Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

Defense Health Agency Director Promoted to Lieutenant General

Image of Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, the Defense Health Agency’s fourth director and first African American DHA director, poses with family and friends after she was promoted to Lieutenant General on Jan. 20, 2023. (Photo by Robert Hammer). Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, the Defense Health Agency’s fourth director and first African American DHA director, poses with family and friends after she was promoted to Lieutenant General on Jan. 20, 2023. (Photo by Robert Hammer)

The new Defense Health Agency director pinned on her third star during a ceremony at Fort Myer Memorial Chapel, Virginia, on Jan. 20, 2023.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland took the DHA directorship reins on Jan. 3, 2023.

The agency’s fourth director chose her friend, mentor, and former boss U.S. Army Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, the current Army Surgeon General, to host the ceremony. Former U.S. Army Surgeon General retired Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West also attended.

"General West was the first African American female from West Point to make the rank of three stars. Today, you're getting ready to see the second with Telita Crosland," said Dingle.

Dingle presented Crosland with her certificate of promotion to lieutenant general and administered Crosland’s oath of office. He then performed a moving reading of “Mother to Son” by the poet Langston Hughes.

“She strives for excellence and to do things perfect and right. Not by herself but as a team leader, as a member leading the team, and as a member who’s not afraid to get in the boat and to row, just like the other teammates, to work tough wicked problems. She made my job easy there. She made it easy,” said Dingle.

“She serves as an example for all of us of how to keep climbing through the storms, through the blizzards, through the Cat. 5 hurricanes that life will through at you,” Dingle also said.

Crosland was joined by several family members, including her son, Jackson.

The ceremony was also attended by key DHA and Department of Defense leaders, including former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and current Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences President, Dr. Jonathan Woodson, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Ms. Seileen Mullen, and Department of the Army Inspector General, Lt. Gen. Donna Martin.

In her remarks, Crosland recognized Dingle’s mentorship throughout her military career. “You are without a doubt a huge reason why I’m here today,” said Crosland.

In her decades-long service to the military, Crosland has held a series of assignments in accordance with Dingle’s career.

“I have followed General Dingle in every assignment as a general officer—from the MEDCOM357 to the RHC-Atlantic to the deputy surgeon general—you are a selfless impactful leader who always set me up for success,” said Crosland.

[Watch the full video of her promotion ceremony.]

You also may be interested in...

Article
Feb 8, 2024

Dr. Leonard Sperling Receives Helwig Award from the American Society of Dermatopathology

Leonard C. Sperling, M.D. was honored with the Elson B. Helwig Memorial Lecture Award by the American Society of Dermatopathology. Pictured are some of the dozens of physicians Dr. Sperling has mentored at the Uniformed Services University. (Courtesy Photo)

Leonard C. Sperling, distinguished professor of dermatology and pathology at the Uniformed Services University, vice Chair of Dermatology, and Sulzberger Chair of Dermatology, was honored with the Elson B. Helwig Memorial Lecture Award by the American Society of Dermatopathology for his significant contributions to the field, including his extensive ...

Video
Dec 19, 2023

The Chosin Few: Recounting the Battle of Chosin Reservoir

The Chosin Few: Recounting the Battle of Chosin Reservoir

General Raymond G Davis and Billy Gene Devasher recount their experiences at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War that occurred from November 26-December 13, 1950. Read more about how military medics saved the "Chosin Frozen" at health.mil/chosin.

Article
Dec 15, 2023

Passing the Guidon: A Ceremony of Leadership Transition at Uniformed Services University's Change of Command

Uniformed Services University's Brigade Commander U.S. Army Col. Patrick Donahue relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Albert Kinkead on Dec. 1, 2023, at the change of command ceremony in the university's Rice Hall. (Photo by Tom Balfour/Uniformed Services University)

Uniformed Services University's Brigade Commander U.S. Army Col. Patrick Donahue passes the guidon to U.S. Army Col. Albert Kinkead, symbolizing a change of command and celebrating Donahue's distinguished 30-year career, as the university looks forward to a new chapter under Kinkead's leadership.

Video
Dec 12, 2023

DHA Minute on DHA Advancement

DHA Minute on DHA Advancement

The latest DHA Minute provides an update to the workforce on DHA Advancement and how it will improve the organization’s agility and alignment to better support its mission and partnership with the Service medical departments. It also describes the new communication flow to and from the field through the Defense Health Support Activity led by U.S. Army ...

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: February 03, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery