Written by Brian O'Shea
MMT 2012 Volume: 16 Issue: 1 (February)
Army Chief of Staff General Raymond T. Odienro congratulated Lieutenant General Patricia Horoho for becoming the first woman and first nurse to assume command of U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) as U.S. Army Surgeon General, which Odierno said very few leaders achieve, at the promotion ceremony December 7 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson. “She’s earned this extremely important leadership position not only because of her incredible past performance and achievements, but more importantly her outstanding potential, as she will lead Medical Command and lead as the Army Surgeon General in our Army. She has done this her entire career, and Patty will continue to be an incredible inspiration to many others as she moves forward,” said Odierno.
Horoho will serve as the medical expert on the Army staff, advising the Secretary of the Army, Army Chief of Staff and other Army leaders and providing guidance to field units. “I am very excited about being able to serve with and serve for a team of professionals who are internationally renowned,” said Horoho.
As Horoho looks forward to the next four years, she said there is much to do. The past 10 years have presented the Army Medical Department with multiple challenges, including supporting a two-front war while delivering health care to beneficiaries across the continuum. She said she plans to build on the strong platform built by Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker and the Army Medicine Team.
“There are challenges in front of us; but those challenges present windows of opportunities, and this team has the talent, drive and the passion to shape the future landscape that we have the honor to deliver care,” she said.
She added that she is proud to join a long lineage of past surgeons general. “In every conflict the U.S. Army has fought, Army Medicine has stood shoulder to shoulder with our fighting forces, supporting those who are putting their lives on the line to defend our freedom,” said Horoho. “It is my honor to be able to serve in this position and carry on the strong tradition.”
I have every confidence that Horoho is sincere in her convictions and dedication to her service and look forward to reporting on MEDCOM’s myriad of anticipated successes under her leadership.
If you have any questions concerning Military Medical Technology feel free to contact me at any time. ♦
|
|
|
