The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the appointment of Dr. Richard A. Stone to the position of principal deputy under secretary for health.

Dr. Stone will serve as the second-in-command to Dr. David Shulkin, VA’s under secretary for health. Dr. Stone began work Monday.

“We are excited to bring Dr. Stone on board as the principal deputy under secretary for health,” said Dr. Shulkin. “Dr. Stone’s keen ability to provide oversight of complex health care systems, programs and services has been truly remarkable and his experience in leadership roles within health care validate his skills as an innovative and dynamic leader who will benefit VA as a whole as we continue transformational initiatives.” 

A practicing physician in a career that has spanned three decades, Dr. Stone has served in both the uniformed military service and civilian clinical practice. 

In the military, he served as commander of military medical units at all levels of command – from detachment to medical command – including multiple recalls to active duty.

Prior to that, he was the director of the health care operations for the Defense Health Agency (DHA) transition team, overseeing the complex and historic transition to DHA from the Military Health System. In this role, he served as the chief medical officer and led a joint services team that provided business case analysis and business process re-engineering to 10 major shared services encompassing more than $30 billion in annual expenses.

He also previously served as deputy surgeon general and deputy commanding general of support to the Army Surgeon General.

In the private sector, Dr. Stone has owned and led an ambulatory medical and surgical practice, and served as senior medical officer for a community health care system in his home state of Michigan.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, Dr. Stone earned his medical degree from Wayne State University. He also earned a master’s degree from the Army War College.

Dr. Stone has a number of academic awards and honors to his credit including distinguished alumnus of Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences; and Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.

He also has been a member of the Department of Defense Recovering Warrior Task Force since 2011 and is a fellow in the American Academy of Dermatology.