Walter Reed welcomes new director during change of authority ceremony
BETHESDA, Md. — Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the President’s hospital, welcomed U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Lanny Littlejohn as its new Director during a change of authority ceremony on Sept. 22, 2026.
Littlejohn succeeds U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Melissa Austin, who had led the medical center since July of 2023.
A Spartanburg, South Carolina, native, Littlejohn brings decades of operational and health care leadership experience to Walter Reed. He most recently served two years as commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Charleston. An emergency medicine physician, he previously led the combat trauma research group at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and provided direct combat medical support to U.S. Special Operations Command, deploying five times in support of U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command.
"I'm honored to join the ranks of this flagship organization," Littlejohn said. "Walter Reed has a proud legacy of providing world-class care to our nation's service members, their families, veterans and our nation's leaders. I look forward to building upon that legacy while continuing to support Walter Reed's patients, staff and the mission."
Defense Health Agency Director Vice Adm. (Dr.) Darin K. Via presided over the ceremony, which also recognized Austin and the Walter Reed team for their accomplishments.
Over the last three years, Walter Reed's staff advanced readiness, clinical care, research, and community integration. Despite aging infrastructure, lapses in appropriations, and a shifting policy landscape, Walter Reed was able to sustain full operations and provide exceptional care to the nation’s warfighters, their families, as well as an influx of wounded warriors.
Leveraging all of the authorities at their disposal to enhance readiness, Walter Reed forged formal connections between military medicine, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the private sector, including a partnership with Kaiser Permanente, efforts that created a pathway to an integrated system of care for military, veteran, and civilian patients.
Since July of 2023, Walter Reed effectively doubled its bed capacity, operative capacity, and deliveries, positioning the medical center to meet the demands of a complex and evolving health environment, all while continuing to provide the exceptional care they are known for.
Its signature programs at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence and within its Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation continue to break new ground in the diagnosis and treatment of complex brain injury, as well as delivering world-class multidisciplinary rehabilitative care to those with polytrauma and limb loss, including the development and testing of leading edge technology in prosthetics and orthotics. As a team, Walter Reed providers and staff remain mission focused on optimizing the recovery of every wounded warrior, promoting their functional independence, and helping them achieve the highest quality of life with their friends, family, and military community.
"Nothing this team accomplished came easy," Austin said. "They carried this hospital through every challenge, and they never let it touch the bedside. I have never known a group of people who do hard better. The credit belongs entirely to them.” She went on to say that “their efforts positioned Walter Reed for investment, and we must also recognize leadership from the Secretary of War to our local Network Director for their support and embrace of our innovative approaches to growth.”
Austin will transition to her next assignment as the Interim Director of the Defense Health Network, National Capital Region on October 8, 2026.
ABOUT WALTER REED NATIONAL MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is the nation's premier military medical center, combining the rich histories and diverse expertise of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Uniformed Services University health systems into a single, unified, and energetic healing entity. Dedicated to carrying forward the legacy of military medicine pioneers like Major Walter Reed, the center operates on a foundation of honor, innovation, and clinical excellence. Today, Walter Reed is steadfastly committed to its core mission of delivering world-class, comprehensive healthcare to our nation's fighting forces, retirees, and their beloved families. Learn more on Walter Reed’s website.
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