Mr. Chris Priest joins Grace and Associates as the Director of Clinical Operations after his government service as the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) for Healthcare Operations (HCO), Defense Health Agency (DHA) where he was responsible for the policy, procedures, and direction of healthcare in the military medical treatment facilities and oversight of the TRICARE programs. The DAD, HCO portfolio included the Pharmacy and TRICARE Health Plan programs, healthcare optimization programs, clinical lab compliance program, and an operations and compliance team. Mr. Priest also chaired the Enterprise Solutions Board in collaboration with the DHA’s Chief Medical Officer and the MHS Genesis Functional Champion, in collaboration with the Military Department’s medical operations leaders.
Mr. Priest previously served as the Deputy Director, Healthcare Operations Directorate, DHA. He served as an advisor to the Director, Healthcare Operations Directorate and other Senior DoD Leadership on the Directorate’s efforts to improve patient safety, quality and access for the 9.5M TRICARE beneficiaries. In this role, he coordinated the administrative requirement of the largest Directorate within the DHA, and evaluated, as well as facilitated efforts to ensure continued world-class care for all beneficiaries.
Mr. Priest retired from the United States Army as a Medical Service Corps Colonel after 30 years of Commissioned Service. As a career officer, he served at various levels in the Army, including tactical, field hospitals and headquarters, Office of the Surgeon General. He served as the Program Director, Reserve Affairs for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Health Protection and Readiness) as his final assignment. Mr. Priest is a graduate of the Air War College and the Army War College, member of the Order of Military Medical Merit, and is board certified in Healthcare Administration and a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development, Masters of Healthcare Administration, and a Masters in Strategic Studies.
