A native of Chicago, Illinois, CAPT Tschanz graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of
Science degree in bioengineering before pursuing his Osteopathic Medical Degree (DO) from Kirksville
College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. He was commissioned 2002 after accepting a
Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) scholarship. In addition to his medical degree, he
earned a master’s degree in Academic Medicine (MACM) from the University of Southern California.
CAPT Tschanz completed his training in Internal Medicine at the Naval Medical Center San Diego
(NMCSD), followed by a tour as the Chief of Residents then Associate Program Director for the Internal
Medicine Residency. While at NMCSD, he founded the annual Primary Care Symposium, the largest
military conference for primary care providers in Southern California and served as the clerkship site
director for the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Internal Medicine clerkship. In 2010
he deployed to Camp Bastion Hospital, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he served as the US
Intensive Care Physician at the multi-national trauma hospital during the troop surge.
CAPT Tschanz served as the Senior Medical Officer on the USS ESSEX (LHD 2) where he oversaw the
medical and surgical departments for the largest overhaul of a surface ship in Naval history, with
complete renovation and upgrade of all the medical spaces to include six operating rooms, a 16-bed
intensive care unit, and 45-bed ward. He also coordinated medical efforts for multiple surface platforms
during RIMPAC and Seattle Sea Fair exercises.
CAPT Tschanz served as the Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency at NMCSD until 2021.
In 2021, he deployed in response to Operation Allies Welcome before assuming the position of Director
of Professional Education at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He is Board Certified in Internal
Medicine, is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and served as the Governor for the
Navy Chapter of the American College of Physicians until 2023. He is the recipient of two Meritorious
Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, and a Navy Achievement Medal and is designated as
a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer. He has special interests and has published clinical
practice guidelines in hypertension and diabetes management.