Photo By Jonathan Davis | The Armed Services Blood Program thanks Army Col. Audra L. Taylor (Left) for her...... read more read more
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Army Col Audra L. Taylor retired from her military career in the Spring of 2022, with her final role being the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) Division Chief. She was a highly effective leader, strategically guiding the ASBP through various transitions and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stepping into this role now is Navy Capt Leslie “Les” Riggs, a dedicated and experienced leader in the military blood community who has served in many roles within the program, including working at the ASBP Headquarters.
Taylor served in her role as Division Chief from 2018 until now, with 2020-2022 bringing the most challenge in a unique way.
“It was both challenging and rewarding to lead the ASBP during the pandemic,” Taylor said when describing her tenure during the COVID-19 crisis. “While we were able to reach the goal set by the Secretary of Defense for the collection of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) while maintaining current requirements for blood products in direct support of the Combatant Commands and Medical Treatment Facilities, it took all of the ASBP enterprise coming together to make this happen - from each donor center in collections to all safety and requirements implemented in processing, storage, and transfusion. It also took the support of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Director, the whole of DHA, and the support of the Service Medical Departments.”
Taylor also noted the challenges that blood donor center (BDC) recruiters at the ASBP faced, explaining that “The ASBP BDC recruiters and collection teams adapted as they changed their practices to ensure safe measures were in place for our donors and immediately implemented new processes required for the collection of CCP. They brought their ingenuity and commitment to this effort and worked together tirelessly to accomplish the secretary’s goal for CCP and maintain mission requirements for all other blood products.”
However, according to Taylor, COVID-19 was not the biggest challenge she faced during her time serving as division chief. She explained that “the biggest challenge was navigating the blood program through three parallel transitions/transformations of the ASBP Division to and within DHA, the overall Military Health System (MHS) Transition to the DHA, and the transition to MHS GENESIS.”
Prior to this new role, Riggs was Head of Blood Services Department, Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
As the incoming division chief, he complimented Taylor and the ASBP community, stating, “[They] did an outstanding job of developing a strategic plan that encompasses the needs of our DoD, DHA, and the ASBP. She maneuvered the ASBP through one of its most difficult times with COVID, CCP production, and DHA transition, and she did it all with a tightening budget.”
When asked about future challenges facing the ASBP, Riggs explained that “Budget, manpower, operational/production requirements, and donor prescreening are among the new challenges facing the ASBP for the foreseeable future. To overcome those challenges, the ASBP will continue to seek solutions based on current data, utilizing the experience and knowledge of its members, seeking support from within DHA, as well as seeking support from civilian agencies within the blood bank industry.”
He also shared that Taylor had passed along some words of wisdom, stating that “The best advice she gave was to call on those ASBP members, past and present, for their advice and mentorship.”
The new division chief's goals reflect the current climate within the ASBP and a future minded approach as a joint operation. Riggs detailed these goals to include a focus on further alignment of the individual service blood programs, utilizing each of their strengths, efficient and effective efforts within the program, prioritization of requirements, and the balancing of heavy lifts of ASBP staff and teams.
When asked about how his past roles prepared him for this new position, Riggs shared that “Previous OIC experience working in ASBP BDCs…provided me with experience in budget management, operations, staff management, Marine/Navy/retiree/civilian donor recruiting and appreciation, and drive layout and strategy. This experience should serve me well in the role as ASBP division chief,” He went on to say that “Most importantly, I have learned the importance of taking care of our donors and staff to ensure they are there for us when we need them most.”
The ASBP is thankful for Taylor’s leadership over the years, as she has led the program through challenging times. The military blood community is looking forward to now working with Riggs at the helm as the division chief. Having talented, dedicated, and lifesaving leaders in this role is critical to the success of the ASBP mission: provide quality blood products and support to military healthcare operations worldwide. Welcome aboard, Captain Riggs!
About the Armed Services Blood Program
Established in 1952, the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) serves as the official blood program for the United States military. As a joint operation within the Defense Health Agency, our mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide. The ASBP collects, processes, stores, transports, and distributes blood products to service members, their families, retirees and veterans globally- in peace and war. Our program also works closely with our civilian collection agency counterparts in times of emergencies and need.
To find out more about the ASBP or schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members or get the latest news, follow us @militaryblood on Facebook, Twitter and @usmilitaryblood on Instagram.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2022 06:50 |
| Story ID: | 426182 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 746 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ASBP Thanks Former Division Chief While Welcoming New One in 2022, by Jonathan Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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