decon team gears up with monthly exercise · 4 by elaine sanchez ... bright white lab coat and...

DECON TEAM GEARS UP WITH MONTHLY EXERCISE

SEPTEMBER 2015

BAMC FOCUSSEPTEMBER 2015

COL Evan Renz Commander

CSM Tabitha Gavia Command Sergeant Major

Dewey MitchellChief, Communications

Division

Lori NewmanEditor

BAMC Focus is an authorized publication for members of Brooke Army Medical Center and Southern Regional Medical Command,

published under the authority of AR #360-1. Contents are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Depart-ment of Defense, Department of the Army, or

Brooke Army Medical Center.

BAMC Focus is published monthly by the Communications Division, 3551 Roger Brooke

Drive, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.

Questions, comments or submissions for BAMC Focus should be directed to the editor at 210-916-5166 or by email to

[email protected].

Deadline for submission is six business days before the first of the month. We reserve the right to edit submissions selected for

publication.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ...

Dad’s military legacy lives on in memories

Freeze-dried plasma effort seeks to increase battlefield survival rates

USAISR researchers, clinicians attend combat casualty care symposium

Army Medicine study looks at optimizing combat casualty care

Westover Medical Home staff eager to see more patients

SAMMC to unveil new, improved dining room

Top physicians, nurse leaders carve out time for patient care

Teens volunteer their time, explore future career options

4 Commentary

5 Plasma Force

6 Combat Casualty Care

7 Optimizing Care

12 Westover Open for Business

14 Coming Soon

10 Time in the trenches

16 Exploring Options

See photos from other events happening throughout BAMC

18 Other Happenings

SEPT 2015 3

Evan M. Renz, M.D.Colonel, MCCommanding

BROOKE ARMYMEDICAL CENTER

COMMANDING OFFICER COL Evan M. Renz POC: Ms. Carolyn Putnam (210)916-4100

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR CSM Tabitha A. Gavia POC: SSG Bryan Rowland (210)916-5061

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR ADMINISTRATION COL Mark D. Swofford POC: Ms. Monique Vilay (210)916-5009

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR CLINICAL SERVICES COL Timothy L. Pendergrass POC: Ms. Lola Cole (210)916-0901

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR ACUTE CARE COL Douglas W. Soderdahl POC: Ms. Jennifer Walker (210)916-5590

DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR NURSING COL Richard L. Evans, Jr. POC: Ms. Deborah Rush (210)916-2260

OURCOMMITMENT

Team BAMC,

Labor Day is a day to recognize and honor our Nation’s workforce whose dedication and hard work have made this nation great. It also marks the end of summer and the transition to fall. As we celebrate the last holiday of the summer season, let us remember to make safety a priority at all times. There are many events and activities offered in South Texas and due to our hot tempera-tures, outdoor activities will continue for several months – from beaches and water parks to outdoor sports and barbecues. Whatever you choose to do, I ask that you consider the associated safety risks and take actions to mitigate those risks. Please keep yourself, your family and your friends safe.

I encourage all supervisors to conduct a safety brief with your personnel before the hol-iday weekend. Even though summer is officially ending, this is Texas and it’s hot. In-formation on heat exhaustion prevention should be included in briefings. For assistance and information on various safety topics, contact the BAMC Safety & Fire Prevention Office by calling 916-8511/2001. The Army Safety Center also offers information on various training topics; visit https://safety.army.mil/.

The month of September is also observed as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Always remember the Ask/Care/Escort (ACE) principles when you are con-fronted with a possible suicide situation. For more information, please visit http://www.army.mil/.

CSM Gavia and I are proud to be a part of this outstanding team. Thank you for your continued contributions and dedication. Safe, quality care … It’s in our DNA!

Leaders -- Serving To Heal...Honored To Serve!

EVAN M. RENZ, M.D.Colonel, MCCommanding

SEPT 2015For more information visit us on the web:

www.bamc.amedd.army.milwww.facebook.com/BrookeArmyMedicalCenter

4

By Elaine SanchezBAMC Public Affairs

Just the other day I called my dad to chat. We small talked about the weather, my kids and work before the conversation turned to his upcoming birthday.

I asked him about the year he was born and there was silence.

The man who used to crunch and com-pute lengthy numbers faster than I could enter them in a calculator couldn’t recall his age.

My dad has been battling Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the ner-vous system, for about five years now. It’s stripped him of his ability to drive, ride a bike, and rattle off dates in his beloved mil-itary history. His former rapid-fire speak has ground to nearly a halt and his speed walk replaced with a hesitant shuffle.

About 1 million Americans live with Par-kinson’s disease, according to parkinsonas-sociation.org, along with an estimated 7 to 10 million people worldwide. While med-ications can help with symptoms – such as tremors, slowed movement, rigidity, and impaired balance -- there’s no known cure.

It’s been tough watching my dad’s steady decline. I call each day hoping to hear a sliver of his old brilliant self: a clever joke or a World War II quiz with way too many hints. Whether from the disease or the med-ication, he struggles for thoughts and those moments have grown few and far between.

While I’m grateful for his presence, I really miss my dad.

I’ve always admired my father, a schol-ar and dedicated doctor beloved by his pa-tients. As a child, I’d sit in his waiting room anxious to catch a glimpse of him in his bright white lab coat and his stethoscope slung around his neck, escorting his cancer patients out with quiet words of encourage-ment.

Years later, I swelled with pride when my dad, a prior Vietnam-era Army officer, told me he had decided to join the Air Force Re-serve in his 40s. He’d regale me with stories about his tanker missions overseas as a flight surgeon, and his triumphs and challenges af-ter assuming a command. During my visits to his home at the Jersey shore, we’d walk together on the boardwalk -- my dad always wearing his well-worn military veteran hat – discussing history and science to the ca-dence of waves crashing against the shore.

This disease may be taking his memo-ries, but nothing can dim his legacy. My father taught me to study hard, give my all at work and show kindness to others. He helped hundreds of people with cancer and served his country through two wars and over two decades. He is among the count-less aging veterans of past wars who de-serve our continued gratitude and care.

At work I see veterans dating back to World War II, but rarely stop to talk. It’s far too easy to see illness and age rather than incredible stories of service and sacrifice.

