Feb. 26, 2021

Mobile medics leverage virtual health to aid military trainees with COVID

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Service members with COVID-19 may be in quarantine, but they are far from being alone. A new virtual health program is leveraging technology to provide round-the-clock care for military trainees who tested positive or who are deemed at risk due to exposure or symptoms. “This has been a tremendous collaborative effort between Brooke Army Medical Center, the Virtual Medical Center and the Army Medical Center of Excellence to provide medical support to Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors,” said Army Maj. Daniel Yourk, deputy director of operations, Virtual Medical Center.

Feb. 11, 2021

SAMHS Centralizes COVID Screening and Testing at BAMC

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas — To preserve clinic access and maximize resources, the San Antonio Military Health System is centralizing COVID-19 screening and testing to a single location at Brooke Army Medical Center on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. Effective noon on Friday, February 12, the sites at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center and Randolph Clinic will close after 11 months in operation, and BAMC will become the sole screening and testing location within SAMHS. BAMC’s site, located in the first floor of the parking garage, is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. As a reminder, the site will be closed Monday, February 15, for the Presidents Day holiday, but will resume normal operations on Tuesday, February 16. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we continue to modify services based on current conditions. Please continue to do your part to slow the spread of this virus, remember the 3 Ws: wear a face covering, wash your hands or hand sanitize regularly and watch your physical distancing. That is the best way to preserve the health of our patients and staff.

Jan. 28, 2021

San Antonio Military Health System starts next phase of COVID vaccine rollout

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The San Antonio Military Health System is starting the next phase of the Department of Defense’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout -- expanding the scope of who is eligible to get vaccinated against the virus. Phase 1b includes beneficiaries age 75 and older, personnel who perform critical national capabilities, personnel preparing to deploy to locations outside of the U.S., and frontline essential workers.

Jan. 11, 2021

BAMC to transfer new pediatric patients needing inpatient care to preserve COVID efforts

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — With the ongoing threat of the pandemic and to preserve resources and staffing, Brooke Army Medical Center will transfer new pediatric patients needing inpatient care to local children’s hospitals at this time. “We are taking this additional precautionary measure to ensure our healthcare professionals are poised to support an increased need for COVID-19 care for our service members and families,” said Air Force Col. 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.