FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii (June 30, 2016) -- Regional Health Command-Pacific (RHC-P) conducted a change of command ceremony at historic Palm Circle on Fort Shafter, Hawaii, June 30, 2016, to bid farewell to Maj. Gen. Patrick Sargent, outgoing commanding general, and to welcome incoming commanding general, Brig. Gen. Bertram Providence.
Maj. Gen. Robert Tenhet, deputy surgeon general and deputy commanding general (Support) U.S. Army Medical Command hosted Soldiers, staff, family, friends and distinguished guests who gathered to honor both generals as they assume their new roles.
"Maj. Gen. Sargent commanded Army Medicine's largest, geographically dispersed and most complex regional health command," noted Maj. Gen. Robert Tenhet, Deputy Surgeon General and Deputy Commanding General (Support), U.S. Army Medical Command. "His unwavering dedication and commitment to providing the highest quality care to our Soldiers and their families in a safe environment are unsurpassed," added Tenhet.
Sargent who assumed command of RHC-P two years ago, will move into his new position as the deputy commanding general (Operations), U.S. Army Medical Command; and chief, U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
"Over the course of my tenure in command at RHC-P, I have watched every organization on this field elicit greatness from their organization as they delivered safe, high-quality care to their beneficiaries and exported medical diplomacy across the pacific region," stated Sargent.
"As high reliability organizations, you have proven that your commitment to access, safety, quality and patient satisfaction are your highest priority, as evidenced by the accolades the Joint Commission and NCQA provided to the Bassett and Brian Allgood Community Hospitals and the United States Army Health Clinic-Schofield Barracks," added Sargent.
Providence previously relinquished his position as the command surgeon, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to assume the position of commanding general, Regional Health Command - Pacific (Provisional); command surgeon, U.S. Army Pacific; and senior market manager, Hawaii Enhanced Multi-Service Market, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Providence earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from St. John's University in Queens, New York, graduating Magna Cum Laude. A distinguished military graduate, Providence was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He holds a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, a Masters degree in Business Administration with a focus on healthcare from the George Washington University School of Business and a Masters degree of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Providence has earned numerous awards and decorations which include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Expert Field Medic Badge, Flight Surgeon Badge and Parachutist Badge.
He is member of the Order of Military Medical Merit and a recipient of the "A" Medical Proficiency designator in orthopedics from the U.S. Army Surgeon General.
Providence will build upon the work of previous leaders by ensuring RHC-P's military treatment facilities continue to provide safe, high-quality and accessible world-class medical care to beneficiaries. He will also ensure RHC-P remains a credible partner and key enabler, managing medical diplomacy to the 36 nations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
"To Soldiers, civilians and family members of the command, the fundamental goal of military health care is to maximize readiness which is different from any other health care system in the United States," noted Providence. "We can only be successful in this effort if we work as a team. It takes a team to succeed; no one can do it alone," added Providence
"I truly thank you for all you do on a daily basis to help ensure our military and our nation remain ready to fight and win," emphasized Providence.
RHC-P is comprised of medical, dental, veterinary, and public health facilities in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Japan, South Korea and Washington State.
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