FORT CARSON, Colo. — Evans Army Community Hospital conducts a virtual change of command ceremony May 19, 2020, at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters building, where Col. Eric S. Edwards, second from left, relinquishes command to Col. Kevin R. Bass, center. The reviewing officer and commander of Regional Health Command-Central, Brig. Gen. George “Ned” Appenzeller used virtual teleconference to participate in the ceremony. (Photo by Jeanine Mezei)
By Jeanine Mezei
U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Fort Carson Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Kevin R. Bass, incoming commander, Evans Army Community Hospital, speaks to the audience during a virtual change of command ceremony May 19, 2020, at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters building at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by Jeanine Mezei)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — There were no Soldier formations, unit colors were not passed among leaders, and the hundreds of guests typically seen at a change of command ceremony at Founders Field were nowhere in sight.
Instead, a small, select group of Family members and personnel gathered in the 4th Infantry Division headquarters building May 19, 2020, for an unprecedented virtual change of command ceremony to welcome the newest commander of Evans Army Community Hospital and Medical Department Activity-Fort Carson.
During the ceremony, the outgoing commander, Col. Eric S. Edwards, relinquished command to Col. Kevin R. Bass.
“As you can imagine, my Family and I are very excited to be here and to be a part of the Mountain Post community and joining the Evans’ team,” said Bass.
At the beginning of his career at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Bass received assignment orders to Fort Carson. Shortly after having the 4th Inf. Div. patch sewn onto his uniforms in anticipation, his assignment changed. Now 27 years later, he finally arrived.
“I am both honored and humbled for the privilege and opportunity to work with such a talented team of health care professionals at Evans in support of our Mountain Post mission partners,” said Bass.
With the assistance of video teleconference on a large screen in the Hürtgen Forest Room, Regional Health Command-Central (RHC-C) Commander Brig. Gen. George “Ned” Appenzeller presided over the ceremony.
“We are living in a historic, worldwide situation that has caused all of us to reorder our lives, our work, and in the case of the world’s greatest army, our ceremonies,” said Appenzeller. “Even if you can’t sit here in the audience or stand proudly in formation, you honor these great leaders and our medical team by your presence.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Eric S. Edwards, left, outgoing commander, Evans Army Community Hospital, relinquishes command to Col. Kevin R. Bass, right, incoming commander, during a virtual change of command ceremony May 19, 2020, at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters building at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by Jeanine Mezei)
With the help of social media, thousands of viewers were able to watch the ceremony live on the EACH, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson Facebook pages.
Appenzeller thanked Edwards and his wife, Renee, for contributions to Army Medicine, RHC-C and the Fort Carson community.
“Eric, as you transition from commanding a military treatment facility into your duties as the director of Strategic Initiatives Group for the Army Surgeon General, I can think of no better assignment where you can continue your commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Appenzeller.
Edwards was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as the hospital commander. Renee Edwards was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Medal for her extraordinary service to Soldiers, civilians and Families throughout Fort Carson.
“I want to add my thanks to Eric for his leadership and doing such an incredible job leading Evans over the last 24 months,” said Bass. “In the months ahead, we will continue to build on Evans’ reputation of generating a high level of medical readiness, maintaining a ready medical force and enabling world-class health care for our beneficiaries — and we’ll do all of this in this midst of COVID-19 support operations.”
During Edwards’ tenure, EACH earned accreditation through The Joint Commission with a Gold Seal, underwent transition to the Defense Health Agency and consolidated primary care clinics within Fort Carson. The hospital also established a training agreement with UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs to enhance the skills of medical Soldiers and civilians at EACH.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Kevin R. Bass, left, takes command of Evans Army Community Hospital during a virtual change of command ceremony May 19, 2020, at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters building at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by Jeanine Mezei)
“I’ve been blessed, and in many ways have not looked forward to today,” said Edwards. “There is no greater honor or awesome responsibility than caring for the men and women who protect our nation.”