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Feb. 7, 2023

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

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. 6, 2023

Warrior Medic Highlight - A1C Samantha Sim

Airman 1st Class Samantha Sim, 59th Surgical Operations Squadron ophthalmic technician, was nominated to be the first Top Eye of October 2022 at the Ophthalmology clinic in Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Nov. 4, 2022. The Ophthalmology clinic started having Airman's Time on the first Friday of every month where they recognize one outstanding individual nominated as the Top Eye.

Feb. 3, 2023

New text service offers military healthcare updates, information

The San Antonio Market has launched a text messaging service to keep TRICARE beneficiaries informed about their local military healthcare system.

Jan. 25, 2023

59MDW: Another step closer to your New Year's resolution

Senior Airman Jacob Hollins, physical therapy technician, and Senior Airman Gabrielle Rose, orthotics technician, assigned to the 59th Surgical Operations Squadron, offer advice on ways to achieve being more active for one's New Year's resolution at the Physical Therapy Clinic in Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Jan. 18, 2023. Even in a person's spare time there are ways to promote a healthy lifestyle. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Melody Bordeaux)

Jan. 19, 2023

A ‘not-so-routine’ operation

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

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

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.

Jan. 4, 2023

59th Medical Wing: Our team, our fight against the Flu

The Allergy and Immunizations Clinic along with 43 medic volunteers came together during the 59th Medical Wing’s annual flu campaign in the atrium of Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, from October to November 2022. Their teamwork resulted in more than 93% of the wing being vaccinated.

Oct. 27, 2022

Air Force SMART program sustains readiness and currency through tailored training

The Air Force’s Sustained Medical and Readiness Trained, or SMART, program has become a dynamic training platform. Through tailored training and multidisciplinary opportunities, Air Force medics retain their currency and are ready for the fight.

Oct. 5, 2022

TOPA and EFMP Streamline Processes

All TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration (TOPA) Flight Services, as well as the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) office are now located on the 3rd Floor of A-Wing at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center (WHASC). These services include: Referral Management: This office processes Durable Medical Equipment Referrals for all DoD beneficiaries as well as Home Health Referrals for TRICARE Prime patients. All other referral services are provided by Consult Appointment Management Office (CAMO). Patient Travel: This office conducts program briefings and manages claim submissions for TRICARE Prime patients who have medical appointments over 100 miles from the Military Treatment Facility. Medical travel claims must meet DoD requirements for travel and accommodation reimbursement. This office also provides Defense Travel System assistance for members who are sent on medical Temporary Duties (m-TDY). Patients utilizing these benefits must visit Patient Travel prior to traveling. Members Services: Includes support for new patient registration and registration updates for established patients, Incapacitated Child Program, Interpreter Services, Line of Duty Determination, Eligibility Verification, and Lifetime Pharmacy Encounters. TRICARE/Benefits Counseling: Includes Primary Care Manager (PCM) reassignments, TRICARE for Life briefings, elective surgery requests, education on TRICARE benefits, and support for billing questions. Release of Healthcare Information: Patients can request copies of medical records or drop off documents to be uploaded into their Electronic Health Record. Record requests can be emailed to usaf.jbsa.59-mdw.mbx.59-mdss-rhi@Health.mil EFMP: This is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, educational, medical, and personnel services to families with special needs. Active duty members enroll in the program when they have a family member with a physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires specialized services so their needs can be considered in the military personnel assignment process. To Enroll in TRICARE, contact TRICARE Enrollment at 844-866-9378 To check the status of a referral, contact CAMO at 210-916-9900 For more information on military healthcare, visit the Health.mil website at www.health.mil To view medical Records, Log into the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal https://my.mhsgenesis.health.mil For Benefit and Referral information, visit Humana at https://infocenter.humana-military.com

Don’t forget to keep your family’s information up to date in DEERS!