U.S. ARMY GARRISON - YONGSAN, KOREA -- The Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West, visited the 121st Combat Support Hospital/Brian Allgood the Army Community Hospital (121st CSH/BAACH), September 20 2017. Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald C. Ecker, command sergeant major, MEDCOM, accompanied the surgeon general. Ecker was also returning to the hospital he had previously been assigned.
Dual-hatted as the MEDCOM commanding general, West oversees more than 48 medical treatment facilities providing care to nearly four million active-duty members of all services, retirees and their family members. She is also responsible for the development, policy direction, organization and overall management of an integrated Army-wide health service system and is the medical materiel developer for the Army.
After welcoming the distinguished visitors, Col. Erica Clarkson, 121st CSH/BAACH commander and the command team provided a command brief highlighting a few accomplishments achieved over the year including receiving the first ASHMS Star Banner in the region. Lt. Gen. West also received feedback on Army Medicine initiatives and command priorities.
West praised 121st CSH/BAACH's command team and staff for their team efforts in maintaining the high-quality healthcare to our military families to support the mission. She also emphasized how 121st CSH/BAACH's mission is linked to successful operation of the MEDCOM. "If it's all good here, it will also be all good back home. I really appreciate all you do here in Korea."
A tour of the hospital followed after the command brief. the visit included the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Dermatology Clinic, Physical Therapy Clinic, Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and the Women Infant Care Unit (WICU).
At every stop she made, Soldiers and civilians happily greeted West with a big smile. West not only spoke with leaders, but also engaged individually with Soldiers and civilian by recognizing their hard work and taking 'selfies' together which remained as special memories for the staff.
Capt. Danielle Neal, dermatologist, 121st CSH/BAACH who gave a tour of the clinic shared that it was a great honor to meet West in person especially knowing that she is working as the dermatologist in the 121st CSH following West's footsteps.
While West walked down the hallways, she reminisced about her time in the 121st CSH. She was able to meet her old colleagues who still remember how great West was as a leader. Dr. Sook Lee was one of them.
After serving as active duty officer, Lee has continued to serve the 121st CSH/BAACH, Army community in Korea. Lee shared that she would never forget what a humble and hardworking leader the Lieutenant General had been while she was working as a dermatologist and as the clinic's Officer in Charge.
"I have never met such a humble leader with such a down-to-earth personality in my whole career," said Lee. "I felt overwhelmed that I was able to reunite with her after all these years."
"As a Korean-American, I was always thankful for how she respected and wanted to learn the Korean culture too. I wonder if she is still into Taekwondo, a Korean martial art. I remember her trying not to miss her Taekwondo even after a late night at work. That was one of her ways to stay fit mentally and physically as a Soldier as well, and I have always found it so inspirational," added Lee.
Lee was not the only staff member waiting for this visit. Myong Seok Oh, sleep technician, was finally able to show the photo of West in old Army Combat Uniform (ACU) that he carried in his wallet since the day West became a brigadier general.
"I knew she would come back one day to visit the hospital as our commanding general. I have been imagining the day. I showed her this picture and talked about the 'good old days' with her today. It all came true. I can't express how happy I am," said Oh.
"To have such an influential leader visit us at the 121st CSH/BAACH is not only the most powerful chance to boost staff morale, but it is also a great opportunity to showcase our ability to serve our Soldiers and families," said Col. Erica Clarkson. "The 121st CSH/BAACH will always strive to bring the best healthcare to our beneficiaries because we know the importance of our mission here in Korea as Lt. Gen. West emphasized."
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