Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)

I can only speak for myself regarding treatment. Yes, it takes forever to get seen sometimes, not always. Know that if you have an absolute emergency involving loss of life or limb, TriCare will cover majority of the cost. I have used the urgent care facility and TriCare paid for it, however I had a co-pay when I took my daughter to get seen. The cost was $27, something reasonable and no waiting. All I can say is, do the research, know the do's and don't. I ask alot of question and call TriCare when in doubt. I visit BAMC today and was seen within 10 minutes and thank the doctors and nurses for what they do. Nice little coffee shop that offers snacks as well.

If you can get safely get care somewhere else, do that. 1st visit here was transported ems overnight, next morning the 1st dr I’ve seen didn’t even read my chart! Was ready to discharge me without having gotten any testing at this hospital other than the 3am labs. I was in excruciating pain. I had no testing or imaging done until I had to advocate for myself with an 2nd dr, twice. Who by the way was also trying to discharge me again without anything being done! When I FINALLY got the imaging done, it was “too late” to do my surgery and because it was a holiday weekend I was “strongly encouraged” to go home and wait for a call to schedule my surgery. I waited many days before I finally got that call. They avoided giving me a surgery I needed. I got discharged. Wound up here a 2nd time. Why? Because I was in pain again. This time I got the surgery I needed. Got discharged and had to come back a 3rd time! The drs do not care about their patients. They care about beds and discharging only. Based on my experience. I even witnessed it happening with one of the other patients I was rooming with. DO NOT GET YOUR CARE HERE. The best thing about this hospital is the nursing staff. All were kind, genuinely wanted to help and so hardworking and kind. Only come here if you want to be dismissed and fight hard for imaging/ testing while being in excruciating pain. Do not recommend, if that isn’t clear.

This is my grandmother's 2nd visit in 30days unfortunately. I wanted to take the time to thank Min, Orlando, and also her PT Leo. Chloe I believe Miller also had been great. Dont get me wrong there have been some more but so many names. Min was one of her faves who got her to eat, when all we could do is keep praying, and keep trying. Thank you to these individuals who have shown compassion, and patience. I know it is a hard task the physical labor, and emotionally, but please a friendly reminder as to why you chose the medical field. YOU are needed, YOU are wanted, YOU are appreciated, and we are grateful for your assistance. Mr Williams was also very great, and nice. There was a gentleman with Neuro, and one with Internal Medicine with with glasses, both were so kind. Thank you, and many blessings.

Thank you to the staff at Brooke Army Medical Center.Everyone — Doctors, Nurses, and other staff BAMC— was incredibly kind, caring, and compassionate. Even though the wait time was long, I was monitored the whole time and made to feel comfortable and safe. The amount of empathy and professionalism really stood out. Thank you for taking such good care of me and for being so genuinely human. The staff was truly exceptional – kind, professional, and compassionate

Be prepared to get lost! The guy who designed this place originally numbered buildings on military base, IYKYK. If you've ever had to go to a gov't/military/VA hospital then nothing here will surprise you. Teaching hospital...Special care doctors/surgeon here are very good; students, generalists, and nurses are meh (mixed bag). Definitely better than WHASC; toss up with Audie Murphy. You wouldn't need this review, if you had just worn your PT belt!!!

The folks at BAMC hit it out of the park again!! I had to have a parathyroidectomy. Dr. Stevens (ENT) and her team counseled me on the process, risks, recovery and so forth. I went in for the procedure and everything went great. She let my wife know how it went "easy peasy" in her words. All of the BAMC staff did a terrific job also, from Lethy (I hope I spelled it correctly) and Jordan in pre op, to the anesthesia team (sorry I should have written the two Doctors names down) to Vin in post op and Divine (and I hope I spelled his name correctly) in Recovery. They were all very professional, respectful, nice and helpful. Thank you all again for a great surgical experience!!

Service was good except the fact that they now have a kind of triage room with chairs side by side. The doctor came in and took me to another room to discuss my personal health info, then the doctor in charge came in and started talking about it where everyone can hear. Seems this would be a HIPAA violation and can be very uncomfortable.

