Task Force MED-Afghanistan pays tribute to 236 years of Army medicine

Photo By Capt. Stephanie Vanneman | Maj. Gen. Patricia Horoho along with representatives from each of the eight corps that make up the Army Medical Department cut into the 236th Army Medical Department birthday cake during a ceremony on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

07.27.2011

Story by Capt. Stephanie Vanneman 

Task Force 44 Medical Brigade

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan—Two hundred and thirty-six years ago on July 27, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized a Medical Service for an army of 20,000 men. Since then, the size and mission of the Army Medical Department has changed but the commitment of its soldiers remains the same. Soldiers of Task Force MED-Afghanistan, from Fort Bragg, N.C., honored that commitment as they celebrated the 236th birthday of the AMEDD during a ceremony on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

The event started with lunch and a brief slide show on the history of the AMEDD followed by remarks from Maj. Gen. Patricia Horoho, the U.S. Army Deputy Surgeon General and 23rd Chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Horoho addressed the crowd of medical personnel about the AMEDD campaign to promote a culture of trust saying, “The quality of all relationships is based on the level of trust that exists between people. Trust is based on confidence; confidence that we are competent, capable and committed to the highest quality of care.”

She reminded the members of the task force that soldiers put themselves in harm’s way because they have faith that the medical personnel will be there to take care of them.

Throughout her speech she praised the many accomplishments of TF MED-A, citing the expansion of the en route critical care nurses, the high return to duty rates out of the concussion care centers, and tremendous cost savings in medical logistics.

Her speech was followed by a customary cake cutting ceremony. In following with tradition, the most junior soldier, Spc. Richie Richardson, and the most senior ranking, Horoho, made the first cut. Representatives from each of the AMEDD Corps joined them in making the ceremonial first slice.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2011
• Date Posted: 08.01.2011 06:32
• Story ID: 74602
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF