US Naval Hospital Sigonella Welcomes New Commanding Officer

SIGONELLA, Italy (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella held a change of command ceremony July 20.

Capt. Patricia McDonald relieved Capt. Cynthia Feller. Rear Adm. Elaine C. Wagner, commander, Navy Medicine East, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony and commended Feller for her time, leadership and dedication as commanding officer.

"Real influence is most often personal," said Wagner. "I think that description describes Capt. Cynthia Feller to a 'T.' She has the credentials, she has been in the spotlight and she has helped others make their dreams come true. Simply put, she has had real influence at this command."

Feller led of a large multinational workforce including Arab, Greek and Italian nationals as well as active duty military, geographically dispersed to remote locations in three countries and two areas of operation in support of numerous Navy, European Command, and other joint and combined organizations and operations. She established a benchmark of excellence in care for a beneficiary population of 8,151 and 30,000 transient and deployed military in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet's area of responsibility.

"It's been the greatest pleasure to work with my entire team," said Feller. "If I do have a legacy to leave behind as commanding officer, I hope it's that each of you continue to take care of your shipmates, to keep growing and keep the love for your country strong."

Feller will now report as force surgeon for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR)-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy.

"You are inheriting an experienced and highly motivated crew with a proven track record of success," Wagner said to McDonald. "I have every confidence that with your outstanding leadership skills, your passion for patient-centered initiatives, and your own stellar track record, you will be able to take Naval Hospital Sigonella to the next level."

During the course of McDonald's 26-year naval career, including 23 active duty years, Naval Hospital Sigonella's new commanding officer has spanned the globe in service of her country.

So when the opportunity arose to select a new duty station, she didn't have to think too hard about which base to request.

"This was my first choice," McDonald said of the Sigonella hospital. "I feel very fortunate to be the CO here."

She said it helps to inherit a command that gets such glowing remarks from its former commanding officer.
"Capt. Feller told me what a great command this is," McDonald said. "She said it's the best command she's ever been to. Everybody works hard and takes care of each other. She strongly encouraged me to request it."

U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella is McDonald's latest stop in a career that began in 1986 as a staff nurse at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., after graduating from Rutgers University. While on board, she gained experience on the Surgical-Oncology-Gynecology Ward, Labor and Delivery Unit and the Intensive Care Nursery.

She briefly left active duty and completed a Master of Sciences in Nursing with certifications as a Nurse-Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of California San Francisco. She returned to active duty in 1992 at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, with subsequent stops at U.S. Naval Hospital Naples, Italy, and Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune.

McDonald completed her first department head tour at Naval Hospital Puerto Rico in the OBGYN clinic. In addition, she led the Women's and Children's Health Care Advisory Committee and the Breast Health Committee, including the first islandwide Breast Cancer Support Group.

Her second department head tour was at Naval Hospital Jacksonville where she managed military and civilian staff and provided oversight regarding policies and practices on the inpatient obstetrical unit and the OBGYN clinic.

As director of Surgical Services at Naval Hospital Guam, she oversaw 10 surgical departments. Upon leaving Guam in 2007, she was promoted to her current rank.

In 2010, McDonald was appointed as the executive officer of Naval Hospital Lemoore, Calif.

She arrives in Sigonella with her husband, two children.

"I've become more organized during the course of my 26 years," McDonald said. "Our experiences along the way help to form how we make our decisions. I believe in getting input from staff before making any decisions."

One decision she has yet to make is where to travel. She plans to see some of the area. For now, she'll be staying put and getting acquainted with the Sigonella community.

"Everybody has been very welcoming," she said.

U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella's facility was opened in 1993. Along with the hospital, located on NAS I, the command includes the Flight Line Clinic on NAS II, U.S. Naval Branch Health Clinic Bahrain and U.S. Naval Health Clinic Souda Bay in Crete.


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