department of surgery, examines the left knee of one of the orthopedic
surgeons, Maj. Priscilla West, recently. Dawson determines if the range of
motion is acceptable for indivi... VIEW ORIGINAL
As the nation celebrates Women's History Month, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital stands as a lasting tribute to trailblazers in Army Medicine and public service.
Named after Col. Florence A. Blanchfield, the first woman commissioned in the U.S. Army, BACH opened Sept. 17, 1982. Blanchfield initiated opportunities for nurses to attend basic nursing training schools in the nine Continental Service Commands in all overseas theaters. Her influence to improve the training for nurses enabled nursing teams to positively impact medical care at the front lines during war missions. This effort led her to become the chief of the Army Nurse Corps during World War II.
As chief of the Army Nurse Corps from 1943 to 1947, Blanchfield was credited for gaining full rank for nurses, beginning with temporary full commissioned status in 1944. Under her leadership, the corps also grew from hundreds of members to more than 50,000.
Blanchfield's steadfast endeavors to grant permanent commissioned status for military nurses resulted in passage of the Army-Navy Nurse Act July 9, 1947. In recognition of Blanchfield's accomplishments, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed her to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, making her the first woman in U.S. history to hold permanent military rank. Blanchfield received the Florence Nightingale Medal from the International American Red Cross in 1951 and the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal in 1963 for her accomplishments.
Today, women in Army Medicine and the U.S. Army continue Blanchfield's efforts by impacting and leading administrative and medical roles. Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho served as the first woman Army Surgeon General and retired Dec. 14, 2015. She is followed by Lt. Gen. Nadja West, the second woman to hold the prestigious honor.
The history of aspirational women continues at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, including Col. Telita Crosland, the current hospital commander, who is the second female to command the hospital.
Other women in distinguished roles in Army Medicine at Fort Campbell include Lt. Col. Laura Dawson, currently serving as the Chief of Department of Surgery at BACH. With more than 22 years of active duty service, Dawson has headed various leadership roles throughout her career. One of her first leadership roles was at Fort Bragg, N.C., where she was the first woman to hold the position as Calvary Troop Commander.
Dawson said her experience in the military has been filled with positive challenges.
"The Army has gone out of their way to set a success track for women who serve, women have continued to succeed, advance and expand what they are doing," she said. "There are many open doors for women who serve in the Army and they can accomplish anything a male Soldier can accomplish."
Not only do women officers serve in leadership roles, but also non-commissioned officers serve in roles that are essential to the success of the military.
Sgt. 1st Class Shavonda McLean serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge of department of Surgery at BACH. In addition to her responsibility for patient care, she also leads the hospital's Color Guard and coordinates outreach involvement with the hospital's sponsored school, Northeast Middle School. McLean enlisted in the Army Oct. 31, 2000, and joined to do "something different," and believed it would be good to serve and give back to her country. She said she also chose to follow in her father's footsteps, returning to her roots of being a military child.
"The Army has been a great experience for me, I have been afforded the opportunity to serve my country and learn and develop into a leader," McLean said. "I am blessed to have had the opportunity to deploy and return back safely on three different occasions as well as the opportunity to complete my graduate degree. Being able to lead Soldiers has been a great experience that I wouldn't trade."
Women have been influential to the success of military operations for many years and even before they were recognized as contributors to the mission, McLean said.
"I believe the (Army) Nurse Corps was a great contribution to the success of healing our wounded during World War II, which helped keep Soldiers in the fight. Women have made many great contributions throughout the history of the military, and we continue to expand positions within the ranks to provide more opportunities for women in the future."
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