I wish I’d learned more about my father’s past. I may have missed that chance, but can honor his legacy by taking time to talk with the veterans and retirees I pass in the hall each day.

When my dad’s birthday arrives this year, I will gently remind him of his age and express my admiration for the life he’s led. And when he goes to his birthday din-ner in his favorite “Proud to be a veteran” hat, I hope people look beyond his stooped posture and shaking hands to thank him for his service. I know I will do the same for our veterans here.

Dad’s military legacy lives on in memories

Retired Air Force Col. Gerald Friedman (Courtesy Photo)

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people. Most peo-ple’s symptoms take years to develop, and they live for years with the disease.

In short, a person’s brain slowly stops producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. With less and less do-pamine, a person has less and less ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions.

Parkinson’s disease itself is not fatal. However, compli-cations from the disease are serious; the Center for Dis-ease Control rated complications from PD as the 14th top cause of death in the United States.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s. The doc-tor’s goal will be to treat the symptoms to keep their pa-tient’s quality of life as high as possible.

(Source: www.parkinson.org)

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Freeze-dried plasma effort seeks to increase battlefield survival rates

The Army Blood Program, a service component of the tri-service Armed Services Blood Program, is current-ly involved in an initiative to collect licensed fresh plasma from volunteer donors. The donations will be con-verted into freeze-dried plasma, a new product that may significantly increase the survival rates for service members wounded on the battlefield.

“Plasma is often the unsung hero in the blood banking world,” said Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, ASBP director. “It’s an important component that is often over-looked; but in reality, it can play a large role in saving lives of service members worldwide.”

Plasma makes up about 55 percent of a person’s overall blood content and carries the other blood components – red blood cells, while blood cells and platelets – throughout the body. It also contains clot-ting factors that help stop bleeding, making it an important blood product to have on the battlefield.

According to Army Lt. Col. Audra Tay-lor, director of the Army Blood Program, studies show that giving plasma before a wounded patient reaches a hospital signifi-cantly improves the possibility of survival.

“Freeze-dried plasma is an ideal treat-ment for the battlefield because of its packaging,” Taylor said. “The plasma can be easily reconstituted to its original form when mixed with water and administered in less than six minutes. This is a big ad-vantage for our service members who are injured on the battlefield.”

Unlike fresh frozen plasma which is re-quired to be stored at negative 18 degrees Celsius, freeze-dried plasma does not re-quire refrigeration or dry ice, making it easier to transport in theater.

“Because there is no refrigeration re-quirement, switching to freeze-dried plasma will reduce the battlefield power

requirement,” Fahie said. “Reducing the battlefield power requirement means the freeze-dried product can be deployed fur-ther forward than fresh frozen plasma.”

Taylor also said that the shelf life for freeze-dried plasma is notably longer than that of fresh frozen plasma.

“Freeze-dried plasma has a shelf life of two years, whereas fresh frozen plasma only lasts one year when frozen,” Taylor said. “The longer shelf life also helps en-sure that we continually have quality blood products on hand – another considerable advantage for our troops.”

In order to donate plasma for the freeze-dried program, a donor must be male with type A, B or AB blood, weigh at least 175 pounds, and meet the general requirements for donating whole blood.

The procedure, known as apheresis, is similar to a normal plasma donation. Blood is drawn from a donor’s arm into a sterile self-contained system that separates the plasma from the other blood components. The plasma is collected and the remaining components – red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets – are then returned to the donor through the same arm.

“At no time is your blood exposed to open air,” Taylor said. “Nor does it leave the sterile, enclosed environment of the plasma apheresis system. The procedure is very safe for donors and ensures a safe, quality and potent donation for recipients.”

Taylor said there are two differenc-es between a regular plasma donation and one for the freeze-dried program: how much plasma is collected and the need for the donor to return after the first donation.

For a single unit, Taylor said a total of 250 milliliters are drawn from a do-nor. For a freeze-dried donation, a to-tal of 750 milliliters are drawn and the donor receives a saline replacement during the donation. Additionally, a

donor must be able to return 60 days after the initial donation in order to participate in the program.

“Since the freeze-dried plasma initiative is using donor retested plasma, the donor must be retested for all disease markers within 60 days of the first donation,” Taylor said. “Ideally, the blood donor center will accomplish this by having the donor com-plete a second donation. This not only com-pletes the testing requirement, but it also produces more products for the program.”

Today, six of the ASBP’s donor centers — located at Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Gor-don, Ga.; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Joint Base Lewis-Chord, Wash.; Landstuhl, Germany; and the Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii — are participating in the freeze-dried program. If you would like to donate, contact the local blood donor recruiter at those locations for more infor-mation.

“For many of our wounded service mem-bers, having quality blood products avail-able that can be administered quickly is the difference between life and death,” Fahie said. “This is an important program that will go a long way towards saving lives. We encourage you to join this elite group of donors who will help shape the future of the Armed Services Blood Program.”

(Source: Armed Services Blood Program)

SEPT 2015 5



6

By Steven Galvan USAISR Public Affairs

Researchers and clinicians from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research were among the 2,005 attendees at the 2015 Military Health System Re-search Symposium in Fort Lau-derdale, Fla. Aug. 17-20.

The four-day conference was designed for communi-cating and disseminating new scientific knowledge resulting from military-specific research and development specifically for the medical needs of the Warfighter. MHSRS is the De-partment of Defense’s premier scientific meeting sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs that brings together military, aca-demia and industry leaders and researchers to share and dis-cuss research topics related to healthcare initiatives under the topics of combat casualty care, military operational medicine, clinical and rehabilitative med-icine and military infectious diseases to maximize research synergy for the DOD.

USAISR staff members pre-sented 73 posters, 28 oral pre-sentations and were moderators and co-moderators of 11 ses-sions during the conference.

“This is an important con-ference for our staff to attend,” said USAISR Commander

Army Col. (Dr.) Michael Wirt. “It’s an opportunity for us to highlight the work that is done every day at the Institute to op-timize combat casualty care. It is also an opportunity see what other combat casualty care re-searchers are doing and estab-lish and maintain enduring re-lationships for possible future collaborations.”

During the conference, Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Andrew Cap, chief of the Coagulation and Blood Research Program, was awarded the Individual Military Outstanding Research Accom-plishment Award for research on cold-stored platelets.

