Fort Leonard Wood commanding general hosts town hall

By Ms. Dawn M Arden (Leonard Wood)November 26, 2014

Fort Leonard Wood commanding general hosts town hall
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldier for Life, a new post hospital/Veterans Affairs agreement and post construction were the main focus of a town hall meeting held Friday in Nutter Field House.

Fort Leonard Wood officials estimate that approximately 520 Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians attended the event, hosted by Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general.

Col. Andrew Herbst, Garrison commander, and a panel of experts addressed attendees.

Herbst explained the Soldier for Life concept and more specifically some aspects that are specific to Fort Leonard Wood, such as a Soldiers to Farmers program.

According to Herbst, the SFL concept consists of four phases -- Start Strong, Serve Strong, Reintegrate Strong and Remain Strong.

Changing his focus, Herbst said the installation is fortunate to be continually growing and updating, benefiting from more than $330.5 million worth of construction projects that include construction of the new hotel complex, dental and simulator facilities to the nearly completed renovation of Pershing Community Center.

"We are really privileged to have all of this construction," Herbst said. "This includes new and maintenance construction."

General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital representative Lt. Col. Joseph Dubose, Nursing Division chief, said the agreement between GLWACH and the VA has had a positive effect on the installation's hospital.

"This program has been a great success for us. It has really helped the VA and the veterans living in this area," Dubose said. "We have the capacity to take more patients and, by partnering with the VA, we have admitted about 19 of their patients."

Diane Hell, GLWACH Primary Care administrative officer, said that GLWACH has other perks and programs available.

"A lot of people don't know that they don't need appointments for a suture removal (unless it's on the face), pregnancy tests, (vitamin) B12 shots or Depo-Provera shots. You can walk in to get your blood pressure checked. You don't need an appointment for that," Hell said.

She also encouraged individuals to start relying on Relay Health as an alternative to appointments.

"For labs, test results and even medication renewals, use Relay Health," Hell said. "Send a message to your Primary Care Provider for those items. You don't need an appointment, and messages on Relay Health will be answered within 24 hours."

Hell also advised that, if an appointment is needed for follow up, individuals should try and make it on their way out to ensure availability.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood