Saturday, March 03, 2007

The boots are finally beginning drop...

Sunday, February 18, 2007
Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration At Army's Top Medical Facility

Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Army Fixing Patients' Housing: Changes Underway At Walter Reed

Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Swift Action Promised at Walter Reed

Thursday, February 22, 2007
At Walter Reed, 'We're Going to Fix It': General Says He Will Oversee Repair of Soldiers' Lodging

Friday, February 23, 2007
Painting Over the Problems at Walter Reed's Building 18

Walter Reed Stories Factual But Unfair, Medical Chief Says
"I want to reset the thinking . . .," (Lt. Gen. Kevin C.) Kiley (chief of the Army Medical Command) said. "While we have some issues here, this is not a horrific, catastrophic failure at Walter Reed."

Then...FINALLY...
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Walter Reed Chief Relieved of Command


But wait...
Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who assumed command of Walter Reed in August, will be temporarily replaced by Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley. But the appointment of Kiley, who had earlier been the facility's commander, surprised some Defense Department officials because soldiers, their families and veterans' advocates have complained that he had long been aware of problems at Walter Reed and did nothing to improve its outpatient care.Friday,

March 2, 2007
Not 'a Good-News Story': Why is Gen. Kiley back in charge at Walter Reed?
Good question, yes?

Enter Secretary Gates...
Army Secretary Resigns in Wake of Walter Reed Outpatient-Care Shortfalls
In announcing that Harvey had resigned, Gates expressed disappointment that Army leaders were not taking the situation seriously enough. “I am disappointed that some in the Army have not adequately appreciated the seriousness of the situation pertaining to outpatient care at Walter Reed,” he said in a brief statement at the Pentagon. “Some have shown too much defensiveness and have not shown enough focus on digging into and addressing the problems.” He also said he is concerned that some Army leaders hadn’t communicated well enough that caring for wounded troops is their top priority. “Addressing (troops’ and their families’) concerns about the quality of their outpatient experience is critically important,” Gates said. “Our wounded soldiers and their families have sacrificed much, and they deserve the best we can offer.” In contrast to his criticism of Army leaders, Gates praised the medical staff at Walter Reed for “their professionalism and dedication to providing caring treatment.” “From what I have learned, the problems at Walter Reed appear to be problems of leadership,” he said “The Walter Reed doctors, nurses and other staff are among the best and the most caring in the world. They deserve our continued deepest thanks and strongest support.”

and...
Army Secretary Ousted
Pentagon officials indicated that Harvey was forced to resign because Gates was angry with how the Army handled allegations of poor care detailed in a series of Washington Post reports.

The Army named Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker as the new commander of Walter Reed only a day after picking Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who had previously commanded the medical center, as the temporary chief. Kiley's selection had angered soldiers and family groups -- and, more important, Gates -- because of their belief that he had been aware of problems at the hospital and done little to address them.

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