AHA's Federal Health Systems Section Honors Two Leaders

Press Release

AHA's Federal Health Systems Section Honors Two Leaders

The American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Federal Hospitals today presented two hospital leaders with awards recognizing their outstanding service in the health care field.  These awards recognize federal health care executives who have distinguished themselves through singularly significant achievements, which have contributed substantially to the mission of the federal health system.  The Section supports federal hospitals as they build integrated networks that improve the health status of the people they serve.

"Today's winners showcase what dedicated and caring individuals can achieve," said Barbara Lorsbach, AHA's senior vice president of member relations.  "Lives have been saved and the quality of life for many soldiers has been vastly improved thanks to their hard work and commitment."

The winner of the 2007 Special Achievement Award is Lieutenant Colonel Dawn Garcia, Head Nurse, Combined Intensive Care Unit, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany.  Garcia is an Army Nurse Corps officer with nearly two decades of dedicated service.  She has managed intensive care units (ICU) in the medical command and European regional medical command, directly supporting combat personnel in both the NATO Alliance and Special Forces Operations.  She spearheaded the design and delivery of clinical training competency plans that ensured rapid integration of new personnel into the combined ICU.  Her staff is made up of both active and reserve components of the Army, Navy and Air Force along with Department of the Army civilians - all contributing to the Department of Defense's first Tri-Service health care facility.  She also set the example in federal service by leading the transition to an all inpatient electronic record system ensuring smooth transition for staff and patient safety.

Garcia actively promoted interdisciplinary performance improvement and infection control processes resulting in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's first ever Level 2 Trauma Verification Survey.  Her innovative efforts and policies in trauma care, operating procedures and ICU practices are recognized widely and the medical center is now the only verified Level 2 Trauma Center outside the U. S.     

Garcia is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and certified by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas and a Master of Health Administration from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

The recipient of the 2007 Award for Excellence is Colonel Jimmie O. Keenan, Chief of Staff, Army Medical Action Plan, Army Medical Department, Office of the Surgeon General in Falls Church, Virginia.  Keenan has distinguished herself through her significant leadership as the first Chief of Staff of the Army Medical Action Plan (AMAP), restoring public trust and confidence in the Army Medical Department. Keenan, with over twenty years of health care management experience, was hand-picked to lead the AMAP staff under the direction of Brigadier General Mike Tucker, an Armor Officer. Keenan and her staff developed and structured the AMAP and reduced redundancy, achieved greater unity of effort, and optimized resources for improved delivery of care.

The AMAP swiftly coordinated the establishment and staffing of 35 Warrior Transition Units (WTU) across the country to improve the structure and continuity of care management for soldiers in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. This novel approach has increased organizational and health care provider accountability through case management and other patient-centered services while maintaining flexibility based on the needs of the individual. The AMAP has taken a process-based approach to managing soldiers from the time they arrive at the WTU until they leave to return to duty or to civilian life.   These efforts in instituting comprehensive care plans to manage the outpatient process led to the creation of the "Triad Concept of Care" that incorporates three professional disciplines: leaders, case managers, and primary care providers to successfully manage the outpatient process through communication, collaboration and team work.

Keenan has served in the Army Nurses Corps for over twenty years.  She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.   She received her Baccalaureate of Nursing from Henderson State University, a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the Medical College of Georgia, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania.