MHS Leadership


Health Affairs Leaders

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs leads the Military Health System. The Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs is a civilian, Senate-confirmed official. Their duties include:

  • Chief medical adviser to the Secretary of War
  • Oversee health policy and budgeting across the MHS
  • Direct the activities of the Defense Health Agency

The ASW(HA) is supported by:

  • Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Resources Management and Policy
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Services Policy and Oversight
  • President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Hon. Keith Bass official photo.


Hon. Keith Bass

Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs

Dr. Vincent Lee Ball official photo


Dr. Vincent Lee Ball

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs

Vice Adm. Darin K. Via official photo


Vice Adm. Darin K. Via

Director, Defense Health Agency

Ms. Susan Orsega


Ms. Susan Orsega

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War, Health Services Policy and Oversight

Official photo of Terry M. Rauch.


Terry M. Rauch, Ph.D., MPH, MBA

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight

Mr. Darrell Landreaux


Mr. Darrell Landreaux 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Resources Management and Policy

Dr. Jonathan Woodson


Dr. Jonathan Woodson

President, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Service Surgeons General

The Service Surgeons General are the senior medical leaders of each military service branch: the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Navy.

Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaguirre

Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaguirre

Surgeon General of the Army

Maj. Gen. (Dr.) John J. Degoes

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) John J. Degoes

Surgeon General of the Air Force and Space Force

Official photo of US Navy Rear Adm. Matthew Case

Rear Adm. Matthew Case

Acting Surgeon General of the Navy

Official photo of Major General Clinton K. Murray

Maj. Gen. Clinton K. Murray

Joint Staff Surgeon

Official photo of Major General Lisa J. Hou

Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou

Director, Office of the Joint Surgeon General, U.S. National Guard Bureau