Richard W. Thomas MD, DDS

Dr. Richard W. Thomas is the sixth President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. As president, Dr. Thomas is responsible for the academic, research and service mission of the university. He advises the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and the four Surgeons General on a wide array of issues related to graduate health professions education and healthcare research. Dr. Thomas oversees, evaluates, and coordinates efforts to enhance graduate health professions education and healthcare research to include emerging technologies and treatments as well as efforts to improve patient safety, quality within the Military Health System.

Dr. Thomas earned an undergraduate degree in biological science from West Virginia University (WVU), a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the WVU School of Dentistry and a Medical Degree from the WVU School of Medicine. He holds a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, is board certified in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgery.

Dr. Thomas retired as a Major General from the United States Army with more than 26 years of service. During his career, he commanded at multiple levels within the Army; his key positions include serving as the Director of Healthcare Operations and the Chief Medical Officer for the Defense Health Agency (DHA); Commanding General of the Western Regional Medical Command; Surgeon General, USFORCES-Afghanistan; Chief, U.S. Army Medical Corps; U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon General; Commander, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Commander, 47th Combat Support Hospital, Division Surgeon, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and numerous other staff and leadership positions. He has served multiple combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Panama.