HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), Lt. Gen. Nadja West, visited Regional Health Command-Pacific (RHC-P) in Hawaii. Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald C. Ecker, command sergeant major, MEDCOM, accompanied the Surgeon General to the Pacific region.

This marks West’s first official command visit to the Pacific region as she continues her journey interfacing with Army Medicine team members throughout the globe. During this visit, West not only spoke with leaders, but also with the Soldiers and civilians who are dedicated to carrying on the Army Medicine mission in the Pacific area of responsibility.

"This trip has been a great opportunity to get feedback from across all levels on how Army Medicine in the Pacific is furthering readiness as well as identifying the regional health command's leading practices," said West.

During the visit West received feedback on Army Medicine initiatives and priorities during tours of the region’s military treatment facilities which include Tripler, U.S. Army Health Clinic-Schofield Barracks, 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) and the Dental Command-Pacific’s facility at Tripler. West also engaged with leadership at area commands including U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), U.S. Army in the Pacific (USARPAC), U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii (USAG-HI) and the 25th Infantry Division.

West shared Army Medicine priorities with Soldiers and civilians during a town hall session which emphasized support to the Army Chief of Staff's number one priority, which is readiness. From a medical standpoint this means ensuring Soldiers are healthy. West also drew parallels to Soldiers facing the same health challenges as the civilian population, with nutrition, sleep and exercise being key components of a healthy lifestyle and highlighting the foundation of Army Medicine’s Performance Triad initiative.

"The town hall and various meetings with leadership provide me valuable insight on how well we are doing as it relates to Army Medicine's four core lines of effort, which are-readiness and health, healthcare delivery, force development and taking care of the entire Army Family," West said.

West also acknowledged RHC-P as a leader in global health engagements, working in a region with 36 Indo-Asia-Pacific nations.

“RHC-P represents Army Medicine very well,” remarked West. “Everywhere I go people ask me, what is so special about Army Medicine. RHC-P is one of the things that makes Army Medicine one of the best whole joint health services enterprise.”

To wrap up her visit, West offers a glimpse into her personal journey to becoming the 44th Army Surgeon General during a leadership presentation on Tuesday hosted by USARPAC. In February 2016, West pinned on a third star to become the Army’s first black female to hold the rank of lieutenant general.

Dual-hatted as the MEDCOM commanding general, West oversees more than 48 medical treatment facilities, providing care to nearly 4 million active-duty members of all services, retirees and their family members. MEDCOM is composed of the Medical Research and Materiel Command, Army Medical Department Center and School and three regional health commands (RHC); RHC-Atlantic, RHC-Europe and RHC-Pacific.

As the Army Surgeon General, West provides advice and assistance to the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff on all health care matters pertaining to the U.S. Army and its military health care system. West is responsible for development, policy direction, organization and overall management of an integrated Army-wide health service system and is the medical materiel developer for the Army. These duties include formulating policy regulations on health service support, health hazard assessment and the establishment of health standards.

About Regional Health Command-Pacific

RHC-P orchestrates the delivery of world-class medical care for service members, families and eligible beneficiaries, and provides medical readiness and diplomacy in support of United States Army Pacific in the Pacific Command area of responsibility.

RHC-P’s area of responsibility includes all medical, dental, public health, and warrior care and transition services in Hawaii, Washington, Alaska, Japan, Korea and throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.