In the poster competition US-AISR staff received first place and an honorable mention. The poster awarded first place was titled: “Burn Scars Modu-lation Through Laser Deliver of Stem Cells” and included Robert Christy, Ph.D., Sandra Becerra, and Shanmugasun-daram Natesan, Ph.D. on the research team. The poster that received an honorable mention was titled: “Antibiotic-Loaded Keratin Hydrogels as a First-Line Therapy for Battlefield Burns” and included Daniel Roy, Ph.D., Christine Kowal-czewski, Ph.D., Robert Christy, Ph.D., and Kameel Isaac on the research team.

“This was one of the most productive MHSRS confer-

ences in recent memory,” said USAISR Director of Research Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kevin Chung. “Overall, there was a high palpable level of enthusi-asm for and dedication to serv-ing wounded Service Members through innovative research. ISR maintained an elite pres-ence throughout the confer-ence.”

“I am very proud of every-one’s work before and during the conference,” said Wirt. “We are the Army’s premiere com-bat casualty care research lab-oratory, and we prove it every day.”

MHSRS combined three pre-vious conferences, including the former Advanced Technol-ogy Applications for Combat Casualty Care Conference; the Air Force Medical Service Medical Research Symposium; and the Navy Medicine Re-search Conference. By com-bining these conferences into one event, the meeting serves as a critical strategy session for leaders to set future milestones for the DOD’s deployment-re-lated medical research pro-grams, centered on the needs of the Warfighter.

Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Andrew Cap, left, chief of Coagulation and Blood Re-search at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, earned the Individ-ual Military Outstanding Research Accomplishment Award at the Military Health System Research Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aug. 17-20. (Photo by Melissa Myers)

USAISR researchers, clinicians attend combat casualty care symposium

SEPT 2015 7

Army Lt. Col. Elizabeth Mann-Salinas, a nurse scientist at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research presents data at the Military Health System Research Symposium Aug. 19 to intro-duce a five-year study evaluating utilization of Role 2 forward surgical capabilities, trauma care on the battlefield and highlighting possible ways to optimize care for wounded warriors. (Photo by Steven Galvan)

Army Medicine study Looks at optimizing combat casualty care

By Steven GalvanUSAISR Public Affairs

Experts from the U.S. Army Institute of Research presented data at the Military Health System Research Symposium Aug. 19 to introduce a five-year study evaluating utilization of Role 2 forward surgical capa-bilities, trauma care on the battlefield and highlighting possible ways to optimize care for wounded warriors.

“The study that we are working on is to learn from our current and our past to plan for our future,” said Army Lt. Col. Eliza-

beth Mann-Salinas, a nurse scientist at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research who presented the project funded by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materi-el Command’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

To provide the best care of wounded warriors, the Army leverages five echelons of care, including: Role 1 – care provided at the point of injuryRole 2 – life-saving interventions provid-ed by a medical staff at a Forward Surgical TeamRole 3 – care at a Combat Support HospitalRole 4 – care provided at hospitals, such as Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in GermanyRole 5 – definitive care at a Military Treat-ment Center state-side, such as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

“From our estimation, we have woeful-ly overlooked the importance of evaluating how we are using the Forward Surgical Team [Role 2] capacity to inform how we are going to move forward to train for fu-ture contingencies,” said Mann-Salinas. “This is particularly relevant given the em-phasis on the expectation of the ‘prolonged field care’ in other military theaters of op-eration.”

Mann-Salinas explained the study is to evaluate the historical utilization of Role 2 assets in recent conflicts to optimize pre-deployment readiness of combat casu-alty care providers.

“We want to look at how we’ve done it in the past. We want to do some sophis-ticated modeling predictive features to try to come up with better point of injury care. But my real passion is getting the person who is going to be delivering that care up to that standard of everybody else on

their team and it doesn’t matter what uni-form – active or reserve status – that you come from. We all must be prepared to do the same job and deliver the best possible care to our wounded warriors on the battle-field,” Mann-Salinas said.

The need for evaluating battlefield com-bat casualty care is recognized internation-ally, and as a result, the Role 2 project is a component of the formal US-UK partner-ship. In 2011, President Barak Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron created the “US-UK Service Personnel, Families, and Veterans Task Force,” comprised of five working groups covering issues from transition to civilian life, mental health, rehabilitation, family support, and medi-cal interoperability. Additionally a formal Cooperative Research Agreement was es-tablished with the Israeli Defense Force to compare our experiences in modern com-bat casualty care. The preliminary results of this comparison were presented at this year’s conference.

“I believe that if we understand how we’ve used Role 2 in the past that it will help us in be better trained in the future for providing combat casualty care,” added Mann-Salinas.

MHSRS combined three previous con-ferences, including the former Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Ca-sualty Care Conference; the Air Force Medical Service Medical Research Sym-posium; and the Navy Medicine Research Conference. By combining these confer-ences into one event, the meeting serves as a critical strategy session for leaders to set future milestones for the Department of Defense’s deployment-related medical re-search programs, centered on the needs of the Warfighter.



8

Communication tool valuable to staff, family membersBy Steven GalvanUSAISR Public Affairs

Communication among staff members in a complex and challenging environment like a burn intensive care unit is critical to providing optimal medical care.

With that in mind, a communication tool was designed by staff members to improve communication between all healthcare team members at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center Intensive Care Unit.

The communication tool is called “Team View” and is located outside of the pa-tient’s room. This dry erase board is de-tailed with important information about a patient’s condition and activities important to the team.

The tool is updated throughout the day and used during rounds for the staff to com-municate and stay aligned with patient’s treatments, medications, rehabilitation, etc. While designed as a communication tool for the BICU staff, patient’s family mem-bers have also found the Team View to be helpful.

“It’s an awesome tool,” said Kimla Holk, the mother of a BICU patient. “It allows us to see how he is doing and to keep informed of his condition. It also prompts us to ask questions when the board changes.”

Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jeremy Pamplin, BICU medical director and interim task area manager for Clinical Trials in Burns and Trauma helped create the Team View poster with input from the BICU staff for as part of a research project.

The poster is part of a “Phases of Illness Paradigm” study that is designed to create valid checklists to support clinical deci-sion making and improve communication among the multidisciplinary staff.

