USU Nursing Alumna Army Col. Wendy Gray Takes Command at William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Army Col. Wendy Gray, a family nurse practitioner, Army nurse leader and alumna of the Uniformed Services University’s Graduate School of Nursing, has assumed command of William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. She becomes the medical center’s 45th commander since its establishment.
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Army Col. Wendy Gray, a Uniformed Services University Graduate School of Nursing alumna, has assumed command of William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army) |
June 30, 2025 by Sharon Holland
With a career spanning more than three decades of Army service, Col. Wendy Gray brings a wealth of clinical expertise and leadership to her new role as commander of William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Known for her dedication to military medicine and patient care, Gray’s appointment reflects her long-standing commitment to supporting the health and readiness of service members and their families.
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Army Col. Wendy Gray said she was "humbled and honored" to join the team at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army) |
Gray brings with her 35 years of Army service marked by a broad range of clinical and leadership experience. A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the Uniformed Services University's (USU) Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing and has dedicated much of her career to advancing military medical readiness. She has previously commanded two Army health centers and served in roles ranging from clinical nurse to senior medical officer.
Most recently, Gray served as chief of staff for the Army Medical Readiness Command West in San Antonio. In that role, she supported and helped oversee eight Army hospitals—including William Beaumont itself—as well as multiple Army health centers across several states. Her leadership experience also includes time as a brigade surgeon, deputy commander for nursing, and senior nurse advisor, giving her a deep understanding of both operational demands and patient care delivery in military medicine.
During the change of command ceremony, Brig. Gen Yolanda Summons, Commanding General, Medical Readiness Command, West and the Director, Defense Health Network, West, recounted a conversation she had with Brig. Gen.E. Darrin Cox, about what the medical center was getting with Gray as commander. “She comes with a lot of heat, energy and enthusiasm .. it’s only going to ramp up,” she told him. “So good luck to every one of you listening,” she joked with WBAMC staff. “I know what you’re getting. You’re getting the Army’s best. You’re getting someone who listens, who’s present, who acts decisively, and will always run to the sound of the gun and be an umbrella for when times get tough.”
Gray succeeds Army Col. Lee Freeman, who is moving to the Washington, D.C., area to serve as deputy chief of the Army Medical Services Corps at Defense Health Agency headquarters.
“As an alumna of USU’s Graduate School of Nursing, Gray exemplifies our mission to prepare advanced practice nurses and military health leaders ready to serve around the world,” says Dr. Carol Romano, dean of the GSN. “Now, as commander of William Beaumont, she continues to demonstrate the critical role of nurse leadership in delivering high-quality, mission-ready healthcare to service members and their families.”
