Dr. Richard (Rich) Jeffries. D.O., RADM USN (Retired), began his distinguished naval career in 1976 and retired in 2011. He earned the Armed Forces Health Professional's Scholarship and graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa in 1979 and was commissioned into the United States Navy.
Dr. Jeffries completed an Internship and Family Medicine residency at Naval Hospital Pensacola in 1982 and attained Board Certification from the American Board of Family Physicians. His first staff assignment was to Branch Naval Hospital Twenty-nine Palms, Calif. He received appointments as Head, Family Practice Department, Acting Director Clinical Services, and Chief, Medical Staff. He was then transferred to the Department of Family Medicine at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, where he served as a Staff Family Physician, Residency Faculty, and Clinic Director.
After being promoted to Director, Residency Training, Jeffries attained Board Certification in Family Medicine from the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice and Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians. He later passed Board Certification for Added Qualification in Geriatric Medicine.
Dr. Jeffries is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians, and Surgeons (Past President), Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.
During Operation Desert Shield, Jeffries served with augmentation to the 1st Marine Division, Artillery Regimental Surgeon, 11th Marines. In theater, he was appointed deputy then acting Division Surgeon and later Division Surgeon. Next, he was appointed Marine Forces Central Command and I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Force Surgeon for Operation Restore Hope in Somalia representing U.S. military healthcare to the Coalition.
After serving in theater, Dr. Jeffries was re-assigned to Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton as Residency Program Director and Department Head, Family Medicine. He was next appointed Chairman, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff and completed his tour as Director, Medical Services.
Dr. Jeffries’ next assignment was to Marine Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii, as the Force Surgeon and served on the TRICARE Pacific Executive Council and as a military liaison to the Board of Directors, Hawaii State Chapter American Red Cross. In 2000 he assumed duties as Deputy Commander for Clinical Services, Tripler Army Medical Center until he took command of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
Dr. Jeffries reported to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery as a newly nominated Flag Officer and as the first Deputy Chief for Future Plans and Strategies (M5). Soon after his arrival, Dr. Jeffries was deployed as the JFMCC Surgeon in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Later that year, Rear Adm. Jeffries reported to Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps as the Medical Officer of the Marine Corps serving until he received orders to report as Commander, National Naval Medical Center and Regional Commander, Navy Medicine National Capital Area, Bethesda, Maryland.
Receiving his second star, Rear Adm. (Upper Half) Jeffries was sent back to the Marine Corps as the Commandant and Marine Corps' Senior Medical Officer and Healthcare Advisor. Rear Adm. Jeffries retired from the navy on 1 February 2011.
Rear Adm. Jeffries' personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star, Combat Action Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation with one Bronze Star, Army Order of Military Medical Merit, and Artillery Order of Saint Barbara.
Dr. Jeffries currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Grace and Associates, LLC. He is also an advisor/board member for Onsite OHS, the Defense Strategies Institute and Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Honorary.