“We can stay in constant communication by writing notes that everyone can see,” he said. “For family members, they are able to visually see the condition of their loved

one and to be better informed which can prompt them to ask questions.”

“It keeps us from harassing the staff, and what I mean by that is asking too many questions,” said Holk. “It’s brilliant and hard to believe that something this simple is so informative and useful.”

Research nurse and task area research coordinator for the Systems of Care for Complex Patients task area, Sarah Murray is working with Pamplin on this research project and said that an area on Team View that family members look at every day is at the top of the poster colored red, yellow and green. During rounds the staff determines the condition of the patient by placing a dot within the colors—a dot in the red indicates the patient is not doing very well and in the green, the patient is doing really well.

“It allows family members to see right away how sick their loved one is,” said Murray. “Nurses have told me that the family always asks them what made the

dot change. I’m not sure if they would be prompted to ask those questions of the nurse without this tool.”

Murray added that this is the first real feedback that she has received from a fam-ily since starting the research project in October 2014, possibly due to changes in how the healthcare team updates the tool that now keep the tool consistently more complete.

“Overall they love the tool and are very impressed that we would spend time work-ing on improving our communication,” she said. “They perceive the tool as a way the team is communicating to them. Even though they get anxious when the patient is getting sicker, they still appreciate the tool.”

“We need communication at all levels,” said Holk. “This type of communication is proof that we are getting the ultimate care from a staff that is courteous, compassion-ate and caring.”

Keith Thompson, a critical care nurse at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas writes a note on the Team View poster used as a communication tool at the Burn Intensive Care Unit. (Photo by Steven Galvan)

SEPT 2015 9

College interns complete summer internship at USAISR

By Steven GalvanUSAISR Public Affairs

After a 10-week summer internship at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Re-search a group of undergraduate college students wrapped up their research with a poster presentation for the USAISR staff to highlight their work.

At the beginning of summer, the 11 in-terns, which were sponsored by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, were paired with USAISR researchers who served as mentors who oversaw their work on combat casualty care research projects.

“Overall, the poster session was a tre-mendous success,” said USAISR Director of Research Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kevin Chung. “It gave the students an opportu-nity to put what they learned this summer on full display. I was very impressed with what they were able to accomplish during their short time with us. Many of their proj-ects will have an immediate and relevant impact in helping shape combat casualty care.”

David M. Burmeister, Ph.D., USAISR combat casualty care research scientist and lead intern mentor, said that the ORISE program exposes students to a laboratory environment and provides them with in-valuable research experience.

“This program also helps students to clarify their educational goals and enables them to reach those goals,” added Burmeis-ter.

The interns’ time at the USAISR was more than learning about and conducting research. The interns attended weekly sem-inars, led journal club sessions, and attend-ed Burn Center Intensive Care Unit rounds with the unit staff.

University of California, Los Angeles,

student Betty Nguyen was one of the in-terns assigned to work with research physi-ologists Carmen Hinojosa-Laborde, Ph.D., Vic Convertino, Ph.D., USAISR senior scientist, and Lt. Col. Robert Carter at the Tactical Combat Casualty Care task area.

Nguyen performed data analysis from data gathered using the Compensatory Re-serve Index. The CRI uses an algorithm de-signed to take information from a patient’s finger pulse oximeter and gauge whether immediate medical attention is needed – even if the patient seems alert and respon-sive. It is the first device of its kind that can truly detect when a patient seems stable but is actually getting dangerously worse, known as “crashing.”

“It was a great experience, and I learned a lot of relevant knowledge that will help

me with my college studies,” Nguyen said. “I learned the most from shadowing and watching some influential clinicians and researchers in their work environment.”

Nguyen learned about the internship program during a presentation provided by Carter at UCLA. Carter and Nguyen are both Gates Millennium Scholars, a scholar-ship funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“This summer experience has made me more confident about my abilities and has strengthened my interest in pursuing a medical and public health dual degree,” said Nguyen. “I’ll always remember the friendships made here as well as the many Texas adventures I had as I return to Cal-ifornia with a newfound love for country music and Texas barbecue.”

University of California, Los Angeles, student Betty Nguyen presents her poster for staff at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Aug. 12. (Photo by Steven Galvan)

SEPT 2015 SEPT 2015For more information visit us on the web:


10 11

By Elaine SanchezBAMC Public Affairs

Electrician Indalecio Morales was in a “bucket” working on power lines when 14,000 volts of electricity shot into his chest, knocking him unconscious. He doesn’t recall much about the accident, but vividly recalls his flight here and the “angel” doctor who never left his side.

Morales later learned that his doctor not only is considered one of the best burn sur-geons in Texas, but is the commander of the busiest hospital in the Department of Defense.

“I had the main guy for my doctor and the main guy for the hospital,” said Morales, now an outpatient at the U.S Army Institute of Sur-gical Research Burn Center here. “What more could I ask for?”

Army Col. Evan Renz, commander of Brooke Army Medical Center and a trauma surgeon, is among the top hospital leaders who carve out time each week to engage in patient care. BAMC encompasses San An-tonio Military Medical Center -- the largest U.S. military hospital and only Level 1 Trau-

ma Center in the DoD -- six outpa-

tient clinics across the region, and the Center for the Intrepid, an extremity injury rehabili-tation center.

While his schedule is packed with meet-ings, briefings and visits with staff across the facilities he oversees, Renz has made it a pri-ority to serve on call as an attending surgeon at least one day a week since he took com-mand.

“I feel a deep sense of responsibility for knowing how medicine is practiced within our walls, for knowing if and how we are meeting the needs of our patients,” he said. “The single best way for me as a physician leader to do that is to remain clinically active and see patients each week.”

Active, engaged leadership at all levels is vital to continued success for BAMC, the col-onel noted.

“Our delivery of safe, quality care is greatly enhanced when leaders responsible for it re-main intimately knowledgeable of the practic-es and processes used each and every day with-in our system of health,” the commander said.

Time in the ‘trenches’Army Col. Douglas Soderdahl, deputy

commander for acute care and a urologist, devotes one day a week to patient engagement. Time in the “trenches” has multiple benefits, he said. He’s able to maintain conti-nuity of care for his patients, better understand staff challenges and fast-track needed improvements for both patients and staff.

