USU Office of External Affairs

Capt. Bruce Gillingham assumed command of Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Fla. on Aug. 14, relieving Capt. Raquel Bono in a morning ceremony at NAS Jacksonville's Chapel. The guest speaker at the ceremony was the Navy's Deputy Surgeon General Rear Adm. Thomas R. Cullison.

Gillingham reports aboard from Naval Medical Center (NMC) Portsmouth, Va., where he was the Deputy Commander. There, he was responsible for the coordinated delivery of primary and tertiary healthcare to a patient population in excess of 400,000.

After receiving his command pin from his wife Jeanette, the new Skipper said in his remarks, "This is a thrill I can't put in words." He attributed his being where he is today to some "superb mentors."

Mrs. Jeannette Gillingham affixes the command pin to her husband's uniform as he becomes the Commanding Officer of the Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla. Capt. Bruce Gillingham ('86), an orthopaedic surgeon, assumed command of the military treatment facility on Aug. 14. (Photo by HN Jermaine Derrick)

An orthopaedic surgeon, Gillingham has a depth of experience. During his tenure at NMC Portsmouth, he introduced the Team STEPPS Patient Safety program and established new benchmarks for deployment readiness and evidence-based quality of care.

Cullison said of Gillingham in his remarks, "There are some people who are just made for the job. He comes to the command when it is on the upswing. He is the perfect person to follow Capt. Bono."

Gillingham's experience covers the spectrum of home front and battlefield medicine. He served as the Director for Surgical Services at NMC San Diego where he was responsible for more than 1,000 personnel. The directorate received the first 2004 DOD Patient Safety Award for establishing the MEDTEAMS program. While assigned to NMC San Diego, he deployed to Taqaddum, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Chief of Professional Services (Forward) for the 1st Force Service Support Group and Officer in Charge of the Surgical Shock Trauma Platoon (SSTP).

Based near Fallujah, Gillingham was there during the height of enemy engagements and treated many casualties. Upon his return, he was instrumental in establishing the Comprehensive Combat Casualty Care Center (C-5) in order to optimize the coordination of care for those wounded in the Global War on Terrorism. Gillingham has published more than 30 scientific articles and book chapters and is a frequent presenter at national professional orthopaedic meetings. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with the Eagle Globe and Anchor device and the Humanitarian Service Medal. (article by Loren Barnes, NH Jax Public Affairs)