Fort Bliss Monitor

Army Surgeon General visits WBAMC

Clarence Davis III
WBAMC Public Affairs

CLARENCE DAVIS III
The U.S. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Kevin P. Kiley is escorted through the Soldier and Family Medical Clinic by Lt. Col. Robin G. Houston.

April 21, U.S. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Kevin P. Kiley visited William Beaumont Army Medical Center for a briefing on modularity, the medical evacuation mission and an insight of the capabilities of WBAMC. This was Kiley’s first trip here since becoming the Army Surgeon General last summer.

In 1976, Kiley began his medical training as a surgical intern and then a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology here. During his visit, he visited the Soldier Readiness Processing Site, the Soldier and Family Medical Clinic, the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic, inpatient wards and spoke to the senior noncommissioned officers, house staff and attending physicians.

During the modularity briefing, WBAMC Commander Col. James Leech explained everything was in place to support the incoming brigade and the plan of action had been approved by the commander of the Great Plains Regional Medical Command in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. WBAMC has the capacity and all coordination has been done through the TRICARE network to ensure adequate medical care is provided to the Soldiers and their families when they arrive.

Kiley spoke to the NCOs about the challenges facing the Army Medical Department.

“This is not a Beaumont problem,” said Kiley. “The problem is systemic. I want you to embrace that you are on a war footing.”

Several NCOs in attendance had served in the 10th Mountain Division and Kiley mentioned one of his previous jobs was as division surgeon for the 10th MD. Kiley reminded the NCOs of the challenges facing them in the immediate future at WBAMC. Fort Bliss is going to get larger, which means WBAMC will get larger and its staff will be busier, he said.

To the house staff and attending physician, Kiley explained this is an exciting time to be a physician and in the military, noting many military doctors have deployed at least once and some have deployed twice since 9/11. Before that, it was a rarity to deploy unless there was a humanitarian mission. Medical units had not deployed since Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

“Our Army has to be strong and robust to fight the war on terror. You are a high quality staff and have great leadership. You should be proud of your accomplishments,” said Kiley.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	April 28, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Army Surgeon General visits WBAMC Clarence Davis III WBAMC Public Affairs CLARENCE DAVIS III The U.S. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Kevin P. Kiley is escorted through the Soldier and Family Medical Clinic by Lt. Col. Robin G. Houston. April 21, U.S. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Kevin P. Kiley visited William Beaumont Army Medical Center for a briefing on modularity, the medical evacuation mission and an insight of the capabilities of WBAMC. This was Kiley’s first trip here since becoming the Army Surgeon General last summer. In 1976, Kiley began his medical training as a surgical intern and then a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology here. During his visit, he visited the Soldier Readiness Processing Site, the Soldier and Family Medical Clinic, the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic, inpatient wards and spoke to the senior noncommissioned officers, house staff and attending physicians. During the modularity briefing, WBAMC Commander Col. James Leech explained everything was in place to support the incoming brigade and the plan of action had been approved by the commander of the Great Plains Regional Medical Command in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. WBAMC has the capacity and all coordination has been done through the TRICARE network to ensure adequate medical care is provided to the Soldiers and their families when they arrive. Kiley spoke to the NCOs about the challenges facing the Army Medical Department. “This is not a Beaumont problem,” said Kiley. “The problem is systemic. I want you to embrace that you are on a war footing.” Several NCOs in attendance had served in the 10th Mountain Division and Kiley mentioned one of his previous jobs was as division surgeon for the 10th MD. Kiley reminded the NCOs of the challenges facing them in the immediate future at WBAMC. Fort Bliss is going to get larger, which means WBAMC will get larger and its staff will be busier, he said. To the house staff and attending physician, Kiley explained this is an exciting time to be a physician and in the military, noting many military doctors have deployed at least once and some have deployed twice since 9/11. Before that, it was a rarity to deploy unless there was a humanitarian mission. Medical units had not deployed since Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. “Our Army has to be strong and robust to fight the war on terror. You are a high quality staff and have great leadership. You should be proud of your accomplishments,” said Kiley.