Faculty

Nadja West, MD

Lieutenant General (Retired, U.S. Army)
U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1982
Areas of Expertise

Trailblazer, leadership, organization transformation

Experience

Nadja is the 44th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and former Commanding General of U.S. Army Medical Command, responsible for the readiness, delivery, and transformation of care for more than two million beneficiaries worldwide. Over a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades, she held senior roles that integrated clinical expertise with enterprise leadership, including command positions in both deployed and stateside environments. 

Nadja’s military milestones include becoming the first African American woman to achieve the rank of threestar general in Army history and the first African American—man or woman—to serve as Army Surgeon General. Her experience spans operations during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, leadership of complex medical systems, and advising senior defense and government leaders. 

In the last year, Nadja has continued to influence national dialogue on leadership, public policy, and healthcare. She served as a featured speaker in the Presidential Speaker Series contributing insights on shaping policy, advancing change, and the importance of personal growth for modern leaders. She also continues board leadership in the private sector and has maintained visibility through public briefings and financial disclosures connected with her corporate directorships, reflecting her ongoing involvement in governance and emergingtechnology healthcare organizations.  

Education
  • MD, George Washington University School of Medicine
  • BS, U. S. Military Academy at West Point
Publications/Awards
  • Nadja has authored and contributed to publications on military medicine, readiness, and leader development and is widely recognized as an influential voice on building trust and resilience in high‑stakes professions. Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and numerous honors for leadership, innovation, and service. She continues to be invited to speak at universities, healthcare forums, and leadership institutions across the country, with the past year featuring renewed emphasis on human‑centered leadership and navigating technological disruption in healthcare. 
Organizations
  • Board of Directors, Johnson & Johnson, Nucor, Tempus Labs and Tenet
  • Trustee, National Recreation Foundation and Mount St. Mary's University
  • Board Member: Bob Woodruff Foundation, Americares, and Olmsted Foundation

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