56th Medical Group changes command

  • Published
  • By Deborah Silliman Wolfe
  • Thunderbolt staff writer
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Col. Joseph Chozinski, 56th Medical Group commander, relinquished command to Col. Mark Holland, former Air Education and Training Command Nursing Services Division chief, in a ceremony held here May 11. 

"Colonel Chozinski is an admirable example of the kind of leaders we have and the kind of leaders we need in the coming years," said Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "Joe is a leader of character. He has handled the challenges of commanding the 56th Medical Group exceptionally well. The achievement I want you to remember most today is how Joe Chozinski's personal character shaped and transformed the conduct of his Airmen in the 56th MDG." 

While serving as commander of the 56th MDG since June 2007, Colonel Chozinski led a reorganization of the primary care clinic, slashed referrals to downtown providers by 34 percent and helped save the clinic three million dollars in third party collections. He also created a benchmark medical training model for the Air Force by introducing innovative agreements with downtown hospitals to allow base surgeons and internal medicine physicians to hone their skills in the most modern facilities. Under his leadership, the medical group received an excellent rating in the 2008 Health Services Inspection, which matched the highest score given in over five years. 

After leaving Luke Air Force Base, Colonel Chozinski will head to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, to serve as the group commander for the 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, which provides combat medical support services to U.S. and coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. Along with the U.S. Army, the 455th EMDG staffs Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram. 

Taking over command of the 56th MDG is Colonel Mark Holland, who comes to Luke from Headquarters AETC at Randolph AFB, Texas. 

"One constant that has endured for all of my assignments is the knowledge, talent and professionalism exhibited at every medical group I have been a part of," Colonel Holland said. "My expectation is that I will take advantage yet again of the highly trained and capable staff as we strive to fulfill the mission of the 56th MDG. It is a great honor to serve with each and every one of you." 

General Neubauer expressed his confidence in the new commander. 

"Officers aren't picked for command by seniority, they are picked for talent," he said. "They get picked because they have been proven time and again. They have tested their mettle. Such is the case of your new commander, Col. Mark Holland. Welcome to the fold and we look forward to serving with you."