The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) provides quality blood products for service members, veterans and their families in both peace and war. As a joint operation
among the military services (Army, Navy, Air Force), the ASBP has many components working together to collect, process, store, distribute, and transfuse blood
worldwide.
This section describes the ASBP's blood distribution system, facilities, and the essential components needed to preserve a safe and secure blood supply.
Colonel Audra L. Taylor,
Medical Service Corps,
U.S. Army
Army Colonel Audra L. Taylor is the current U.S. Department of Defense Division Chief of the Armed Services Blood Program.
Taylor attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. on a four-year Army ROTC scholarship as a distinguished military graduate where she received her Bachelor of
Science degree in medical technology. She was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Service Corp in May 1994.
Upon completion of the Officer Basic course, Taylor was assigned to the 16th Medical Logistics Battalion as a Blood Platoon Leader at Camp Carroll, Korea.
- 1995: She returned with an assignment at Fort Knox, Kentucky as the OIC, blood supply at the Camp Memorial Blood Center, followed by an assignment as the assistant laboratory manager, Ireland Army Community Hospital.
- 1998: She was assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington as a quality assurance officer for the blood donor center and transfusion service. During her tour, she deployed to Thailand with the 47th Combat Support Hospital in support of Cobra Gold. There she deployed the blood bank, coordinated blood support and implemented emergency blood collection procedures for the hospital.
- 2001: Taylor served as the laboratory manager, Weed Army Community Hospital, Fort Irwin, California. She was then selected to attend the Tri-service Blood Bank Fellowship Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
- 2004: She graduated from the fellowship program and completed her Master of Science in immunohematology from George Washington University.
- 2005: She was assigned to Womack Army Medical Center where she was the chief of blood services, overseeing transfusion services and the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center, North Carolina.
- 2006: She transitioned to the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 44th Medical Command, Fort Bragg, where she activated the 432nd Blood Support Detachment and commanded the unit.
- 2008: She was assigned to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas as the Chief, Blood Bank and Hematology Branch for the Army medical laboratory technician course.
- 2009: Taylor deployed with Task Force 28th Combat Support Hospital and served as the chief, blood services and theater laboratory consultant in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Afterward, she returned to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas where she served as the first program director for the consolidated (Army/Navy) medical laboratory technician course at the medical education and training campus.
- 2013: Taylor deployed as the United States Central Command Joint Blood Program Officer Forward, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- 2014: Taylor was assigned to Headquarters, Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army Medical Command as Army blood program director; she held this position until 2018.
Taylor’s military education includes the AMEDD Officer Basic Course, AMEDD Officer Advanced Course and the Intermediate Level Education Course.
Her decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (six oak leaf clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, (two oak leaf
clusters), Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, (1 bronze star), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal,
Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon. Taylor is a recipient of the Order of Medical Military Merit from the US Army Medical Department and has been awarded the 9A
proficiency designator.