Michael von Bertele

Major General Michael James von Bertele, (born 23 August 1956) is a retired senior British Army officer. From 2009 to 2012, he was Director General of the Army Medical Services.

Early life Von Bertele was born on 23 August 1956. He is the son of Otto Bertele von Grenadenberg and his wife Monica von Bertele (née Barrett). He was educated at the all-boys St Mary's Grammar School, Darlington. He worked as a drayman for Schwechat Brewery in Vienna from 1974 to 1976. He went on to study medicine at the Welsh National School of Medicine in Cardiff, Wales. He graduated with Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB BCh) in 1979. He then underwent further medical training for a year as a Pre-registration house officer.

On 1 August 1980, his commission was confirmed and he was promoted to captain. Between 1980 and 1983, he was a Medical Officer in one of the Parachute Field Ambulance's. In 1983, he began practising aviation medicine. He was awarded a Diploma in Aviation Medicine in 1986. He then became Commanding Officer of the 5th Field Ambulance. In the same year, he was awarded Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (MFOM). From 2001 to 2003, he was Colonel of Employment Policy (Army). He then joined the Ministry of Defence as Director of Medical Operational Capability from 2004 to 2006. He was appointed Commander Joint Medical Command in 2008. In 2009, he was appointed Director General Army Medical Services.

Later life Following his retirement from the British Army, von Bertele joined Picker Institute Europe as Chief executive. It is a 'not-for-profit organisation that makes patients' views count in healthcare'. He resigned from the company in March 2013. From 2013 he served as Humanitarian Director for Save the Children International.

In 2015, World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan appointed von Bertele as member of the Advisory Group on Reform of WHO's Work in Outbreaks and Emergencies with Health and Humanitarian Consequences.

Honours and decorations On 26 April 1994, von Bertele was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "in recognition of distinguished services in the former Republic of Yugoslavia during the period April 1993 to November 1993". He was appointed Honorary Surgeon to The Queen (QHS) on 10 March 2008. In the 2012 Birthday Honours, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). In 2013 he was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians FRCP.