As an added bonus, Soderdahl is able to continue mentoring and train-ing urology residents. “Teaching is a passion of mine,” he said. “I hope the next generation of urologists can benefit from my experience.”

Air Force Col. Kimberly Pietszak, interim chief, Department of Quality Services, and assistant chief, Depart-ment of Medicine, works clinical care into her daily schedule. Like Soderdahl, she appreciates the opportunity to mentor ju-nior providers, particularly when it comes to her areas of expertise: quality and safety.

“I believe it is of the utmost importance to remain clinically active,” said Pietszak, an internal medicine physician. “In my admin-istrative job I make decisions which impact clinical care, and my clinical responsibilities give me perspective on how those decisions will affect our clinical staff.”

‘Suits to Scrubs’To encourage leader-patient engagement

even further, Army Col. Richard Evans, dep-uty commander for nursing, implemented the “Suits to Scrubs” program in March. One day a month, senior nurse leaders step away from

their desks and work a shift in an inpatient ward to get a “pulse check in the organiza-tion” and experience day-to-day operations firsthand.

“It’s an opportunity for leaders to role mod-el effective patient communication,” he said. “We encourage staff to establish a personal connection with patients; see them as more than just a room number or a diagnosis, but as incredible generations of service and family members.”

This communication can lead to improve-ments for both patients and staff, noted Maj. Gen. Jimmie O. Keenan, Army Medical Com-mand’s deputy commanding general (opera-tions).

Keenan described a recent “Suits to Scrubs” shift at SAMMC in which she assisted a pa-

tient with a walk through the ward, asking about her care along the way. Her patient pointed out the heavy weight of the telemetry monitor, a portable box that monitors heart rate and rhythm, the general recalled, while also noting marked improvements in bedside manner.

“Leaders can benefit greatly from talking with patients and staff and learning their challenges,” said Keenan, who also serves as chief of the Army Nurse Corps. “We can use this feedback to make changes not only at BAMC, but across Army Medicine.”

Engaged leadership and robust process im-

provement are vital in the journey to become a High Reliability Organization, which is an ongoing commitment to provide the safest, highest quality care possible to patients, the general said.

“At the end of the day, our patients are at the center of everything we do,” she said.

Army Col. Pedro Lucero, the new assistant deputy commander for clinical services and former chief of the Pulmonary Disease Ser-vice, said he’s been able to strike a positive balance between his leadership role and pa-tient care. He noted his gratitude for the “100 percent” command support of his clinical time.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of this out-standing leadership team and still continue to make a difference for our patients,” he said.

Top physician, nurse leaders carve out time for patient care

Army Col. Evan Renz, Brooke Army Medical Center commander, explains the function of a vacuum-assisted closure device to Indalecio Morales and Morales’ wife in the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug. 11. (Photo by Lori Newman)

Army Col. Pedro Lucero, assistant deputy command-er for clinical services and former chief of the Pulmo-nary Disease Service, examines Jeannette Haygood, his patient since 2002, at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug. 19. “He left for another assignment sev-eral years ago and when he came back, I was there on his doorstep,” Haygood recalled. “I truly believe if it wasn’t for Dr. Lucero … I wouldn’t be here right now.” (Photo by Corey Toye)

Army Col. Douglas So-derdahl, BAMC’s deputy commander for acute care, checks in with his longtime patient, Frank Samas, while Janet Schadee, urology and oncology clinical nurse, looks on in the Urology Department at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug. 11, 2015. Samas has rave reviews for his doctor. “He’s the best doctor here,” he said, “and that’s no lie.” (Photo by Lori Newman)

Army Col. Richard Evans, deputy commander for nursing, checks on retired Col. Randy Maschek as Pvt. Karinna Ortiz, a prac-tical nurse course student, looks on in 2 West inpa-tient ward at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug. 20. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Air Force Col. Kimberly Pietszak, interim chief, Department of Quality Services, and assistant chief, Department of Medicine, examines Air Force Col. Patrick McCain in Internal Medicine at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug. 26. (Photo by Corey Toye)



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Westover Medical Home staff eager to see more patientsBy Lori NewmanBAMC Public Affairs

The new Westover Medical Home lo-cated off Highway 151 and Westover Hills Boulevard opened Aug. 10 and the staff is ready and eager to see more eligible TRI-CARE beneficiaries.

Community-based medical homes uti-lize a team approach to health care with licensed vocational nurses, registered nurs-es, family nurse practitioners, physician as-sistants and physicians working together to take care of patients.

“Customer service is our number one priority here and the staff was hand selected with that in mind. They really are the best of the best,” said Dr. Darii A. Lane, chief of the Westover Medical Home. “They are enthusiastic and motivated and bring a vast diversity of medical and life experiences. I feel honored to work with this team.”

The medical home model facilitates a successful “system for health” partnership between patients and their dedicated med-ical team, led by their primary care man-ager to meet preventive, routine and urgent medical needs.

“We want to create a family atmosphere

in the clinic. Our goal is to make all of our patients feel at home. We treat them as friends and as family, not just a number,” Lane said.

“The location and the services that we offer here are very comprehensive. We

have a nice mix of provid-ers and nursing staff who have varied experience,” said Kathryn Joyce, a nurse practitioner for more than 15 years, who has worked in both a civilian and military medical envi-ronment.

Irene Fuentez said she was very excited when she found out about the new clinic opening because it’s less than a mile from her home.

“As soon as I heard that Westover was opening I called in and transferred my whole family over here,” Fuentez said. “My

husband just recently retired [after 30 years in the military] and this is very convenient to where we live. The clinic is beautiful and people are friendly.”

Fuentez said she has always been very happy with the care she has received from the military healthcare system.

Westover is located on the Northwest side of San Antonio, a side of town that has been experiencing a steady increase in pop-ulation over the past several years.

“Our intent is always to provide the best access to military medicine for our benefi-ciaries,” said Anthony O’Bryant, clinic ad-ministrator. “We want to bring the military medical experience closer to their home.”

Sally and Kirt Ricks also visited the new medical home for the first time.

