Photo By Mary Waterman | Rear Adm. Terry Moulton, commander of Navy Medicine East, salutes Capt. José Acosta,...... read more read more
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. - Hundreds gathered today at the nation’s first and only federal health care center to witness the change of command from Navy Capt. José A. Acosta to Capt. Robert G. Buckley.
Lovell FHCC civilian staff and uniformed Sailors formed a stunning view for the time-honored change of command ceremony, as they lined the rails of the upper floors overlooking the atrium of the ambulatory care clinic, where Acosta and Buckley formally transferred duties of command in front of a towering American flag.
“Your support has meant the world to me, and the FHCC,” Acosta said in his remarks, as he said the names of every senior civilian and active duty member of the FHCC leadership team, and thanked all employees.
Remarking on the pride he feels when he sees new Sailors marching in formation to and from their classes at Naval Station Great Lakes Recruit Training Command, Acosta said, “Our mission is a sacred one, to prepare our warriors to take care of their families, and after they leave the service, to take care of our veterans to their last breath.”
Acosta took over duties as the deputy director and commanding officer in August 2012. He was named acting director in the spring of this year. During his tenure, he championed the integration of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities at Great Lakes Naval Station and in North Chicago, Illinois, that resulted in the creation of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in 2010.
Acosta and Buckley both gave special recognition to the facility’s namesake and honored guest, Retired Navy captain and NASA astronaut James Lovell, who was in the audience with his wife, Marilyn.
Repeating a favorite quote from Gene Kranz, NASA Apollo 13 lead flight director, about the miraculous mission Lovell commanded in 1970, Buckley said, “We were living on the ragged edge of all knowledge, but the culture in the room was literally miraculous … it seemed that whatever happened, we were better as a total team than the sum of the parts.”
Admittedly, Buckley said, comparing command of Lovell FHCC to leading a NASA mission might be a stretch, but the Lovell FHCC team of civilian, active duty and contracted staff, and dedicated volunteers, also are greater when melded together.
“Men and women of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, I believe with all of my heart that we can meld together a single team in our hospital that will surpass the sum of the parts, a team that will continue to bring the very best that Navy Medicine and VA health care has to offer,” Buckley said. “I am honored to stand here today to take over the responsibility as deputy director and commanding officer, to lead and devote myself to all Sailors and civilian staff, as all of us – together – continue the good work of assuring that the Lovell Federal Health Care Center continues to provide the very best patient-centered health care that Navy and VA medicine bring to bear, both for our heroes, our veterans – who, at a crucial moment of truth in their lives, stepped up to give the best they had to offer for their country – and for our active duty warfighters and their families who continue to offer up the same level of commitment each and every day.”
Acosta was presented several awards and citations including the Legion of Merit, gold star in lieu of second award, in recognition of his outstanding service.
“Capt. Acosta’s inspirational leadership, total dedication and superb communication skills produced unparalleled success in the new frontier of the Department of Defense and VA integration,” read Lovell FHCC Executive Officer Capt. David Jones from the award certificate.
“While courageously leading one of the most challenging commands in Navy Medicine, he steadfastly ensured the quality of health care for 85,000 beneficiaries, including 44,000 Navy recruits annually,” Jones continued.
Rear Adm. Terry Moulton, commander of Navy Medicine East and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, praised the accomplishments of the FHCC team under Acosta’s leadership, including leading the nation for the past two years with the shortest wait time for Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) processing, as well as partnering with Military Entrance Processing Command to decrease the number of recruit waivers by 20 percent.
“You have made a mark on this command, and you can be proud of the lives you’ve touched,” Moulton said.
Moulton also praised the experience and record of Buckley, who comes to Lovell FHCC after serving as the Force Surgeon for Commander of Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
“His reputation is stellar,” Moulton said, “and he is inheriting a motivated crew that under his leadership, will take Lovell FHCC to the next level.”
Acosta’s next assignment is commander of Naval Medical Center San Diego.
| Date Taken: | 09.05.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2014 18:16 |
| Story ID: | 141315 |
| Location: | NORTH CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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