CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 437th Medical Operations Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony July 14 at the Charleston Club.
Lt. Col. Howard Givens replaced Lt. Col. Beverly Johnson as commander.
Colonel Givens earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1987 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). After an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army, Colonel Givens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Kentucky State University in 1995 and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Kentucky in 1999. He received his commission into the Air Force in June 1999 and completed Family Practice residency at Scott AFB in 2002.
What jobs did you perform before you became commander?
I've been a family practice physician, flight surgeon, aerospace medicine flight commander and base-level chief of aerospace medicine.
What are your initial plans as the new commander?
We have a great team of doctors, nurses and technicians in my squadron, and I want to find ways for them to interact with the base population beyond the traditional doctor visit.
What is the goal and mission of your agency?
Our mission is to provide mission-ready Airmen and quality health services to those entrusted to our care.
The goals are to intensify our focus on staff development, increase our operational efficiency and promote stronger internal communication.
What are your expectations of your Airmen?
Even though they apply to all Airmen, I expect my medics to model the Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, because these values are so critical in modern medicine.
What was your most memorable assignment and why?
Serving as flight surgeon and family physician to Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal was my most memorable assignment because we were immersed in the Portuguese culture. Many of the civilians working on base were from the host nation and most medical care needed beyond the clinic level care at the base was obtained at local hospitals. This meant I worked on a regular basis with Portuguese health care workers and I interacted frequently with the Portuguese health system. Also my family really enjoyed learning about the Portuguese culture.
What is your favorite movie?
"Apollo 13"
What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
People who commonly use the "reply all" button unnecessarily.
What is your favorite quote?
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Who is your role model and why?
My grandfather is my role model because even though he did not attend school beyond the eighth grade, he worked hard his whole life, gave his children the opportunities he never had, and was a friend to everyone who knew him longer than 3 minutes.