“This is our first visit today and we are really glad to be back in the military fam-ily,” Sally Ricks said. “Dr. [Philippa] Au-gustin listened, explained things and took her time. I’m very satisfied with the care I received today.”

Kirt Ricks agreed, “[Dr. Augustin] spent more time with me to explain what was

Dr. Kathryn Joyce, nurse practitioner, examines Irene Fuentez Aug. 18 at the new Westover Medical Home. (Photo by Robert Shields)

SEPT 2015 13

Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Evy Lacy, who currently serves as the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program manager at Southern Regional Medical Command speaks Aug. 26 at the Women’s Equality Day event. (Photo by Robert Shields)

going on with my [health] than I have ever had any doctor do. I’m much more informed about my [health] after one visit here than I have been with several other doc-tors,” he said.

Augustin has spent the major-ity of her career working within the military healthcare system.

“I enjoy working in the mili-tary system because it’s the most comprehensive medical coverage anyone can have. Because it’s all on the same electronic medical record it’s easy for people to get good continuity of care,” Augus-tin said.

Westover Medical Home also offers Behavioral Health services, on-site laboratory capabilities and a pharmacy. The clinic will also offer a drive-thru pharmacy win-dow and extended evening hours.

“Having behavioral health at this clinic allows easier access to care for our patients; it also allows us to take a more preven-tative role for our patients’ men-tal health care,” said Dr. Vicky Hsiao, clinical psychologist.

“I know all of us are excited to enroll as many patients with as many backgrounds as we can,” Augustin said. “All of us here are family medicine providers which means we take care of anyone from infancy to the geriatric pop-ulation.”

TRICARE beneficiaries who would like to enroll or move to the new Westover location can visit https://www.humanamili-tary.com/ or call 1-800-444-5445. For beneficiaries age 65 or older, call 210-808-2721 for more infor-mation.

BAMC hosts post-wide celebration for Women’s Equality DayBy Lori NewmanBAMC Public Affairs

Brooke Army Medical Center hosted a post-wide event at the Fort Sam Houston Theater Aug. 26 to commemorate Women’s Equality Day.

Women’s Equality Day celebrates the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution which was certified as law Aug. 26, 1920 grant-ing women the right to vote.

Acting BAMC Commander Army Col. Rich-ard Evans, deputy commander for nursing, opened the event saying, “On Women’s Equal-ity Day we commemorate and pay a debt of gratitude to the trailblazers who fought for our suffrage and made a more just and prosperous future for all of us,” he said.

“Today, we honor these courageous heroes. We celebrate how far we have come in the de-cades since and acknowledge that there is still work to be done,” Evans said.

“In the 95 years since the 19th amendment was certified women have made strides in every facet of American life and we have learned that our country succeeds when women succeed.”

Evans listed many of the positive impacts women have made throughout U.S. history.

“We can only chart the way ahead with es-teemed women leaders like our guest today,” Evans said introducing guest speaker retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Evy Lacy, who cur-rently serves as the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program manager at Southern Regional Medical Command.

Lacy spoke about the women in history who played a part in the suffrage movement and the challenges our past generations have faced.

“Thanks to the strong voices of the past … we can now say that all citizens are created equal under the law. We can recognize and cele-brate women in all walks of life,” she said.

Lacy listed several female military leaders who are present day role models such as Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, the Army Surgeon General and commanding general of U.S. Army Medical Command, and retired Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody who was the first woman four-star

general officer. “I believe it is my responsibility and yours

to value, to encourage, and prepare all young women and men for the challenges ahead so that they are ready to be successful contributors to the global society of the future,” Lacy told the audience.

She encouraged everyone not to forget the past and to celebrate the progress we have made.

“Let’s renew our hope and commitment as [U.S] citizens that others around the world will someday enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we enjoy,” Lacy said.

“As part of the strongest and most progres-sive country in the world let’s do our part to ensure everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, dis-ability or age can realize their dream; the dream that all things are possible for all people.”

SAMMC to unveil new, improved dining roomBy Lori NewmanBAMC Public Affairs

Brooke Army Medical Center staff, pa-tients and visitors will soon have another option to get healthy, quality food at rea-sonable prices.

The Culinary and Hospitality Branch of the Department of Nutritional Medicine will open the newly renovated, state-of-the-art dining facility, named The Dining Room, at San Antonio Military Medical Center this fall.

The renovation adds 4,000 square feet to the dining room located on the lower level of the hospital with a seating capacity of 350 indoors and 100 outdoors.

“The new, expanded dining room is de-signed with an open concept to provide a peaceful and relaxing dining environ-ment,” said Col. Sara Spielmann, chief of the Department of Nutritional Medicine. “The guiding principal of the design was to create a healing oasis, promoting the highest quality of healthy meal choices in a natural, relaxing environment.”

The seating area is partially covered with glass, so even if there is inclement weath-er people can still feel like they are sitting outside.

Customers will be welcomed by a digi-tal greeter board and a wider entrance and pathways, and their exit will be speeded by a bank of cashiers.

“A new menu has been developed by registered dietitians using Defense Depart-ment menu standards and Go For Green Program criteria as guides,” Spielmann said.

The Go For Green program assists pa-trons with food choices by rating each food product, enabling them to make better choices while going through the food lines.

“BAMC’s Department of Nutritional Medicine wants to help patrons make in-formed meal choices by providing them with simple tools to do so,” the Colonel said.

Special symbols were developed to assist patrons in making dietary choices based on their needs or preferences. “Vegetarian,” “Heart Healthy,” and “Soldier Stamped” menu items are identified with a leaf, heart, and boot stamp, respectively.

Vegetarian items are meatless, but may contain milk, eggs, or cheese. Heart Healthy items contain less than 10 per-cent of total calories from saturated fat and less than 100 milligrams of cholesterol per serving, and Soldier Stamped items indi-cate high performance foods that are heart healthy, minimally processed and contain at least 2.5 grams of fiber per serving.

The Dining Room will have eight con-cept stations each featuring its own special-ty items; digital menu boards; and displays with nutrition information to help people make healthy choices and advertise new menu items.

The Garden will have a yogurt and fruit bar as well as oatmeal and grits in the morn-ing and a “performance” salad bar will fea-ture several lettuce blends with multiple fresh topping options to include fruits, veg-etables, and proteins for lunch and dinner. Four specialty salads will be featured daily.

