Brig. Gen. Gwendolyn A. Foster, DPH, MSN, MA, BSN, RN, CNM, NEA-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FACNM, is the Director of Defense Health Network Continental. She leads military and civilian medical professionals across 26 Army and Air Force military hospitals and clinics in the continental United States, ensuring high-quality healthcare delivery, access to care, and medical readiness for the warfighter and their families.
A native of Springfield, Illinois, Foster began her military journey at age 17, inspired by her father, a Vietnam veteran. She served for eight years as a Field Medic in the Illinois Army National Guard and Army Reserve (IL/MD/OH). She earned her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing, 1995 and 1995 respectively. Foster practiced as a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Kentucky and then entered active duty in 2001 after 9/11. Throughout her career, she held leadership roles at multiple Army and Air Force medical facilities in the U.S. and overseas, including deployments and support for global medical readiness missions.
Previously, Foster directed the 59th Medical Wing and served as the Director at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, overseeing the Air Force Medical Service’s largest and most complex healthcare, medical education, and readiness platform. She co-chaired the San Antonio Military Health System, responsible for a joint-service health network with an operating budget of $1.2 billion, serving over 255,000 beneficiaries. She has also held leadership positions from squadron to wing level in the Air Force medical organizations, supporting large-scale operations and deployments.
Foster’s education includes a Doctor of Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Master of Arts in Strategic Military Studies from Air War College, and advanced executive healthcare training. She is recognized with the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (five oak leaf clusters), among others. She is a Fellow in multiple national nursing organizations and has received numerous accolades for leadership and service to military and civilian healthcare communities.