Acting Surgeon General Named Woman of the Year

Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock addresses the American Legion Auxiliary upon receiving the Woman of the Year award Aug. 28 in Reno, Nev. Photo by Courtesy

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Aug. 30, 2007) - The acting surgeon general of the Army was named the American Legion Auxiliary's Woman of the Year at the organization's national conference in Reno, Nev., Aug. 28.

Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock was chosen for the award by American Legion Auxiliary National President JoAnn Cronin.

Ms. Cronin and Maj. Gen. Pollock met two years ago at the national conference in Honolulu when Maj. Gen. Pollock was the commanding general of the Tripler Army Medical Center there. According to Lucia Anderson, American Legion Auxiliary public relations manager and associate editor, Ms. Cronin was extremely impressed by the general's service and abilities as a nurse. Maj. Gen. Pollock also serves as the chief of the Army Nurse Corps.

"Ms. Cronin selected Maj. Gen. Pollock for her qualities of leadership and patriotism and, most definitely, her support of America's servicemembers," said Ms. Anderson.

Maj. Gen. Pollock became acting surgeon general and the commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command March 20. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and three master's degrees, along with an honorary doctorate's degree.

Maj. Gen. Pollock joins the ranks of first lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other women who have demonstrated great pride in the country as recipients of the award. Proclaiming to be the world's largest women's patriotic organization, the American Legion Auxiliary has nearly 1 million members who volunteer and raise funds in support of veterans and local communities.