Joint Base San Antonio > News

SAMHS COVID-19 operations for Columbus Day
October 7, 2020 — The Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center drive-through testing site will be the only site open on Columbus Day, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Brooke Army Medical Center and Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph COVID-19 Drive-thru sites will be closed Oct. 12. Normal hours of operation will resume thereafter... MORE

The San Antonio Military Health System is adjusting its COVID-19 drive-thru screening and testing hours of operation over Labor Day weekend.

Hero's Highway -- 13 years down the road
September 21, 2020 — “Protect and return home,” was the motto for retired U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Patronis while serving as the Patient Administration Division lead at the Air Force Theater Hospital, once located on Joint Base Balad, Iraq... MORE

BAMC, WHASC chosen for COVID-19 vaccine trials
September 4, 2020 — As part of the Operation Warp Speed, or OWS, goal to deliver safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics by January 2021, five Department of Defense locations have been identified to participate in the Phase III trial evaluating the vaccine candidate AZD1222 under development by AstraZeneca. Two of the locations are in San Antonio. ... MORE

San Antonio Military Health System resumes elective surgeries
August 21, 2020 — With safety at the forefront, elective surgeries are set to resume across the San Antonio Military Health System next week... MORE

Surgeons perform a procedure at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Wilford Hall updates entry points, changes COVID drive-thru screening location
July 20, 2020 — The Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center COVID-19 screening/testing is now taking place at the bottom level of the WHASC parking garage. Days/hours remain from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon... MORE

Wilford Hall Updates Entry Points Amid COVID-19

59th MDW adjusts hours for 4th of July holiday
June 29, 2020 — On July 6, the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center) and JBSA-Randolph Medical Treatment Facilities will have limited services available... MORE

With an abundance of caution, the 59th Medical Wing has begun a phased reopening of primary and surgical care as of June 1.

59th MDW begins phased reopening June 1
June 1, 2020 — With an abundance of caution, the 59th Medical Wing has begun a phased reopening of primary and surgical care as of June 1. ... MORE

59th MDW services, hours reduced May 22 for Memorial Day
May 8, 2020 — Medical treatment facilities at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph will have limited services available May 22... MORE

#RiseUp Mental Health, Resiliency at JBSA
May 4, 2020 — Members of the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Mental Health Clinic and 737th Training Group Military Training Consult Service mental health team spent My 4 motivating others with words of encouragement for base personnel and community members as part of a mental health and resiliency effort during the COVID-19 pandemic at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

Watch: Wilford Hall begins in-house COVID-19 testing
April 21, 2020 — Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing have stepped up to the fight against COVID-19 by beginning testing samples taken from patients suspected of having coronavirus... MORE

59th Medical Wing; JPG optimized for print.

Curbside pharmacy services garner praise from beneficiaries
April 13, 2020 — To help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the San Antonio Military Health System has implemented curbside drop-off and pick-up pharmacy services at many of its locations... MORE

Jose Dominguez, pharmacy technician at the Fort Sam Houston Community pharmacy, collects a patient’s prescription.

59th MDW leverages telehealth to keep patients, staff safe
April 9, 2020 — While San Antonio is under a “Stay Home, Work Safe” order, members of the 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland have found new ways to continue providing high-reliability care through virtual appointments while keeping patients and staff safe... MORE

Capt. (Dr.) Shane Riggs, 59th Medical Operations Squadron psychiatrist, conducts a virtual medical appointment in San Antonio, Texas April 7, 2020. Telehealth appointments can be scheduled by calling the Consult Appointment Management Office at (210) 916-9900. At the time of the appointment, a provider calls or sends the patient a link to the audiovisual platform being used for the visit. The link can be accessed on a patient’s home or work computer, cell phone or tablet, without creating an account.

COVID-19 test results may take longer
April 6, 2020 — Due to the influx of COVID-19 tests being run, results are taking longer than originally anticipated. While most results are returning within 7-8 business days, some are taking up to 10 business days. Please be assured that tests are being processed, and you will be called as soon as the test result is received, whether positive or negative. ... MORE

59th Medical Wing adjusts pharmacy hours, prescription services
March 23, 2020 — The 59th Medical Wing is continuing to make several precautionary adjustments to services to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and ensure healthcare professionals and resources are poised to support an increased need for acute patient care... MORE

WHASC opens drive-thru screening, testing
March 20, 2020 — The 59th Medical Wing has implemented a COVID-19 drive-thru screening process at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to help identify people with COVID-19 indicators before they enter the hospital, reducing the health risk to our beneficiaries, visitors, staff and family members. ... MORE

Cones are lined up March 19, 2020 in preparation for the opening of a drive-through screening and testing line beginning March 20, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The line will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms prior to entering Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

San Antonio Military Health System adjusts services, offers options to continue care
March 19, 2020 — The San Antonio Military Health System is making several precautionary adjustments to services to help mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and ensure healthcare professionals and resources are poised to support an increased need for acute patient care... MORE

Wilford Hall implements temporary entry/exit point procedures
March 15, 2020 — Beginning March 16, 2020, leaders at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will begin implementing three entry and exit control points to ensure the continued health and safety of staff, volunteers and beneficiaries... MORE

SAMHS takes precautionary measures to minimize COVID-19 risk
March 15, 2020 — As a precautionary measure, the San Antonio Military Health System, or SAMHS, will be placing triage tents outside of Brooke Army Medical Center, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Randolph Clinic and Reid Clinic to safely screen patients, if needed, for potential infectious respiratory conditions, such as COVID-19, while minimizing the risk to others... MORE

Honorary commanders visit 433rd Medical Group facilities
October 15, 2019 — The 433rd Medical Group hosted 13 honorary commanders at its new administration building and joint medical and dental clinics at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 5... MORE

Lt. Col. Eric K. Wilke, 433rd Medical Squadron emergency services physician, briefs 433rd Airlift Wing honorary commanders on lifesaving medical equipment used by Reserve Citizen Airmen during patient transport in medivac aircraft Oct. 5 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

59th Medical Wing: 'We're your family here'
September 13, 2019 — Retired U.S. Army Capt. Katie Blanchard estimates she has undergone nearly 200 surgeries since she was burned in a workplace violence incident three years ago... MORE

Retired U.S. Army Capt. Katie Blanchard squeezes the hand of Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, 59th Medical Specialty Squadron laser medicine chief, after surgery Sept. 6 at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Blanchard estimates she has undergone nearly 200 surgeries since she was burned in a workplace violence incident three years ago.