72nd MDG/CC praises team; says goodbye Published July 7, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien TInker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Robert Marks said he couldn't be more proud of the 72nd Medical Group. In his nearly three years as commander, the group has exceeded his expectations. Although it is time for him to move on, the colonel said he will never forget the group, its accomplishments and all that the personnel taught him. "I came to Tinker kicking and screaming and I'm leaving Tinker kicking and screaming," Colonel Marks said. "I didn't know what Tinker had in store for me when I came, but Tinker has been amazing with wonderful people. It turned out to be a great assignment." Colonel Marks arrived here in August 2008 from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., where he served as commander of the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. In his career, he has served as a health care integrator, nurse manager and instructor flight nurse at squadron and major command levels. Plus, he has more than 1,000 flying hours as a command flight nurse. Yet, Tinker would be an entirely different story. Here, the colonel oversees the health care of more than 54,000 Department of Defense, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center and hosted unit beneficiaries. Col. Bob LaBrutta, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, said he was the right man for the job. "All I can say is 'extraordinary!' Colonel Marks is an incredibly talented senior officer who is able to propel people to levels of excellence they didn't know they could attain. Not only that, Rob very rarely uses the term 'I' when describing the group's achievements. Instead it's 'we,' 'they,' 'our,' or 'the team,'" Colonel LaBrutta said. "If you look it up in the dictionary, I believe Webster would define this as true leadership! Of course, all you have to do is review the 72nd Medical Group's record of accomplishments to understand how good a leader Rob's been over the past three years." During Colonel Marks' tenure, the group medically processed thousands of personnel for worldwide deployments, conducted hundreds of thousands patient visits, dispensed prescriptions and won individual and unit Air Force Materiel Command-level awards. "There are some great folks in this med group and throughout the wing. All you have to do is step back and let them go to work and they'll take care of the issues for you," Colonel Marks said. "It's not that I'm not involved, it's just I trust them and I know they'll get it done on time and done right. They're very good people." Most recently, the group earned an outstanding rating -- the highest score -- from the Air Force Inspection Agency for the Jan. 17-21 Health Services Inspection. "They killed it," Colonel Marks said. "They did an amazing job and exceeded all expectations and I'm just thrilled to death at the work they accomplished." The inspection happens once every three years. During the week-long examination, a nine-member military team from the Air Force Inspector General's office comes to the base. They are met by a three-member civilian team from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare to investigate the various aspects of health care delivery at the medical group. The group earned an excellent rating in the 2008 inspection. "As far as I'm concerned, the Health Services Inspection 'outstanding,' the American Association Ambulatory Health Care Certification termed as 'best seen,' along with the countless wing, center, major command and Air Force-level awards confirmed what we already knew -- Colonel Marks and his medic warriors are committed to providing Team Tinker's workforce and families world-class medical care, service and support!," Colonel LaBrutta said. "Then you add his spouse, Kim, into the mix and her noteworthy contributions as an active senior spouse who was our Food Pantry coordinator and president of the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Wow, in Hollywood they'd be described as a power couple! Bottom Line: We are definitely going to miss both Rob and Kim, a dynamic duo who touched many lives on Tinker and in the local community. There is no doubt the Marks will bring the same passion and dedication to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and we wish them both only the best as they continue to make significant contributions to our Air Force in the future!" Col. James Ice, 72nd Aerospace Medical Squadron commander, said the accomplishment is clearly reflection of Colonel Marks' leadership. "In the last four years, only four medical groups have earned an 'outstanding' rating on the Air Force Health Services Inspection. This group, under his command, is one of those four," Colonel Ice said. "I think that says it all." Col. Herb Wesselman, 72nd Mission Support Group commander, agreed. "Colonel Marks is an exceptional leader, teammate and friend," Colonel Wesselman said. "His leadership of the medics on Tinker was critical to the success of the Team Tinker missions." Regardless of who takes the credit, it can be said Colonel Marks is a fine leader who will be missed. "Colonel Marks has been an amazing leader, mentor, and friend. I learn something new from him every day," said Lt. Col. Timothy Dykens, 72nd Medical Support Squadron commander. "I can only hope someday to be half the leader he is." Colonel Marks' change of command ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. July 13, at the flagpole in front of Bldg. 5801. Following the ceremony, Colonel Marks will head to Ramstein Air Base, where he will become the chief of U.S. Air Forces in Europe Medical Force Development. For more information about the change of command, call 736-2084.