This graphic was created to inform Military Health System beneficiaries about the Walter's Way feedback form at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The feedback form allows beneficiaries to communicate what is most important to them in the delivery of their care, highlight what the facility is doing well, and share ideas on how it can improve.

Jan. 6, 2026

Walter’s Way: Early Data and Feedback Show Positive Trends

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, BETHESDA, MD — Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is seeing early gains from Walter’s Way, a new access-to-care model designed to make it easier for patients to get the right care at the right time. While the initiative is still being evaluated, early data and feedback suggest the changes are improving patient experience, appointment access, and clinic efficiency.

Join us as we bid farewell to CPT Luke Admire and welcome CPT Antonella Peterson as the new commander of the Irwin Army Community Hospital Medical Company. A change of command ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. on January 15th at the Fort Riley Soldier Recovery Unit Clamshell. The Fort Riley community is welcome and encouraged to attend. We thank CPT Admire for his dedicated leadership and are pleased to share that he will continue serving the Fort Riley community by providing nursing care at IACH's inpatient behavioral health unit. Please join us in also welcoming CPT Peterson to her new command. We look forward to seeing you there as we mark this important transition

Jan. 6, 2026

Medical Company Change of Command

FORT RILEY, Kansas — We bid farewell to CPT Luke Admire and welcome CPT Antonella Peterson as the new commander of the Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) Medical Company.

Personnel from the 59th Medical Wing and civilian observers examine in-flight medical equipment aboard a military aircraft during a demonstration at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas, on Jan. 6, 2026.

Jan. 6, 2026

Operational Truth and Technological Vision: DARPA and the 59th Medical Wing Shape the Future of Warfighter Care 

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing and the San Antonio Military Health System hosted DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office for a two day strategic offsite at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, bringing together the Air Force’s oldest medical wing and one of the DoD’s most innovative research organizations. The visit connected DARPA’s biotechnology initiatives with the real operational demands of battlefield medicine through wargames, threat scenario exercises, and hands on exposure to Tactical Combat Casualty Care training. By pairing DARPA’s forward leaning research with the Wing’s deep operational expertise, the collaboration aims to develop rugged, intuitive, and lifesaving technologies for the first moments of combat. This engagement strengthened the longstanding relationship between DARPA and the Air Force and laid the groundwork for future advancements in warfighter medical care.

Man in orange shirt reads papers while he sits at a desk

Jan. 6, 2026

TRICARE-allowable charges and balance billing: What you need to know

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — You may have heard the terms “allowable charge” and “balance billing.” But what do these terms mean when you have TRICARE? This article explains the different types of TRICARE-authorized providers and what they’re allowed to charge you.

Don’t forget to keep your family’s information up to date in DEERS!