Lt. Col. Lucas Groves assumed command of Tuttle Army Health Clinic from Lt. Col. Rebecca Sinclair during a ceremony June 5 at Truscott Air Terminal, emphasizing the clinic’s pivotal role in sustaining medical readiness across one of the Army’s most operationally active regions.

“Tuttle Army Health Clinic is a readiness engine, a care hub, and a trusted partner,” said Col. Margaret Berryman, commander of Winn Army Community Hospital. “The team here supports some of the most elite warfighter units in the U.S. military, including the Dog Face Soldiers of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, the 1/75 Ranger Battalion, the 160th SOAR, the 224th MI Battalion, and joint forces throughout the Savannah area.”

Groves, a seasoned Army officer with operational experience and a background in health services, pledged to build on the clinic’s foundation while navigating ongoing military health reforms.

“I’m eager to lead this clinic with focus, humility, and high standards,” Groves said. “Our mission remains clear—ensuring that our Soldiers are medically ready and our systems are agile, resilient, and responsive to changing demands.”

“To all the Soldiers, civilians, and medical professionals of Tuttle and Richmond Hill—you are the foundation of this mission,” he added. “I’m honored to serve alongside you as we continue to deliver operational readiness and exceptional care.”

Berryman welcomed Groves to the Winn Medical Enterprise and highlighted his readiness to lead through change.

“These are complex times across the Defense Health Agency,” she said. “Lt. Col. Groves brings the operational insight and people-first leadership needed to guide this team through transformation, without ever losing sight of our core mission: keeping Soldiers healthy and ready.”

The ceremony also honored Sinclair’s leadership during her tenure as commander. Under her leadership, Tuttle maintained zero MRC4 rates for two consecutive years, facilitated over 3,000 flight physicals annually—the second highest in the Army—and expanded virtual care by 33 percent. Her team integrated the Richmond Hill Medical Home, improved appointment availability, and launched programs focused on mentorship, leadership development, and community prevention efforts.

“This team didn’t just survive some of the hardest years of military medicine—they thrived,” Sinclair said. “They showed creativity, grit, and unity. Their impact will echo well beyond Hunter Army Airfield and the Savannah community.”

Sinclair credited the clinic’s success to operational discipline and purpose-driven care.

“We trained alongside Rangers and SOAR medics, supported last-minute deployments, and kept our focus on getting Soldiers medically ready to go at a moment’s notice,” she said. “Our strength was in our consistency, our standards, and our shared understanding that readiness starts here.”

Reflecting on her command, Sinclair said, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside this team. Standing here today, I can honestly say it was more than I ever imagined. This clinic is where readiness and resilience come together every day, and I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished.”

Berryman praised Sinclair’s leadership, describing her as a commander who led with “vision, drive, and heart.”

“Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair, your leadership at Tuttle has been exceptional,” Berryman said. “You never lost sight of our dual mission of health delivery and building readiness.”

Tuttle Army Health Clinic remains a vital asset in the Army’s medical readiness infrastructure, directly supporting deployment capability, combat effectiveness, and care for the military community across the southeast region.