March 01, 2007 - The Independent Review Group (IRG) established by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to conduct an assessment of outpatient treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) held their first meeting at the Pentagon today.

The group was established as a subcommittee of the Defense Health Board to review, report upon and provide recommendations regarding any critical shortcomings and opportunities to improve rehabilitative care, administrative processes and the quality of life of patients. The review group is composed of the following individuals:

Togo West, former secretary of Veterans Affairs and secretary of the Army under President Bill Clinton

Jack Marsh, former secretary of the Army under President Ronald Reagan

Dr. Joe Schwartz, former Republican congressman from Michigan

Jim Bacchus, former Democratic congressman from Florida

Arnold Fisher, senior partner Fisher Brothers New York and chairman of the Board for the Intrepid Museum Foundation

Retired Air Force Gen. John Jumper, former chief of staff of the Air Force

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Chip Roadman, former Air Force surgeon general.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Kathy Martin, former deputy surgeon general for the Navy

Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Holland, formerly with the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs

The group will have special advisors in the areas of social work, rehabilitation, psychological counseling and family support issues. They will be given free and unrestricted access to facilities and personnel.

"Our overarching goal is to identify any critical shortcomings and opportunities to improve the rehabilitative care, administrative processes, and quality of life for injured and sick members of the armed forces at WRAMC and NNMC, and make recommendations for corrective actions," said Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

The group will report their findings and recommendations within 45 days to the secretaries of the Army and Navy and the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.