Capt. John Le Favour turned over leadership of Naval Hospital Jacksonville to Capt. David Collins during a change of command ceremony, May 6.

Hundreds of staff, family, friends and guests attended the time-honored Navy tradition at the ceremony, presided over by Rear Adm. Kenneth Iverson, commander of Navy Medicine East.

Iverson praised Le Favour for his leadership and impact.

"Under Capt. Le Favour's leadership, Naval Hospital Jacksonville has made transformational changes," said Iverson. "The command has done an extraordinary job of keeping the Navy and Marine Corps family ready, healthy and on the job."

Iverson presented Le Favour with the Legion of Merit award for exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service on behalf of Vice Adm. C. Forrest Faison III, Navy surgeon general and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery chief.

"The past two years have been an incredible journey and the highlight of my Naval career thus far," said Le Favour. "Thank you to all of the staff -- military, civilian, contract, and volunteer -- at our hospital and five branch health clinics. I'm so proud of all you've done to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients. I am privileged to have served with you. Capt. Collins, you take command of a highly-performing team that is committed to healing our nation's heroes."

Le Favour thanked the entire staff for demonstrating that at the core of the command's mission is excellence in care, excellence in family, and excellence in leadership. Le Favour also thanked his mentors, including Faison, who teach the importance of covenant leadership and ensuring the well-being of the crew.

During Le Favour's two-year tour, NH Jacksonville earned numerous awards.

In 2015, the Florida Surgeon General cited NH Jacksonville as a "First Coast innovator" for maintaining Baby Friendly certification from the World Health Organization and United Nations Children Fund. The Defense Health Agency and Prevention Partners recognized the command with the first Gold Star, for its quit-tobacco systems. All six facilities consistently earned the Navy Surgeon General's Health Promotion and Wellness "Blue H" Award. The family medicine residency program received the 2015 Outstanding Achievement in Scholarly Activity Award from the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians, and maintained a 100 percent board certification pass rate.

The command significantly enhanced its provision of preventive care, helping patients achieve optimum health. Patient connections to RelayHealth secure messaging increased by 60 percent, giving more patients email access to the health care team. The command's mobile app launched to help patients connect with care, and the command implemented standardized business rules for all outpatient clinics to support consistent patient access to care.

Staff instituted a High Reliability Organization working group, reinvigorating TeamSTEPPS® and implementing a "60 Seconds for Safety" team huddle after every operating room procedure. Staff also became more active in submitting Patient Safety Reports, reflecting dedication to improving patient care processes to provide safe, high-quality care. The command maintained patient satisfactory ratings above 90 percent.

The hospital initiated a mental health intensive outpatient program, and gained approval to establish a 10-bed inpatient mental health unit to enhance continuity of care.

The hospital now offers nitrous oxide as its newest pain management option for laboring moms, as well as other patients.

The command launched a Reintegrate, Educate and Advance Combatants in Healthcare (REACH) program to help prepare wounded warriors for health care careers. The command also expanded its collaboration with the Veterans Administration at Naval Branch Health Clinic Key West to provide care to active-duty service members and veterans.

The hospital collaborated with a local farm to open a weekly, on-site farmers market to promote good nutrition. The satellite pharmacy expanded its drive-thru from one to three lanes as well.

The command passed 27 inspections, produced the highest score in Navy Medicine in cyber readiness, and was noted as a best practice in numerous areas including medical logistics.

Staff optimized the command to safely meet the needs of the patient on-site when the capability exists. During Le Favour's tenure, the command provided 1,408,704 medical visits; 121,206 dental visits; 9,704 surgeries; 7,760 admissions; 2,135,859 prescriptions; 2,824,452 laboratory tests; and 1,544 babies delivered.

Le Favour, a native of Millington, Tennessee, and Medical Service Corps officer, took leadership of NH Jacksonville Aug. 8, 2014. He is board certified in health care management and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Le Favour will embark on a new assignment as executive assistant to the Navy surgeon general.

Collins, NH Jacksonville's newest commanding officer, previously served as executive officer of NH Bremerton, Wash. A native of Avoca, Michigan, he enlisted as a hospital corpsman in 1983 and was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps officer in 1991.

Collins acknowledged the exceptionally high standard set by Le Favour.

"I am honored to take command of Naval Hospital Jacksonville," said Collins. "I'm ready to continue the momentum you've gained under Capt. Le Favour's leadership."

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year, NH Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy's third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. Of its patient population (163,000 active and retired Sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, guardsmen, and their families), almost 85,000 are enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities.

To find out more or download the command's mobile app, visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax.

For more news from Naval Hospital Jacksonville, visit http://www.navy.mil/.