CAPT Ron West is a seasoned leader in the Therapist Category of the U.S. Public Health Service, with more than two decades of experience driving quality improvement, healthcare delivery, and professional development. As Chief Therapist, CAPT Ron West will provide leadership and direction to the Therapist Category, which includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, and respiratory therapy. He will collaborate with the Office of the Surgeon General on strategic priorities and initiatives to advance public health, promote professional development of therapist officers, and enhance recruitment and retention. A committed servant leader, CAPT West has dedicated his career to strengthening others. His vision for the Therapist Category is to strengthen individuals spiritually, physically, psychologically, and professionally. He is excited to lead the incredible officers of the Therapist Category to reach new heights, attain their professional goals, and be the best assets for the agencies they serve. In 2000, CAPT West served as Therapist PAC Executive Secretary and since then has served as committee, subcommittee, task force chair, and senior advisor.

CAPT West works for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality as the Director of the Division of Public Reporting. He oversees the statutorily mandated public reporting of 19 programs. He manages the content on the CMS provider data catalog and CMS Care Compare tool. He led the core planning team for CMS Quality Conference in 2023, 2024, and 2025, CMS’s largest quality healthcare conference hosting over 6,000 attendees.

Prior to working at CMS, CAPT West served in the Indian Health Service for 23 years as a physical therapist clinician and rehabilitation clinical director where he helped many underserved patients navigate their healthcare benefits in outpatient and acute care settings. He led on two hospital medical executive committees. CAPT West has practical experience with clinical standards, quality compliance, provider enrollment, hospital policy development, medical staff organization, medical executive committee processes, leadership training, and customer service training. In 2006, CAPT West was detailed to the Office of the Secretary to serve as action officer for the DHHS Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report to the White House. As a result of this report, the deployment structure and training for the USPHS was created. CAPT West served on the Executive Board of the Federal Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and as COA Phoenix Branch President and Treasurer.

His professional credentials include a Doctorate and Master of Physical Therapy, with board specialty certifications in Geriatrics and Wound Care. A lifelong learner and mentor, CAPT West is also known for his contributions to officer development, training, and mentorship across the Corps.

Outside of his professional life, CAPT West is a proud husband to Jennifer, father of six, and grandfather of six. He served a two-year LDS mission in Chile as a young man and remains passionate about family, faith, storytelling (especially to grandchildren), gardening, reading, and exercise. A former Junior Olympic gymnast and Eagle Scout, he brings energy, discipline, and heart to every endeavor.