Articles

Feb. 16, 2024

59th MDW transitions to TRICARE website

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — In a strategic move to consolidate military healthcare, the 59th Medical Wing has undergone a realignment under the Defense Health Agency. As part of this transformation, all medical treatment facilities have transitioned from their previous Air Force websites to a unified TRICARE website. The new TRICARE site marks a significant step forward, streamlining our efforts by maintaining a singular platform dedicated to providing comprehensive information for patients, military treatment facility details, and insight into our medical mission. This alignment underscores our commitment to the overarching mission of DHA.

Feb. 16, 2024

Defense Health Network Central garners top honors for Ready Reliable Care initiatives

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Feb. 13, 2024 — Four teams from Defense Health Network Central will be celebrated for their exceptional efforts to improve the Military Health System during a ceremony, Feb. 15, 2024. Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, and Defense Health Agency Director Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland will present the Ready Reliable Care High Reliability Organization Awards to the winning teams, which include DHN Central’s 673rd Medical Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; 377th Medical Group, Kirtland Air Force Base; and Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Sept. 15, 2023

One-year anniversary of Urology ‘first’ at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — One year ago on an early September morning, a team performed the first endoscopic stone removal surgery at Wilford Hall since its designation as an ambulatory surgical center.That day, there was a noticeable buzz among the Same-Day Surgery staff as they moved briskly through the halls of the WHASC to prepare for this historic procedure.U.S. Air

Sept. 13, 2023

Mission of compassion: surgeons restore sight and forge connections in Panama

Regional Hospital Dr. Luis "Chicho" Fabrega, Santiago de Veraguas, Panama — Panamax Alpha 2023, an annual ophthalmology Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE), is aimed to enhance the surgical skills and operational readiness of team members by immersing them in a range of prevalent chronic eye conditions in the region. In July 2023, 32 TriService military members traveled to the Regional Hospital Dr. Luis "Chicho" Fabrega where the team conducted rapid preliminary screenings for 300 patients within just three days, followed by a remarkable total of 291 surgeries over the subsequent eight days, leaving an impact through nearly 750 clinic appointments.

Jan. 19, 2023

A ‘not-so-routine’ operation

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, (Jan. 19, 2023) — Aug. 26, 2021 was a terrible day of bloodshed and destruction near Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, when a suicide bomber killed an estimated 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. That same day, shortly after the bombing, U.S. Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Dominick Vitale, Brooke Army Medical Center critical care/trauma surgeon, and the remaining members of the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) were on the first aircraft to land and evacuate the severely injured to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Vitale and the entire crew, dubbed ‘MOOSE 98,’ received the Distinguished Flying Cross with “C” device for their actions during a ‘not-so-routine’ operation.

Jan. 11, 2023

Air Force Fellows bring home 18th Win in National ACAAI Competition

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium’s Allergy and Immunology fellowship program won this year’s Allergy/Immunology Fellows in Training Bowl held by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Louisville, Kentucky, November 22, 2022.

Jan. 10, 2023

959th Medical Group Airmen at BAMC receive distinguished awards

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Several 959th Airmen assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center were recognized recently for their selfless service, professionalism, and clinical expertise, both at home and overseas.

July 20, 2021

San Antonio Market to standardize, optimize local healthcare

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — After years of collaboration, San Antonio’s military treatment facilities officially unified as a market with the Defense Health Agency during a ceremony at Brooke Army Medical Center today.The newly designated San Antonio Market will work together to optimize personnel and resources and improve access to care for more than 250,000 military

April 9, 2021

MHS GENESIS Patient Portal expands new features

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia — MHS GENESIS' patient portal is rapidly increasing in size, capability and usability.