7221st Medical Support Unit assumes command of the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center mission in Germany

Photo By John Freese | The 7221st Medical Support Unit (left) and the 7217th Medical Support Unit (right) prepare for transition of authority over the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center, in a ceremony conducted at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Chapel, Landstuhl, Germany on July 12, 2018. In the ceremony, the 7217th folded away its guidon and the 7221st unfurled its own. A symbol marking completion of the transition of authority. The 7221st assumes command of the DWMMC from the 7217th MSU, and will be on station in Germany for one year. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Freese, U.S. Army Reserve  

GERMANY

07.26.2018

Story by Lt. Col. Angela Wallace 

Army Reserve Medical Command

Story written by Maj. George Milevich, U.S. Army Reserve

LANDSTUHL, Germany -- A transfer of authority ceremony was held Thursday, July 12, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s chapel to recognize the outgoing and incoming units in charge of managing the medical care for patients who have been medically evacuated from deployed environments.

The ceremony marked the transfer of the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center mission between the 7217th and the 7221st Medical Support Units. The official party for the ceremony included Maj. Gen. Mary Link, Army Reserve Medical Command commanding general; Col. Timothy Hudson, LRMC commander; Lt. Col. Hugh D. West, 7217th MSU commander; and Lt. Col. Katherine A. Marr, 7221st MSU commander.

During her remarks, Link thanked both of her subordinate units for the great work that they are doing to support the deployed warriors.

“Transfer of Authority is a significant moment in history for our medical formations supporting the Deployed Warrior Medical Center mission,” she said. “With this passing of colors, these units demonstrate our full commitment to the care of our nation’s wounded warriors and the support of our Combatant Commands around the world.”

Link explained that this is the beginning of the fourth rotation of this mission for the Army Reserve since taking this mission over from the Navy. She noted that since it was stood up in 2001, the DWMMC has been responsible for more than 97,000 medically evacuated patients.

During their mission, the 7217th MSU assisted in receiving more than 1,000 patients from U.S. Central Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe Command’s areas of operation during their 10 months in Germany. They also processed more than 1,100 patient discharges from LRMC to either the United States for further care or to return to duty with their deployed units.

Link commended the 7217th on not only taking care of the mission but also focusing on professional development. She noted that during the mobilization, six Soldiers from the 7217th earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and completed various levels of Army combatives training. One of the Soldiers was also inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

The LRMC commander, Hudson, talked about the importance of the mission that the 7221st MSU would be charged with. During his remarks, he read a letter that he wrote to his wife many years ago when he was taking care of the wounded Soldiers in Afghanistan before sending them to LRMC for further care. In his letter, he shared the emotional difficulties that he faced as a nurse sending wounded warriors to LRMC and entrusting their care into the hands of others.

“You are fulfilling a role for those who do not want to let go of that Soldier. If they had a choice they’d get on that aircraft themselves and escort them all the way to (Brooke Army Medical Center),” Hudson said. “But they have to trust you and what you do in the DWMMC to hand them off to you.”

The 7217th MSU commander thanked the leadership of ARMEDCOM and

LRMC for the opportunity to lead the DWMMC mission. He commended the excellence of his Soldiers assigned to the 7217th’s mission, noting that their “passion and their patient-centric focus is unmatched and set the standard for other units to aspire.”

The incoming unit commander, Marr, thanked the 7217th for their expertise and fellowship. She briefly touched upon what she believes will make her unit successful in their mission - being a team. She also acknowledged the privilege of the 7221st MSU being a part of the great team at LRMC.

• Date Taken: 07.26.2018
• Date Posted: 07.26.2018 17:25
• Story ID: 285904
• Location: DE