JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO–LACKLAND, Texas  –   The 59th Medical Wing announced that the Emergency Department at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will transition to an Urgent Care Center beginning April 4, 2026, at 8 a.m., shifting services to support non-life-threatening care.

The transition ensures the continued delivery of safe, high-quality care for beneficiaries.

“This decision aligns our medical capabilities and staffing with our current resources while ensuring we continue to deliver safe, reliable care,” said Brig. Gen. Gwendolyn Foster, commander of the 59th Medical Wing. “Our focus remains on providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time for every patient we serve.”

A controlled transition period will begin at midnight on April 4 to allow for facility modifications, system updates and clinical validation. The Urgent Care Center will open to all eligible beneficiaries at 8 a.m. the same day.

The new Urgent Care Center will operate seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will treat acute, non-life-threatening conditions. This transition represents a phased approach, with plans to expand operating hours as staffing and resources allow. Services will include provider evaluations, on-site laboratory testing, X-ray imaging and pharmacy support during operating hours.

59th Medical Wing leadership emphasized that while the Emergency Department is transitioning, emergency response services on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland remain fully intact and unchanged.

“It’s important to understand that emergency response and emergency room care are not the same thing,” Foster said. “Our emergency response capability, 911 services and ambulance transport will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What is changing is the location of where emergency care is delivered.”

For life-threatening conditions, patients should still call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.

Brooke Army Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, will continue to serve as the primary emergency care facility within the San Antonio Military Health System.

“Our priority is ensuring patients receive the right level of care at the right time as quickly as possible,” Foster said. “This transition strengthens that system by connecting patients to the most appropriate resources across our network.”

Patients arriving at the Urgent Care Center will be screened upon arrival by medical staff to determine the appropriate level of care. Those requiring emergency services will be referred to or transported to a higher level of care as needed.

59th MDW Command Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Washington said the change reflects a deliberate approach to both patient care and force readiness.

“This is about making sure we are taking care of our people in a way that is both safe and sustainable,” said Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Washington, 59th Medical Wing command chief. “By aligning our staffing and resources, we ensure our Airmen and Guardians, their families and all beneficiaries continue to receive timely, appropriate care while preserving the readiness of our medical force.”

Beneficiaries unsure where to seek care can contact the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE, available 24/7 for guidance.

Additional information and updates will be available at the Wilford Hall website: https://wilfordhall.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Urgent-Care-Center.