Col. David Bitterman assumed command of the Medical Department Activity, which oversees Munson Army Health Center, July 1 at Fort Leavenworth.
Bitterman is taking over command from Col. Andrea Crunkhorn, who left early to deploy to Iraq. MEDDAC commanders serve a two-year tour at MAHC, which serves as the on-post clinic for members of the military, their families and retirees. MEDDAC has about 400 Soldiers and civilian personnel.
Maj. Gen. Philip Volpe, commander of Western Region Medical Command, said outgoing commander Crunkhorn was to thank for many successes at MAHC.
“During the last 24 months she has done a fantastic job here, her leadership, unwavering dedication, led her team to excellence on so many venues … delivering quality health care, ensuring Soldier readiness and enhancing community health,” Volpe said.
During Crunkhorn’s tenure, MAHC staff had what Volpe called an “outstanding” Joint Commission Survey with zero findings, established a women’s clinic, worked to improve access to care and partnered with nearby hospitals.
Volpe said MAHC’s new commander came with a lot of experience. Bitterman served as deputy commander of administration at four hospitals, most recently Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
“His wealth of knowledge, experience, is going to be a great thing here for Munson and for this community,” Volpe said. “Colonel Bitterman is a seasoned officer with a proven track record and we’re absolutely thrilled to have him take the helm here at Munson Army Health Center.”
Bitterman comes to Fort Leavenworth with his wife, Ae Kyong Pak, and two children, Sean and Faith.
Following the ceremony, Bitterman and his staff signed the Army Healthcare Covenant. He said the covenant is a renewal to the team’s commitment to provide good and accessible health care to military families.
“Mothers and fathers from all over the nation, spouses here in Kansas and Missouri, they’ve entrusted their Soldier to me, they require I treat their Soldier with fairness, honesty and integrity,” he said.
Many service members come to Fort Leavenworth for only one year to attend the Command and General Staff College — their break in nine years of warfare, often with two or three combat deployments. Bitterman said he encouraged Soldiers to use that break to refresh and spend time with family.
“It’s important for them to have those resources so they can get back to the Army or Air Force or Navy or Marines,” he said.
Bitterman said one example of the covenant was to continue to improve access to care. He said MAHC had improved appointment scheduling so that patients can make an appointment the same day they make a call.
“It’s a contract between us and our community that we will continue to deliver those services,” Bitterman said.
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Col. David Bitterman assumed command of the Medical Department Activity, which oversees Munson Army Health Center, July 1 at Fort Leavenworth.
Bitterman is taking over command from Col. Andrea Crunkhorn, who left early to deploy to Iraq. MEDDAC commanders serve a two-year tour at MAHC, which serves as the on-post clinic for members of the military, their families and retirees. MEDDAC has about 400 Soldiers and civilian personnel.
Maj. Gen. Philip Volpe, commander of Western Region Medical Command, said outgoing commander Crunkhorn was to thank for many successes at MAHC.
“During the last 24 months she has done a fantastic job here, her leadership, unwavering dedication, led her team to excellence on so many venues … delivering quality health care, ensuring Soldier readiness and enhancing community health,” Volpe said.
During Crunkhorn’s tenure, MAHC staff had what Volpe called an “outstanding” Joint Commission Survey with zero findings, established a women’s clinic, worked to improve access to care and partnered with nearby hospitals.
Volpe said MAHC’s new commander came with a lot of experience. Bitterman served as deputy commander of administration at four hospitals, most recently Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
“His wealth of knowledge, experience, is going to be a great thing here for Munson and for this community,” Volpe said. “Colonel Bitterman is a seasoned officer with a proven track record and we’re absolutely thrilled to have him take the helm here at Munson Army Health Center.”
Bitterman comes to Fort Leavenworth with his wife, Ae Kyong Pak, and two children, Sean and Faith.
Following the ceremony, Bitterman and his staff signed the Army Healthcare Covenant. He said the covenant is a renewal to the team’s commitment to provide good and accessible health care to military families.
“Mothers and fathers from all over the nation, spouses here in Kansas and Missouri, they’ve entrusted their Soldier to me, they require I treat their Soldier with fairness, honesty and integrity,” he said.
Many service members come to Fort Leavenworth for only one year to attend the Command and General Staff College — their break in nine years of warfare, often with two or three combat deployments. Bitterman said he encouraged Soldiers to use that break to refresh and spend time with family.
“It’s important for them to have those resources so they can get back to the Army or Air Force or Navy or Marines,” he said.
Bitterman said one example of the covenant was to continue to improve access to care. He said MAHC had improved appointment scheduling so that patients can make an appointment the same day they make a call.
“It’s a contract between us and our community that we will continue to deliver those services,” Bitterman said.
