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Woodson closes out time as leader of Military Health System, formally recognizes TMA contribution

  • Published
  • By Military Health System Communications Office
  • Defense Health Headquarters
Falls Church, Va. --  One of the longest-serving leaders of the Military Health System (MHS) concluded his tenure at the helm of health care for 9.4 million beneficiaries, including active duty military, retirees and family members. In a ceremony at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, formally cased the colors of the TRICARE Management Activity on April 28, 2016.

“I want to thank everyone who has come here today,” said Woodson, who served in the position for five and a half years, telling those in the capacity crowd that they, among many others, had made him successful. “It’s the men and women of the Military Health System, the Defense Health Agency, and the services that gets the job done and deliver on our promise.”

Part of the ceremony included the acknowledgment of Woodson’s role as the final director of the Tricare Management Activity, which was disestablished with the formation of the Defense Health Agency in October 2013.

Woodson garnered praise from colleagues for his work in helping the MHS grow and transform to meet the needs of a changing world. Many struck a familiar theme of Woodson’s: Make the MHS better, stronger and more relevant — and how he made that happen.

Dr. Karen Guice, the principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, takes over Woodson’s duties. She sheepishly admitted to the crowd of well-wishers she didn’t exactly follow her boss’s directions to have a small, low key, family event. In her own defense, Guice pointed out Woodson once told her that ceremonies are primarily for the family, not the individual.

“So, in keeping with your words of wisdom, here we are. We are a family,” she said with a smile. “And we need this time to tell you how much you mean to each and every one of us.”

“What an honor it has been to serve with you,” said Lt. Gen. Nadja West, the Army’s surgeon general. “We wish you and your family the best.”

Woodson received various going away gifts from the people who worked for him, as well as groups outside of the MHS, who worked with him. One such gift was the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Award, honoring Woodson for the many cooperative efforts he spearheaded with the VA throughout his tenure.

During his time, Woodson regularly met with members of military and veterans service organizations to have frank discussions about the issues facing both the MHS and these groups. Just a few days before his retirement, he had his final meeting with them, furthering his legacy of working with those outside the MHS.

“It’s evident to us he really cares. Dr. Woodson stands out,” said retired Navy Capt. Kathryn Beasley with the Military Officers Association of America. “It’s all about access with us and with him. He has put into motion a wide variety of initiatives to address that.”

“Dr. Woodson made it very clear he wants collegial relationships with open communications,” said Michael Cowan, the executive director of AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals, and a retired surgeon general of the Navy. “He’s opened doors and brought issues up and informed the representatives of these groups about the biggest changes in military medicine ever.”

Woodson is returning to Boston University School of Medicine, where he will help establish a health systems innovation and policy institute. The institute will focus on leader development, biotechnology and system design. He also continues as a brigadier general and surgeon in the U.S. Army Reserve. He concluded by telling those gathered he has tried to be a servant-leader, someone who enabled each person to do what they do best and provided the resources and guidance to get things done.

“Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your organization for so long. Each of you has made an indelible impact on my life,” said Woodson. “And as we say in the Army, we’ll see you on the high ground.”