- Commander: Col. Theodore Brown
- Command Sgt. Maj. Omar Mascarenas
- Public Affairs Chief / Editor: Marcy Sanchez
The Legacy is published monthly by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs Office under the authority of AR 360-1 to provide the staff and families of LRMC with information on people, policies, operations, technical developments, trends and ideas of and about the U.S. Army Medical Command and LRMC. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army Medical Command. Direct communication is authorized to Public Affairs, The Legacy, Unit 33100 Attn: PAO, APO AE 09180-3100. Phone: DSN 314-590-8144 or commercial from the United States 011-49-6371-9464-8144. Or send an email to usarmy.lrmc.pao@health.mil. Unless otherwise indicated (and except for “by permission” and copyright items), material may be reprinted provided credit is given to The Legacy and the author. All photographs by U.S. Army except as otherwise credited. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
LRMC welcomes new top brass
LANDSTUHL, Germany – Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) conducted a change of command ceremony on June 29, 2023, welcoming Col. Theodore R. Brown as the 36th commander of the largest American military medical center outside the United States.
Col. Andrew L. Landers relinquished command of LRMC to Brown, who previously served as the Chief, Health Services Division, at Human Resources Command, Ft. Knox, Ky.
Brown received his commission from the United States Military Academy in 1996 and completed his residencies and board certification in Family Medicine at Fort Bragg, N.C. in 2003.
“It is an honor to stand before you as the incoming commander, and I am humbled by the opportunity and responsibility entrusted to me," he said. "We must never lose sight of our responsibility as stewards of the dual profession of military medicine. The medical professionals of LRMC are guardians of a legacy that stretches back generations. … As such, it is our duty to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compassion, expertise, and excellence."
The ceremony didn’t mark the first meeting between Brown and Landers, who worked together more than two decades ago at the Family Medical Program at Womack Army Medical Center in North Carolina.
“I'm sure on more than a few occasions then, I, a third-year resident, woke Dr. Landers from a deep sleep to discuss a case," Brown said. “I've been privileged to have Col. Landers as a teacher, mentor, physician, colleague, fellow commander, and friend.”
Most recently during Landers' tenure, LRMC completed a successful reaccreditation process through The Joint Commission, was accredited as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, transitioned to the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and was welcomed into the German Society for Trauma Surgery, or Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie – DGU, becoming the first American trauma center in coalition with a foreign trauma network. . Landers also oversaw LRMC operations during Operation Allies Refuge, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the hospitals initial transition to MHS GENESIS, the Department of Defense’s new electronic health record.
"I stand here today, 25 months after taking command, even more humbled by the privilege that it was to be your commander and director," Landers said. "Personal and professional readiness was our mantra, and this team executed the mission flawlessly, all while maintaining a focus on high-quality, compassionate, and safe patient care."
Brig. Gen. Clinton K. Murray, Commanding General, Medical Readiness Command, Europe/Command Surgeon, United States Army Europe/Director, Defense Health Region Agency Europe, Defense Health Agency, emphasized Landers' achievements.
"If you look at when (Landers) took command, we were in the middle of the pandemic, a global impact that we had not seen for over 100 years," Murray said. "Soon thereafter, he had to respond with the 86th Medical Squadron moving a lot of casualties here to Ramstein, determining who needed inpatient care versus outpatient care. It was the largest humanitarian mission the United States military has ever done."
Landers, who has commanded Landstuhl Regional medical Center since May 2021, is slated for assignment with the 68th Theater Medical Command at Sembach, Germany.
About Landstuhl Regional Medical Center:
As the sole U.S. medical center overseas and the U.S. military’s medical evacuation center, LRMC’s primary role of critical combat care is to either treat and remedy patients’ medical concerns and return them to their units or stabilize and transfer them to another facility for further care.
