Capt. Glen C. Crawford turned over responsibilities as commanding officer of U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka to Capt. Rosemary C. Malone during a change of command ceremony held at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka's Benny Decker Theater, June 24.

Crawford, who will move forward to become chief of staff, Navy Medicine West in San Diego served as the hospital's 34th commanding officer from July 1, 2014 to present.

After thanking distinguished guests, crew members and family in attendance, Crawford spoke of the contributions of the USNH Yokosuka staff members to both the base and Japanese communities.

"To the staff of USNH Yokosuka and its branch health clinics, thank you for a fabulous two years," said Crawford. "From Diego Garcia in the subequatorial Indian Ocean to South Korea and throughout mainland Japan, your commitment to this command and the patients we are so privileged to care for is evident in everything you do, and is the main reason this hospital and its branch clinics enjoy such a positive reputation, not only in Navy Medicine but in the Military Health System."

During Crawford's tenure as commanding officer, the hospital achieved several milestones which included winning the 2015 Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award; the USNH Yokosuka Urology Clinic achieving 100 percent patient satisfaction in Navy Medicine's "Best of the Best" report for second quarter, fiscal year 2016; all six Medical Home Port Clinics being recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a certified Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH); and the hospital's recent distinction as a winner in the inaugural Navy Medicine West (NAVMEDWEST) Continuous Process Improvement Project Competition in the Rapid Improvement Event category.

"Our physicians, nurses, Japanese fellows, allied health professionals, corpsmen, and support staff live out our command's motto every day -- 'here to serve with care, from the heart,'" he said. "From our housekeeping staff, who set the expectation for our patients of superb medical care by keeping this facility so spotless, to the food operations staff who feed our patients and staff in the best galley in Navy Medicine, to our materials management and facility personnel who keep us operating day to day -- thank you."

Crawford ended his speech by saying, "The longer I stay in the Navy, the smaller it seems to become, and one of the joys of being in the Navy is running into shipmates [I have] served with previously, sometimes many years previously. It is for that reason that I do not say goodbye to you today, but rather 'au revoir' -- until I see you again."

Among distinguished guests in attendance were Commander, Navy Medicine West, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham; Commander, Naval Forces Japan, Rear Adm. Matthew Carte; and the Honorable Yoshiaki Numata, deputy mayor of Yokosuka. Representing Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) were Surgeon General, JSDF, Rear Adm. Michiya Sato and Commander, Undersea Medical Center Yokosuka, Rear Adm. Kimitoshi Inoue. Commander, JSDF Hospital, Yokosuka, Rear Adm. Shigeki Yanagida, served as guest speaker.

"Capt. Crawford, you contributed tremendously to the strengthening of the medical partnership between the JMSDF and U.S. Navy with your brilliant insight and wealth of experience," said Yanagida. "In particular, during the times of our bilateral disaster drills, you made a significant contribution to improvement of Japan-U.S. collaborative medical readiness by developing guidelines for mass casualty response."

Yanagida continued his praise.

"By supporting various professional exchanges -- to include joint case conferences, externship for JMSDF medical and dental officers, and conversational English classes for our education department -- you increased opportunities for not only the sharing of professional knowledge, but also the improvement of communication," added Yanagida.

After having her husband, U.S. Army Col. Rick Malone pin on her shore command pin, Malone took center stage to accept the duties and responsibilities as new commanding officer.

"It is an absolute privilege to be standing before you as your commanding officer," said Malone. "Adm. Gillingham, I would like to thank you and your staff for such a warm welcome to the Navy Medicine West family; I wish I had gotten here sooner! I am grateful for the opportunity to represent you here in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Adm. Yanagida, thank you for your very kind and gracious welcome. I look forward to continuing the close, collaborative relationship that the Naval Hospital has with you and the staff of the Japan Self-Defense Force Hospital Yokosuka."

Malone also thanked Crawford for his earlier comments with regards his confidence in her ability to lead and congratulating him on what she felt was a successful tour at USNH Yokosuka.

"Your thoughtful and compassionate leadership style has served the command well, and you have left some big shoes to fill," said Malone. "Please accept my best wishes as you prepare to assume your new duties as the chief of staff at Navy Medicine West! I am sure you will continue to serve the Navy well in that critical assignment."

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