Paving the Way for a Safer Future:
SGAUS and NFIM Team on Innovative Health Verification Platform
TAMPA, FL – May 22, 2025 – The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) and the National Foundation for Integrative Medicine (NFIM) are proud to announce a new Teaming Agreement that will revolutionize how we manage public health services, especially in times of crisis and beyond. This collaboration culminates in a groundbreaking exercise scheduled for November 7, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.
SGAUS’ HURREX (Hurricane Exercise) Joan will simulate hurricane response operations involving over 100 military personnel. During this critical simulation, NFIM will deploy a specialized online testing version of its innovative InForm™ platform. The goal? To demonstrate the platform’s powerful capability to serve as a touchless Point of Distribution (POD) solution for verifying critical information, lab tests, pharmaceutical history, and immunizations directly through citizens’ personal cell phones. This means quick, efficient, and sanitary access to vital health information, even in high-stress disaster scenarios, as contrasted with the paper-based tracking used during the recent pandemic. It’s important to note that no real protected health information (PHI) will be used in this demonstration, to ensure privacy and security. The InFormTM platform is based on technologies developed by the Department of Defense and was proven at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that NFIM later adopted for its global informatics and medical record documentation operations.
“This alliance with NFIM is a significant step forward for our national preparedness,” stated Lt. Col. (NY, R) Barry R. Greene, President of SGAUS. “Our role is to ensure state and territorial defense forces are equipped with the best tools to protect our communities. The InForm™ platform has the potential to dramatically streamline operations in emergency PODs, allowing our personnel to focus on critical aid delivery, rather than manual verification processes.”
The implications of this technology extend far beyond disaster response. Col. (USAF, R) Peter Demitry, M.D., MPH, NFIM’s Chairman and Executive Director envisions a future where digital health information seamlessly integrates into daily life. “It’s been the elusive industry goal for decades, but the expense and data siloing have kept this value out of reach. It doesn’t have to be that way, and we intend to demonstrate it! Imagine the ease and security of accessing your medical data directly from your phone in a touchless environment whenever you wish or need to share it with medical providers. This enhances public safety, restores confidence and fluidity back into our economy in everyday interactions. This exercise is the crucial first step to proving that concept.”
If successful, this initial test will pave the way for larger-scale trials and potential deployment across the United States for state, territorial, or local use.
This collaboration among non-profit service organizations marks a proactive approach to enhancing public health security and operational efficiency. Stay tuned for updates as SGAUS and NFIM work together to build a more resilient and prepared future.
Defense.gov Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
