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BAMC Auxiliary provides grants to help support patient care
May 10, 2019 — The Brooke Army Medical Center Auxiliary held its annual Welfare Recognition Ceremony May 6 in the auditorium. This year, the welfare committee approved 25 grants totaling $28,000 to help support patient care at BAMC. ... MORE

Cody Ross (center) receives the Commander’s Award for Public Service from Brooke Army Medical Center Commanding General Brig. Gen. George Appenzeller (right) and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Oates (left) during the annual BAMC Auxiliary Welfare Recognition Ceremony May 6. This year, the Auxiliary provided 25 grants totaling $28,000 to help support patient care at BAMC.

BAMC app now available for patients, visitors, staff
April 30, 2019 — Brooke Army Medical Center now has an app available for download on any mobile device. The app, designed by the Defense Health Agency, allows patients, visitor and staff to quickly access information such as pharmacy wait times, facility directory and quick reference information from their cell phone. ... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center is launching a new app for patients, visitors and staff. The app, designed by the Defense Health Agency, allows users to quickly access information such as pharmacy wait times, facility directory, and quick reference information.

Brooke Army Medical Center family ties: a generational affair
April 26, 2019 — Everyone says the military is a tight-knit community, but for one family, the connection to Brooke Army Medical Center and Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is formidable, spanning three generations... MORE

Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Andy Murtha holds baby Claire in front of the old Brooke Army Medical Center building at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston April 6, 2019. Murtha and his daughter share the legacy of being born at BAMC.

Three BAMC Soldiers headed to 2019 DOD Warrior Games
April 3, 2019 — Service sports rivalries are sometimes played out on a national level, particularly in December when the annual Army vs. Navy football game is played. For wounded warriors, that sports rivalry takes place every year at the Department of Defense Warrior Games, hosted this year by U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, June 21-30... MORE

Spc. Kevin Holyan launches a few practice seated discus throws prior to the field event March 11, during the Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas. The 2019 Army Trials is an adaptive sports competition with more than 100 wounded, ill and injured active-duty Soldiers and veterans competing in 14 different sports for the opportunity to represent Team Army at the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida.

Cancer survivor shares emotional reunion with BAMC ECMO team
April 3, 2019 — A cancer survivor recently had an emotional reunion with some of the members of an elite team of medical providers at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and saw the machine that helped save her life... MORE

Rita Ibanez hugs Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Read, acting Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation medical director, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, March 22. Ibanez met with Read and other members of the ECMO team to thank them for the care she received in 2015.

Collaborative medicine saves BAMC sickle cell patient
March 19, 2019 — Imagine being alone at home lying in bed, your loved one hundreds of miles away and you’re experiencing debilitating pain in both legs. You call 911 for help and crawl down a flight of stairs so paramedics don’t have to break down the door. This is exactly what happened to 36-year-old Alexis Piper, who has been battling sickle cell anemia since she was 7 years old. ... MORE

Air Force Master Sgt. Antwan Piper looks at his wife, Alexis, during a video interview about her disease and her recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center. Alexis Piper has had sickle cell anemia since she was 7 years old. She nearly died in 2018 after developing a rare condition called hyperhemolysis. Hyperhemolysis syndrome is a potentially fatal transfusion complication.

Brooke Army Medical Center marks robust year for civilian trauma care
March 12, 2019 — The numbers are telling when it comes to Brooke Army Medical Center’s robust trauma care mission... MORE

Members of Brooke Army Medical Center’s medical staff simulate providing emergency care to an exercise role player during the 2018 San Antonio Mass Casualty Exercise and Evaluation at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 11, 2018. SAMCEE is an annual exercise designed to test the capabilities of hospitals and emergency responders in the San Antonio area.

National Nutrition Month: Diet comparison: benefits, downfalls for optimized performance or weight management
March 4, 2019 — With every new year, it seems there is a new diet trend. With so many diets, it can be challenging to know what is “good for you.” It is important to consider personal goals when choosing a diet. Some people follow a diet for optimized performance, while others may be interested in weight management. Knowing the benefits and downfalls of a diet is key for health. ... MORE

The USDA’s MyPlate is based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate focuses on eating a balanced diet with a variety of foods. MyPlate shows what your plate should look like with a simple visual and encourages whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein variety, and low-fat dairy choices. It also recommends limiting the amount of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. MyPlate has easy-to-follow advice and is meant to be simple and repeatable.

New reusable container option available in BAMC dining areas
February 26, 2019 — The Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Nutritional Medicine at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is implementing a new reusable container option at the dining areas throughout the hospital. Patrons now can choose to use a reusable plastic container when getting food at a dining area within the hospital. The containers can hold anything from classic fare meals to soup, salad or pizza. ... MORE

The Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Nutritional Medicine is implementing a new reusable container option at the dining areas throughout the hospital. Patrons now can choose to use a reusable plastic container when getting food at a dining area within the hospital. The containers can hold anything from classic fare meals to soup, salad or pizza.

Leap of faith: chance meeting brings Soldier to CFI after jump accident
February 22, 2019 — The hand-scribbled note taped to his dog tags simply said, “Request to go to the CFI” with a phone number. The note was written from one amputee to another. Army Staff Sgt. Kayshawn Porterfield was following in his father’s footsteps. He joined the Army with a plan of becoming a lifelong Soldier and his Army career was progressing. He was moving up in rank quickly, had finished the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. ... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kayshawn Porterfield practices picking up objects using a myoelectric prosthesis at Brooke Army Medical Center’s Center for the Intrepid at Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Feb. 21. A myoelectric-controlled prosthesis is an externally powered artificial limb that the user controls with electrical signals generated naturally with his own muscles.

