Maj. Gen. Dean G. Sienko relinquished command of the U.S. Army Public Health Command and retired from the Army in a Jan. 6 ceremony at the Top of the Bay on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
A host of attendees--including USAPHC Soldiers and civilians, dignitaries, family and friends braved the winter weather to witness the event.
Presiding official Maj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho, Jr., deputy surgeon general, congratulated Sienko and thanked him for his 33 years of outstanding service to the Army, and his extraordinary leadership at USAPHC.
"Maj. Gen. Sienko was instrumental in building strategic relationships with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to promote community health and wellness," said Caravalho. "He has served the U.S. Army Public Health Command, Army Medicine and the nation with distinction."
Sienko expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the commander of the USAPHC for the past 20 months, and pride in the public health experts he led.
"It's been a true honor and privilege to lead this organization and serve with all of you," said Sienko. "I have been surrounded by the most gifted and talented public health staff," he said.
Upon his retirement from the Army, Sienko, who is a physician board-certified in general preventive medicine and public health, will serve as the Associate Dean for Prevention and Public Health at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University.
Col. John V. Teyhen, III, the former chief of staff of the organization, will serve as the new USAPHC commander.
Teyhen said he is looking forward to working with the members of the USAPHC team as the organization maintains a legacy of outstanding service to Soldiers and retirees, their families and Army civilians.
"I am sure this organization will continue to respond to worldwide public health issues and keep our Soldiers healthy," said Teyhen.
Teyhen is the 5th commander to lead the USAPHC. He heads a worldwide organization with approximately 3,500 Soldiers and civilians stationed in more than 100 countries. The USAPHC promotes health and prevents disease, injury and disability in Soldiers and military retirees, their family members, and Army civilians, and assures effective execution of full-spectrum veterinary services for the Army and Department of Defense.
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