The Honorable William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., MBA

Dr. Bill Winkenwerder is one of the most influential and recognized leaders in American healthcare. He is the Chairman of The Winkenwerder Company, a healthcare consulting and advisory company based in Alexandria, Virginia. He is also a board director and advisor to several companies. He also speaks throughout America on health issues.

Dr. Winkenwerder's experience both as an health industry leader and also as a senior government health leader is unique. From 2001 to 2007 he was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; before that for over 15 years he served in leadership positions at Blue Cross of Massachusetts, Prudential Healthcare, and Emory University.

As a major Washington policymaker, senior business executive and former practicing physician, Dr. Winkenwerder is known as a thought leader. He was an early advocate for preventive healthcare, evidence-based medicine, and electronic health records. He has overseen major programs to improve quality and reduce healthcare costs, and worked closely with many of America's major employers on their health issues.

At the Department of Defense, Dr. Winkenwerder was the leader of the Military Health System (MHS) with a $40 billion annual budget, and the principal medical advisor to the Secretary of Defense. The MHS with 132,000 personnel, cares for 9.2 million people through a national network (TRICARE) of physicians and hospitals, and 70 military hospitals worldwide.

During his tenure, he led groundbreaking advances in battlefield medicine and implementation of the world's largest electronic health record system (AHLTA). He also brought many innovations and improved business practices to government, improved TRICARE and mental healthcare for soldiers, oversaw medical relief efforts for the Asian tsunami and other disasters and led preparedness efforts for a possible avian flu or biological attack. He worked closely with the National and Homeland Security Councils and with leaders throughout the Cabinet. He has been a key proponent of the goal of developing electronic medical records for all Americans.

Today, Dr. Winkenwerder and his company provide strategic advice to some of America's leading health companies and work to identify emerging transformative companies and technologies. He also strongly advocates for better controlling the enormously growing federal health budget, engaging individuals and consumers in their healthcare, and improving public health. He serves with unique understanding at the interface of government, public policy, and the private sector.

A graduate of Davidson College and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Dr. Winkenwerder is board certified in internal medicine and received his MBA from the Wharton School. He has written extensively about health issues and appeared frequently in the national media and before Congress. Deeply committed to improving and reforming health care in America, he is a true visionary leader whose views are widely regarded.