Maj. Gen. Tempel assumes command of Regional Health Command Central - Provisional

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS--Maj. Gen. Barbara R. Holcomb relinquished command of Regional Health Command Central - Provisional to Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Tempel, Jr. during a change of command ceremony at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum Amphitheater, Friday, Dec. 4.

RHC-C (P), which is aligned with III Corps, has mission command of the health readiness platforms in 20 states west of the Mississippi river. This includes Public Health Command Central and Dental Command Central.

During her tenure as the RHC-C (P) commanding general, Maj. Gen. Holcomb lead the transformation of Southern Regional Medical Command into Regional Health Command - Central (Provisional) as part of the Secretary of the Army approved concept to strategically reorganize the U.S. Army Medical Command from five Army regional medical commands to four multi-disciplinary regional health commands.

Maj. Gen. Holcomb also served as the market manager, San Antonio Military Health System, and subsequently as the deputy market manager, SAMHS and is currently the Chief, U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Holcomb's next assignment is to serve as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), U.S. Army Medical Command, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX and she will continue to serve as the Chief, U.S. Army Nurse Corps.

"We have experienced dramatic change and transition through the MEDCOM reorganization. I am in awe of the many accomplishments of our teams across this regional health command," said Holcomb.

Incoming Commanding General Maj. Gen. Tempel entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps and then attended the University of Maryland Dental School, where he received his dental degree in 1991. Prior to his selection as Commanding General of RHC-C (P), Tempel was the Commanding General of Western Regional Medical Command and the market manager for the Puget Sound Military Health System. Previously, he served as Commander, U.S. Army Dental Command, Walter Reed Dental Activity, Northern Regional Dental Command, and as the Northern Regional Medical Command Readiness Director. He continues to serve as the 27th Chief of the U.S. Army Dental Corps and will assume the responsibilities as the deputy market manager for the San Antonio Military Health System.

Tempel said that there are a lot of numbers used in Army Medicine, but the most important number comes from the Chief of Staff of the Army. "Gen. Milley made it very clear to us that readiness is our number one priority," said Tempel. "It is an honor to be working here in this community once again."