General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital welcomed Col. Kimberlie Biever and said farewell to Col. Christian Meko in a change of command ceremony June 22 on the hospital grounds.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, Regional Health Command-Central commanding general, presided over the ceremony.
The tradition of passing the Medical Department Activity colors signified the official transfer of command and responsibility to Biever, who now leads the GLWACH team in providing care to the Fort Leonard Wood community.
During the ceremony Johnson spoke about the long history GLWACH has in supporting the thousands of trainees that come to Fort Leonard Wood every year and the impact that has on the military as a whole.
Johnson went on to speak about the mission of GLWACH and how they demonstrate on a daily basis what it means to be ready to fight tonight. He shared the story of two Soldiers and their missions from around the globe and praised the team for earning the Army Safety and Occupational Health Star.
"Colonel Meko I applaud you and your team for your leadership and courage to embrace change and to adapt to your current operating environment," he said.
Meko took to the podium and expressed his gratitude for what the men and women of GLWACH accomplish on a daily basis. He added how the staff finds a way to accomplish the most difficult missions while always treating patients as if they were a member of their own family. Meko recognized the leadership of Biever and said he was confident she will take GLWACH to new heights.
For the first time as commander of GLWACH, Biever addressed the formation of Soldiers on the field.
"I look forward to leading the GLWACH team and I'm delighted to be here in support of the MSCoE mission and the community," she said.
Biever comes to GLWACH from Army Human Resources Command and is board certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care Nurse Specialist and Critical Care Nurse.
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