“The Spartan Medics are disciplined, competent and battle tested. I am confident we will continue on this trajectory.”
— Col. Hope M. Williamson-Younce
By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
Col. Hope M. Williamson-Younce
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 627th Hospital Center welcomed a new commander May 29, 2019, during a ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. Soldiers, Families, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson leaders gathered to bid farewell to Col. Mark A. Stevens, the 627th HC’s commander for the past two and half years, while also ushering in Col. Hope M. Williamson-Younce.
Col. Robert F. Howe, 1st Medical Brigade commander, presided over the passing of the 627th HC’s colors during the ceremony.
“Col. Williamson-Younce has a sterling reputation as a leader and I know she will take this unit to new heights,” Howe said. “’The Best Hometown in the Army’ is a special place. The community support and military partnerships are legendary here and Evans Army Community Hospital is one of the absolute gems in the Army military health system. I know (Williamson-Younce) will continue to build relationships and enhance these strategic partnerships. We are excited to have her positive and caring leadership on our team.”
Williamson-Younce comes to the 627th HC from Falls Church, Virginia, where she served as the director of the Army System for Health Directorate, Office of the Surgeon General, Medical Command. She entered the Army in 1983 as a private and rose to the rank of staff sergeant before earning a commission through the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program. Holding a doctorate in nursing practice, Williamson-Younce has commanded medical units at varying levels and has served in key positions throughout the U.S. Army Medical Command. She has deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Hope M. Williamson-Younce receives the colors to assume command of the 627th Hospital Center during a change of command ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center May 29. Col. Robert F. Howe, presiding official and commander of 1st Medical Brigade, passed the colors to Williamson-Younce, signifying the change of command. Col. Mark A. Stevens, right, outgoing commander, will depart Fort Carson for U.S. Army Pacific Command in Hawaii, where he will be the chief of health care plans and operations. (Photo by James Burnett)
While she thanked Fort Carson leaders for a warm welcome, Williamson-Younce said she was fortunate to have an opportunity to lead and care for the finest troops in the world.
“The Spartan Medics are disciplined, competent and battle tested,” she said. “I am confident we will continue on this trajectory. As I transition into a position of increased responsibility, Army medicine is also entering into a period of transition, and with it comes an era of great opportunity. The array of diverse and professional medical troops here represents the military health system’s agile and adaptable force, prepared to operate in a multi domain, operational environment and respond to the needs of our combatant commanders.”
Assuming command of the 10th Combat Support Hospital Dec. 14, 2016, Stevens managed the deactivation of the 10th CSH and the simultaneous activation of the 627th HC in June 2017. He followed by leading the unit on a nine-month deployment to Iraq where it provided the most comprehensive medical care available in theater.
During the deployment, 627th HC Soldiers executed a staggering 12,960 patient encounters, including lifesaving treatment and care of 450 trauma patients.
“Our Iraq deployment stands out in my mind,” Stevens said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team and what we did in Iraq to lead the joint and combined trauma system that was spread across three countries, working with medics and surgeons from around the world and saving the lives of multiple coalition Soldiers and defense contractors.”
Stevens departs Fort Carson for U.S. Army Pacific Command in Hawaii, where he will be the chief of health care plans and operations.