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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

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.

59th MDW commander reflects on past year, way forward
July 15, 2019 — Sitting in his conference room, Maj. Gen. John DeGoes, 59th Medical Wing commander, is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and the clean, modern lines of Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. It’s a much different view, he reflects, than the one he saw sitting in the auditorium of the old WHASC, which he affectionately names “Big Willy,” as an internal medicine student entering his residency 30 years ago... MORE

Maj. Gen. John J. DeGoes, 59th Medical Wing commander, addresses the audience after taking command during the June 14, 2018, ceremony at the old Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The 59th MDW provides superior graduate medical education and training, state-of-the-art research, and first-class global medical readiness. It also serves as the Air Force functional medical command for Joint Base San Antonio.

59th Medical Wing doctor serves American heroes for more than 20 years
April 25, 2019 — The span of military care covers all ages focusing on exceptional patient care. Dr. Robert Kruger, geriatric internal medicine physician, has made a career out of ensuring geriatric patients at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center have an optimal experience during their visit... MORE

Dr. Robert Kruger, geriatric internal medicine physician, poses for a photo at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 25, 2019. Kruger is one of three geriatric internal medicine physicians in the Air Force.

Project ECHO: Using telehealth to maintain a ready medical force
March 13, 2019 — The Air Force Medical Service uses telehealth to make it easier for primary care providers to consult with specialists, creating additional learning opportunities for medical Airmen and improving patient care. ... MORE

A diabetes specialist with the Diabetes Center of Excellence at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, conducts a diabetes and prevention ECHO session, using telehealth to provide virtual consultation and mentorship for Air Force primary care providers at different military treatment facilities, Nov. 19, 2018. Project ECHO (short for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) was originally developed by the University of New Mexico. The AFMS began using a modified version of Project ECHO in 2012 to improve the ability to connect medical Airmen with specialty providers at other military treatment facilities using telehealth capabilities.

WHASC Pharmacy to receive upgrade; longer than normal wait times expected
January 18, 2019 — Beneficiaries may experience a longer than normal wait time at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center pharmacy until mid-February while refill center undergoes an upgrade. The pharmacy is currently experiencing peak times between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. In order to reduce wait times, beneficiaries are encouraged to call in refills in advance or use alternative pharmacy locations... MORE

Beneficiaries may experience a longer than normal wait time at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center pharmacy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland until mid-February while refill center undergoes an upgrade.

Medics train for real-world events
December 4, 2018 — More than 125 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland took part in a mass casualty exercise Nov. 28, 2018... MORE

59th Medical Wing bioenvironmental engineers call in a contamination emergency during a MASCAL exercise on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The exercise tested the clinical and field response teams’ communication efficiency between wing personnel and the medical control center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

59th MDW radiology system saves time and money
November 26, 2018 — With cardiothoracic disease imaging at the forefront in computer-aided detection, artificial Intelligence and machine learning research, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Giovanni Lorenz, from the 59th Medical Wing, provides knowledge and expertise toward solving major coronary diseases... MORE

Marvin Perez, 59th Medical Wing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging technologist, observes a patient’s vitals during a scan at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Cardiac MRI, which takes approximately 20-45 minutes, is a non-invasive assessment of the function and structure of the heart.

94-year-old veteran continues to serve at 59th Medical Wing
November 14, 2018 — Helen Wells, a 94-year-old volunteer librarian assistant at the 59th Medical Wing, recently celebrated 53 years of service... MORE

Helen Wells, a 94-year-old assistant library volunteer for the 59th Medical Wing, poses for a photo in the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center medical library. Wells has dedicated more than 50 years of service to the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

Volunteers drive exemplary patient care at 59th Medical Wing
November 13, 2018 — Every day, more than 170 volunteers serve in a variety of positions throughout the 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