With a 99 percent survival rate, the LRMC team has successfully treated more than 97,000 wounded, injured and ill U.S. troops and Coalition Forces from 56 countries who were aeromedically evacuated from throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Strategically located near Ramstein Air Base, Germany, LRMC is the largest American medical facility outside the United States, the only American College of Surgeons verified Level II Trauma Center overseas and the only American trauma center associated with a foreign trauma network (the German Society for Trauma Surgery, or Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie – DGU).
The Defense Health Agency medical center and its six additional clinics in Germany, Italy and Belgium are jointly staffed by more than 2000 dedicated professionals, including over 1,000 Army, 260 Air Force, 800 Department of Defense civilians, 300 Local Nationals, as well as Marine Corps, Navy, and Veterans Affairs personnel. This team cares for nearly 205,000 beneficiaries living and working throughout Europe.
The facility offers 53 medical specialties, houses 65 beds and averages more than 2,000 outpatient visits each day. An average daily workload includes 16 inpatient admissions, 26 operating room cases and 2 births.
LRMC welcomes ASD for Health Affairs during first overseas tour
During his first overseas tour, the Honorable Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD for Health Affairs), visited Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), as part of a larger visit to Europe, July 10, 2023.
The visit provided Martinez-Lopez a chance to visit with leaders from TRICARE Area Office Eurasia-Africa, Medical Readiness Command, Europe, Defense Health Agency Region-Europe, LRMC, and staff at LRMC, the only forward-stationed medical center in the U.S. Department of Defense. Martinez-Lopez will also meet with medical leaders at various combatant commands in Europe, while also meeting and strengthening relationships with German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) leaders, including the Bundeswehr’s top medical officer.
“The focus for military health is readiness, ensuring our Service Members are medically fit to carry out their missions,” said Martinez-Lopez. “(LRMC) is one of our premier medical facilities in the Department of Defense where it embodies (the U.S. Department of Defense) military health readiness mission.”
During the visit, Martinez-Lopez met with medical professionals from LRMC’s Medical / Surgical Ward; Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum Ward; Operating Rooms; Post-Anesthesia Care Unit; Intensive Care Unit; Emergency Department and concluded his tour by meeting with Europe military medicine leaders.
Martinez-Lopez mentioned the importance of access to care, its effect on readiness and efforts to combat short staffing. “Access is critical, we are working to enhance and revise policies and processes that ensure we have the right numbers and skill sets of medical professionals at our facilities,” said Martinez-Lopez. “This is not just a military health challenge; it is one facing all health systems. We hear you and we’re in this together to find the best solutions to meet our readiness mission.”
Nominated by President Joe Biden in 2022, Martinez-Lopez was confirmed for the position of ASD for Health Affairs, on Feb. 16, 2023. He is a retired U.S. Army major general and a family medicine physician, who served in leadership positions in the private health care sector after concluding his U.S. Army career.
“I bring not only decades of experience in uniform to my new role as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, but a clear set of priorities: readiness, access to care, mental health, and addressing provider shortages,” said Martinez-Lopez. “In short, my goals are to advance readiness through enhanced, comprehensive clinical care; strengthen our healthcare workforces to meet the military’s medical needs, and reattract beneficiaries to the Military Health System by improving the patient experience and access to care.”
LRMC is the largest U.S. hospital outside the United States where it serves as the sole military medical center for more than 205,000 beneficiaries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The jointly staffed, Army-commanded 100-bed Medical Center is strategically located near Ramstein Air Base, providing 52 medical specialties and over 46,000 outpatient visits per month. LRMC is the only American College of Surgeons verified Level II Trauma Center outside the United States and the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. Service Members and civilians, as well as members of 56 Coalition Forces serving across four combatant commands and three continents.
LRMC Veteran recognized as a woman veteran trailblazers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) staff member Dr. Angela Karnes-Padron, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is one of 21 women selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans (CWV) as a Women Veteran Trailblazers “Women Making the Difference.”
Karnes-Padron received the recognition at a ceremony at the Library of Congress, from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, and Lourdes Tiglao, director of the CWV. Nearly 400 nominations were received for the award, which celebrates veteran women who are enhancing the lives of other veterans, veteran families, or veteran caregivers in critical areas such as education, employment, entrepreneurship, homelessness, legal matters, and mental health and wellness. The awardees were initially announced during Women’s History Month in March.
