Medical leaders cut ribbon on BAMC pediatric ward, ICU

  • Published
  • By Sue Campbell
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force and Army medical leaders christened the new Brooke Army Medical Center pediatric ward and intensive care unit during a ribbon-cutting ceremony here Sept. 21.

Staffed primarily by Air Force personnel, the majority of Wilford Hall Medical Center inpatient pediatric services moved to BAMC in April as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process.   WHMC is located at nearby Lackland Air Force Base.

BRAC law directs that all WHMC inpatient functions will relocate to Fort Sam Houston by Sept.15, 2011. This will create the jointly staffed and jointly led San Antonio Military Medical Center, or SAMMC. As another major platform of the new San Antonio Military Health System, WHMC will convert to a large, jointly staffed and jointly led ambulatory surgical center.

"Although it took a little time to set up this formal ceremony, the staff haven't missed a beat in providing the highest quality care to their patients since the April move," said Maj. Gen. Tom Travis, 59th Medical Wing commander, who cut the ribbon along with Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho, BAMC Commander.

"This was the first inpatient service move from Wilford Hall to BAMC," General Caravalho said. "Two organizations, steeped in tradition and strong cultures, came together to make this happen."

The majority of Wilford Hall pediatric subspecialty clinics also moved to BAMC at the same time.

"The pediatric department had the easiest job and the hardest," said Army Col. Ronald Prauner, chief of the Department of Pediatrics at BAMC. "It was easy in that WHMC and BAMC pediatric residents and staff have been integrated since 1996, with Air Force and Army providers rotating between the two facilities. It was hard in that we had to get BAMC ready to handle these new services that had never been offered here before."

The moves required years of planning and countless hours of coordination among many people from different disciplines, services and corps.

"This would never have come to fruition without the outstanding collaboration we have experienced over the last several years and the continued teamwork to make this a reality," said Air Force Col. Mary Pelszynski, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at WHMC.

In addition to the move, a new pediatric subspecialty was established at BAMC, the Pediatric Sedation Unit; a service that had not been provided at either facility before.

"The Pediatric Sedation Unit streamlines care for pediatric patients who need sedation for different types of procedures," Colonel Pelszynski said. "This new service is important for our patients as it raises the level of care provided and keeps their continuity of care in the hospital where their specialists practice."

"Moving pediatrics first was the right decision and it's gone very well. Everyone can now follow their lead," General Travis said. "We are working together and setting the example of how to conduct the joint integration of the two hospitals. I am very proud of all the personnel who have moved over. They are setting a great example by doing a terrific job. There's much more to come."