FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 22, 2015) -- Col. Scott B. Avery relinquished command of the Fort Benning Medical Department Activity and Benning Martin Army Community Hospital to incoming commander, Col. Marie A. Dominguez, July 14 at York Field during a change of command ceremony.
Reviewing officer, Brig. Gen. Barbara R. Holcomb, commanding general, Southern Region Medical Command, praised Avery for his dedication to quality health care and overseeing the transition to the Army's newest hospital.
"You have done a fantastic job for Army Medicine, the Southern Region and especially for the Fort Benning community during the past two years," Holcomb said.
During Avery's command, Holcomb said the Fort Benning MEDDAC achieved the following:
•Executed mission in fiscal year 2014 under budget while increasing patient satisfaction rates from 93.6 percent to 96.3 percent.
•Earned the prestigious Patient Centered Medical Home level two certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for North Columbus Medical Home.
•Made substantial improvements in medical readiness compliance.
•Increased operating room utilization and leveraged Martin's capacity to enable behavioral health and surgical services for eligible VA beneficiaries in the West Central and Eastern Alabama Region.
•Revitalized tactical combat casualty care training in both Infantry and Armor Basic Officer Schools.
"Your support to the Fort Benning community was unquestionably top-notch throughout your tenure as well as your support of multiple deployment cycles for the 7th Special Forces Group, 75th Ranger Regiment and numerous company and individual deployments in support of operational and combat missions around the world," Holcomb said.
Avery will become the chief of staff of the Regional Health Command - Pacific, located in Hawaii.
"I am proud to have worn the United States Army Medical Command patch and to have commanded some of the finest Army Medical Department officers, non-commissioned officers, Soldiers and civilians ... the accomplishments and accolades of these fine Soldiers and civilians abound," he said.
Dominguez enlisted in the Army in 1979 as a Medical Laboratory Specialist, with service at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado, and at the 10th Medical Laboratory in Germany where she was selected as the 7th MEDCOM Soldier of the Year.
She earned her Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University in 1992 and recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College.
Dominguez said it is an honor to serve as commander of an Army hospital that performs a valuable service to the community.
"The reputation of this hospital is that it provides excellent care. I plan to continue to work on that reputation to keep it strong," she said. "I'm looking forward to building relationships with the community and the VA, so we can continue the hospital as the excellent platform that is it to provide care to the community and train our Soldiers for combat and humanitarian missions."
Dominguez said her command philosophy is simple - taking care of people and managing resources responsibly.
"I will tell you that the real beauty of this hospital is not the natural stone and the glass or even the beautiful river that flows through it, but the men and women serving in the hospital.
"I am truly delighted to see such a highly professional organization full of devoted Soldiers, Civilians, NCOs and officers. Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Johnson and I look forward to continuing the path of excellence with the Benning Martin Army Community Hopsital team," she said.
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