Stephen (“Steve”) M. Mounts is a member of the Senior Executive Service, and serves as the Associate Deputy Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Virginia. He is the first SES leader and the most senior civilian serving in support of the Air Force Medical Service. In this role, he reports directly to the Air Force and Space Force Surgeon General in support of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force Chief of Staff, the Space Force Chief of Space Operations and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on matters pertaining to all medical aspects of the air expeditionary force and the health of Airmen and Guardians. Mr. Mounts provides guidance and expertise to influence a $6.1 billion, 44,000-person integrated health care delivery and readiness system serving 2.6 million beneficiaries at 76 military treatment facilities worldwide.
Mr. Mounts is directly responsible for Air Force Medical Service strategy and future concepts, operational medical policy development, and guides planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of medical personnel and programs in support of Air Force and Space Force missions.
Mr. Mounts served more than 30 years on active duty as a Medical Services Corps officer. Prior to his retirement in the grade of Colonel, he served as the Deputy to Assistant Director, Healthcare Administration for the Defense Health Agency. In this joint role, he served as the principal advisor to the Assistant Director, Healthcare Administration on all health care delivery matters in support of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Military Health System transformation, the TRICARE Health Plans, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic operations, and the Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force Medical Services.
Mr. Mounts is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and while on active duty successfully commanded twice at the squadron Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) level, once at the group Colonel (O-6) level and served in multiple Colonel (O-6) Major Command and Headquarters’ staff positions.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1993 Health Services Administration Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas
1997 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1999 Master of Business Administration, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
1999 Master of Healthcare Administration, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
2000 Board Certified Healthcare Executive, American College of Healthcare Executives, Chicago, Ill.
2004 Master of Military Science and Operational Art, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Master of Strategic Studies, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2014 Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives Course, Fort Myer, Arlington, Va.
2015 JMESI Capstone Course for MHS Leaders, Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Va.
2015 Patient Safety Executive Development, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Cambridge, Ma.
2016 Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2020 Senior Developmental Leadership Program, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2006 - June 2008, Administrator, 51st Medical Group and Commander, 51st Medical Support Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea
2. July 2008 - June 2009, student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
3. June 2009 - July 2011, Administrator, 52d Medical Group and Commander, 52d Medical Support Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
4. January 2010 - February 2011, Deputy Group Commander, 52d Medical Group, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
5. July 2011- July 2012, Chief of the Medical Support Division and Command Administrator, HQ Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
6. July 2012 - August 2015, Commander, 55th Medical Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
7. August 2015 - June 2018, Director, Air Force Medical Support Operations and Administrator, Air Force Medical Operations Agency, JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
8. June 2018 - September 2020, Special Assistant to the Air Force Surgeon General for Military Health System Governance, Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Va.
9. September 2020 - June 2022, Principal Deputy to the Assistant Director, Healthcare Administration, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Va.
10. May 2021 - December 2021, Deputy Assistant Director, Healthcare Operations (SES Tier 2), Healthcare Administration, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Va.
11. December 2022 - Present, Associate Deputy Surgeon General, HQ U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Va.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Surgeon General American Hospital Association Federal Sector Award for Excellence
Air Combat Command Personnel Reliability Program of the Year (three awards)
Air Force Surgeon General’s Award for Best Clinic of the Year, 55 MDG, Offutt AFB, Neb.
USAF Surgeon General Best Large Dental Clinic of the Year, 55 MDG, Offutt AFB, Neb.
Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award Winner, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
Member, Health Portfolio Steering Group, American Council for Technology & Industry Advisory Council
Panel Member/Advisor, Accountable Care Learning Collaborative (ACLC)
Life Member, Air Force Association
Life Member, Military Officer and Airman Association
Legacy (Life) Member, Association of Graduates
Saber Society Member/Donor, U.S. Air Force Academy
Life Member, University of Florida Alumni Association
(Current as of January 2023)