Photo By Crizalmer Caraang Jr | U.S. Army Col. William Bimson, Tripler Army Medical Center incoming commander, gives...... read more read more
Tripler Army Medical Center welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony here, June 30. During the ceremony Col. Michael D. Ronn relinquished command to Col. William F. Bimson.
The presiding official of the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Deydre Teyhen, commanding general, Medical Readiness Command, Pacific, and director, Defense Health Network Indo-Pacific.
“Tripler to me is more than a hospital, it is a symbol of military medicine’s might across the Indo-Pacific, and today it is a celebration of continuity, growth, and leadership,” Teyhen said. “President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, ‘History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak and the timid’ and Tripler’s legacy is entrusted to the strong and the bold and that is what we celebrate today,” said Teyhen. “Change of Command Ceremonies are always significant. It reminds us that people may come and go, but the mission endures. In that continuity defines strength. But today is more than a transition of authority, it is a celebration of the people who have shaped this Ohana through grit, compassion, and vision. Mike, thank you for your steady, humble and people-focused leadership you’ve brought to Tripler the last few years.”
Ronn, who assumed command of Tripler Army Medical Center July 7, 2023, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as the commander and director, Tripler Army Medical Center. According to his award citation, Ronn epitomized exceptional leadership and service, strengthened the Military Health System, and enhanced the readiness of the joint force. He has been assigned to serve as the Training and Exercises (J7) Deputy Surgeon at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Hawaii.
Ronn offered words of encouragement to incoming commander Bimson. “Will, you are taking command of an amazing organization with an extraordinary team and a critical, no-fail mission. I am excited for where you will take them, and I know they will give you everything they have just as they’ve done for our patients and our community these past two years that I have been here.”
As the 59th commander of Tripler Army Medical Center, Bimson’s first act in command was the ceremonial passing of the colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Omar J. Bond, the medical center’s most senior enlisted advisor.
“To the entire Tripler Ohana, thank you for your commitment to our patients, our partners, and our mission. In the short week that I’ve been here, it has been extraordinary to see your love for each other and your obvious dedication to our mission. I am excited to meet each of you and continue the extraordinary culture that you all have fostered,” Bimson said.
Bimson previously served as command surgeon and U.S. Army Central (USARCENT), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He attended Truman State University, earning a Bachelor’s in Science degree in chemistry, and received his commission through the Army ROTC program in 1997. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathy degree in 2011 from A.T. Still University of the Health Sciences, formerly Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, using the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program. He completed his Internal Medicine residency in 2004 and his Cardiology Fellowship in 2007 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies. He has served in various hospital leadership roles, from clinic chief to officer in charge to deputy commander for clinical services, and in several operations medicine positions including surgeon for the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the XVIII Airborne Corps, as well as chief of clinical operations and professional services for the 44th Medical Brigade. He commanded the 531st Hospital Center at Fort Campbell.
Bimson’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Service Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He is also a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3).
Today, Tripler Army Medical Center is the only federal tertiary care hospital in the Pacific Basin. It supports 264,000 local active duty and retired military personnel, their families, and veteran beneficiaries. In addition, the referral population includes 171,000 military personnel, family members, veteran beneficiaries, residents of nine U.S. affiliated jurisdictions (American Samoa, Guam, and the former Trust Territories), and forward-deployed forces in more than 40 countries throughout the Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 17:12 |
| Story ID: | 517443 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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