HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials will welcome a new 66th Medical Squadron commander during a change of command ceremony Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Minuteman Commons. Col. Russell Pinard will relinquish command to Col. Mark Oordt.
Pinard has been commander of the Hanscom military treatment facility since May 2017.
“It has been an absolute pleasure leading this team of medical professionals,” said Pinard.
Among the accomplishments the outgoing commander touts is the clinic earning the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation earlier this year.
“The Hanscom clinic demonstrated a continuous compliance with nationally recognized standards,” Pinard said. “We also received the fewest write-ups for any outpatient clinic in the Air Force during this inspection.”
The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care, and to meeting optional standards demonstrating a commitment to patient-centered care.
Pinard will retire from the Air Force after 25 years during a ceremony Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Minuteman Commons, which Air Force Deputy Surgeon General Maj. Gen. Sean Murphy will preside over.
Like many entering the Air Force, Pinard initially planned to stay in the service for only his three-year commitment.
“The Air Force has allowed me to do some amazing things,” he said. “Every job has been better than the last.”
Pinard has accepted a position at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire.
The Hanscom clinic’s incoming commander is currently the 48th Medical Operations Squadron commander at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
“I suspect he will bring a similar leadership style,” said Pinard. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in force development.”
Oordt has served in a variety of clinical, faculty, command and staff assignments advancing mental and physical health care in Air Force treatment facilities.
The Hanscom clinic is part of Air Force Medical Service. The clinic is an outpatient military treatment facility and comprised of seven flights.
The squadron includes a primary care clinic, pharmacological services, optometry, radiology, dental care, flight medicine, mental health and pediatrics. Specialized care is provided through referrals and agreements with local hospitals, Tricare and the Veteran’s Health Administration.