USAMMDA Blood Products Team Wins Army Wolf Pack Award
The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity's Blood Products Advanced Development team was named co-recipient of the third quarter fiscal year 2017 Army Wolf Pack Award at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, July 28.
From left to right: Charles G. (Gregg) Stevens, Army Medical Department Civilian Corps Chief; Col. Audra Taylor, Army Blood Program Director; Dr. Victor W. Macdonald, USAMMDA; Dr. Manoj K. Valiyaveettil, USAMMDA; Col. Andrew P. Cap, Coagulation and Blood Research Chief, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research; Maj. Gen. Robert D. Tenhet, Deputy Surgeon General and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command; Col. John "Ryan" Bailey, USAMMDA Commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald C. Ecker, MEDCOM; Dr. Jonathan Fruendt, Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School; and Dr. Chris H. Gardiner, Head, CDID, AMEDD C&S.
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Medical Command)The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity's Blood Products Advanced Development team was recognized as co-recipient of the third quarter fiscal year 2017 Army Wolf Pack Award during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, July 28. The BPAD team includes members from USAMMDA; U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research; Armed Services Blood Program Office; Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School; and Combat Casualty Care Research Program, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
Managed by USAMMDA's Pharmaceutical Systems Project Management Office, and led by product managers Andrew Atkinson and Greggory Housler, the BPAD team leads the advanced development of blood products and biologics that will ensure the safety of blood collected and transfused on the battlefield, and that will be logistically supportable and can be delivered farther forward.
The Wolf Pack Award was established by the U.S. Army Surgeon General and Army Medical Department Civilian Corps Chief to recognize exceptional teamwork by an integrated group of military and civilian team members focused on excellence in support of Army Medicine. Sponsored by the AMEDD Civilian Corps, this award recognizes and celebrates the success of teams throughout Army Medicine.
As "readiness" remains the top priority of both the Army Chief of Staff and Army Surgeon General, USAMMDA's BPAD team works to develop various U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved products and devices to save the lives of Warfighters in the field. Since its inception, the BPAD team has successfully briefed and received Milestone Development Authority approval for four critical programs that include Cryopreserved Platelets, Freeze Dried Plasma (RePlasTM), the Whole Blood Pathogen Reduction Device, and Cold Stored Platelets in Platelet Additive Solution.
Working in a rapid and efficient manner, the BPAD team has been able to transition these various products from the science and technology arena to product development and advanced clinical testing in an effort to accelerate the advancement of these four items towards FDA approval.
During the ceremony held in Blesse Auditorium at the AMEDD C&S U.S. Army Health Readiness Center of Excellence, Maj. Gen. Robert D. Tenhet, Deputy Surgeon General and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command, presented the Wolf Pack Award plaque and citation to Col. John "Ryan" Bailey, USAMMDA Commander; Col. Audra Taylor, Director, Army Blood Program; Col. Andrew P. Cap, Chief, Coagulation and Blood Research, USAISR; Dr. Jonathan Fruendt, Senior Civilian Clinical Consultant, CDID, AMEDD C&S; Dr. Chris H. Gardiner, Head, CDID, AMEDD C&S; Dr. Victor W. Macdonald, Subject Matter Expert, USAMMDA; and Dr. Manoj K. Valiyaveettil, Technical Advisor, USAMMDA.
Dr. Lawrence Lightner, USAMMDA PSPMO project manager, highly praised his entire team and acknowledged the tremendous amount of work put forth by all involved in capturing this award.
Said Lightner, "This award truly represents a formal recognition of the efforts of numerous individuals with diverse skill sets working together to advance several critically needed blood products towards licensure and fielding."
"Of course," he continued, "an award such as the Army Wolf Pack serves as a stimulus to re-energize our efforts and accelerate as much as possible the development of these important products."
As a subordinate command of USAMRMC, USAMMDA is the Department of Defense's advanced development activity for products designed to protect and preserve the lives of Warfighters. As the premier developer of military medical solutions worldwide, USAMMDA develops new drugs, vaccines and medical support equipment that enhance readiness, ensures the provision of the highest quality medical care to the DOD and maximizes survival of medical casualties on the battlefield.