Story and photo by Debbie Thompson

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (June 28, 2018) — General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital welcomed Col. Kimberlie Biever and said farewell to Col. Christian Meko in a change-of-command ceremony June 22 on the hospital grounds.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, Regional Health Command-Central commanding general, presided over the ceremony.

The tradition of passing the Medical Department Activity colors signified the official transfer of command and responsibility to Biever, who now leads the GLWACH team in providing care to the Fort Leonard Wood community.

During the ceremony, Johnson spoke about the long history GLWACH has in supporting the thousands of trainees that come to Fort Leonard Wood every year and the impact that it has on the military as a whole.

Johnson spoke about GLWACH’s mission and how they demonstrate what it means to be ready to fight tonight. He shared the story of two Soldiers and their missions from around the globe and praised the team for earning the Army Safety and Occupational Health Star.

“Col. Meko, I applaud you and your team for your leadership and courage to embrace change and to adapt to your current operating environment,” he said.

Meko took to the podium and expressed his gratitude for what the men and women of GLWACH accomplish on a daily basis. He said the staff finds a way to accomplish the most difficult missions while always treating patients as if they were a member of their own family. Meko recognized the leadership of Biever and said he was confident she will take GLWACH to new heights.

Biever addressed the formation of Soldiers on the field.

“I look forward to leading the GLWACH team, and I’m delighted to be here in support of the MSCoE mission and the community,” she said.

Biever is board certified as an acute care nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, critical care nurse specialist and critical care nurse.