Elder Granger, M.D., Major General US Army (ret)

Most Recent Assignment – Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity 
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. In July of 2009 after 37 years of Military service Major General Elder Granger, MD retired as the Deputy Director and Program Executive Officer of the TRICARE Management Activity, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), Washington, DC. In this role he served as the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) on DoD health plan policy and performance. He oversaw the acquisition, operation and integration of DoD’s managed care program within the Military Health System. MG Granger led a staff of 1,800 in planning, budgeting and executing an $19 Billion Defense Health Program and in ensuring the effective and efficient provision of high-quality, accessible healthcare for 9.4 Million Uniformed Service members, their families, retirees and others located worldwide. 

Prior to joining TRICARE Management Activity, MG Granger led the largest US and multi-national battlefield health system in our recent history while serving as Commander, Task Force 44th Medical Command and Command Surgeon for the Multinational Corps Iraq. He has led at every level of the Army Medical Department. 

MG Granger began his career with the Army Medical Department in 1971 as a Combat Medic in the US Army National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State University in 1976. A Distinguished Military Graduate, MG Granger was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Upon graduation from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1980, he was awarded the Henry Kaiser Medical Fellowship for Medical Excellence and Leadership. MG Granger completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 1983 and a fellowship in Hematology-Oncology in 1986 at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. His Military education includes the Army War College, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army Medical Department Officer Advanced and Basic Courses, the Military Health System and Army CAPSTONE Courses, and the Combat Casualty Care Course. 

MG Granger continues to advance his passion for patients and healthcare improvement through advising and supporting teams across the spectrum of healthcare. He and his wife Brenda now live in Colorado. Their son Elder II is a lawyer and their daughter Eldesia is a M.D.