Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center Welcomes New Commander

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz.- -Lt. Col. Michael D. Ronn assumed command of Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center from Lt. Col. Edgar G. Arroyo during a ceremony at Brown Parade Field today on Fort Huachuca.

Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Tempel Jr., commanding general, Regional Health Command-Central, presided over the ceremony.

The general praised Arroyo for his successes over his two-year command of RWBAHC.

"You have responded to all the challenges of our rapidly changing environment by creating key relationships essential to building trust with those we serve, and those we serve with," Tempel said.

Tempel acknowledged the accomplishments Arroyo achieved under his watch, including attaining the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval, a 98 percent patient satisfaction rate, and improvement of access to care and overall health readiness.

"Thank you so much for your amazing leadership, for going the extra mile with an unwavering eye towards improving readiness, patient outcomes and patient experiences," Tempel said. "You and your dedicated staff have definitely elevated the level of care here to an unprecedented standard."

Tempel also thanked Arroyo's wife, Wandaliz Arroyo, for her support, and thanked her for her contributions as the Medical Company's Family Readiness Group leader.

Tempel also welcomed Ronn and his family.

"You are the right leader at the right time to continue the great work that this health center has done and you are the right person for our Region and military medicine," the general said. "In addition to your knowledge and skills as a pharmacist and medical service corps officer, I know you possess the leadership necessary to ensure that this command continues to excel."

Arroyo thanked current leaders, the Fort Huachuca community and all of RWBAHC staff-both military and civilian.

"The Soldiers you see before you on this field share the same attributes of our previous honored generations. They are mature beyond their years, tempered by their experiences and sacrifices, disciplined by their training and commitment," Arroyo said.

Arroyo also thanked the health center's civilian staff, which makes up two-thirds of the RWBAHC workforce.

"You make a complex operation look easy," Arroyo said.

In his speech, Arroyo also expressed his confidence in Ronn to lead the health center to great things.

"This is a great Army Health Center and they have full confidence in your abilities…I know there is much work to be done, but I believe your talented Army Health Center will amaze you with their future accomplishments," Arroyo said.

Ronn, who holds a doctor of pharmacy degree, most recently served as the deputy commander for administration at Kenner Army Health Clinic at Fort Lee, Va.

Ronn said he is excited to be at Fort Huachuca and to lead the health center.

"We've only heard great things about Fort Huachuca, one of the Army's hidden jewels, and even though we've only been here for about a week, we can already see why it is loved by so many," Ronn said.

As a leader, Ronn said his intention is to continue to provide leadership that will allow RWBAHC to provide excellent health care to those it serves.

"My intention is to develop our MEDDAC into an organization where its leaders make those who we employ feel like they belong and whose members… Soldiers, civilians, contractors and volunteers, make those we care for feel like they belong as well," Ronn said. "We will be busy, we will have competing priorities, but those who touch this organization will be treated in a way that ensures they know that they belong."