William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., MBA, is a senior advisor to Deloitte Consulting LLP. Known for identifying future trends, William was an early leader of evidence-based medicine and long has been involved in efforts to improve the quality and reduce the cost of health care. He is recognized as an adept manager and talented communicator able to translate ideas into actions. With deep knowledge of clinical, economic, business and political matters, his understanding of America’s health system is unique.
William served as the assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs in the U.S. Department of Defense from September 2001 until April 2007. At the Department of Defense, William served as the principal medical advisor to the secretary of defense, had oversight for all health policies and resources, and was the leader of the Military Health System (MHS). The MHS cares for 9.2 million people through a $40 billion health care system consisting of an extensive network (TRICARE) of more than 200,000 private physicians and most U.S. hospitals, and more than 70 military hospitals and 800 health clinics operated worldwide by the Army, Navy and Air Force. With 132,000 personnel, the MHS also has a distinguished medical school and conducts medical research of $1 billion annually on many important diseases and medical issues.
During his tenure, William led advances in battlefield medicine and oversaw implementation of the world’s largest and most sophisticated electronic health record system (AHLTA). He also markedly improved TRICARE, brought about better mental health care for soldiers, oversaw medical relief efforts after the Asian tsunami and hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and led efforts to prepare the nation for a possible avian flu or biological attack. He coordinated work with the National and Homeland Security Councils at the White House, and with leaders at the Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs. He served as a member of the American Health Information Community (AHIC), charged by President Bush to develop a plan for electronic medical records for all Americans, and was elected chairman of the International Committee on Military Medicine representing more than 90 countries.
In addition, he has held leadership positions at a large medical university and at several major health inurers. He is a member of the board of two health care companies, and provides analysis as a commentator and writer on health and national security issues.
William is a graduate of Davidson College and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and he is board certified in internal medicine. He also completed a research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and received his master of business adminstration degree from the Wharton School. He has received honors from the American Medical Association, the University of North Carolina, the Wharton School, the Department of Defense and other organizations. He has appeared frequently in the national media and before Congress to speak about medical issues and concerns of the American people.
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