AFIP Change of Directorship

By Maj. Eric Peipelman, Public Affairs, AFIPJune 25, 2007

WASHINGTON (June 25, 2007) - The Executive Agent for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology transferred the responsibility of that Department of Defense organization from the outgoing military director to the incoming civilian director in a traditional ceremony held in front of the AFIP building today. This historic event took place at 9:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the AFIP National Museum of Health and Medicine.

Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock, Acting Army Surgeon General, transferred responsibility for the organization from outgoing director Col. Renata B. Greenspan, MC, USA, to incoming director Florabel G. Mullick, M.D., Sc.D., Senior Executive Service.

This event marks the first time since its founding in 1862 that the AFIP will be led by a civilian director. Also unique, and perhaps a first in the Department of Defense, is the fact that the three principal participants in the ceremony are high ranking federal career women.

The AFIP is a multi-faceted entity comprised of over 800 staff from all branches of the military service, federal government and civilian contracting agencies. Serving as a world-wide referral source for second opinion pathology, the AFIP provides the department of defense and other federal partners with the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner and Armed Forces DNA Identification laboratories and Repository, and hosts a well-renowned pathology-radiology training seminar and substantial research activities in support of the Global War on Terror and Homeland Defense.