FORT HOOD, Texas - Col. (Dr.) Steven E. Braverman took command of Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center during a change of command ceremony July 17 at Sadowski Field.
Braverman replaced Col. Casper P. Jones III who will become the Director of Plans and Policy (J5) at the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical in Bethesda, Md.
Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of III Corps and Fort Hood, served as host. He told the audience that Jones was a leader who has "tremendously impacted" the healthcare and quality of life for Soldiers, Families, and the community as commander of Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.
Lynch praised Jones' significant accomplishments during his tenure that includes decreasing the amount of time to pick up prescriptions in the hospital's outpatient pharmacy. "I remember when I was stationed at Fort Hood as a battalion commander and having to wait all afternoon to pick up a prescription. Now, 75 percent of the patients wait 30 minutes or less and 98 percent of the patients are serviced in less than one hour."
"Jones is a great leader because he loves Soldiers and their Family Members. He has my sincere admiration," Lynch said.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., commanding general of Great Plains Regional Medical Command and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, who officiated at the ceremony, told members of Braverman's new command they had another great commander "in the wings."
"I can think of none finer to follow in the footsteps of Colonel Jones and all he has accomplished," Caravalho said. "We welcome Braverman and his family into the Great Plains family. May God bless you and your loved ones."
Caravalho also praised Jones. "We owe a debt of gratitude to Jones, his command sergeant major, (CSM Keith L. Seidler), and the Soldiers and civilians at Darnall. We thank you for a job well done."
Jones remarked that he expects greatness from Braverman who will be leading an Army medical center where the quality of healthcare is so exceptional that it has yet to be replicated in the Army. "All the Soldiers and civilian employees have made Darnall the face of Army medicine," Jones said.
Jones reminisced about employees at Darnall who have made a difference in patients' lives. "I remember walking down a hospital hallway at 9 p.m. once and seeing a housekeeper stopping work so he could help answer a patient's question."
He also spoke of a nurse who had called a grandmother the next day to check on her grandchild. "The grandmother called me and she was in tears. She said that in her 29 years as an Army beneficiary, that was the first time a nurse taken the time to call to check on her."
Braverman, whose assignments include chief consultant to the Army surgeon general and deputy surgeon for Clinical Operations, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, spoke about his "Four C's of Success," which form the cornerstone of his commander's philosophy. The Four C's are: communication, care of the patient, customer service, and common sense.
Braverman's military awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal. He is a recipient of the "A" designator award for professional expertise, the Order of Military Medical Merit, and the General Claire L. Chennault Award for teaching excellence.
Braverman and his wife Susan have three daughters.
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