury, and post-stroke depression, and serves as the Fatigue Management Capabilities Area Manager for the Military Operational Research Program and Sleep Medicine Consultant to the US Army Surgeon General. Among his numerous awards, he was recognized with the 2024 MG Lewis Aspey Mologne Award, Army Medicine's highest honor.

CWO5 Steven B. Pearsoll

CWO5 Steven B. Pearsoll has had the privilege to serve Marines and Sailors for more than 25 years. Prior to his selection to serve Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, he served in the following billets:

Officer in Charge, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Chemical Biological Incident Response Force
EOD Liaison Officer Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 18.
Officer in Charge, EOD Marine Wing Support Squadron 373.
Platoon Commander, 3d EOD Company.
EOD Staff Non-Commission Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
EOD Team Leader, 2d EOD Company
Mortarman, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

He has served Marines and Sailors in combat in Iraq, as well as on Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. European Command. Additionally, he supported dozens of missions across the globe in support of Very Important Protection Security Assignments supporting the United States Secret Service. And served with Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in the recovery of US service members in Laos and Vietnam.

He is a graduate of the following military schools: Recruit Training, School of Infantry, Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, The Basic School, Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff College, Defense Nuclear Weapons School, Global Anti-Terrorism and Operators Readiness Course, FBI large vehicle Post Blast Course, Specialized Buildings Entries Course, Home Made Explosives, and Precursors Course, Humanitarian Demining Course, Tactical First Responder Medical Training, and Marine Advisor Course.

He and his wife, Pinida, have been married for 20 years.

COL Matthew Brock

Colonel Matthew S. Brock, MD, FAASM, is the Program Director of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) Sleep Medicine Fellowship and formerly Chief of the San Antonio Market Sleep Medicine Department, which has the largest sleep disorders center in the United States Department of War. He also serves as the Sleep Medicine Consultant to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General and is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Uniformed Services University and University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Brock has distinguished himself as a leader in clinical medicine and research in the Air Force and received the Air Force Medical Service Annual Award for Achievement in Clinical Research and the General Paul W. Myers award for advancing the recognition and treatment of sleep disorders in the Air Force, Department of War, and civilian community. He has served as Principal Investigator for several federally funded research studies and garnered multiple recent publications as well as national and international presentations on a range of sleep-related topics. His primary research objective is to further the understanding of sleep and sleep disorders in military personnel and Veterans.

COL Christopher McArthur

Col McArthur is currently assigned as as the Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. Colonel McArthur is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College with distinction, the School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School with distinction. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Masters in Military Studies, Masters in Operational Studies, and Masters in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy. Colonel McArthur's personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Dr. Daniel Taylor

Dr. Taylor is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona, a licensed psychologist, and board certified in both Sleep Medicine and Behavioral Sleep Medicine and is a Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Dr. Taylor is an expert in multiple sleep related domains, including assessment, epidemiology and treatment of sleep disorders (e.g., primarily insomnia, nightmares, and circadian rhythm disorders) comorbid with medical and mental health disorders (e.g., depression, PTSD) in a variety of populations (e.g., college, young adult, military, veterans, older adults). Dr. Taylor has been the PI on multiple randomized clinical trials and has expertise in examining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Insomnia (CBTi) as a primary or adjunctive treatment in patients with comorbid mental or physical health problems, with particular attention focused on improving psychosocial functioning and the comorbid disorder as a secondary or exploratory outcome. Dr. Taylor is currently a Co-I on multiple grants examining the effectiveness of various versions of CBTi in patients with other comorbid issues (e.g., PTSD, Nightmares). Throughout his career, Dr. Taylor has published over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 16 chapters, 13 books or treatment manuals, and one website designed to train therapists in how to administer CBT for insomnia (www.cbtiweb.org).

LTC(R) Sean Donoheu

Sean Donohue is a retired Army officer, Physician Assistant, Senior Healthcare Advisor at rockITdata, and the Senior Congressional and Scientific Advisor at the U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command. Sean has served in a wide variety of clinical and operational positions including service as a Battalion Surgeon in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Senior Physician Assistant for U.S. Army Africa, Command Surgeon at the National Training Center Fort Irwin California, Army Congressional Liaison, and the Command Surgeon for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Center for Initial Military Training. Most recently, Sean served as the Clinical Integration Lead for the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness Directorate where he worked to bridge the gap between traditional healthcare delivery models and human performance optimization care.

Dr. Camila Almeida

Dr. Camila Almeida, PhD, is a Scientist with the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine at the Uniformed Services University (USU). Leveraging her background in Neuroscience research, she now applies her expertise to science communication and health education. Dr. Almeida is deeply committed to translating evidence-based information into educational resources and providing Service Members with accurate, up-to-date, and relevant content. Currently, she leads the Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC) mental and social fitness team and serves as the subject matter expert for sleep and fatigue management content. Dr. Almeida devotes her time to creating a wide array of materials, including articles, infographics, guides, worksheets, and workbooks designed to help optimize sleep readiness and manage operational fatigue. She has also created multiple curricula on sleep and fatigue management designed to empower Service Members to optimize their own performance and help others do the same. Her greatest professional reward is to know that her dedication contributes to enhancing the health, wellness, and performance of Service Members.

Dr. Mariska Brown

Marishka K. Brown, Ph.D. currently serves as the Acting Deputy Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Dr. Brown is also the Director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR), which is also located within the NHLBI. As the NCSDR director, she leads the science of sleep and chronobiology into innovative discoveries that improve health. NCSDR is the nexus of NIH sleep and circadian research activities for a network that includes professional associations, public stakeholders, and federal agencies. Dr. Brown’s leadership and experience in partnership building helps sustain and expand this network, bringing the benefits of NIH’s scientific research into medicine and public health.

Dr. Emerson Wickwire

Dr. Wickwire is a bio-behaviorally trained clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in sleep and sleep disorders. He serves as Professor and Section Chief, Sleep Medicine, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Wickwire has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles serves on the editorial boards of many of the leading scientific journals in the field. Dr. Wickwire’s broad portfolio of sleep-related research has been substantially funded by federal, foundation, and private industry partners. His current research examines health and economic aspects of sleep disorders and their treatments, often using aggregated large datasets, as well as remote monitoring and telehealth.

LTC Dan Cassidy

Lt Col Dan Cassidy is the Senior Military Advisor at the Defense Health Agency’s Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE). He commissioned in 2009 upon completion of his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Vermont and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. Dr. Cassidy has served as training director for the Air Force’s APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology and in 2023 stood-up the Air Force’s first Human Performance Squadron within a conventional unit. His research seeks to advance health-related behavior change in clinics and at the population level.

Dr. Tracy Jill Doty

Dr. Tracy Jill Doty is the Chief of the Sleep Research Center at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). She completed her undergraduate training at Duke University and then received her PhD in Clinical Neuroscience from the NIH-Karolinska Institutet Graduate Partnership Program. Her postdoctoral training occurred in the Translational Neuroscience Branch of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories. With over twenty years of experience in neuroscience – ten of those in military research, Dr. Doty's current research centers on better understanding how sleep impacts human behavior and how interventions, including brain stimulation and caffeine, can be applied to mitigate the negative impact of sleep loss in the field.

MGst Ty Hatcher

MSgt Hatcher has spent over 10 years within Air Force Special Warfare serving as a Pararescumen. During this time he has conducted multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Africa serving with a variety of other Special Operations Forces. He is currently working as the Deputy Career Field Manager for the Pararescue Community.

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