“Although I'm truly honored and grateful to be called a trailblazer, there are incredible women veterans who have paved the way for 75 years of permanency in the military, bringing us closer to equality,” Karnes-Padron said. “While there is still work to be done, I am inspired and fired up after meeting this year's group of amazing trailblazers and some from 2021."
As an organizational psychologist, Karnes-Padron researches the challenges faced by women as they transition from military to civilian life, focusing on issues such as identity, assimilation, and employment. Karnes-Padron has collaborated with multiple groups to help decrease homelessness, depression, and unemployment among veterans.
After the ceremony, an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, brought together distinguished guests including First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Sen. Susan Collins.
In 2019 the CWV launched the Women Veteran Trailblazers “Women Breaking Barriers” initiative, and 15 women veterans were recognized for their contributions during and after their military service. In 2021 the CWV received 108 nominations for the Women Veteran Trailblazers “Women Veterans Leading the Way” initiative, where 27 veterans representing all
branches of service were selected. For more on the Women Veteran Trailblazers Initiative, visit www.va.gov/womenvet/outreach/trailblazers.asp.
LRMC supports Landstuhl’s 700th Anniversary celebration
Seventy years ago, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) was completed in the hilltops overlooking the city of Landstuhl, Germany. Earlier this year, the sole American medical center outside the United States celebrated its anniversary with community members joining LRMC during a week-long commemoration.
On July 16, LRMC joined its neighbor to mark a significant milestone in the city's history—the celebration of its 700th anniversary. The commemorative event served as a platform for LRMC to strengthen its bond with the local community and honor the long-standing partnership between the medical center and the city.
Situated in the heart of the picturesque German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Landstuhl has a rich heritage dating back to 1323. Known for its charming medieval architecture and vibrant cultural traditions, the city has played an integral role in supporting the military community and nurturing the enduring friendship between LRMC and the local populace.
As the largest U.S. military medical center outside the United States, LRMC has been a vital component of the Landstuhl community since its establishment in 1953. The partnership goes beyond healthcare and is rooted in mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to fostering strong ties between the American military presence and the local German population.
The 700th Anniversary celebration served as a prime opportunity for LRMC to engage with the Landstuhl community and express gratitude for their unwavering support throughout the years.
“Our invitation to celebrate their 700th anniversary demonstrates the mutual respect we have for one another (LRMC and the city)” said U.S. Army Col. Theodore Brown, commander, LRMC. “They depend on us just as much as we depend on them.”
One of the highlights of the city’s year-long celebration was a downtown parade in the city of Landstuhl, where a platoon of LRMC Soldiers, led by Brown, marched alongside their German neighbors who represented the community from modern organizations to medieval knights who strutted down Kaiserstraße, Landstuhl’s main street, atop stallions outfitted with traditional armor showcasing the city’s coat of arms.
Mayor Ralf Hersina expressed his gratitude for LRMC's continued partnership, even joining LRMC momentarily as they marched down the crowd-filled streets downtown.
Brown praised the successful collaboration between LRMC and the city acknowledging the significance of community engagement in strengthening relationships and promoting unity.
As LRMC continues its mission to provide high-quality, safe and compassionate patient care to the military community, the bond between LRMC and Landstuhl remains steadfast, ensuring the well-being of those who serve while positively impacting the local German population. LRMC has demonstrated this through various community engagements, including units volunteering with local orphanages and women’s shelters.
MHS GENESIS is Coming to Europe - Sept. 23, 2023
Join Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for a Community Town Hall on MHS GENESIS, the Department of Defense's new Electronic Health Record, on Aug. 4, 2023, at 1 p.m. MHS GENESIS is slated to go live at all Military Treatment Facilities across Europe on Sept. 23, 2023. Know what this means for you and your family, how to prepare and get familiar with the new patient portal experience.