Page 9 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017- Online Magazine
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as well as other awards for his that started Health Services in he would Rank
service. California which eventually like to be
opened up 20 HMOs, and was remembered, Lt. General/
After his 12-month Vietnam later sold to Traveler’s Insurance. he simply Army Surgeon
tour, Bernie seriously considered Not long afterward, Bernie was stated, “How General
leaving the service. But he elected contacted by Dr. Lauro Cavazos fortunate
to stay in the Army and was and asked if he would like to I was to
transferred to Ft. George Meade in “come to Lubbock, Texas and become an BRanCH
Maryland as the Chief of Urology, go to work at the Texas Tech American.”
Chairman of Surgery and Chief University Health Sciences Center Army
Professional Services. “I had three as Executive Vice President.” The
jobs at once!” he recalled. In 1971 esteemed doctor began his career
he attended the U.S. Army War at TTUHSC in November 1986.
College for one year, then was During a 10 year period, he helped
again assigned to Walter Reed establish a division of Urology
Medical Center. This time he and later to the Department of Read more about Dr. Mittemeyer’s passion
served as Chief of Urology, later Urology. He also served as Interim for veteran’s in the article about the new VA
Chief of Department of Surgery Medical School Dean and Interim Super Clinic on pp 6-7.
and consultant in urology to the President of the Health Sciences
Army Surgeon General. In July, Center. In 2009 he returned the
1977 the experienced doctor was Urology Department which is now
assigned to be Commander of the named in his honor, and continues
U.S. Army Medical Command/ to work there part-time. Respectfully submitted by
Korea Surgeon, eighth U.S. Larry A. Williams,
Army and Commander of the While in medical school Bernie Texas South Plains Honor Flight
121st hospital in Seoul, Korea. married Patricia Kuhn (1954). Veterans Liaison Co-Chair
Nine months later (April 1978), They raised four children: Jan,
he was promoted to Brigadier Tom, Robert and Sarah. In 1996,
General and assigned as Chief he married Mary
Medical Corps Affairs to the Beth Smith who has
Army Surgeon General. He was two sons Brandt and
Adam. Together
they have eight
grandchildren.
Dr. Mittemeyer
remains humble
and has a servant’s
heart, even though
he holds numerous
military decorations
and a long list of
professional rewards
and honors. He
remains passionate
about “taking care
of our veterans.”
then promoted to Major General He has especially
and served as Commander of enjoyed his work
Walter Reed Medical Center. In at the VA Clinic in
October of 1981 he was promoted Lubbock to “help
to Lt. General and Army Surgeon care for the men and
General retiring in March 1985 at women that have
which time he was awarded the served our country.”
Distinguished Service Medal. * After 63 years,
Bernie is still serving
After his military service, the his adopted country.
general was part of a group When asked how
Lubbock Senior Link 9
