FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             RELEASE NO. 51-08

WEST POINT HOSPITAL CHANGE OF COMMAND -- July 10, 2008

       WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Col. Novell V. Coots passed the command of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity at Keller Army Community Hospital to Col. Michael A. Deaton today at Trophy Point.

       Deaton will serve as the academy surgeon and will command the operations of KACH along with medical facilities at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa.; and Natick, Mass.    Additionally, he will oversee the Warrior Transition Units at West Point and Fort Dix, N.J.

       Recently, the Department of the Army announced that all WTU will be staffed at 100 percent to better serve our wounded warriors and their Families.  Its goal is to continue to improve and enhance the quality of care, service, and support to Soldiers and their Families;  preserve the strength of the All Volunteer Force; and inform the American public that the Army is continuously evaluating and improving how it cares for Soldiers and Families.   The West Point WTU was established in 2007.

       For more information about the WTU at West Point contact Mary Gallagher at (845) 938-4835.