Notable Alums
Specialty: Dermatology
Graduation Year: 1977
Richard Stone
Richard Stone, M.D. ’77, is principal deputy undersecretary for Health in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, leading clinical policies and programs for the Veterans Health Administration in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Stone, a practicing dermatologist for more than 30 years and a retired U.S. Army major general, completed his Dermatology residency with WSU in 1981. 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. He was director of Health Care Operations for the Defense Health Agency 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 health care system in Michigan.
He earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich.
He has received several honors and awards, including Distinguished Alumnus of Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences; and the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. He has been a member of the Department of Defense Recovering Warrior Task Force since 2011, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
“Wayne State University School of Medicine provided a comprehensive, patient-centric medical education, with a focus on independent, evidence-based decision making,” he said.
Dr. Stone, a practicing dermatologist for more than 30 years and a retired U.S. Army major general, completed his Dermatology residency with WSU in 1981. 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. He was director of Health Care Operations for the Defense Health Agency 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 health care system in Michigan.
He earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich.
He has received several honors and awards, including Distinguished Alumnus of Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences; and the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. He has been a member of the Department of Defense Recovering Warrior Task Force since 2011, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
“Wayne State University School of Medicine provided a comprehensive, patient-centric medical education, with a focus on independent, evidence-based decision making,” he said.