FORT SILL, Okla. (July 16, 2015) -- Commanding a military hospital requires compassion for patients.
It's about always striving to improve a patient's medical experience, to lead a health care team of Soldiers and civilians who provide quality care and access for 30,000 military and family members and retirees, and being a champion of the patient-centered model of care.
Col. Noel Cárdenas was praised for those accomplishments and more as he relinquished command of Reynolds Army Community Hospital to Col. Kenneth Lemons in a change of command ceremony July 9, at Rinehart Fitness Center.
Brig. Gen. Barbara Holcomb, Southern Region-al Medical Command commander in San Antonio, served as the ceremony's reviewing officer. She recounted Cárdenas' achievements.
RACH had one of the lowest appointment no-show rates in the Army; maintained a 93-percent patient satisfaction rate; had the second highest primary care manager continuity rate of the 11 medical facilities in the Southern Region; and earned the region's No. 2 slot for Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set -- a tool used to measure performance in care and service, Holcomb said.
"Noel, you've been a dynamic part of the Lawton-Fort Sill community. Army medicine is losing an outstanding leader, but you're leaving behind a reputation of excellence, compassion and effectiveness," the general said.
Holcomb attributed much of the colonel's success to his wife, Cristi, and their three children.
"Thank you for supporting Noel while he was here, and also for the support you've given him over the course of his career, Holcomb.
Holcomb welcomed the Lemons. She said she has known Colonel Lemons since he was a second lieutenant and described him as a strong leader.
"He's always made things look easy, so I know he's anxious to get started here," she said.
During the ceremony, RACH Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Oats handed the unit colors to Cárdenas, who then passed them to Holcomb as his last act as the Reynolds' commander. The general then entrusted the colors to Lemons symbolizing his new command, responsibility and authority. Lemons returned the colors to the CSM for safekeeping.
In his speech, Cárdenas thanked families because they are the strength of Soldiers. He began with the Lawton-Fort Sill family.
"There is no better military community in the Army," he said. "In my two Fort Sill tours, I have personally witnessed a community that gives its full support to Soldiers, retirees and families."
Cárdenas also thanked the RACH family.
"Your commitment to our patients is second to none," he said. "The RACH Soldiers have a sense of pride unlike anything I've seen in a hospital setting or a battlefield."
He thanked several Soldiers by name including Oats, and Col. Glenn Waters, Fort Sill Garrison commander.
The colonel also thanked numerous members of his family, many who traveled, to be in attendance.
He quoted Gen. George Marshall, whose wife, Katherine, said an Army wife is similar to a kite tail because she is stuck to her Soldier and goes where he goes like a kite tail follows the kite. Marshall expounded: "It's the kite tail that provides the kite with the balance and the energy to soar."
Lemons' most recent assignment was at the Army War College Fellowship program working at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.
"Today, is a great day to be back in the state of Oklahoma, and especially back in 'Boomer Sooner' country, Hooah!," said Lemons, who is from Oklahoma City.
Lemons said command is always a privilege.
"Commanding the Soldiers and civilians at Reynolds is a distinct honor," he said.
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