The Simulation Center, also called the SIM Center, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, offers state-of-the-art medical training to providers of health care in the Military Health System throughout the National Capital Region.

Sept. 16, 2025

Walter Reed’s Simulation Center Brings Realism to Medical Training

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, BETHESDA, MD — Step inside the Simulation Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and you might think you’ve entered a real operating room. State-of-the-art medical monitors, instruments, and equipment fill the space. The only thing missing is a live patient — though the life-like mannequin lying on the operating table comes close.

TRICARE issued a reminder Sept. 9 that a West Region referral approval waiver deadline is nearing. If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 and need to continue seeing that specialist, you’ll need to get a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1, 2025. Defense Health Agency Photo by Maria C. Yager.

Sept. 16, 2025

TRICARE West Region Referral Approval Waiver deadline nears

FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS — TRICARE Prime beneficiaries on Fort Leavenworth and surrounding communities who used the referral approval waiver between Jan.1 and June 30 and are still receiving specialty care off post using the waiver need a new referral before Oct. 1.

VIPRR

Sept. 16, 2025

Introducing the Defense Health Agency’s New Virtually Integrated Patient Readiness and Remote Program (VIPRR)

Introducing the Defense Health Agency’s New Virtually Integrated Patient Readiness and Remote Program (VIPRR)

Unlock Your Health graphic, DHA logo, elderly woman and medical care worker sit together on a couch

Sept. 16, 2025

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care and Pharmacy Home Delivery

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and drugs—you may need. Your TRICARE plan may cover certain in-home health services and pharmacy home delivery options. This gives you flexibility and convenience in your care.

A SimX virtual reality headset rests on a table during a demonstration at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept. 5, 2025.

Sept. 15, 2025

59th Medical Wing explores new technology with SimX demo

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing hosted a demonstration of SimX’s Virtual Reality Operational Medical Training at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, giving leaders and educators a chance to explore how immersive technology could support medical readiness. The SimX system, known as VALOR (Virtual Advancement of Learning and Operational Readiness), offers a variety of scenarios designed for military medicine. With only a headset and laptop, medics can train individually or in teams in fully immersive environments that simulate battlefield trauma, prolonged casualty care, aeromedical evacuation, chemical or biological incidents, and even K-9 trauma cases.

Rebecca Untalan, left, and Heather Chaparro, patient administration professionals at Branch Health Clinic Makalapa, provide support to incoming patients at the newly-integrated front desk. BHC Makalapa consolidated four previously separate check-in locations: Optometry, PCMH Gold and Red Teams, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, into a single, streamlined operation. The consolidation simplified the arrival process for patients, reallocated staff and enhanced clinical support, resulting in faster check-in times, improved Patient Information Profile verification, and higher patient satisfaction.

Sept. 15, 2025

Branch Health Clinic Makalapa Streamlines Care and Access With Front Desk Integration and PAD Transition

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — In a major step toward improving efficiency and patient satisfaction, Branch Health Clinic Makalapa has successfully launched a new integrated front desk that consolidates four previously separate check-in locations: Optometry, PCMH Gold and Red Teams, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, into a single, streamlined operation. Coinciding with this initiative, the clinic also transitioned all Outpatient Service Section and Specialty Service Clinic functions to the Patient Administration Department, effective Aug. 1.

Flu Vaccine Dates

Sept. 15, 2025

Flu Vaccines Have Arrived at Fort Riley

FORT RILEY, Kansas — Flu season is here, and Irwin Army Community Hospital has received its first shipment of flu vaccine. The Public Health team is finalizing logistics to vaccinate employees who are required to receive the flu shot as a condition of employment, as well as to support Retiree Appreciation Day with high-dose flu vaccines.

Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in mid-September, 2025, after a rigorous onsite review. This prestigious accreditation recognizes the clinic’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality care. "Our staff will continue to maintain the exceptionally high level of patient care and safety we are known for, as we live our mission of “Keeping the Warfighter in the Fight,” said Capt. James J. Driscoll, the facility’s commander.

Sept. 12, 2025

Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point Earns The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval

MCAS Cherry Point — Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point is proud to announce it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval after a rigorous onsite review conducted. This prestigious accreditation recognizes the clinic’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality care.

The Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point Readiness Team ensures the medical readiness of over 1,000 service members assigned to six different units aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The team tracks and coordinates essential medical procedures such as flight physicals for air traffic controllers and pilots, screenings for special duties, courses and reenlistments and evaluations for service members separating from active duty.

Sept. 12, 2025

We Keep the Warfighter in the Fight: Naval Health Clinic Readiness Team

MCAS Cherry Point — A team of three Sailors and a civilian staff member ensure the medical readiness and eligibility of over 1000 service members across six Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point units.

Image of Members of the 15th Medical Group practice the transfer of patients during Exercise Ultimate Caduceus 25 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on July 24, 2025. Ultimate Caduceus is an annual U.S. Transportation Command exercise that tests the Defense Department's ability to coordinate large-scale military patient movement from the Indo-Pacific region to medical facilities within the United States.

Sept. 11, 2025

The 15th Medical Group, USTRANSCOM, and Partners Test Critical Medical Evacuation Capabilities

DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY — The 15th Medical Group supported U.S. Transportation Command's annual Ultimate Caduceus exercise recently, testing the Defense Department's ability to coordinate large-scale military patient movement from the Indo-Pacific region to medical facilities within the United States.

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