FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Lt. Col. Beverly A. Beavers relinquished command of the U.S. Army Medical Information Technology Center (USAMITC) to Col. Andrew J. Smith in a Change of Command ceremony held Friday, June 22 at the Blesse Auditorium.

Smith arrived here from being the G6/Chief Information Officer at the Western Regional Medical Command, Joint Base Lewis McChord. Beavers is taking his place at the same command.

After the arrival of the official party and the playing of Ruffles and Flourishes and the National Anthem by the 323rd Army Band, the ceremony included an invocation and a presentation of flowers and gifts to the family members of the two commanders.

This event was hosted by the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), and featured remarks by the MEDCOM Chief of Staff, Mr. Herbert A. Coley, followed by the remarks of the outgoing and incoming commanders.

Beavers thanked her family and key personnel who helped her while she was the commander, and took the opportunity to give the command a lot of kudos. "USAMITC--Today is about you! USAMITC, you rock!," she said. "You are professional--you love what you do and you are the best at what you do. In a few weeks I will be one of your customers. But for a lifetime--just remember--I will always be one of your most loyal fans; serving to heal--honored to serve!," she concluded.

Smith also thanked his family and key personnel who enabled him to assume this position. He added that he was very happy to be commander, and is looking forward to success at USAMITC. "Together we will continue to provide the world class service that has come to be expected," he said, "and we will explore new opportunities and new capabilities, and will continue to be a model that our Surgeon General can point to and tell people, 'This is what right looks like.'"

The ceremony ended with the singing of the Army Song.

A reception followed the ceremony at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum.