Irwin Army Community Hospital Soldiers and civilians officially welcomed Col. John Melton and bid farewell to Col. Risa Ware during a change of command ceremony June 23 on Cavalry Parade Field.
Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Tempel, Jr., commanding general, Regional Health Command -- Central (Provisional), presided over the ceremony.
In a traditional act that represents the official transfer of command and responsibility, the Medical Department Activity colors were passed from Ware to Melton, who will now lead IACH's Soldiers and civilians in providing health care to the Fort Riley community.
During the ceremony, Tempel praised Ware for her exceptional performance as the IACH commander.
"Colonel Ware, you and the staff of Irwin Army Community Hospital have elevated the level of care here to an unprecedented standard," he said. "Your contributions have simply been immense and you have touched the lives of so many. You have undoubtedly left a legacy here showing unwavering professionalism, integrity and dedication to duty as a highly successful and visionary leader."
Tempel said the Fort Riley community can feel proud of the quality care provided at IACH because of Ware's leadership.
Turning his attention to the new commander, Tempel said, "Colonel Melton, I know you are the right leader at the right time for IACH. I know you will champion readiness, and promote and oversee an exceptional system for health as you did while serving at your last assignment."
Ware thanked the IACH staff for being an outstanding group of professionals who provide the best and finest care to Fort Riley Soldiers, Retirees and Family members. "I'm so honored to have served with you," she said. "During my time here we had the most successful Joint Commission Survey in the history of IACH and received the Army Safety Star which is no small feat. In the past two years I've come to see you as family and am proud of you."
Ware has been the IACH commander since July 2014, and will move on to become the Corps Specific Branch Proponency Officer for the U.S. Army Nurse Corps at Fort Sam Houston, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
Before assuming command, Melton served as the deputy commanding officer and chief of staff at Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is a certified Defense Financial Manager, board certified in Healthcare Administration, and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
IACH provides quality health care to Soldiers, Families and Retirees in the Central Flint Hills region and operates Farrelly, Custer Hill and Aviation Clinics on Fort Riley and the Flint Hills Medical Home in Junction City. The Warrior Transition Battalion is also under the command and control of Medical Department Activity, Fort Riley, in support of ill, injured and wounded Soldiers' healthcare needs.
The new IACH, located at 650 Huebner Road will open its doors to the Fort Riley community in October 2016.
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