WASHINGTON—Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs S. Ward Casscells, M.D., recently stepped down from his position after serving two years. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Ellen P. Embrey will serve in an acting capacity until a permanent replacement is named.

In her previous role as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ms. Embry was responsible for overseeing department-wide efforts to develop and implement policies and programs relating to Department of Defense deployment medicine, force health protection, medical readiness and national disaster support for 2.3 million servicemembers.

In February 2004, Ms. Embrey was appointed to organize and lead the DoD Task Force on Care for Victims of Sexual Assaults. The Task Force reviewed the treatment and care of victims of sexual assault, with particular attention paid to those in the theater of combat. The Task Force’s recommendations led to the establishment of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, a single point of accountability for addressing sexual assault matters.

Before coming to Health Affairs, Ms. Embrey held a variety of senior and executive level positions in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs from 1987-2001, where she worked to ensure that the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces, which make up more than half of the U.S. military, were adequately trained, equipped and ready to serve when required. She performed the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs during the transition to the Bush administration, was the Chief of Staff (2000-2001) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Assistance to Civil Authorities (1998-2001), and held senior staff and management positions relating to reserve component program analysis and oversight, fiscal and budget oversight, legislative and intergovernmental relations and information and resource management.

She began her career as a management intern at the U.S. Civil Service Commission (1976-1978) following her graduation from Virginia Tech in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree.