Nadja West

Combat Medical Badge, 1st award

ArmyFltSurg

Award numeral 4

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon

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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon

US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge

Nadja West

Nadja West is a retired United States Army lieutenant general and the 44th Surgeon General of the United States Army. She was the first African American Surgeon General of the United States Army and the first African American woman to achieve the rank of lieutenant general in the United States Army.

Early Life and Education

Nadja West was born in Washington, D.C.. She attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. Following her graduation from West Point, she attended the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree.

Military Career

West's military career began with her commissioning as a second lieutenant upon graduation from West Point. She completed her internship and residency in family medicine at Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia. She later completed a fellowship in dermatology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Throughout her career, West held various leadership positions, including commanding general of the Europe Regional Medical Command and the Womack Army Medical Center. She also served as the Joint Staff Surgeon at the Pentagon, where she was the chief medical advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Surgeon General of the United States Army

In December 2015, West was appointed as the 44th Surgeon General of the United States Army and Commanding General of the United States Army Medical Command. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the medical readiness of the United States Army and the health care of soldiers, retirees, and their families.

Awards and Decorations

West's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army), the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal. She has also received the Order of Military Medical Merit and the Army Surgeon General's "A" Proficiency Designator.

Retirement

Nadja West retired from the United States Army in 2019 after more than 30 years of service. She continues to be an advocate for military medicine and serves on various boards and organizations related to health care and veterans' issues.

Related Pages

• Surgeon General of the United States Army
• United States Army Medical Command
• United States Military Academy
• George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
• Walter Reed Army Medical Center
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff