Cara Navarro, a recreational therapist in the Department of Rehabilitation at Walter Reed, works with a patient in the therapeutic pool at Walter Reed on Feb. 18, 2025. “Having the opportunity to serve our military and their families is what I find most rewarding about working at Walter Reed,” said Navarro.

Feb. 24, 2025

Walter Reed Observes National Recreational Therapy Month

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, BETHESDA, Md — Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is recognizing National Recreational Therapy Month during February, highlighting recreational therapists' vital role in the rehabilitation and recovery of service members, their families and other beneficiaries of the Military Health System.

Text reads: "Payment deadline extended: If you live in the West Region, you now have until March 31 to make a payment to TriWest." Image of West Region states in the U.S. in blue. TRICARE logo

Feb. 24, 2025

Act Now! Payment Deadline Extended for West Region Beneficiaries

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Defense Health Agency has extended the payment deadline for West Region beneficiaries who pay for TRICARE coverage via bank electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card. You now have until Monday, March 31 to provide your payment information to TriWest.

At Irwin Army Community Hospital, we are committed to providing safe and high-quality medical care to all our patients, including children. However, it is important for parents, guardians, and caregivers to understand the legal requirements regarding medical consent for minors. Who Can Consent to a Minor’s Medical Care? Under federal healthcare regulations, a minor (anyone under the age of 18) cannot receive medical treatment unless consent is given by: • A biological parent • A legal guardian (with court documentation) • An individual holding a valid medical power of attorney (MPOA)

Feb. 24, 2025

Medical Consent for Minors

FORT RILEY, Kansas — To ensure your child receives timely treatment, it's important to understand the legal requirements for medical consent for minors under the age of 18. This article will guide you through who can provide consent and how to ensure necessary documentation is in place for your child's next appointment.

U.S. Army Soldiers (from left) Staff Sgt. Derek J. Born, Spec. Adrian E. Comas-Perez; Spec. Zachary S. Juengel; Spec. Christen O. Johnson; Spec. Kelvin Weiner Jr.; Spec. Maxwell H. Ghimire; Pfc. Mary Amponsah; and Sgt. 1st Class Anthonytomas P. Ortiz, pose for a photo after completing hands-on training in Medial Competency Assessment Program at Tripler Army Medical Center on Nov. 1, 2024. Born and Ortiz are instructors assigned to TAMC, and the remaining soldiers are students assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks.

Feb. 21, 2025

How Tripler Army Medical Center is meeting the needs of today’s Combat Medic

Tripler Army Medical Center — Tripler Army Medical Center is leading the way in training combat medics, enhancing their skills and improving their ability to provide prolonged casualty care under field conditions.

Airmen positioned x-ray machine over patient's hand.

Feb. 21, 2025

Finding a ‘fortune’ in radiology

Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. — There’s an old saying that goes “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” So what happens when a “fortune” becomes a diagnostic imaging technologist with the 633rd Surgical Operations Squadron. For Airman 1st Class Terrance Fortune, the answer to the riddle is simple. He uses-skill, technology, and teamwork to play a critical role in keeping service members ready for duty by identifying injuries and aiding in their treatment.

Jenny Vazquez-Robles works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Walter Reed and is one of a team of heroes caring for the hospital's “littlest warriors,” ensuring that premature and full-term babies with complications have the best possible start in life.

Feb. 21, 2025

Walter Reed NICU Nurse Finds Rewards in Caring for the ‘Littlest Warriors’

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, BETHESDA, Md — Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s own Jenny Vazquez-Robles, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is one of a team of heroes caring for Walter Reed’s “littlest warriors,” ensuring that premature and full-term babies with complications have the best possible start in life.

Pediatrics chief Dr. Matthew Fults conducts a scheduled virtual visit with a beneficiary Jan. 10 at Winn Army Community Hospital. The pediatric clinic was the first to go live with My Military Health, a change in culture for both healthcare providers and beneficiaries. Primary care at Winn went live on Feb. 10 "The intent of these changes is to deliver care when patients need it in an efficient and timely manner," Fults said. "This is just the beginning—stay tuned as other clinics embrace this innovative approach to care."

Feb. 21, 2025

Winn implements culture change via virtual visits, shows resiliency during winter storm

FORT STEWART, Ga. — Winn Army Community Hospital’s primary care clinic recently went live with scheduled virtual visits, an initial step in moving forward with My Military Health. The program aims to improve patient access and provider workflow. Initial results indicate positive progress, said Amanda M. Lubbe, primary care’s head nurse at Winn. The first official day the clinic offered virtual visits was Feb. 10. "Our first week of scheduled virtual visits saw 64 completed appointments," Lubbe said.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Deydre Teyhen, director of the Defense Health Network-National Capital Region (left) and U.S. Navy CAPT (Dr.) Melissa Austin (left), director of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (right), escort U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) (third from left) and Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) on a visit to Walter Reed on Feb. 10, 2025.

Feb. 20, 2025

Senators Visit Patients and Staff at Walter Reed

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, BETHESDA, Md — U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 10, greeting patients and staff with Valentine's greetings and expressing gratitude for their service to the nation.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jan E. Miller passes the Winn Army Community Hospital and U.S. Army Medical Department Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield color to hospital director and commander Col. Margaret Berryman to signify his relinquishment of responsibility as senior enlisted advisor for the hospital as clinical services senior enlisted advisor Sgt. Maj. Bryan Wright looks on Feb. 19 in the Patriot Auditorium. Miller is moving on to Fort Sam Houston, Texas’s Brooke Army Medical Center to be the sergeant major there and continue his service in military health care leadership. (Photo by Chris Rich, U.S. Army)

Feb. 20, 2025

Hospital senior enlisted advisor moves on to Army medical center

FORT STEWART, Ga. — Winn Army Community Hospital bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Jan E. Miller during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at the Patriot Auditorium on Feb. 19. Miller relinquished his duties, marking the end of a tenure defined by leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to both military and civilian health care initiatives. Miller is moving on to Fort Sam Houston, Texas’s Brooke Army Medical Center to be the sergeant major there and continue his service in military health care leadership.

Photo of main entrance to Evans Army Community Hospital.

Feb. 19, 2025

Evans undergoes Joint Commission survey

FORT CARSON, Colo. — Surveyors from The Joint Commission visited Evans Army Community Hospital, Feb. 4-7, 2025, to evaluate the facility for triennial re-accreditation. The Joint Commission is a global enterprise driver of quality improvement and patient safety in health care. They provide leading practices, unmatched knowledge and expertise, and rigorous standards to help organizations across the continuum of care toward zero harm.

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