U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place officially assumed leadership of the Defense Health Agency during a ceremony held Wednesday at DHA’s headquarters in Falls Church, Va.
He succeeds U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, who served as DHA director for four years and 2019 Wash100 awardee, and will oversee the combat support agency’s overall efforts to provide medical services to the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy, the Air Force Medical Service said Wednesday.
Place previously served as interim assistant director for health care administration at DHA and head of the National Capital Region Medical Directorate. He also directed the Intermediate Management Organization and managed the transition of medical center operations to DHA.
In addition to his DHA roles, he led the Military Health System’s program management office for 2017 National Defense Authorization Act implementation.
He also led military surgical operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Germany and penned more than 40 peer-reviewed pieces of academic literature. Place holds board certification in general surgery and colorectal surgery.
