Pioneering Leadership

This July, Col. Deydre S. Teyhen, M.P.T. ‘95, D.P.T. ’08, was promoted to Brigadier General at a ceremony on Joint Base San Antonio by Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command.

Teyhen’s promotion was historic as she is the first Specialist Corps General Officer and first physical therapist to become a general officer in the history of the nation. Her experience and leadership successes were highlighted throughout the ceremony as she was recognized as serving as the commander of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research during COVID-19.

“When I think about the word ‘humbled,’ I think about the GOs, SESs, sergeant majors and command sergeant majors who decided to invest in a SP Corps officer at a time when they didn’t know if that investment would pay off,” Teyhen said. “The time you all have invested and poured into me has been greatly appreciated.”

Teyhen shared that she was more thankful for the investment of soldiers and their holistic health than ever before. She grants a great deal of her success to those who mentored her. Teyhen has constantly striven to do what is right and honorable.

“This day could not have been possible without those that invested in me – that were senior to me that saw something and wanted to.” Teyhen said. “And also those who paved the way that showed the value of what a SP Corps officer can bring to the fight. You all made the improbable possible.” 

Additionally, Teyhen acknowledges that her upbringing led to her belief there was never anything that she couldn’t do because she was a woman. She acknowledges that it felt like the perfect fit when she joined the Army because of how her parents raised her. 

It often, as Teyhen shared at her ceremony, takes a village for things like this to be accomplished. Teyhen’s following assignment is the commanding general for the Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio.

“King Solomon said ‘As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend’” Teyhen said. “Thank you to all of those who made me a better leader. I will do my best to serve with a servant’s heart.”