Darlene Neubert, Step Saver carts driver of Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, prepares to go out to WHASC’s parking areas to pick up patients. Volunteers like Neubert, work in clinics and facilities throughout 59th MDW and give more than $1 million in free labor annually.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel J. Calderón)

59th Medical Wing welcomes new commander
June 18, 2018 — Members of the Air Force’s flagship medical wing witnessed the transfer authority and responsibility from Maj. Gen. Bart Iddins to the new 59th Medical Wing commander, Maj. Gen. John DeGoes during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland June 14... MORE

Maj. Gen. John DeGoes took command of the 59th Medical Wing during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland June 14. The 59th MDW is the Air Force's premier healthcare, medical education and research, and readiness wing.

59th Medical Wing expedites Airmen’s return to training
March 5, 2018 — The 59th Medical Wing’s cardiology clinic, located at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, is working to help Airmen complete their training as quickly and as safely as possible... MORE

Suzanne Packard, a Cardiology Phase II instructor at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, explains a cardio sonogram to Trenton Moore, Basic Military Training trainee at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, during the Basic Military Training Fast Track program Feb. 28, 2018. The 59th Medical Wing’s weekly program gives trainees in BMT technical school on cardiology-related medical hold a singular location to have their issues tested and identified.

Point of Care Testing manager at 59th MDW celebrates 40 years of civil service
February 23, 2018 — In the late 1970’s, during the Jimmy Carter presidency, Leah Hawes began her career as a civil service employee. More than 40 years later, she is now the Point of Care Testing manager for the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas... MORE

Leah Hawes began her career as a civil service employee in the late 1970's. She is now the Point of Care Testing manager for the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center debuts new flu test equipment
February 15, 2018 — The 59th Medical Wing, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, recently introduced a new system that can allow doctors to get results in less than an hour. The Roche Lab in a Tube is a compact molecular diagnostic platform that can be used in doctor's offices, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals to expedite the diagnosing process... MORE

Joe Contreras and Senior Airman Amber Scandridge conduct a practice test of the new Roche LIAT in the Urgent Care Clinic at Wilford Hall on Joint Base San Antonio Lackland Feb. 6, 2018. The new testing system, according to officials in the clinic, improves patient care by reducing the amount of time to determine if a patient has the flu from 48 hours down to less than 30 minutes.

Highway 90 Gate enhances patient care at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center
November 1, 2017 — Located on West U.S. Highway 90 access road, patients are able to access Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at the closest possible point to the new Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center (WHASC) and the gate is open from 6-9 a.m. for inbound traffic and outbound from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m... MORE

Staff Sgt. Mellissa Taylor, 559th Trainee Health Squadron optometry noncommissioned officer in charge, checks an ID at the Highway 90 gate while performing security forces augmentee duty Oct. 23 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The Highway 90 gate provides easy and convenient access for patients to quickly access care and facilities.

The new Wilford Hall welcomes its first patient with ribbon cutting
June 12, 2017 — The 59th Medical Wing's new Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center officially opened with a ribbon cutting June 7 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The 59th MDW identified Master Sgt. Karrin Hatcher as it's first official patient to be seen in the $418-million, 682,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility... MORE

The 59th Medical Wing's new Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center officially opened with a ribbon cutting today, June 7, on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The 59th MDW identified Master Sgt. Karrin Hatcher as it's first official patient to be seen in the $418 million, 682,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility. Wilford Hall is the U.S. Air Force's flagship medical facility for outpatient care. The building features four wings, on four floors, housing more than 25 outpatient clinic and clinical services.

59th Medical Wing clinics, services set to move to new Wilford Hall
May 12, 2017 — With the primary goal of minimizing patient impact, the 59th Medical Wing will begin relocating clinics and services to the new Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Tuesday, May 30, 2017... MORE

New Wilford Hall, Jan. 19, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

Dermatologist earns health care hero award
October 7, 2016 — The San Antonio Business Journal recently honored a 59th Medical Wing dermatologist for his contributions to health care in the local community... MORE

$Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)$