COL Deydre Teyhen was born in Canton, Ohio and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sports Science at Ohio Wesleyan University in 1993. She earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the U.S. Army-Baylor University in 1995, completed her Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Texas in 2004, and her Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from the Baylor University in 2008. COL Teyhen graduated with honors from the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies in 2014.

COL Teyhen currently serves simultaneously as the Deputy of Therapeutics for Operation Warp Speed at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the 20th Chief, U.S. Army Medical Specialist Corps (SP). She most recently served as the Commander for Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the Department of Defense’s largest biomedical research facility. She led infectious disease, brain, and behavioral health research efforts; including research to prevent, detect, and treat COVID-19. COL Teyhen’s previous assignments include Commander, U.S. Army Health Clinic-Schofield Barracks; Assistant Chief of Staff- Public Health at the Army’s Office of the Surgeon General; Commander, Public Health Command Region- South; Deputy Director, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center at Ft Detrick, MD; Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Physical Therapy Research for the U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Fort Sam Houston, TX; Officer-in-Charge of Task Force 10 Delta Med in Al Kut, Iraq; Chief of Musculoskeletal Care Center and Chief of Physical Therapy at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, Ft Meade, MD; Chief of Outpatient Physical Therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Chief of Physical Therapy, 21st Combat Support Hospital in Tuzla, Bosnia; and Physical Therapist at Darnall Army Community Hospital at Ft Hood, TX.

COL Teyhen’s personal research portfolio focuses on Soldier health and medical readiness (public health, 
musculoskeletal medicine, behavioral health, resiliency, imaging, and technology). Her research accomplishments include over 210 peer-reviewed publications, editorials, book chapters, and published abstracts; 120 presentations at conferences; and 150 invited lectures. COL Teyhen is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and a Cooper Institute Certified Health Promotion Director.

COL Teyhen’s key military awards include the Legion of Merit (3OLC), the Army Medical Department’s Order of Military Medical Merit, the Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator, and the U.S. Army War College 
Commandant’s Award for Distinction in Research. Key civilian awards include Dissertation Award from the 
University of Texas, the American Physical Therapy Association, Margaret L. Moore Award for Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member, and inducted into the Kinesiology and Health Education Distinguished Alumna Hall of Honor, University of Texas.

COL Teyhen is married to COL (Ret) John V. Teyhen III who recently served as the Deputy Command Surgeon of the U.S. Army Pacific Command before retiring in October 2018 after 34 years of service. He is currently the Principal Deputy Assistant Director – Combat Support at the Defense Health Agency. They have accomplished their goal to be the first military couple to run a marathon in all 50 states, and are working towards 100 marathons to include all 7 continents.