Dr. Norvell “Van” Coots
Remembering BG Coots, the final Commander of the historic Walter Reed Army Medical Center and lifelong advocate for improving access to health care for our nation’s heroes.
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Major General Enrique Mendez, Jr. USA (R)
A Past President of the Walter Reed Society,
Enrique (Hank) Méndez, Jr., passed away May
16, 2024; he was 92. A beloved and respected
leader in military medicine for decades, he was a
gentle and kind soul. Born in Santurce, Puerto
Rico he graduated from Stritch School of Medi-
cine of Loyola University in Chicago. He served in
the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 28 years, retir-
ing in the permanent rank of Major General. He
served as Deputy Surgeon General of the Army
and finally the Commanding General of Walter
Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
After retiring from the Army, Dr. Méndez returned
to his native Puerto Rico to become, first the
Dean, and subsequently, the Dean and President
of the Ponce School of Medicine. He then served
as Medical Director of Damas Hospital in Ponce
before becoming Secretary of Health of the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico. In December 1989,
President George H.W. Bush nominated him to
be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. He served in this position until January
1993. He later became a partner in the health care consulting firm Martin, Blanck and
Associates.
Dr. Méndez was a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of
the American College of Physicians. His awards and decorations as well as honorary doc-
toral degrees are to numerous to detail here.
He is survived by his wife of many decades, Olga; a son, two daughters and their families,
six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
To say “Thank You for Your Service” does not seem adequate for all that he gave to us. He
was a revered leader, mentor and friend. Sir, you will be missed.