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The 60th Medical Group welcomed its new commander, Col. (Dr.) Michael Higgins, during a change-of-command ceremony July 8 at Travis Air Force Base, California.
The change of command is an official, formal and brief ceremony that is the military’s way of bestowing command responsibility of a unit to one officer. The ceremony is traditionally performed in front of members of the unit allowing each person to observe the placing of authority and responsibility on the new commander.
Col. John Klein, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, presided over the ceremony and listed some of the accomplishments of the 60th MDG under Col. (Dr.) Rawson Wood’s command, including research into duty-limiting injuries at the aerial port squadron to help reduce the impact of the injuries and cargo movement mission as well as the resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion for the aorta research conducted by the clinical investigative facility.
Under Wood’s command, David Grant USAF Medical Center was Air Mobility Command’s hospital of the year in both 2014 and 2015 and he ensured the recognition of six Airmen at the Air Force Medical Service Level, 24 at the AMC level and also saw 11 Airmen promoted below the zone.
As commander of the 60th MDG, Wood provided and arranged comprehensive community and referral health care, readiness, education, research, teleradiology services, aeromedical staging and the Department of Defense Veterans Affairs joint venture. Wood also directed the deployment of medical personnel and equipment in support of homeland defense and military contingency operations worldwide.
DGMC provides the care for 500,000 DOD and VA beneficiaries and is the Air Force Medical Services’ largest medical center with a staff of 2,400 personnel and supports more than 1.7 million patient encounters each year.
“Quality care and innovation are hallmarks of the 60th Medical Group and it’s an amazing group,” said Klein. “And while innovation comes from the Airmen closest to the mission, it takes leadership to draw that talent out, to put those brilliant ideas into the field. Those of us who know Rawson are not surprised by his group’s accomplishments. Col. Wood has held true to the priority of developing Airmen and taking care of their families and I know it gives him extreme pride to see his team rewarded for their hard work.”
Klein then presented Wood the Legion of Merit for his accomplishments while assigned as the 60th MDG commander.
“As you know, our Air Force mission is to fly, fight and win and the medics of David Grant Medical Center, represented by the seven squadrons standing in this formation, you guys flight, fight and win every day,” said Wood. “Our operations never stop. We do it really well.”
Wood thanked the partnership DGMC has with not only the civic leaders but colleagues from Kaiser Permanente, North Bay, UC-Davis, the Fisher House and the VA while welcoming Higgins to the group.
“We’re all over this community and this community is all over this building,” said Wood. “It is just awesome to have our integrated, fully stitched together team work, our partnerships are incredible. All of this culminates what’s been the biggest challenge, my greatest honor and most intense experience to lead this organization. Mike and Kathy, the Higgins family, I’m so excited for you guys, the adventures you’re going to have here, the difference you’re going to make and the improvements you will continue to bring.”
Higgins was the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group commander in Southwest Asia before taking command of the 60th MDG. His previous assignments include being the San Antonio Military Health System chief operating officer and 48th Surgical Operations Squadron commander and chief of medical staff, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.
“I’m both proud and equally humbled to be a part of you as we work together in support in one of the most amazing bases in the Air Force,” said Higgins. “I aim to be worthy to be among you and look forward to learning from you. I’m honored and dedicated to serve you.”
| Date Taken: | 07.08.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.12.2016 12:43 |
| Story ID: | 203749 |
| Location: | TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 60th MDG Welcomes New Commander, by TSgt Nicole Leidholm, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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