Robert Kratzer

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) was established in 1893 and is named after Major Walter Reed, whose work led to the discovery that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. Originally focused on infectious diseases affecting soldiers, WRAIR became a leading biomedical research facility for the U.S. Army. Throughout its history, the institute has contributed significantly to the development of vaccines, treatments for diseases such as malaria and HIV, and advancements in brain health and traumatic injury care. WRAIR continues to play a vital role in military and global health through research, innovation, and partnerships worldwide.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), located in Bethesda, Maryland, was established in 2011 through the merger of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. Its origins trace back to the founding of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in 1909, named after the famed Army physician Walter Reed. Over the decades, the center has served as the premier military medical facility in the United States, providing advanced care to service members, veterans, and their families, as well as presidents and other national leaders. Today, WRNMMC stands as a symbol of military medical excellence and a key component of the Defense Health Agency.