JANUARY 16, 2024 – Following consultation with medical staff, Secretary Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday.
The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon. He has full access to required secure communications capabilities.
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, provided the following statement regarding Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’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.
I’m 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. Now, as I continue to recuperate and perform my duties from home, I’m eager to fully recover and return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
In a statement, two doctors from Walter Reed who were supervising his care said that Austin “progressed well” and that “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,” Dr. John Maddox and Dr. Gregory Chesnut said in the statement.
Washington has been reeling from the surprise news that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been hospitalized for several days — without most top U.S. officials knowing where he was.
