JANS – MAJ Kenesha D. Pace of Canton, Mississippi, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel (LTC) during a ceremony recently held in Washington, D.C.
Pace’s new rank was presented and pinned on her uniform by her parents, Clarence and Ellawease Pace of Canton as retired COL. Gwendolyn Thompson presided over the ceremony.
“It was my pleasure to mark this great milestone for LTC Pace and her family,” said Thompson. “Making it to lieutenant colonel is the evidence of a successful career. I am ecstatic about this new rank and the confidence the military has shown in selecting LTC Pace.”
Pace currently serves as the Chief of Program Management, Informatics Integration Branch within the Healthcare Operation Support Division of the Defense Health Agency, where she manages health information technology programs and the pharmacy workflow automation systems portfolio, including the total cost, scheduled and performance maintenance, and lifecycle replacement activities valued at $550 million.
“It is truly an honor to reach this milestone in my career and I am thankful that my family and friends are able to share in this moment,” said Pace.
“My grandfather was part of the greatest generation that served in the United States Army during WWII. I know he would be proud of me today.”
Pace is an honors graduate of Canton High School. She began her military career as an Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) cadet at Tulane University Orleans Battalion. She commissioned into the Army as a second lieutenant in 2005. Pace’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Xavier University in Louisiana in 2005 and a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy from Xavier University College of Pharmacy in 2009.
Pace is board certified in pharmacotherapy from the Board of Pharmacy Specialists. Her military awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
COL Randy Dorsey, who is a Defense Health Agency (DHA) Pharmacy consultant, is a colleague and mentor to Pace at the DHA and attended the promotion ceremony.
“The ceremony was rich in Army tradition and was carried out professionally,” said Dorsey. “LTC Pace is a stellar officer. She is a dedicated leader who will continue to lead from the front.”
Pace was recently transferred to Falls Church, Virginia, the headquarters of the Defense Health Agency. This promotion makes her one of many rising Black female senior leaders in the Army Medical Service Corp.
