The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, founded in 1972, is a federal medical school under the US Department of Defense located in Bethesda, Maryland.
It is the sole institution dedicated to training physicians for careers in the US military medical services across all branches — Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Public Health Service. Students are commissioned officers throughout medical school and receive full federal tuition coverage plus a military salary.
USU graduates serve the most medically complex and operationally demanding patient populations in the world, from combat casualty care to disaster medicine to occupational and aerospace medicine.
What makes USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) different
USU Hébert is the only federal medical school in the United States and the primary source of active-duty military physicians for all branches of the US armed forces. Tuition is fully covered by the federal government, and students receive a military salary (O-1 pay) throughout medical school.
In exchange, graduates serve a minimum of seven years on active duty as commissioned officers following residency completion. The school provides unique training in military medicine, disaster response, and operational medicine unavailable at civilian institutions.
USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. The curriculum integrates standard medical education with military-specific modules in operational medicine, disaster preparedness, military readiness, and leadership. Clinical training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Naval Medical Center Bethesda, and affiliated military treatment facilities. Graduate Medical Education (residency) is completed at military teaching hospitals nationwide.
USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) research strengths
USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) is strong in these research areas:
- Combat casualty care
- Traumatic brain injury
- Post-traumatic stress
- Infectious disease in operational environments
- Disaster and emergency medicine
How the USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) interview runs
Format: Two 30-minute virtual interviews, each with a clinical faculty member and/or a current medical student
USU Hébert conducts all interviews virtually, by live teleconference. Applicants complete two 30-minute interviews, each with a clinical faculty member and/or a current medical student. Interviewers probe commitment to military service, motivation for medicine, leadership experience, ethical reasoning, and understanding of the military medical service obligation.
USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) intake
Approximately 170–180 students per year.
Where USU Hébert School of Medicine (MD) is
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine was founded in 1972 and is based in Bethesda, MD.
Programmes offered:
- Military Medicine
- Trauma and Combat Surgery
- Aerospace Medicine
- Preventive Medicine
- Disaster and Emergency Medicine