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Col. (Dr.) Jeffrey B. Clark assumed command of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in a June 8 ceremony that also honored the departure of Col. (Dr.) John M. Cho.
“It is always an honor and a privilege to command, but it’s a very special honor and indeed a privilege to command Landstuhl,” Colonel Clark said during his ceremony speech.
Colonel Clark’s previous commands include the 168th Area Support Medical Battalion in Korea, Task Force Medical Falcon in Kosovo, 21st Combat Support Hospital with deployments in support of Hurricane Katrina Relief Operations and Operation Iraqi Freedom to provide detainee health care, and the 65th Medical Brigade/MEDDAC-Korea. His assignment prior to assuming command of LRMC was as chief of Medical Corps Branch for Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Ky.
Colonel Clark said he is eager to assume command of LRMC with its special mission and staff of Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, local nationals, civilians and volunteers. He said his team is a group of very special people who are focused professionals dedicated to providing the patient-centered care for all they are privileged to serve, especially stabilization and compassionate care to wounded warriors coming out of the fight.
“It’s just remarkable for someone who had the privilege of wearing the uniform for 27 years. In many ways I consider it a dream come true,” the colonel said.
In assuming command from Colonel Cho, Colonel Clark noted he had “big boots to fill” and pledged to build on the legacy of Landstuhl that received 17 awards during Colonel Cho’s two-year tenure, including recognition as the Top Federal Hospital for 2010 among Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs Medical Treatment facilities.
Colonel Cho will now serve as commander of 30th Medical Command (Deployed Support), which provides expeditionary theater-level medical command and control, health service support, force health protection and medical synchronization of assigned and attached medical forces in support of USAREUR/7th Army or any directed global contingency operation.
LRMC, with a staff of more than 3,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and civilians, provides medical care for more than 245,000 U.S. military personnel and their families within U.S. European Command. LRMC, which falls under Europe Regional Medical Command, is the largest American hospital outside of the U.S. and the only American College of Surgeons verified Level II Trauma Center overseas; serves as the evacuation and treatment center for all U.S. service members and civilians injured in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as service members from 48 coalition forces; and includes the Vincenza Health Center and a total of six U.S. Army Health Clinics in Italy, Belgium and Germany.
Landstuhl is only one of two medical facilities in the Department of Defense verified as trauma centers by the American College of Surgeons and the only one outside of the U.S.
