Ronald R . Blanck Lt . Gen . ( Ret . ) Ronald Ray Blanck , D . O . ( born October 8 , 1941 ) was the 39th Surgeon General of the United States Army , from 1996 to 2000 . He is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine ( D . O . ) and is the only such physician ever appointed Surgeon General of the Army . He was also president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth from 2000 to 2006 . He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences . Career . He is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board certified in internal medicine . He began his military career in 1968 as a medical officer and battalion surgeon in Vietnam . He retired 32 years later as the Surgeon General of the U . S . Army and commander of the U . S . Army Medical Command , with more than 46 , 000 military personnel and 26 , 000 civilian employees throughout the world . During his military career , he also served as commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center ; first commander of the North Atlantic Region Medical Command ; and Director of Professional Services and Chief of Medical Corps Affairs for the U . S . Army Surgeon General . Other assignments included Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine ; Chief of the Department of Medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center ; Commander , Berlin Army Hospital ; and Commander , Frankfurt Regional Army Medical Center . He has held teaching positions at Georgetown University , George Washington University , Howard University College of Medicine , The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of North Texas Health Science Center . He joined the UNT Health Science Center in August 2000 after his retirement from the U . S . Army and served as president until June 30 , 2006 . As president , he headed an academic health center that includes the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine , Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences , School of Public Health and School of Health Professions . He is now is a partner and Vice - Chairman of the Board of Martin , Blanck & Associates . The company , formerly Martin & Associates , does health care consulting for the private sector and the government . He is consulted as an advisor on bioterrorism issues and an expert in preparing the medical community to respond to mass casualty incidents or those involving weapons of mass destruction . He chaired task forces on bioterrorism for both the Texas Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association . Honors and recognition . His military honors include Distinguished Service Medals , the Defense Superior Service Medal , the Legion of Merit , the Bronze Star Medal , Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal s . In 2000 the American Medical Association honored him with its highest award for government officials , the Dr . Nathan Davis Award . He is past Governor of the American College of Physicians / American Society of Internal Medicine and was named a Master by the society . He was elected to the National Board of Medical Examiners and also joined the boards of Delsite , Inc , Noblis , Inc ( formerly Mitretek Systems , Inc ) , Trauma Cure , Inc and The Annapolis Center for Science - Based Public Policy .