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

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Hon. Keith Bass

Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs

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Stephen Ferrara, M.D.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs

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Vice Adm. Darin K. Via

Director, Defense Health Agency

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Ms. Susan Orsega

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War, Health Services Policy and Oversight

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

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

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Mr. Darrell Landreaux 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Resources Management and Policy

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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

Surgeon General of the Army

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

Surgeon General of the Air Force and Space Force

Rear Adm. Rick Freedman

Acting Surgeon General of the Navy

Maj. Gen. Clinton K. Murray

Joint Staff Surgeon

Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou

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