U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Released From Hospital
The United States Department of Defense announced on Monday that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, two weeks after he was hospitalized for complications from prostate cancer surgery.
In a statement, Austin said he would be working from home as he recuperates ahead of his full-time return to the Pentagon, noting that he is “grateful for the excellent care I received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and want to thank the outstanding doctors and nursing staff for their professionalism and superb support. I also am thankful and appreciative for all the well wishes I received for a speedy recovery”.
In a separate press release, the Pentagon said that Austin has “full access to required secure communications capabilities”, with Dr. John Maddox, Trauma Medical Director, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, Director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research at the Murtha Cancer Center, of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland providing the following statement on Austin’s medical condition and treatment:
“Secretary Austin progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding. He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains. He was discharged home with planned physical therapy and regular follow up. The Secretary is expected to make a full recovery.
Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent. He has no planned further treatment for his cancer other than regular post-prostatectomy surveillance.
Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, and it impacts 1 in every 8 men – and 1 in every 6 African American men – during their lifetime. Early detection and treatment can result in an expected near-100% survival rate when treated with appropriate individualized care plans. Early screening is important for detection and treatment of prostate cancer and people should talk to their doctors to see what screening is appropriate for them.”
The disclosure of Austin’s hospitalization on January 5 sparked controversy after it emerged that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, President Joe Biden, and Congress were not immediately notified that Austin had been admitted to Walter Reed on January 1. Despite this President Biden expressed his support for Secretary Austin.
In response to the controversy, the Department of Defense’s Inspector General announced on January 11, that it would be conducting a review of the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to Austin’s hospitalization. Austin’s chief of staff has also directed the Department’s director of administration and management to conduct a 30-day review of the department’s notification process for assumption of functions and duties of the secretary of defense.