BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- The U.S. Army Health Clinic Baumholder held a change of command ceremony May 28, 2019 as the outgoing commander, Col. Troy Morton, relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Elizabeth Gum.
Lt. Col. Elizabeth Gum assumes command of the Baumholder Clinic after serving as the medical operations branch planner for U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Having done stints in the U.S. Army Reserve, Gum, a Medical Service Corps officer, held logistical support leadership positions at other military medical treatment facilities such as Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital in Korea, William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas, and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.
"I am humbled to [have been] selected for command of such a stellar organization," said Gum. "Baumholder was my number one choice and it already feels like 'The Rock' is home."
Col. Timothy L. Hudson, commander of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, served in his final event as the reviewing officer before relinquishing command of the medical center May 29.
During the ceremony, Hudson spoke about Morton's dedication to the mission of providing safe, quality healthcare to the Soldiers and their families assigned to the Baumholder Military Community. He also praised the formation of troops in the ceremony for their unwavering support for Morton's time as commander.
"This ceremony symbolizes the fact that you will never be without a leader," said Hudson. "You deserve great leaders and you had it with Col. Morton, and you will continue to have it with Lt. Col. Gum."
Morton assumed command of the Baumholder Health Clinic in June 2017, and over the course of his two years as the commander, while his mission was health readiness of patients, he also spent a great deal of time dedicated to the professional development of his Soldiers.
"In the past two years, we have seen one non-commissioned officer enter the [physician's assistant] program, two NCOs enter warrant officer and flight schools, one NCO join the flight medic program and one NCO currently attending drill sergeant school," said Morton. "We have seen month after month a score of 100 percent patient satisfaction, and I am happy to report a 100 percent first time pass rate for the [Army Physical Fitness Test] and height and weight.
A highly decorated Soldier, and a podiatric surgeon by medical industry, Morton leaves the Baumholder Clinic to assume his new responsibilities as the chief of medical operations for the U.S. Army Pacific in Hawaii.
The U.S. Army Health Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare to Soldiers and families assigned to the Baumholder Military Community. It is one of six subordinate clinic commands of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
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