Tama R. Van Decar, MD

Van Decar provides physician administrative operational oversight as part of the Division’s executive leadership team. She is responsible for the provision of high-quality, cost-effective care through activities based on strategic goals, clinical excellence initiatives and guidelines.

Van Decar works closely with the division executives, facility CMOs and other physician leaders. Her areas of focus include medical staff interaction, peer review, physician recruitment, interdisciplinary communication, compliance and regulatory guideline adherence, case management physician review, EHR implementation, and clinical quality enhancement through evidenced-based medicine.

Van Decar received her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1989. She completed postgraduate training and an anesthesiology residency at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in June 1993. She was selected to pursue a clinical scientist tract and spent her last year of residency specializing in obstetric anesthesiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

She was appointed Director of Obstetric Anesthesiology at Wilford Hall Medical Center after completing her fellowship. Van Decar was then assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, in 1995 and served as the chief of anesthesiology prior to her appointment as surgical services flight commander. She left England in 1999 to become chief of anesthesia aervices including the ambulatory surgery unit and the post-anesthesia care unit, 74th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

She went on to serve in various other leadership positions around the country. In 2008, after a highly decorated 20-year military career, Van Decar attained qualification as a Certified

Physician Executive. She retired and transitioned to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in 2009, first as vice president of medical affairs and then, a year later, as CMO. In 2017, she was selected to become CMO for the TriStar Division of HCA where she leads the quality agenda for 20 facilities across three states.