Sgt. Maj. Manuel Cruz is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Assistant Director, Healthcare Administration for the Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia. Cruz is responsible for providing enlisted oversight and guidance for the administration and management of healthcare delivery across all military hospitals and clinics and ensures sustainment of the medical readiness of the Armed Forces and the readiness of the medical force within a unified Military Health System.
As the AD HCA Senior Enlisted Leader, Cruz assists the Assistant Director for Healthcare Administration in the planning, direction, and management of healthcare facilities, implementing policies, procedures and direction that affect healthcare delivery and administration, as well as providing cross-functional support to the Defense Health Networks and managing the TRICARE Health Plan.
Prior to his current position, Cruz served as the Command Sgt. Maj. for U.S. Army Medical Activity Fort Knox and Ireland Army Health Clinic at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Cruz enlisted into the Army in August 1996 as a Combat Medic and reclassified to serve as a Medical Laboratory Specialist in 2000. His background includes various leadership positions within the Department of Pathology; Regional Health Command-Atlantic Senior Enlisted Laboratory Consultant; Chief, Enlisted Subject Matter Expert Department, Medical Center of Excellence; Assistant Chief, Commandant’s Initiatives Group, NCO Leader Center of Excellence. He has also deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Guard.
Cruz holds a Bachelor of Science in Cytotechnology from George Washington University and a Master of Business Administration with a dual concentration in Healthcare Management and Human Resource Management from American Intercontinental University.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (7th award), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal (6th award), and various other awards and ribbons for service and dedication to the Army. He is a proud member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.