The Army has relieved the head of a Virginia medical center after an investigation found command climate problems and "undue influence by a commander," according to an Army press release.
Brig. Gen. Robert Tenhet, commander for Northern Regional Medical Command, said he had "lost confidence in Col. Lock's ability for continued command of the medical facility," the release said.
Asked for elaboration on the events that led to Lock's removal, NRMC spokeswoman Gigail Cureton reiterated a "loss in confidence." In a written response to Army Times, Cureton also cited "failure to use good judgment and uphold Army standards," but declined to elaborate.
The investigation did not find any criminal or unethical behavior; the decision was administrative, according to the release. Lock remains on active duty in an administrative role, Cureton wrote.
Lock took command of the medical facility in July 2013. Reached by email, she confirmed her removal but declined to elaborate.
"I will hold my comments. Thank you for the opportunity," Lock wrote.
Cureton said allegations of poor climate command climate had been raised during a Command Climate and Equal Employment Opportunity assessment and an NRMC Inspector General complaint filed in the fall.
According to her official Facebook and LinkedIn pages, Lock is a Fayetteville, North Carolina, native who graduated from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor's in nursing. After about three years as a civilian nurse she joined the Army, where she worked as a nurse in several roles as she advanced into leadership positions.
The Facebook page said she earned a master's degree in 2002 from Webster University and another in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2009.
Her decorations include a Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and an Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
McDonald Army Health Center has a staff of 800 and serves more than 40,000 service members, according to the press release.
Army. Lt. Col. David Johnson will continue to serve as the facility's acting commander, Cureton said. He was named interim commander when Lock was suspended in February.
Northern Regional Medical Command oversees Army medical facilities from New York to North Carolina.
