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Landstuhl Regional Medical Center outgoing Commander Col. James Laterza, Regional Health Command Europe Commanding General Brig. Gen. Dennis P. LeMaster and incoming LRMC Commander Col. Timothy Hudson salute to honor the German and American national anthems during the LRMC Change of Command Ceremony June 13 in Landstuhl. — Photos by Liz Paque
The last time Col. Timothy Hudson stood on the parade field at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, he was standing in formation for a change of command ceremony for incoming commander Col. David Rubenstein.
Fast forward about 16 years to June 13 to find retired Maj. Gen. Rubenstein sitting in attendance at a change of command ceremony as Hudson assumed command of the largest U.S. overseas hospital from Col. James Laterza. Hudson said he was honored to follow in their footsteps.
“Today I am blessed to follow in command a lineage of great leaders, the most recent Col. Jim Laterza whose initiatives, goals, efforts and passion helped create one team with one purpose … I am humbled to follow in your footsteps.”
Hudson, who comes to LRMC from Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colo., where he served as Chief Nursing Officer, ended his speech by sharing the insight of a former U.S. Army cavalry officer about the LRMC legacy: “Landstuhl – the very name transcends the location, the city and the medical center. It is the embodiment of hope for those coming from theater that they will be repaired, that they will live. It is their first step back into the world. For their families it represents relief that their loved ones will be okay, and that they are coming home. No other medical center in the Army shoulders such a heavy responsibility to get it right. I have to get it right.”
LRMC the largest American hospital outside the United States, the only American College of Surgeons verified Level III Trauma Center overseas and the hub for six clinics throughout Germany, Italy and Belgium. The LRMC health system serves 205,000 beneficiaries, including military service members, Department of Defense civilians, military retirees and family
members.
Under Laterza’s leadership since May 29, 2015, access to care increased by approximately 50 percent through innovative practices such as the opening of the Enhanced Access Clinic and expanding the Virtual Health program to provide remote care to patients throughout Europe via secure video. As a result, LRMC was recently cited by U.S. Army Medical Command for leading the command in the highest satisfaction results among outpatients.
“My charge to the staff today is to continue to embrace their role as leaders and to offer the same level of loyalty and excellence to Col. Hudson as he takes on the mantle of command. Tim, I am certain they will continue to innovate and change to ensure that LRMC’s greatness is continued while you command,” said Laterza.
“With great joy I leave LRMC knowing I did my best to live up to the greatness of my predecessors and my team. Healthcare is a noble profession and I want to thank all of you for the trust and privilege of serving as commander of the ‘Crown Jewel of Military Medicine.’ Kristy and I will dearly miss the LRMC team.”
