55th Medical Group holds change of command ceremony

  • Published
  • By David R. Hopper
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Members of the 55th Medical Group gathered at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic to welcome a new commander during a change of command ceremony July 12.

Col. Stephen Mounts took command of the 55th MDG from Col. Patrick Dawson during a formal ceremony and immediately recognized the stellar performance of the group in recent inspections.

"Our commitment to excellence in healthcare is tested every day," Mounts said. "And you [members of the 55th Medical group] do it well."

Mounts comes to Team Offutt from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., where he served as the Air Combat Command's chief of the Medical Support Division and Command administrator. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has experience in strategic planning, resource management, medical logistics, information systems, medical readiness, clinical engineering and force development.

Col. John Rauch, 55th Wing commander, presided over the ceremony.

"Colonel Dawson led a team of four squadrons of over 700 people to provide world-class medical care to our team Offutt Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines as well as our civilian's, family members and retirees," Rauch said. "He ensured the medical group excelled while providing first-rate medical care and although I heard him say a group's success is a team accomplishment, it is truly a credit to your leadership."

Dawson is leaving Team Offutt and heading to the Pentagon to be the Medical Service Corps director, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General in Washington D.C. In this role, he will also serve as the Chief, Manpower and Organization Division for the Air Force Surgeon General's Force Development Directorate.

"I was assigned here as a young Airman, as a medical technician, early in my Air Force career. This is where our family started, so having the opportunity to be a group commander here, this place is very special in our hearts," Dawson said. "It was this groups great Airmen that accomplished a lot during the last two years, my job was a simple one - I was only the advocate."

While presiding over the ceremony, Rauch introduced Mounts and assured the 55th MDG that with his impressive background, Mounts was more than capable of maintaining the high standards recently set by the medical group.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the 55th MDG, you are getting another first-rate leader and officer to carry-on where Colonel Dawson left off, the many successes and stories of the medical group speak for themselves, this is a proud organization with an incredible record of sterling performance," Rauch said. "I could not be more confident that the medical group remains in excellent hands and I am sure you will continue to perform admirably as you lead the fight."