JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Nearly 500 soldiers and civilians attended the 2019 Holiday Ball hosted by Maj. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent, Commander, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, on December 13, 2019.

Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, The Surgeon General, U.S. Army traveled from Washington D.C. to serve as the guest speaker. During his remarks that focused on "Leading through change" LTG Dingle told the room of Army Medicine professionals, "The Medical Center of Excellence, is THE center of excellence of centers of excellence." He urged the team to remain capable, adaptive leaders as the MEDCoE and Army Medicine continue reorganization efforts during this time of profound change.

At the conclusion of his remarks, the 45th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army asked for all of those in the room that considered themselves an "adaptable and flexible leaders" to report to the front of the room. Very quickly, hundreds of attendees, both military and civilian, gathered close to the senior leader who explained his definition of adaptive leadership. The crowd, who by then was mostly standing, listened intently and took in the message that was also a challenge of sorts.

Suddenly, Dingle ordered the DJ to "drop the beat." The "Cupid Shuffle," a popular line dance party song began to play. The crowd of senior and junior leaders stared at speaker who explained that adaptive leaders have to be prepared for anything that comes at them, to do what is needed of them regardless of their comfort zone and at that moment, they needed to dance!

After several moments of dancing on the packed dance floor. Dingle concluded his remarks and received a standing ovation and many high-fives from the jubilant crowd.

On behalf of the MEDCoE, Sargent expressed his thanks for his inspiring remarks and exclaimed to the room, "See, I told you that Lieutenant General Dingle is the right TSG at the right time!"

To view more photos from the event, please visit the MEDCoE Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/medcoe/.