“The expansive salad bar is the first concept station people encounter,” Spiel-mann said. “We want to encourage patrons to increase their intake of vegetables and fruits. The salad bar is structured for quick restocking to ensure all products are conve-nient and available.”

“All the other concept stations will offer convenient and delicious options to help patrons follow a healthy diet as well,” she said.

Comfort Classics will be open for break-fast, lunch and dinner, and feature tradi-tional breakfast favorites such as biscuits and gravy, scrambled and boiled eggs and potatoes. The lunch and dinner menu will also feature traditional comfort foods like oven fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, casseroles, pot roast, pork chops, mashed potatoes, and various vegetables. Vegetar-ian items will be offered as well for dinner.

The Flame station will have made-to-or-der eggs for breakfast, and traditional grill favorites as well as new sizzling surprises for lunch and dinner. State of the art equip-ment has been chosen to help maintain the flavor of foods without the addition of un-

Coming soon!



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necessary fat. Options will include custom-ary grill items and healthy choices such as veggie burger, chargrilled chicken breast, chargrilled salmon fillet, and fish burgers.

World Flavors will feature made-to-order waffles and pancakes with option-al fruit toppings for breakfast. A tortilla press will enable production of fresh flour and corn tortillas for various menu items. Menu items will include BAMC favorites such as the Texas burger and fish tacos, as well as new additions such as spring rolls, chicken satay and stir fry.

“The goal of the World Flavors concept station is to provide customers with inter-national and exotic menu items,” said 1st Lt. Brittney Piche, Assistant Chief of the Culinary and Hospitality Branch of the Department of Nutrition. “Different items will be offered daily and can be quickly changed to meet customer requests and stay current with food trends.”

The exciting new concept station Noo-dles will allow patrons to build their cus-tom pasta bowl by choosing a combination of fresh vegetables, proteins, sauce, and noodles. The customers will be able to in-teract directly with the cook as they mix and prepare the pasta bowls to order.

The Deli-icious station will be available for lunch and dinner. Patrons will be able to watch as their sandwich is custom-made with freshest ingredients of their choosing and topped with a crisp dill pickle to-go. A wide variety of breads, meats, cheeses, vegetable toppings, and dressings will be available. Their sandwich can be toasted in a turbo chef oven or pressed as a pani-ni. Daily specialty sandwiches will be fea-tured, such as Buffalo Chicken and Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki, as well as a daily specialty panini.

There will be a new Vegetarian con-

cept station open during lunch. This station will offer meatless options to vegetarian customers. A daily entrée, side dishes of starches and vegetables will enable customers to get a complete meal at one station if they choose.

“We have received a lot of requests to have more vegetarian foods,” Piche said. “Now there will be station to meet those needs. This new concept station takes healthy eat-ing to the next level, al-lowing both vegetarians and carnivores the chance to enjoy tasty meatless options.”

If people are craving pizza they can visit Piz-zazz for lunch or dinner. This concept station fea-tures a stone hearth oven which will be used to cook homemade pizzas and calzones. Traditional favorites will be featured as well as seasonal variet-ies.

“No one will be happier about the open-ing of the dining room than our own staff,” Piche said.

Currently more than 200 employees are working around the clock in a temporary trailer outside the hospital to prepare meals for the five dining locations across campus.

“We serve over 5,000 meals each day and we expect to reach 10,000 transactions per day upon the completion of the renova-tion,” said Army Lt. Col. Sarah Flash, chief

of the Culinary and Hospitality Branch of the Department of Nutrition. “This expect-ed increase can be credited to the equip-ment improvements, kitchen expansion, increase in seating capacity and elaborated menu options.”

With the opening of the new dining fa-cility, the temporary tent, Market on the Green, will be closed. The other four din-ing locations will remain, including the new Grab and Go located outside of The Dining Room.

Professional Chief Matthew Eisenhour trains Brooke Army Medical Center Dining Facility staff in the art of making pizza in the new pizza oven. (Photo by Robert Shields)

SEPT 2015 15



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Teens volunteer their time, explore future career optionsBy Lori NewmanBAMC Public Affairs

A group of 73 enthusiastic teens between 14-17 years old sacrificed part of their sum-mer vacation to participate in Brooke Army Medical Center’s Summer Youth Program from June 22 to July 31.

This program which has grown in popu-larity throughout the years is a partnership between BAMC and the American Red Cross.

The teens volunteered their time to work in a variety of areas throughout San An-tonio Military Medical Center including Behavioral Health, Research, Pathology, Surgery, Facilities Management, Hospital Education, Optometry, Patient Administra-tion, Provost Marshall Office and Supply Management.

“They worked in just about every depart-ment that we have here and that’s over 100 different departments and sections,” said Army Col. Richard Evans, deputy com-mander for nursing.

Evans addressed the teen volunteers during an awards ceremony Aug. 4. “I will tell you that what you did by infusing the hallways with your youth, vigor and the exploratory way in which you approached this opportunity stimulated our staff to be more engaged with what we do each and every day,” the deputy commander said.

“By instilling that enthusiasm you actu-

ally made a difference to the patients who walked through those hallways. I can’t thank you enough because the number one reason we are here is to serve the patients and their families … that is an honorable and noble thing.”

Seventeen-year-old Nikhil Ananth looked at the experience as an opportunity to explore his future career options.

Ananth volunteered three days a week in the Clinical Research Center helping to do literature searches and learning about how research is conducted. He said he was particularly interested in the gait analysis research being done at the Center for the Intrepid.

“My dream career is to be an orthope-dic surgeon,” he said. “The thing about or-thopedics is that it’s applicable anywhere. Since the skeletal system is the structure of the entire body you can apply the practice and you can help anyone.”

Pamela Jahelka, a research physical ther-apist assistant in the Military Performance Lab at the Center for the Intrepid, praised Ananth and Jack Winter who both volun-teered in clinical research.

“These students not only contributed to the ongoing research, they learned valuable skills that will assist them with their future educational pursuits. Additionally, both students were able to shadow and question members of the professions they currently would like to enter: prosthetics and ortho-

pedic surgery,” Jahelka said.“This opportunity fueled their excite-

ment of their potential careers. At the con-clusion of their volunteer time this summer, Nikhil and Jack summarized their findings in the literature with a power point presen-tation to members of the Military Perfor-mance Lab of the Center for the Intrepid,” Jahelka said.

