Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara Appointed Principal deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
On January 20, 2025, Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara, a retired U.S. Navy captain and decorated physician, was appointed as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. He succeeds Ms. Seileen Mullen in this pivotal role and will serve as the acting Assistant Secretary of defense for Health Affairs until the official nominee, Keith Bass, is confirmed by the Senate.
Ferrara, a 1995 graduate of the Uniformed Services University, brings a wealth of military, medical, and leadership experience to the position. His career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and service to the nation.
“I am honored to join the Military Health system,” Ferrara said in his inaugural message to the MHS workforce. “Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, expertise, and impact of the Military Health System, and I am committed to supporting and advancing our shared mission.”
Ferrara’s extensive background includes 25 years of active duty as a U.S. Navy doctor, during which he served in various capacities, including as chief medical officer for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. His global deployments spanned combat zones, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief efforts. Notably, in Afghanistan, he introduced life- and limb-saving endovascular surgical techniques to the battlefield, revolutionizing combat casualty care.
Beyond his military service, Ferrara has held key roles in national security and health policy. He served as the chief medical officer for the Central Intelligence Agency and as a congressional fellow on the Health Subcommittee of the House committee on Energy and Commerce. In this capacity, he oversaw policy and operations for agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,the food and Drug management, and the National Institutes of Health.
“These roles have only strengthened my belief that the success of the MHS relies on collaboration, accountability, and a steadfast focus on our people,” Ferrara emphasized.
Ferrara’s academic and professional credentials are equally extraordinary. He completed his undergraduate studies with honors in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at UCLA in 1991. After earning his medical degree, he pursued a surgical internship and diagnostic radiology residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He further specialized with fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology at the University of California, San Diego, and Boston Children’s Hospital (Harvard medical School). Ferrara is double board-certified in diagnostic radiology and vascular/interventional radiology and holds fellowship designations from both the Society of Interventional Radiology and the American College of Radiology.
In his new role, Ferrara is poised to lead the Military Health System through its next chapter. “We have a unique chance to confront the challenges that lay ahead and to take bold initiative,” he wrote. “Our greatest strength, our most potent defense against our adversaries, is you. Your intellect,your ingenuity,your character,and your dedication will carry the day just as it has for nearly two-and-a-half centuries.”
Ferrara’s vision for the MHS is clear: to build on its strong foundation and ensure it remains a model of excellence in both military and civilian health care. “I look forward to all we will accomplish together as we continue to advance the health and readiness of our force,” he said.
For more details on Dr. Ferrara’s distinguished career, visit his official biography.
| Key Highlights of Dr. stephen L. Ferrara’s Career |
|——————————————————-|
| Education |
| – Undergraduate: UCLA, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (1991) |
| – Medical Degree: Uniformed Services University (1995) |
| – Residency: Naval Medical Center San Diego |
| – Fellowships: Vascular and Interventional Radiology, UC San Diego and Boston Children’s Hospital |
| Military Service |
| – 25 years as a U.S. Navy doctor |
| – Chief Medical Officer, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery |
| – introduced endovascular surgical techniques in afghanistan |
| Key Roles |
| – Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (2025) |
| – Chief medical Officer, Central Intelligence Agency |
| - Congressional Fellow, House Committee on Energy and Commerce |
| Certifications |
| – Double board-certified in Diagnostic Radiology and Vascular/Interventional Radiology |
| - Fellow, Society of Interventional Radiology and American College of Radiology |
dr. ferrara’s appointment marks a new era for the Military Health System, one defined by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the health and readiness of service members, their families, and retirees.
Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara on Innovation, Leadership, adn the Future of military Healthcare
Table of Contents
In January 2025, Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara, a retired U.S.Navy captain and renowned physician, was appointed as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of defense for Health Affairs. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years in the Navy, groundbreaking contributions to combat casualty care, and leadership roles in national security and health policy, Dr. Ferrara is poised to lead the Military Health System (MHS) into a new era of innovation and collaboration. In this exclusive interview, Senior Editor Emily Carter of world-today-news.com sits down with Dr. Ferrara to discuss his vision for the future of military healthcare, his groundbreaking work in endovascular surgery, and his commitment to the health and readiness of service members and their families.
Military Service and Medical Innovation
Emily Carter: Dr. Ferrara,your 25-year career in the U.S.Navy is nothing short of remarkable. Can you share how your experiences as a Navy doctor, notably your work in Afghanistan, shaped your approach to military healthcare?
Dr.Ferrara: Thank you, Emily. My time in the Navy was transformative, both personally and professionally. Serving in combat zones like Afghanistan was a profound experience. I had the prospect to introduce endovascular surgical techniques to the battlefield, which revolutionized how we treat combat casualties. These minimally invasive procedures saved lives and limbs, and they underscored the importance of innovation in military medicine.It taught me that adaptability and forward-thinking are critical in addressing the unique challenges of military healthcare.
Emily Carter: You also served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. How did that role prepare you for your current position?
Dr. Ferrara: That role was pivotal in shaping my leadership philosophy. As Chief Medical Officer, I was responsible for overseeing medical operations across the Navy, ensuring that our service members received the highest standard of care. It reinforced the importance of collaboration,accountability,and a relentless focus on our people. These principles are at the core of my vision for the Military Health System.
Leadership in National Security and Health Policy
Emily Carter: Beyond your military service, you’ve held key roles in national security and health policy, including serving as the Chief Medical Officer for the Central Intelligence Agency. How did those experiences influence your perspective on healthcare leadership?
Dr. Ferrara: Working with the CIA was a unique opportunity to bridge the worlds of medicine and national security. It highlighted the critical role that health plays in global stability and security. Similarly, my time as a congressional Fellow on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce allowed me to engage with policymakers and shape health legislation. These experiences taught me the importance of aligning healthcare initiatives with broader national priorities and fostering partnerships across sectors.
emily Carter: You’ve worked with agencies like the Centers for disease control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Management,and the National Institutes of Health. How do you see these collaborations benefiting the Military Health System?
dr. Ferrara: Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress.By working with these agencies, we can leverage their expertise and resources to address complex health challenges. for example, partnerships with the NIH can advance medical research, while collaboration with the FDA ensures that our service members have access to cutting-edge treatments. these alliances strengthen the MHS and enhance our ability to deliver world-class care.
Vision for the Military Health system
Emily Carter: As the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, what are your top priorities for the Military Health System?
Dr. Ferrara: My top priority is to ensure that the MHS remains a model of excellence in both military and civilian healthcare. This means investing in innovation, fostering collaboration, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the health and readiness of our service members, their families, and retirees. I also want to address the challenges posed by emerging health threats and ensure that our system is resilient and adaptable.
Emily Carter: You’ve emphasized the importance of innovation. Can you elaborate on how you plan to drive innovation within the MHS?
Dr. Ferrara: Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s adopting new technologies, implementing best practices, or exploring novel treatment approaches, we must continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible. Such as, the use of telemedicine has been a game-changer, especially in remote and underserved areas. I’m also a strong advocate for research and growth, as it enables us to stay ahead of emerging health threats and improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Emily Carter: Dr. Ferrara, thank you for sharing your insights and vision for the future of the Military Health System. Your dedication to innovation, collaboration, and the well-being of service members is truly inspiring.
Dr. Ferrara: Thank you, Emily. It’s an honor to serve in this role,and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Military Health System that continues to set the standard for excellence in healthcare.
Dr. Stephen L. Ferrara’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Military Health System, one defined by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the health and readiness of service members, their families, and retirees. To learn more about Dr.Ferrara’s distinguished career, visit his official biography.
