Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) Public Affairs
Fort Campbell, KY – Two federal civilian employees at Fort Campbell’s Warrior Transition Battalion were recognized by the U.S. Army Medical Command Army, Warrior Care and Transition Program’s 2018 Cadre of Excellence Awards.
Fort Campbell WTB’s John D. Holbrook was named WCT Program Transition Coordinator of the Year and Laurie D. Jones was named WCT Program Occupational Therapist Assistant of the Year for their dedication and support to wounded, ill and injured Soldiers in the WCT program.
“Our ultimate purpose in this award program is to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions and achievements of the cadre who support of our wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and their Families at our battalion,” said Lt. Col. Shawn Butler, Fort Campbell WTB commander. “I could not be prouder of these team members for their Army-wide selection among WCTP cadre. Their selection is a reflection of the care and support they provide our Soldiers every day.”
MEDCOM’s WCT program evaluates and treats wounded, ill and injured Soldiers through a comprehensive Soldier-centric process of medical care, rehabilitation, professional development and achievement of personal goals at Warrior Transition Units/Battalions and Community Care Units.
Warrior Transition Unit/Battalion staff provide the personalized day-to-day support wounded, ill and injured Soldiers need to heal and transition back to the force or out of military service as a veteran. There are 14 WTU/Battalions in the Army located at major military treatment facilities for Soldiers who require more than six months of nurse case managed medical care due to wounds, injury or illness.
Some Soldiers who do not require day-to-day medical management may be assigned to a CCU which allows them to heal in their home communities, where they can be near family.
As a transition coordinator, Holbrook provides assistance and guidance to wounded, ill and injured Soldiers at the Fort Campbell WTB and CCU regarding benefits, entitlements, educational and employment programs.
“I consider it a team award, because I’m surrounded by top notch professionals; officers, enlisted and civilians who work tirelessly for our wounded and ill Soldiers,” said Holbrook, who has assisted Soldiers at the WTB for more than eight years. “I enjoy helping Soldiers with their next career choices and offering them the tools to be successful. It has been a privilege for me to work with and around Soldiers for over 37 years.”
As an occupational therapist assistant, Jones works to prevent disability, restore optimal function and to teach adaptation to permanent disability for wounded, ill and injured Soldiers at the WTB.
Additionally, Holbrook, Jones and three others at the Fort Campbell WTB were recognized at the regional level in Regional Health Command-Atlantic’s Cadre of Excellence Program.
Fort Campbell WTB staff, Celestine Stiles was named RHC-A Primary Care Manager of the Year; Jones was named RHC-A Occupational Therapist Assistant; Celestine Stiles was named RHC-A Primary Care Manager of the Year; Liza Finnegan was named RHC-A Nurse Case Manager of the Year; Holbrook was named RHC-A Transition Coordinator of the Year; and Crystal Walker was named Physical Therapist Assistant of the Year.
The awardees were recognized during an awards presentation at the battalion November 7th.