New Madigan commander receives colors

By Bob Reinert, MAMC Public Affairs

It was the end of one era and the beginning of another.

On the brilliant summer morning of July 24 at a ceremony on Watkins Field, Maj. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho assumed command of the Western Regional Medical Command and Madigan Army Medical Center from Brig. Gen. Sheila R. Baxter. Earlier in the month, Horoho also became the 23rd chief of the Army Nurse Corps.

Baxter, who relinquished command following three years at Madigan, retired after 30 years in the Army. She will pursue a master’s degree in divinity studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Horoho comes to Madigan from Walter Reed Health Care System, where she spent 15 months as commander. Previous to that, the Fayetteville, N.C., native was deputy commander for nursing for Walter Reed and the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command.

As Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, pointed out during the ceremony, Baxter oversaw numerous improvements, upgrades and renovations in the WRMC and at Madigan.

“You will see Sheila’s hand in every detail,” Weightman said. “Certainly, your program for putting together and supporting the Warrior Transition Unit is the model for the rest of (the Army Medical Department).

“You will always have the gratitude of all those you cared for and served with. And you have my deepest appreciation for your selfless service. We are all honored to know you and to have served with you.”

In the October 2005 edition of Newsweek, Baxter was selected as one of America’s 20 most powerful women. More recently, she was named the Cambridge Who’s Who Professional of the Year for 2008-09. Yet she passed along the credit for successes to her staff.

“Thank you for your superb performance over these last three years,” Baxter said. “Your achievements are impressive in support of our warriors, their family members and retirees.

“Madigan and the Western Region have always been on the cutting edge of medical and information technology. And your innovative spirit is truly exceptional.”

Horoho has been recognized for her efforts during a pair of disasters – an aircraft crash in 1994 at Pope Air Force Base that killed 24 Soldiers and the Sept. 11, 2001, crash of American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon. “Patty always seems to be where the action is,” Weightman said. “Her leadership, her technical expertise have benefited more Soldiers and families than most of us can ever comprehend.”

Horoho mentioned Madigan’s reputation for producing innovations that benefit Soldiers at home and on the battlefield. She said she looked forward to leading the WRMC.

“I am humbled to have this opportunity to serve as your commander,” said Horoho, “humbled by the Army’s confidence in me to lead this organization through a time like no other in Army Medicine.”

Bob Reinert is editor of the Mountaineer, the Madigan Army Medical Center newspaper.