Naval Hospital Lemoore (NHL) welcomed a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony, June 30, at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore base theatre.

Capt. Kristen Atterbury, a native of Philadelphia, relieved Petersburg, Virginia native, Capt. Mary Mahony.

Mahony assumed command July 10, 2015, and led Naval Hospital Lemoore in achieving a Fully Medical Ready status of 85 percent for 41 tenant commands, resulting in an unprecedented high state of operational readiness. Additionally, Mahony established innovative action plans, resulting in the hospital receiving fourth place out of 27 medical treatment facilities (MTFs) for Health Effectiveness Information Data Set (HEDIS) Preventative Health Measures, and first place out of 10 MTFs for ambulatory care facilities across the Navy Medicine enterprise. Mahony's next duty assignment is at the Falls Church, Virginia-based Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).

"Naval Hospital Lemoore, you do amazing work every day, and I expect I could have done more to let you know how much you are appreciated. You see patients at some of their most vulnerable moments. They aren't always at medical or dental for the fun of it. It is an honor to be entrusted to provide the best care to those who defend our freedom. It is an honor to the uniform we wear and it has been an honor to have the privilege of leading this incredible group of active duty, GS civilians and contractors. I am humbled to have been part of the team and to have been your CO - I wish you health, happiness and the best that life and the Navy has to offer you. I will always keep a part of you with me," said Mahony.

Mahony also took a moment to formally recognize six Sailors selected for the Meritorious Advancement Program; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jose MarreroDeJesus, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Takari Gillam, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Richelle Franklin, Hospital Corpsman Jermaine Bernard, Hospital Corpsman Devin Tanner, and Hospital Corpsman Stephano Price.

"Congratulations to each one of you. I am so very proud of your accomplishments," said Mahony. "I hope it was a complete surprise."

Atterbury is the 23rd commanding officer to lead the hospital, and assumed command at a crucial point, just prior to the hospital's upcoming Joint Commission and Medical General Inspector Survey for accreditation. Prior to commanding Naval Hospital Lemoore, Atterbury was stationed at Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan, where she served as executive officer.

"As we serve in dynamic times, we must ensure a medically ready force and a ready medical force able to respond at moment's notice to protect our nation's interests. Thank you for all that you've done to contribute to our mission, what you do each and every day, and what we will do together tomorrow. You are an incredible team and have already impressed me. I am honored to serve with you and be part of Lemoore's history of providing exceptional care to the war-fighters and their families," said Atterbury.

NHL was commissioned by BUMED, July 1, 1968, and provides quality health care to 32,000 eligible beneficiaries at NAS Lemoore, California and NAS Fallon, Nevada. The command also provides dental care and medical administrative support to Navy, Marine Corps and international students at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Defense Language Institute and the Center for Information Dominance in Monterey, California.

NHL personnel have provided direct support to numerous operational missions around the world. During operations in Southeast Asia, NHL staff was involved in support of Marine Corps infantry units and onboard various ships providing continuity of care to prisoners of war returning to the U.S. throughout the Vietnam War era.

In 1990 and 1991, hospital personnel supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm by serving on USNS Mercy (TAH-19), augmenting Fleet Hospital FIVE, serving with Fleet Marine Forces ground units, and onboard amphibious ships following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

NHL staff actively supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as deployments to provide casualty care in Landstuhl, Germany.

Today, NHL staff support missions in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Mexico, recovery of service member remains in Vietnam, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions throughout the Pacific.

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