Articles

Jan. 8, 2021

BAMC takes on additional trauma patients

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center is expanding its ability to care for critically injured community members to help ease the COVID-19 burden on the local healthcare system. Last week, with the demand for COVID-19 care increasing, BAMC began accepting a higher percentage of trauma patients through transfers from other hospitals throughout the region, as it did during the summer COVID-19 surge, said Air Force Col. (Dr.) Patrick Osborn, San Antonio Military Health System Surgeon-in-Chief and BAMC’s Deputy Commander for Surgical Services.

Jan. 4, 2021

BAMC provides COVID-19 vaccine program update

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center administered its first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to frontline medical professionals Dec. 17 as part of the Department of Defense’s initial vaccine rollout. “I’m ready to eradicate this virus,” said Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse, after she received BAMC’s first vaccine.

Jan. 4, 2021

San Antonio Military Health System Delays Elective Surgeries

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON — In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order for area hospitals to postpone elective surgeries and procedures to reserve capacity for COVID-19 patients from the community. In line with this order and to ensure our healthcare professionals are poised to support an increased need for acute inpatient care, the San Antonio Military Health System has begun temporarily delaying some elective surgical cases, particularly those requiring an overnight stay.

Dec. 22, 2020

‘Game-changing’ program enables COVID-19 patients to safely recover at home

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Dec. 21, 2020 – Kathlyn Chassey was shocked when she was diagnosed with COVID-19 after experiencing a low-grade fever and a bad headache. A former lung transplant recipient, Chassey had been staying close to home for months to avoid the respiratory risks associated with the virus. She figured she had an infection or the flu when she arrived at Brooke Army Medical Center’s Emergency Department.

Dec. 17, 2020

Army ICU nurse receives first COVID-19 vaccine at BAMC

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The first Brooke Army Medical Center staff member to receive a COVID-19 vaccine said she was “excited and relieved” to receive the shot. Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, an Army nurse who has been serving on the frontlines of healthcare since the pandemic began, was among a small group of frontline medical professionals who received the first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines at BAMC today.

Dec. 17, 2020

DoD’s COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts Explained

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Vaccine candidates are being offered through an Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. Getting the vaccine protects yourself, your family, your community and our nation. The Department of Defense is implementing a standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing, and administering a COVID-19 vaccine(s) through a phased approach to DoD uniformed service members, both the active and Selected Reserve components, including members of the National Guard; dependents; retirees; civilian employees, and selected DoD contract personnel as authorized in accordance with DoD regulation.

Dec. 8, 2020

Winter is coming: COVID surge spurs readiness efforts at BAMC

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the nation, Brooke Army Medical Center is bracing for the impact of the coming winter months as colder weather drives people indoors where the virus is more likely to spread. Equipped with lessons learned, BAMC is preparing to shift resources and personnel to ensure hospital readiness in the event of a patient increase. On the preventive front, leaders continue to underscore the importance of safety measures such as hand washing, face coverings, personal protective equipment and physical distancing.

Nov. 23, 2020

San Antonio Military Health System seeks volunteers for COVID-19 vaccine trial

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Two San Antonio Military Health System facilities are seeking volunteers from among the military beneficiary population to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. The trial is part of Operation Warp Speed, a national initiative to accelerate the development, production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

Nov. 23, 2020

BAMC receives national recognition for surgical quality

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized Brooke Army Medical Center for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care for two years running, ranking the hospital among the top 10 percent of participating hospitals for surgical care. “Earning meritorious recognition two years in a row shows the BAMC and SAMHS (San Antonio Military Health System) team’s ongoing commitment and dedication to continuous improvement and quality care,” said Air Force Col. Patrick Osborn, Surgeon-in-Chief, San Antonio Military Health System, and BAMC Deputy Commander for Surgical Services.

Nov. 17, 2020

Medical professionals from BAMC, Argentine Army discuss COVID best practices

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center and Argentine Army’s Central Military Medical Hospital medical professionals did not let 5,600 miles of separation keep them from discussing best practices against COVID-19 on Oct. 21.