April 22, 2026

From Immigrant to Architect of Smiles: The Unconventional Journey of a U.S. Army Dentist

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — Captain Rachel Shi, a U.S. Army dentist originally from Lanzhou, China, took an unconventional path to her career. Arriving in the U.S. just before high school graduation with limited English, she joined the Army as a Water Treatment Specialist — not even knowing soldiers were paid — as a way to find herself before rushing into college. While stationed in Germany, an optometrist mentioned the Health Professions Scholarship Program, planting the idea of a healthcare career. In South Korea, a mentor named SFC Hunter built her confidence through competitions and challenges, while another officer encouraged her not to settle for dental hygiene when she could pursue dentistry itself. She earned her associate degree on active duty, then a biology degree from the University of Washington, and eventually graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. In a full-circle moment, her residency mentor at Fort Jackson turned out to be the same officer who had encouraged her years earlier in Korea. Now preparing for a three-year prosthodontics residency — a specialty she calls “oral architecture” — Captain Shi has become a mentor herself, leading her team with inspirational quotes and a culture of gratitude. Her story centers on a simple but powerful theme: the right words at the right moment can change a life.

April 22, 2026

“AI scribe” technology for medical professionals reduces note-taking, provides more face time with patients at Walter Reed

BETHESDA, Md. — The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is rolling out ambient listening technology across the Military Health System (MHS) to improve patient care. The capability acts as an “AI scribe,” analyzing conversations between patients and providers to automatically generate clinical notes. This allows providers to stay engaged during visits and focus more on the patient.

April 21, 2026

A.T. Augusta Military Medical Center Commemorates Health Information Professionals’ Week April 20-24, 2026: Honoring the Guardians of Patient Data Security and Accessibility

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — This annual celebration, sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), highlights the essential contributions of health information (HI) professionals who ensure the accuracy, security, and accessibility of vital patient data.

April 21, 2026

BAMC volunteers recognized for their contributions

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center held a Volunteer Recognition Ceremony April 17 to honor the individuals

April 21, 2026

BAMC hosts National Disaster Medical System field test

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUTSON, Texas — Brooke Army Medical Center was selected by the Defense Health Agency to host the National Disaster

April 21, 2026

WAMC’S OR Expansion Sharpens the Tip of the Surgical Spear

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES — FORT BRAGG, NC– Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) is set to undergo a transformational upgrade to its surgical capabilities, launching a multi-year project that will equip its team with the next generation of medical technology. The expansion of WAMC, which will solidify its position at the forefront of military medical care and enhance its mission to serve the Fort Bragg community, was officially launched with a wall-breaking ceremony this week.

April 21, 2026

Walter Reed’s pathologists’ assistants: diligently dissecting behind the scenes

BETHESDA, Md. — At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, highly trained doctors, nurses and clinicians provide presidential care for service members and their families. These professionals are often seen as the face of Walter Reed, as they deal directly with the patients. However, behind the scenes are scores of dedicated technicians and experts who labor exhaustively to support the work of the forward-facing hospital units. Among these are the pathologists’ assistants (PAs) who work in Walter Reed’s Pathology Department. While the patients may not know much about them and what they’re doing, they play a critical role in delivering the world-class health care Walter Reed is famous for.

April 21, 2026

NMCCL workflow modernization positively enhances provider/patient encounters

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC — Modernization efforts at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (NMCCL) are improving the workday for providers and enhancing patient interactions. Following the adoption of new administrative documentation workflows, providers are spending an average of 1.2 hours less per day on charting, contributing to a 26% reduction in after-hours work. At the heart of this transformation is ambient listening technology.

April 21, 2026

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune promotes military-civilian research partnerships

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC — Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune’s Annual Research Symposium highlights the importance of military-civilian partnerships in the realms of medical and dental research. The symposium, held on April 16, 2026, is in its 16th year of showcasing academic endeavors of medical and dental personnel, both military and civilian throughout Eastern and Coastal North Carolina.

April 20, 2026

Navy researchers at Wright-Patt seek volunteers for NASA study supporting space exploration and humanity’s return to the Moon

WRIGHT PATTERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. — U.S. Navy researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are looking for volunteers to help support a study directly supporting one of the United States’ biggest space exploration goals: returning American astronauts to the Moon.