Articles

June 14, 2024

Shots fired: BAMC combat medic reacts on instincts

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — After work on Feb. 19, U.S. Army Spc. Anne Koller heard voices and went outside of her house to see what was going on. Next, to her surprise, she heard gunfire and saw her neighbor trying to make it back to his home saying he’d been shot.Koller works at Brooke Army Medical Center in the department of pediatrics. She’s been in the Army for five

June 3, 2024

BAMC bids farewell to Dobbins, welcomes Blash during change of responsibility ceremony

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center recognized two senior enlisted leaders during a change of responsibility ceremony May 30, at the Garden Entrance on the BAMC campus.Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. John Dobbins has been the BAMC command sergeant major since April 2023, serving with two commanders. Incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Dedraf Blash served as the command

June 3, 2024

BAMC trauma surgeon helps save gym patron

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — A Brooke Army Medical Center trauma surgeon was working out at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston when something unexpected happened. The person on the treadmill in front of him collapsed.“I was working the night trauma service and when I got off work, I went to the gym,” said Army Col. (Dr.) Chris Graybill.

May 24, 2024

BAMC Decon team trains for potential disasters

The Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council hosted its annual Decontamination Rodeo at their complex May 16, 2024. The rodeo is designed to help hospitals be prepared for disaster situations dealing with mass casualty events.Four local hospital patient decontamination teams comprised of six individuals, competed for the title of ‘Decon Rodeo

May 23, 2024

BAMC team wins Best Squad, Best Leader, Best Soldier at MRC, W competition

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Medical Readiness Command, West held its Best Leader, Best Squad competition May 13-17.This year, MRC, W teamed up with the Medical Center of Excellence to hold the first consolidated competition where the competitors could also earn their Expert Field Medical Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.Army Brig. Gen. E. Darrin Cox, MRC, W

May 9, 2024

Former BAMC patients share stories during Nurses Week event

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center kicked off Nurses and Techs Week with an opening ceremony May 6 in the Carolyn D. Putnam Auditorium.This year, the national theme for Nurses Week is “Empowering Nurses: Strengthening Healthcare Systems,” but BAMC’s local mantra is “The Power of Caring.”To highlight the “Power of Caring,” several former patients were

April 22, 2024

Cancer diagnosis linked to HPV virus

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States, more than 46,700 new cases of cancer are found in parts of the body where human papillomavirus is often found. HPV causes about 37,000 of these cancers.Research has found that it can take 5 to 10 years for HPV-infected cells to develop into precancers and

April 16, 2024

BAMC recognizes volunteers for extraordinary service

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center Volunteer Appreciation Week culminated with a ceremony April 5 to honor the individuals who donate their time to serve others.During the event, the 2023 Volunteers of the Year for specific categories were announced. Those selected went on to compete at the Joint Base San Antonio-level. Several BAMC volunteers also

April 9, 2024

Brooke Army Medical Center creates Wellness Team to address staff needs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center has stood up an ad hoc wellness team to address staff wellness needs.Leveraging the Department of Defense’s recognized Total Force Fitness framework by the Consortium for Health and Military Performance, BAMC's Wellness Team has implemented this framework to comprehensively support optimal health and wellness initiatives

March 21, 2024

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band entertain staff, patients at BAMC

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FOR SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band provided food and entertainment for more than 4,000 staff members, patients and visitors at Brooke Army Medical Center March 14.Sinise’s Invincible Spirit Festival served as an organization day for staff members, patients, and their families to take a much-needed break to enjoy games, food and music.“I am very