U.S. Army Health Clinic Grafenwoehr says 'Auf wiedersehen' to Shaw, welcomes new commander

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Colonel Andrew Powell, Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Bavaria presided over the Grafenwoehr Health Clinic Change of Command ceremony today, Friday, 21 July on the MEDEVAC flight tarmac adjacent to the clinic on Tower Barracks. During the ceremony Powell received the colors from Lt. Col. Shannon Shaw, clinic commander, and turned to present them to incoming clinic commander Lt. Col. Rose Smyth, signifying the passing of leadership responsibility for the U.S. Army Health Clinic Grafenwoehr.

Afterwards, speaking from the lectern to the more than 100 clinic and MEDDAC Bavaria personnel, well-wishers and community leaders in attendance, Powell lauded the many accomplishments Shaw and her command team achieved during her tenure, and welcomed Smyth to her new command in Grafenwoehr.

"The Grafenwoehr Health Clinic is one of MEDDAC Bavaria's largest in terms of TRICARE enrolled patients, as well as staff -- and the amount and quality of work the clinic does is truly outstanding." said Powell. "The accomplishments this clinic has achieved under the tenure of Lt. Col. Shaw are impressive -- she is a consummate professional, an extraordinary leader and she has led a stellar team through the last two years here in support of the 7th Army Training Command and the U.S. Army's Grafenwoehr Training Area -- the largest Army Training Area outside the continental United States."

In his remarks Powell also extended a hearty MEDDAC Bavaria welcome to new clinic commander Lt. Col. Smyth. "We're glad to have you leading our Grafenwoehr team. This is a great clinic and we're confident you'll accomplish great things." Powell said.

Speaking after Powell, outgoing clinic commander Shaw said "To every member of the Grafenwoehr Clinic Team, I am so proud of you. You make me and every one of us look good. The mental toughness and dedication to our patients and the team has been awesome and inspiring."

Smyth, a graduate of the AMEDD Officer Advanced Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, where she earned the 6Z identifier for Strategic Studies, spoke after Shaw and expressed her enthusiasm to begin work in support of the Grafenwoehr community. She thanked Shaw for her assistance in taking up her duties and providing such a smooth transition into the clinic, mentioning how impressed she was with the clinic team and their commitment to patient satisfaction and their professionalism.

"My family and I have seldom been given such a heartfelt welcome; I'm honored to be here today and to serve with you and I gladly assume the responsibilities as commander with the energy and discipline necessary to achieve the goals before us." said Smyth.

ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY HEALTH CLINIC GRAFENWOEHR

The U.S. Army Grafenwoehr Health Clinic is a 50,400 square foot facility located on Tower Barracks and provides quality ambulatory care for more than 9,000 Soldiers and their families, while coordinating and facilitating inpatient and specialty care with nearby German host nation medical facilities and DoD partners. The Clinic also staffs a 5,000 square foot Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) annex on post next door. Grafenwoehr is home to the Seventh Army Training Command (7ATC), the largest training command outside the continental United States. The Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas provide realistic, relevant training to U.S. Army, Joint Service, NATO and allied units. To learn more about the people and facilities of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Bavaria (MEDDACB) and the clinics they support in Ansbach, Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels, Stuttgart and Vilseck visit the MEDDAC Bavaria website at http://rhce.amedd.army.mil/bavaria