Like Ananth, Jose Pague also volun-teered because he is undecided about his career choice.

“I’m hoping to become a gastroenter-ologist, neurosurgeon or oncologist, so this seemed like an interesting experience learning what I truly want to become when I’m older,” Pague said.

Even though the teens were not paid for the time they spent volunteering, the hope is that working with the staff and patients here was a learning experience that was both personally and professionally reward-ing for them.

“These outstanding individuals took it upon themselves to spend their summer with us when they could have been sleep-ing late, chilling with their friends, or what-ever else teenagers do. Instead they chose to spend their summer here learning and helping others,” said Michael Dulevitz, chief of BAMC Volunteer Services.

Statistics show adults who were given volunteer opportunity as teens are twice as likely to volunteer as adults.

Teens who participated in the Brooke Army Medical Center Summer Youth Program pose for a photo Aug. 4 after an awards ceremony in the San Anto-nio Military Medical Center fourth floor auditorium. (Photo by James Camillocci)

Jewish high holy daysSept. 13 Rosh Hashanah

Sept. 22 Yom Kippur

SEPT 2015 17

Kids in the KitchenBy Army 1st Lt. Sarah WaxBAMC Dietetic Intern

September is National Child-hood Obesity Awareness Month, and as children are heading back to school, it is a perfect time of year to think about kids learning and having fun in the kitchen.

Remember the first time you baked something with a little help from your mom? It proba-bly wasn’t perfect, but you were proud you could create something delicious that made other people happy.

Teaching children basic kitch-en skills can help them develop life-long healthy eating habits. Research suggests an association between poor diet quality and a lack of cooking abilities may lead to weight gain.

Working with recipes can teach children math, reading and sci-ence skills. Kids may even be more likely to try new food if they helped prepare it and getting ev-eryone involved in the kitchen is a great way to spend time as a family.

Children at every age can help in the kitchen and as they get older, they can even tackle more chal-lenging tasks, like helping to make dinner.

Children ages 3 to 5 years old can cut out shapes for cookies or use a biscuit cutter. They can rinse produce in a large bowl and mix simple ingredients, but close super-vision is required.

School age children, 6 to 7 years old, are able to handle bigger tasks as their motor skills develop. This age group can crack eggs, use a vegetable peeler, shuck corn and prepare a salad.

Children 8-9 years old can use a can opener, clean vegetables, beat eggs, use a food thermometer or pound chicken. Older kids can boil pasta and vegetables, follow step-by-step recipes, cut and prepare vegetables, and learn to bake pies.

No matter the age, keep safe-

ty in mind while in the kitchen. It is important to always cook with adult supervision, wash hands with warm, soapy water, clean all cooking surfaces and handle knives carefully. Cook foods to the correct temperatures and prevent cross contamination by using different cooking equipment for raw meats and produce, especially cutting boards.

Teaching children to cook can be both fun and rewarding, and your kids will amaze you with the foods they can make.

Instilling basic cooking skills will give children confidence in the kitchen, setting them up for a healthy life. Go to the store, pick up some summer ingredients and get cooking with your kids.

Recipe Resources for Kids:http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/http://www.eatright.org/resources/for-kidshttp://www.fruitsandveggies-morematters.org/kid-friend-ly-healthy-recipes

Kim Raymond, an Army spouse, helps her daughter Mackenzie to cut an onion during a cooking class at Joint Base Lew-is-McChord, Wash., March 21. (Photo by Army Sgt. Sinthia Rosario)



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Salute to LifeArmy Sgt. Maj. Dwight Wafford fills out a Bone Morrow form as Army Spc. Whitley Steward looks on during Brooke Army Medical Center’s Bone Morrow Drive Aug. 26 in the San Antonio Military Medical Center Medical Mall.(Photo by Robert Shields)

Retirement Memento Army Sgt. Maj. Quinton Rice Jr., U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research sergeant major, is presented with a flag flown over the U.S. capitol by Army Staff Sgt. Joel McVay, saluting, and Sgt. Andrew Ludescher. Rice was presented the flag during his retirement ceremony July 30 when he retired after 32 years of service to the U.S. Army. (Photo by Steven Galvan)

SES FlagDr. Vic Convertino and his wife Barbara display his ST flag with their daughters

and grandchildren during his Senior Executive Service corps in Science and Technology flag and pin ceremony July 30. Convertino is the Combat Casualty Care Research Senior Scientist at the

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Re-search. (Photo by Steven Galvan)

Other Happenings ...at Brooke Army Medical Center

Brooke Army Medical Center’s Decontamination Team poses for a photo Aug. 21 after a training exercise. The DECON team trains once a month by pulling out, checking, and setting up all their equipment and running mock patients through the process. They also conduct classroom training in the Emergency Operations Center and also have an active relationship with Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council and surrounding hospital emergen-cy groups. (Photo by Lori Newman)

Members of Brooke Army Medical Center’s Decontamination Team practice putting on their equipment Aug. 21 during their monthly training exercise. The team is transitioning into a better equipped, larger team and is currently testing a radio system designed for decontamination suits. The radios will help ensure the DECON team is ready to efficiently and effectively respond to a real world event. (Photo by Lori Newman)

Army 1st Lt. Lyndsay Jeanes speaks with with members of the DECON team about the proper methods of decontamination of a patient. (Photo by Lori Newman)

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San Antonio Military Medical Center JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-4141

Center for the Intrepid Bldg 3634JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-6100

Fort Sam Houston Clinic Bldg 1179JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-4141

McWethy Troop Medical Clinic 3051 Garden Ave, Bldg 1279JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234(210) 916-4141 or (210) 916-4141

Schertz Medical HomeHorizon Center6051 FM 3009, Suite 210Schertz, TX 78154(210) 916-0055

Taylor Burk ClinicBldg 5026Camp Bullis, TX 78257(210) 916-3000

Westover Medical HomeComing Soon!

SAN ANTONIO AREA MAP

decon team gears up with monthly exercise · 4 by elaine sanchez ... bright white lab coat and...

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