Top Military Official Discusses Improvements and Challenges for Medical Services

By Alan Ray / Senior Editor & Morning Anchor, Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published March 26, 2009 at 6:26 AM PDT

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

Two years ago, dreadful conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center focused a harsh light on military health care. Major General Keith Meurlin from the office of the Secretary of Defense for pers

Two years ago, dreadful conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. focused a harsh light on military health care. Especially for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

So how has the medical system changed since then, and where is there room for improvement?

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Joining us on Morning Edition is Major General Keith Meurlin (Merlin). He works in the office of the Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness

Tomorrow morning, we'll have the second part of our conversation with the major general about military health care.

Alan Ray

Alan was with KPBS since 2006. His return to San Diego was a homecoming, of sorts. Alan began his news radio career in San Diego in the 1970s, producing business and financial coverage at KSDO. He went on to work as a news anchor, reporter and talk radio host in both Seattle and San Francisco. Prior to his work at KPBS, Alan most recently spent seven years producing an award-winning morning radio news program in the Bay Area. He’s won regional awards for his work in San Francisco and Seattle, including honors for breaking news coverage of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens and the events of 9/11. Alan is a member of Public Radio News Directors Inc. and the Radio Television News Directors’ Association. Alan’s interests include medicine, the environment, music, politics, scrabble and handball (though not always in that order).

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Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

See stories by Dwane Brown