Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc (HJF) is a private, not-for-profit organization established in 1983 and authorized by Congress to support medical research and education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU)[1] and throughout the military medical community. The Foundation was named in honor of Washington State Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, who sponsored the original legislation. Senator Jackson had a long-standing commitment to military medicine and health.
HJF provides scientific and management services, from infrastructure development, financial administration, clinical trials management to staffing and event planning. HJF works with a variety of programs, from large multi-site clinical trials to small, bench top projects, both nationally and abroad.
Long-time chief executive officer and president John W. Lowe retired after 25 years of serving HJF in May 2017. After an extensive and intensive search, retired Army Major General (Dr.) Joseph Caravalho, Jr. joined HJF as chief executive office and president on September 1, 2017.
HJF’s largest program is the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP),[3] whose mission is to protect U.S. military personnel and aid the international fight against HIV. Established in 1988, the program focuses on HIV vaccine development, prevention, disease surveillance, care and treatment for HIV.
In 2000, HJF established the Joint Office of Technology Transfer (JOTT) in partnership with USU. This department helps scientists expedite their novel inventions, devices and technologies to possible patenting and commercialization. The office’s achievements vividly illustrate a tremendous untold story about military medicine: its commitment to sharing advances with service members and civilians alike. The JOTT has won 4 Federal Laboratory Consortium awards (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016).
HJF supports hundreds of additional research projects at USU and throughout military medicine, including the Center for Prostate Disease Research,[4] the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress,[6] and the Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine.[7]
HJF employs more than 2,600 scientific, medical, management and administrative personnel. HJF also manages endowments for USU and promotes government-civilian partnerships[8] through its Center for Public-Private Partnerships [9].
Major events
1983 – Legislation passed authorizing the formation of the Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
1983 – Renamed to The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. to honor the Senator that sponsored the legislation.
1990 – John W. Lowe becomes executive director of HJF. HJF manages over 80 education events for the three armed services as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs.
1992 – John W. Lowe becomes CEO and president. HJF sees continued expansion in support of more than 150 research programs.
1998 – HJF celebrates 15 years of service.
1998 – HJF Fellowship program is initiated, with awards presented annually to an outstanding graduate student at USU.
2000 – HJF employs nearly 1,200 scientific, medical, management and administrative personnel and ranks in the top 7 percent of all NIH-funded organizations.
2000 – In partnership with USU, HJF establishes the Joint Office of Technology Transfer to help scientists expedite their novel inventions, devices and technologies.
2001 – HJF establishes HJF Medical Research International, a subsidiary that registers its first branch office in Kampala, Uganda, to support employees and projects in foreign jurisdictions, including Egypt, Ghana, Thailand and Uganda. The subsidiary supports MHRP.
2003 – HJF begins support of Project Phidisa, an HIV clinical research program in South Africa.
2004 – HJF ranks as top 5 percent of institutions receiving funds from NIH.
2006 – HJFMRI Ltd./Gte., an independent Nigerian company, was created to fulfill specific research program needs in Nigeria.
2007 – HJF hires 250 employees in Kenya.
2008 – HJF celebrates its 25-year anniversary.
2009 – HJF surpasses the 2,000-employee mark for the first time in its history.
2009 – The Center for Public-Private Partnerships is created.
2011 – HJF moves its headquarters from Rockville to Bethesda to be closer to USU and other major clients.
2012 – HJF marks the 100-year anniversary of its namesake’s birth with nearly 2,400 employees in 106 locations.
2015 – HJF receives the Military Officers Association of America’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding support to the military and veteran community.
2016 – A regional office opens in Nairobi, Kenya, to improve customer service to sub-Saharan clients.
2017 - Dr. Joseph Caravalho is named as president and CEO to replace John W. Lowe.