Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, the Army surgeon general, recognized 22 military and civilian employees of the U.S. Army Public Health Command with Army medicine's Wolf Pack Award via video teleconference on June 25. Gregg Stevens, the Army Medical Department Civilian Corps chief, presented the award on her behalf to Maj. Gen. Jimmie O. Keenan, USAPHC commander, and John Resta, Army Institute of Public Health director, at Aberdeen Proving Ground South.
The award honored USAPHC personnel who were part of the 156-person team that supported Army medicine's Rabies Response Team. This team was formed in response to the death of an Army specialist who was the first U.S. Soldier to die of rabies since the Vietnam War. The team was led by USAPHC's Col. Steven B. Cersovsky, a physician-epidemiologist.
The Wolf Pack Award recognizes exceptional teamwork by an integrated group of military and civilian members focused on excellence. The Rabies Response Team brought together experts from across the AMEDD in the areas of veterinary medicine, epidemiology, disease surveillance, communication and more to ensure that leaders and Soldiers gained awareness of rabies in deployed locations, and that those exposed to animals were assessed and treated appropriately. The team also included members from the other military services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York state and county health departments, and military and civilian hospital staffs.
In presenting the award, Stevens said that the work done by this team was an example of the work being done by Army medicine personnel to protect Soldiers. He explained that diversity within the AMEDD is one of its strengths, and the Wolf Pack Award is an example of how diverse talents can combine to solve challenging problems.
Stevens also spoke to the more than 100 assembled civilian and military personnel from the USAPHC about teamwork in Army medicine. He covered the AMEDD Civilian Corps and how it enhances civilian opportunities. Stevens said that there will be a growing need for civilians in leadership positions as the Army moves into the future.
Stevens also covered the AMEDD's Civilian Life-Long Learning Program designed to provide leadership and other training online for civilians and Soldiers, including continuing education credits, at little or no cost.
"We all need to make solid choices about training and other aspects of our careers," Stevens explained. "Choices that support the mission and overcome cultural differences should be a high priority.
"The Army medicine mission of taking care of Soldiers and their families is the most honorable mission in the military," according to Stevens. "Working together as a true team of military, civilians, hybrids (former military working as civilians) and contractors we can achieve excellence in that mission."
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