Major General Richard Thomas (Ret.)
Last Name: Thomas
First Name: Richard
ACNSL Offices and Committees:
Health and Readiness Committee
Rank: Major General
Branch: Army
Last or Significant Assignment:
Director of Healthcare Operations and the Chief Medical Officer for the Defense Health Agency (DHA)
President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU)
Medals and Honors:
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Murtha Memorial Award for Leadership in Military Medicine
American Academy of Pain Medicine’s Board of Director’s Award
American Academy of Pain Medicine Philipp M. Lippe Award
Dr. Richard W. Thomas serves as the Associate Vice President, Dean, and Chief Medical Officer for the eastern campus of the West Virginia University School of Medicine in Martinsburg, WV. Dr. Thomas is a physician healthcare executive with a proven record of successful leadership, policy development, program implementation, evaluation, and administration, in a variety of health care settings. These areas include health professional development, health policy and education, managed care, traumatic brain injury and mental health, pandemic response, and the Military Health System of the United States. He most recently served as the sixth President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU).
As president, Dr. Thomas was responsible for the academic, research and service mission of the university. His responsibilities also included oversight of the University’s graduate health professions education and healthcare research, and emerging technologies and treatments, in support of the Military Health System and Department of Defense.
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 also holds a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Dr. Thomas is board certified in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists.
Dr. Thomas retired as a Major General from the United States Army with 30 years of service. During his career, he commanded at multiple levels and served in numerous key staff positions; culminating as the Director of Healthcare Operations and the Chief Medical Officer for the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Other noteworthy assignments include: Commanding General, Western Regional Medical Command; Surgeon General, USFORCES‐Afghanistan; Assistant Army Surgeon General and Chief of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He also served as the Division Surgeon, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and with the 82d Airborne Division. Dr. Thomas deployed multiple times in support of combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Panama.
Dr. Thomas has been recognized with numerous awards and decorations including: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Murtha Memorial Award for Leadership in Military Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s Board of Director’s Award and American Academy of Pain Medicine Philipp M. Lippe Award. Under his leadership, USU received the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Dominique-Jean Larrey Award for military medical excellence--the only U.S. organization to be so recognized.
Dr. Thomas is a member of the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and is a Distinguished Alumnus for the WVU School of Medicine.
