Richard C. Welton, M.D., MHA

Class 1995-1997

B.S., Trinity College, Hartford, CT, 1969
M.D., St. Louis Univ. School Medicine, MO, 1974
MHA, Baylor Univ., Waco, TX, 1997

Commander, Naval Hosp. Camp Lejeune, NC, 2003 to present
Exec. Asst. Navy TSG, BuMed, Washington, DC, 2001-2003
Chief Staff, TRICARE Mgmt. Act., Washington, DC, 2000-01
Med. Dir., TRICARE Pacific Spt. Office, Honolulu, HI, 1997-2000
Resident, MEDECOM, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, 1996-97

Biography

Captain Welton reported aboard as Commanding Officer on 30 May 2003. His recent prior assignments include: Executive Assistant to the Navy Surgeon General with staff appointments at OPNAV 093 and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (August 2001 – May 2003); Chief of Staff, TRICARE Management Activity (TMA), a field operating activity reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (June 2000 – July 2001); and Director of the TRICARE Pacific Lead Agency in Honolulu, HI (responsible for the implementation and management of the TRICARE Regional Health Services Plan for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Western Pacific; May 1997 – May 2000).

Captain Welton earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biology from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut in June 1969; a medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in May 1974; and a masters of Science degree in healthcare administration from the U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration in July 1997. He completed a three-year residency in Internal Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington in June 1977, and a two-year fellowship in Rheumatology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C. in June 1980.

Joining the Army Reserve in 1970, Captain Welton later served on active duty in the Army from 1974-1984. He served in the Navy Reserve during medical school and while engaged in a civilian Rheumatology and Physical Rehabilitation practice from 1984-1990. In January 1990, he returned to active duty as a Navy Medical Corps officer. His military assignments include: General Internal Medicine, Ft. Eustis, Newport News, VA, 1977-1978; Assistant Chief of Rheumatology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C., 1980-1; Chief of Rheumatology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C., 1981-4; Commanding Officer, Naval Reserve, Naval Hospital Portsmouth 506, Portsmouth, VA, 1988-9; Director for Medical Services and Head, Internal Medicine Department, Naval Hospital, Charleston, SC, 1990-3; Deputy Chief, Medical Corps, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington D.C.,1993-4; and the Branch Head, Medical Officer Community Manager, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington D.C., 1995. He has completed the Fleet Hospital Operations Course, Camp Pendleton, CA, 1992; Strategic Medical Readiness & Contingency Course, Washington D.C., 1994; Marine Air-Ground Task Force Operations Course, Camp Lejeune, N.C., 1994; Inter-Agency Institute for Federal Healthcare Executives, Washington D.C., 1994; and Combat Casualty Management Course (C4AIII), San Antonio, TX, 1996.

Captain Welton is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology; and is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. His military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (with one oakleaf cluster), Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), the Army Commendation Medal, and other service and unit medals.

Reference