People Who Inspire:? Tonya Reeder

Tonya Reeder is an empowered, self-motivated, and driven leader who has navigated the odds to become a top-tier Chief Information Officer (CIO) in her field. Hailing from East Oakland, she turned her childhood dreams into reality through determination and resilience, becoming the first African American woman to serve as the CIO for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). WRNMMC, the world’s largest joint military medical center, serves over one million beneficiaries annually, and under Tonya’s leadership, it continues to excel.

Tonya's career began as a dedicated registered nurse in ICU and ER settings. Seeking new challenges, she transitioned into IT, bridging her clinical expertise with technological acumen. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, she earned a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Business Administration, launching her career as an executive healthcare leader.

Starting at Walter Reed in 2008 as Deputy Chief of Informatics, Tonya quickly advanced due to her exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to streamline complex solutions. By 2009, she was appointed Chief of Informatics. Her competencies as a systems thinker and transformative innovator, coupled with effective healthcare information management, made her a strategic health information technology executive.

In 2010, Tonya was promoted to Deputy CIO/Chief Information Management Officer at Walter Reed, and in 2023, she became the CIO/Technical Advisor for the National Capital Region. Her journey is a testament to her tenacity, vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Key Accomplishments

• Saved $1.5 million in contract costs.
• Reduced human capital costs by 33% through implementing a global telehealth ICU military health system.
• Achieved a 25% reduction in organizational costs by transitioning three services to the enterprise solution.
• Decreased regional portfolio by 10% by standardizing protocols for software procurement and usage.
• Designed a hospital-wide patient care delivery system.
• Increased EMR training capacity by 50% through new policies and procedures.
• Oversaw the operation and maintenance of over 70 systems/applications.

Tonya is a proud mother of two daughters, who serve as her motivation, and wife to husband who is her muse. Balancing marriage and motherhood with a successful career in two influential professions is why she is a most inspirational figure in our ecosystem where women are few but rising.

Deeply connected to her roots, Tonya shares her story to inspire and encourage others, mentoring underprivileged youth, and supporting patients who have served their country. As a dedicated mentor and advisor, she contributes to the next generation of healthcare leaders and IT professionals. She serves on the Leadership Review Board of the Defense Health Agency, the Maryland Health Information and Management Systems Society, and other professional organizations. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Tonya has shattered the projection of a prejudiced man of her childhood who once told her she could never achieve career success in her brown skin.?Refusing to be oppressed, she took that notion and crushed it, trailblazing the way for the many courageous Black American women and all women who are rising in her jet trails.??

Tonya embodies the spirit of a phoenix, constantly evolving and thriving through the trials.??She believes in setting ambitious goals and achieving them, proving that amazing things can be accomplished through determination and resilience.

We honor her.?We salute her.?We give thanks for her example!

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