BAMC seeking ‘mystery shoppers’ to help improve patient experience
January 31, 2019 — Retail stores often use secret shoppers to improve customer service. Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston is now implementing a similar concept to improve patient experience... MORE

Volunteer Cynthia Barrera hands Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Gittens, Medical Education Training Campus instructor and writer, a Mystery Shopping Patient Experience pamphlet at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 25. The program enlists patients to anonymously evaluate the care they receive at medical appointments.

Medical school advisors visit Brooke Army Medical Center
January 24, 2019 — Two U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Battalions recently joined forces in order to show medical school pre-health advisors the benefits of choosing an Army healthcare career over the civilian sector, visiting staff at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston... MORE

University of Vermont's medical school advisor Cara Calvelli (left) and Marguerite Degenhardt (right) of North Central College witness the birth of "Baby Simi" in the training delivery room of Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Advisors from several institutions attended the Medical Advisor Army Experience Tour,from North Central College, Beaumont Health System, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Farmingdale University, West Virginia Health System, University of Vermont and Dartmouth University.

BAMC hosts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observance
January 23, 2019 — Brooke Army Medical Center hosted the Joint Base San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at the historic Fort Sam Houston Theater Jan. 17... MORE

Retired Command Sgt. Major Marshall L. Huffman speaks to attendees of Joint Base San Antonio’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event at the Fort Sam Houston Theater Jan. 17. The event, hosted by Brooke Army Medical Center, celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. King and served as a reminder to continue to strive toward his dream of equality for all.

Brooke Army Medical Center welcomes first baby of 2019
January 2, 2019 — He was due after the holiday, but decided to come early to the New Year’s party. A few hours after the ball dropped in Times Square in New York City, Callum Charles Hunt made his appearance at 1:50 a.m. on New Year’s Day, marking Brooke Army Medical Center’s first delivery of 2019. ... MORE

Brig. Gen. George N. Appenzeller (second from left), Brooke Army Medical Center commander, along with Sarah Kelly (far left), BAMC auxiliary president, and Master Sgt. Melinda Griffin (far right), enlisted advisor to the deputy chief for patient support, present a gift basket to retired Army Sgt. Christopher and Hillary Hunt after the birth of their son, Callum Charles Hunt, at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 2, 2019. Callum, born at 1:50 a.m. on New Year’s Day, was BAMC first baby born in 2019.

Brooke Army Medical Center deploys HIPAA-compliant secure messaging app
December 11, 2018 — Medical professionals at Brooke Army Medical Center have deployed a cloud-based messaging app which will allow them to securely share patient information from their personal devices and desktop workstations... MORE

Don Ryan (left), a representative of the company that developed the app, teaches Maj. Samuel Owen (right), physician, how to use the secure messaging app at Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Dec. 4. The app, which is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, will allow BAMC staff members to share patient information and photos securely.

Resources available to service members dealing with substance use disorders
December 11, 2018 — The Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Behavioral Medicine has launched a new program to make it easier for service members to get help for substance use disorders. The new Addictions Medicine Intensive Outpatient Program is an intense five-week outpatient program offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Multi-Disciplinary Behavioral Health Clinic... MORE

A Soldier holds his Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care commencement coin.

ADVISOR system medical lifeline for operational forces
December 3, 2018 — The Advanced Virtual Support for Operational Forces system, or ADVISOR, coordinated through the Army Virtual Medical Center at Brooke Army Medical Center, provides 24/7/365 on-demand telephone consultations with on-call specialty providers during emergencies... MORE

A Soldier uses the Advanced Virtual Support for Operational Forces system, or ADVISOR, during the Army Best Medic Competition held in September at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.

Commentary: Military traditions instill pride, connection with past
November 30, 2018 — I’ve seen more than my share of military traditions over the past 20 years. Countless times, I’ve sung service songs, watched the Honor Guard place the colors, and stood at attention during Reveille and Retreat. While I’ve always admired the dignity and honor of these traditions, they became somewhat routine over the years. I didn’t truly appreciate their purpose until my father passed away. ... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center staff practice the rendering of flag honors for fallen heroes in July 2018. No matter the branch, war or length of service, BAMC salutes every veteran and first responder who dies in the hospital with a flag ceremony by an Honor Guard.

Sutherland Springs remembered one year later
November 21, 2018 — Brooke Army Medical Center held two ceremonies to honor the victims of a mass shooting that took place in a small rural community near San Antonio and the staff members who treated them... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center staff members sign a banner of support for Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas, as part of the commemoration ceremony Nov. 5, the one-year anniversary of the Sutherland Springs shooting. Clear Lake Regional Medical Center received eight patients – all students – in the wake of the Santa Fe High School Shooting last May. BAMC wanted to “pay it forward” to another hospital that cared for victims after a mass shooting. After the Sutherland Springs shooting, BAMC received a banner from Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas as a demonstration of support and appreciation for our staff. Sunrise Hospital received nearly 200 victims after the Vegas shooting.

Veterans honored during Brooke Army Medical Center ceremony
November 9, 2018 — Brooke Army Medical Center held its 3rd annual Veterans Day Celebration Nov. 2 featuring patriotic music, performances by a local high school marching band and drill team, a health fair and lunch... MORE

Retired Master Sgt. Walter Taylor, a former Brooke Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Battalion Soldier, was the guest speaker during the 3rd annual Veterans Day Celebration at BAMC Nov. 2. The former combat engineer was seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2011 when he was struck in the face by a rocket-propelled grenade. As he healed, he continued to serve his fellow veterans and their families within the WTB in uniform and as a civilian.