The 131st Field Hospital welcomed a new commander and senior enlisted advisor during a concurrent assumption of command and assumption of responsibility ceremony held at the Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museum at Fort Bliss, Texas, April 20.
The ceremony welcomed the field hospital's first commander since the unit, previously the 31st Combat Support Hospital, reorganized and redesignated as the second active-duty unit in the Army to convert to the force design updated field hospital earlier in April.
"The 31st Combat Support Hospital became the 131st Field Hospital and we also grew the 528th Hospital center the mission command element that issues orders to field hospitals when needed," said Col. Neil Nelson, commander, 528th Hospital Center. "The men and women of this field hospital offer a medical capability not found anywhere else in the world. From the combat medic to the field hospital, one story emerges, a 92 percent survival rate and a fighting force that fights knowing we stand ready to save lives and get them back in the fight."
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Deon Maxwell assumed command, and Master Sgt. Alicia Persondek, assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted advisor of the 131st Field Hospital, 528th Hospital Center, 1st Medical Brigade.
"In the short time that (Maxwell) has been here, what he has provided the organization will be long lasting to get them ready to go to combat and secure our nation's victory," said Nelson.
"It is truly my honor and privilege to join this team," said Maxwell, a Houston native. "We have much to accomplish in a very short time, but I'm confident the Soldiers I have observed over the past few weeks can make it happen."
According to the U.S. Army Medical Material Agency, the new design of the field hospital allows for mission-specific detachments to deploy in smaller, modular designs, easing some logistical complications previously encountered by combat support hospitals. The redesign allows field hospitals to be customizable and scalable resources.
"Over the past few months we've all been preparing for this event and all the events that culminate today with the ceremony," said Nelson.
Persondek, who previously served as the 31st CSH's chief ward master, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the enlisted Soldiers of the newly-redesignated unit.
"The hospital has a long history of great leadership, I will continue that history," said Persondek.
The 131st Field Hospital has a long and storied history providing level III medical care to troops in combat zones beginning in 1938 when the unit was constituted as the 31st Surgical Hospital. The unit was later redesignated as a Portable Surgical Hospital, Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and as a Combat Support Hospital.
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