Articles

Oct. 2, 2023

Royal Thai Air Force nurses team up with 59th MDW for U.S. healthcare collaboration

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- LACKLAND, Texas — During July and August 2023, the 59th Medical Wing hosted a team of five Royal Thai Air Force nurses from Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Sai Mai District, Bangkok, Thailand, known for delivering primary care services to RTAF personnel and the wider community. The nurses were immersed in the U.S. Air Force’s comprehensive healthcare system, global medical readiness initiatives, research, innovation, and international relations. This unique initiative fostered knowledge exchange between RTAF nurses and their American peers.

Feb. 7, 2023

From the battlefield to the football field: Air Force surgeon’s skills knows no bounds

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — On January 2nd, when many football fans were watching the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Lt. Col. Valerie Sams, an Air Force surgeon, was on call at UC Health’s University of Cincinnati Medical Center not knowing what she was about to face.

Feb. 3, 2023

Warrior Medic Highlight - Maj. Hannah Valdes-Chenoweth

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing highlighted Maj. Hannah Valdes-Chenoweth, 959th Surgical Operations Squadron obstetrician and gynecologist, in honor of National Woman Physician Day. Valdes-Chenoweth took over as medical director in the Women’s Health Clinic at Wilford Hall Surgical Ambulatory Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas in August 2022.

Feb. 3, 2023

New text service offers military healthcare updates, information

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The San Antonio Market has launched a text messaging service to keep TRICARE beneficiaries informed about their local military healthcare system.

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.

July 15, 2022

San Antonio Market celebrates first anniversary as a unified healthcare system

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The San Antonio Market is the Defense Health Agency’s largest multi-service market. It’s sprawled across the region, encompassing Brooke Army Medical Center, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, 10 stand-alone military treatment facilities, seven dental treatment facilities, the DoD’s only Level I Trauma Center and Burn Center, and over 100 specialty services – staffed by about 14,000 Army, Navy, Air Force, civilian and contract personnel.

May 23, 2022

San Antonio Market readies for civilian personnel transfer to Defense Health Agency

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, May 12, 2022 — This summer, the San Antonio Market will lead the process to administratively transfer government civilian personnel, property and systems to the Defense Health Agency.The Realignment of Personnel, Property and Systems, or RePPS, will mark the final stage of the market’s transition to DHA.“Our people are our focus, we are committed to open and

June 1, 2021

59th MDW medics assist Honduras hospital during Resolute Sentinel 21

CHOLUTECA, Honduras (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force and Army military doctors were in Choluteca, Honduras, May 12-27, to assist a local hospital with urologic surgeries during Resolute Sentinel 21.

Jan. 25, 2021

DHA director visits JBSA vaccination sites, discusses medical market certification

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Joint Base San Antonio’s role in Operation Warp Speed, the whole-of-nation response to COVID-19, and ongoing vaccination efforts were the highlight of a visit by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place, director of the Defense Health Agency, last week.

Sept. 4, 2020

BAMC, WHASC chosen for COVID-19 vaccine trials

WASHINGTON — As part of the Operation Warp Speed, or OWS, goal to deliver safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics by January 2021, five Department of Defense locations have been identified to participate in the Phase III trial evaluating the vaccine candidate AZD1222 under development by AstraZeneca. Two of the locations are in San Antonio.