Naval Health Clinic New England Commanding Officer Relieved

From Navy Medicine East Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Medicine East (NME), relieved the commanding officer (CO) of Naval Health Clinic New England (NHCNE), Apr. 6, citing a loss of confidence in the CO's ability to command.

Capt. Marcia Kimberly Lyons had been in command since July 2010, and has since been reassigned to Navy Medicine East in Portsmouth, Va.

Rear Adm. Elaine Wagner, Commander, NME identified command climate issues following results of an annual command climate survey. NHCNE's Command Master Chief, Hospital Corpsman Master Chief (SW/FMF/AW) Robert Whitten, was also relieved of his duties for similar reasons. Hospital Corpsman Master Chief (SS/DV) Ronald S. Hudson, assumed duties as NHCNE command master chief Apr. 9.

Capt. Sheherazad Lena Hartzell, NHCNE executive officer, has temporarily assumed command until Capt. Tina Davidson reports to the command later this month. Davidson is currently executive officer of Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, Md.

Patient safety and security were not adversely affected and were not a factor in the decision. No impact to the medical care at NHCNE is expected.

NHCNE is the health care system for the Navy in the Northeast Region, providing medical care to more than 70,000 beneficiaries. The command headquarters is located in Newport, R.I., with Navy Branch Health Clinics at Groton, Conn., Portsmouth, N.H., and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.