WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- This summer marked several key leadership changes for Wright-Patterson Medical Center.
Lt. Col. Jason Glitz turned over command of the 88th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron to Col. (Dr.) Catherine Callender during a ceremony July 28 at the hospital’s auditorium.
Callender had served as deputy director of Psychological Health at the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency in Falls Church, Virginia. Glitz departs for a squadron commander position at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Col. (Dr.) Erik Nott relinquished command of the 88th Surgical Operations Squadron to Col. (Dr.) Brian Gavitt on July 26.
Gavitt was previously trauma director of U.S. and UAE Trauma, Burn and Rehabilitative Medicine in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and surgical critical care consultant to the Air Force surgeon general. Nott is now a master clinician at Wright-Patterson Medical Center’s Orthopedic Surgery Clinic and consultant to the surgeon general for orthopedic surgery.
In May, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Eldon Palmer moved from his pediatric position at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to become commander of the 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron. He succeeded Col. (Dr.) Kenji Takano, who now commands the 673rd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Col. Rachelle Hartze retired April 7 after turning over 88th Inpatient Operations Squadron command to Col. Sarah Martin, a nurse who previously served as a master clinician in 88 IPTS.
The Air Force typically sees a rise in summer moves, partly to minimize the impacts on military families with children who are usually on break from school.