Bob Cornes

Robert (Bob) Cornes was born at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. He grew up in a family with a strong sense of patriotism and a deep-rooted connection to service. Cornes received a three-year Army ROTC scholarship at Western Oregon State College, marking the beginning of his service history.

The mentorship Cornes received during his most impressionable years left a strong and memorable impact on him and helped him understand the importance of influencing and developing others into leaders. Upon graduation, he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. Colonel Cornes dedicated 27 years as an officer in the U.S. Army in the Medical Service Corps with a focus on medical operations.

During his service, Cornes completed his master’s in health care administration from the U.S. Army-Baylor University and a master’s in science in national resource strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School. Cornes led at the medical platoon, company, and battalion level as he worked his way up to leading a hospital system. His service includes four deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in medical operations roles. In his final assignment, he held the position of Military Assistant to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Through the various assignments and accomplishments completed during his years in the Army, one of Cornes’ proudest moments took place with the 82nd Airborne Division. While deployed to Iraq, a surgical team noticed patterns emerging in wounded soldiers. The outer shoulder and axillary region was an extremely common wound location for soldiers, which indicated a lack of protective equipment for this area of the body. With this problem in mind, Cornes participated in the initial prototype development, field testing and procurement of a device to help protect soldiers from these frequently occurring injuries. This crucial piece of body armor, the deltoid axillary protector, saves lives and is still used today across the Department of Defense.

Cornes is now utilized in a business operations role as a strategist and market leader for Optum Serve, supporting the Defense Health Agency and Veterans Affairs. Joining the Optum Serve team was an easy decision for him. This role has allowed him to continue working toward the same goal and mission that he worked toward during his years of service — to make the health system work better for everyone. Cornes brings his passion for mentorship, leadership skills and dedication to the Optum Serve team and the mission we strive to achieve every day.