June 28, 2019 | Download PDF
There was big news in the world of Virtual Health earlier this summer, as TATRC’s “Optometrist to the Stars,” Dr. Fran McVeigh officially moved up (or down) the road to the Office of the Surgeon General as the Army’s Director of Virtual Health!
Director COL Jeremy Pamplin thanks Dr. McVeigh for his many years of valuable, dedicated service to the organization.
To see him off, family, friends, and colleagues gathered for a luncheon on 13 June to celebrate and remember the good times and invaluable accomplishments that TATRC has made over the course of Dr. McVeigh’s tenure as a result of his unparalleled expertise. TATRC Director, COL Jeremy Pamplin was on-hand to say a few kind words about the “Good Doctor,” and present him with the esteemed Civilian Service Commendation Medal for his dutiful work in support of the Warfighter.
During his illustrious 30-year career as an Army Colonel, Dr. McVeigh worked with numerous high-ranking DoD officials and was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he served as the Chief of Optometry and Clinical Informatics, prior to joining Team TATRC on 1 February, 2008. Dr. McVeigh started with TATRC as a Portfolio Manager to oversee all the Vision Research that was being done at the time as a part of TATRC's Vision Portfolio. In his 11 years with us, he has risen up and stepped into several critical roles, to include leading our research teams as TATRC’s Science Director. On top of that, he also served as the Lead for the Virtual Health Support Office. And in his spare time, he is heavily involved in “Project Healing Waters” -- which is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing. Dr. McVeigh has always made himself available to other members of TATRC with his expertise, listening ear, incredible wealth of knowledge, and occasional in house “eye – exams!” He has been through all the significant changes that TATRC has incurred over the past few years and been a pillar of strength and firm supporter of the organization, helping us to get where we are today!
In his new role as the Army’s Director of Virtual Health, Dr. McVeigh will be responsible for overseeing and focusing his team on the Army’s operational virtual health needs and requirements. Clearly, this role is a perfect fit, and TATRC is proud to know that such a qualified and deserving candidate is moving on to continue his legacy of great work in such an important field. Congratulations and Godspeed, Dr. McVeigh! While we will desperately miss seeing your fun loving smile around here, we are excited about your next endeavor and know that you'll continue the tradition of advancing military medicine. Your TATRC family wishes you all the best!
This article was published in the November 2019 issue of the TATRC Times.