Months after celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC) at Fort Gordon ushered in new leadership, Friday morning, as Col. James G. Pairmore ended his command at the hospital, to be replaced by Col. Rose L. Freeman.
Brig. Gen. Jamie Burk, commanding general of Army Medical Readiness Command East, presided over the change of command ceremony at Myer Plaza, which began with an invocation by Chaplain Lt. Col. Shawn Gee, before gifts were presented to the families of the outgoing officers, per tradition.
Pairmore will be going to fulfill his next assigned role as chief of staff at Medical Readiness Command Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. His career had already spanned over 30 years and some 15 deployments, and was commander of the Joint Medical Unit of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., before he assumed command at DDEAMC in 2023.
“I honestly wish I was not leaving this great hospital and great community. My time here was never easy,” said Col. Pairmore at the beginning of his farewell address, in which he expressed gratitude to post command and his Eisenhower Medical colleagues, and also made sure to laude the food and service at Ike’s Café, the hospital’s cafeteria. “They say that in tragic times, you will see one’s true character and DDEAMC, you showed your true character, a character of grit, determination and, most importantly, love.”
Col. Freeman’s 32 years in the Army has included service in Afghanistan and as a brigade executive officer in the 44th Medical Brigade, during Operation Gotham in New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Your presence shows how much support goes towards DDEAMC and what it means to all of you as community, as family members, as friends,” said Col. Freeman during her remarks. “Eisenhower does thrive and will continue to thrive because of the people, the staff and the leaders and the qualities you possess, resiliency and camaraderie among the best one. You proved that during Hurricane Helene last fall, and yes, that was literally only last fall. And look at where you’re at now. That is our purpose, and know you have and will continue to excel together as team Eisenhower.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