Terrible service. I don’t really write reviews, but considering I sat around for 13 hrs waiting to get discharged was insane. How can an organization this big not have a system to discharge somebody in less than one working day? Especially when it was planned for me to leave on this specific day. There was no extra medications, appointments, or anything else. Literally just needed to the paperwork so I could walk out and head back to my duty station.

I did my Nurse Summer Training Program here after completing first regiment of Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. Summer 2023 was an interesting time.

Check in was quick. Staff was attentive and efficient. Labs and testing was conducted in rapid succession offering quality care. The waiting area has large comfy recliners. Check out was just as smooth and meds were sent over to the ER pharmacy. The pharmacy is another story. Shows wait times to be estimated at 15 mins but it took almost an hour (with just about 4 people in the waiting area). Despite the wait times, I go out of my way to come here for emergency care - definitely recommend!

My daughter was involved in a serious head-on collision 8 days ago in La Vernia. She was transported to what they now call SAMMC, the old BAMC. She started crashing when she got there. She was bleeding internally so they quickly took her to surgery. She was a mess inside, bleeding all over. The surgeons spent 6 hours trying to stop the bleeding and repair what was 'broken'. They saved her life that night. 8 days later she's still in the hospital, still going to surgery almost every day for procedures but eventually she's going to walk out that door and start her life again. The nurses and technologists are great too and everyone I've come across has been so nice and so patient. Thank you SAMMC trauma for giving me back my girl!!

I hadn't been here in over a decade, since my time on Active Duty. A lot has changed since then, especially the parking situation! Fortunately, the clinic we visited provided helpful information about which parking lot letter was closest during scheduling. I was pleased to see that this medical center remains top-notch. It's clear they've put a lot of thought into convenience and assistance. For instance, there are courtesy phones for making calls, as well as direct lines to scheduling. In every bathroom stall and various waiting areas, there are long red strings to pull for help or assistance. Everywhere we went, there were signs asking patients to notify them if they'd been waiting more than 15 minutes past their appointment time. Multiple areas we visited were clean and well-organized.

Second visit to SAMMC emergency room where the nurses at the acute care desk were very dismissive and could clearly care less about the people who crying in pain. "They're helpful advice being"stop yelling, it's going to be a long wait."

Would give them 100 stars if I could. The most professional and proficient medical staff ever. During my 25 year military career I have been to a few different hospitals but BAMC (in my book) has been the most stellar. Everyone has been amazing, from the X-Ray Techs, to the Ultrasound Techs, to the ER physicians, Primary Care Physicians, to the Cardiology Clinic, Pulmonary Clinic, Vascular Clinic, all the Physicians, the nurses, record clerks, front desk clerks, food service staff, janitors, and etc. I cannot thank them enough. When moving to Georgia, I wish I could have bought everyone with me. I really miss BAMC.

It's a large place so it's easy to get lost. Luckily there are information kiosks around to help. You'll constantly hear drills on the intercom and it can be a bit dangerous if you're using a walker or wheelchair walking from the parking lot. It's a distance and several uneven surfaces. Plenty of disabled parking but it's still very far from the entrances.

My husband just recently had an emergent outpatient surgery scheduled here. Small snafu with scheduling, but after it was figured out, the overall care exceeded our expectations. From the pre op call to being discharged home, the service was awesome. We were very impressed with his surgical team- Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Coulson, Dr. Kenney, his anesthesiologist- Dr. Meyers, and his nurses- Sonia and Katie. Kudos to all the staff that were involved as well. Everyone was informative, made sure our questions were answered, and had a good bedside manner. The center was clean and well organized. Many signs and employees helped guide us to where we needed to go. Parking was easily accessible. Now onto recovery at home.

Very nice place. Great staff and they enjoy taking care of their patients. Have attended numerous functions at BAMC and have had family and friends been seen here. They know how to treat their patients

As a sibling to a veteran who was treated at BAMC, I am most impressed with the care provided by this joint service medical facility. BAMC has a tremendous staff, all seemingly with great dispositions, undaunted by the overwhelming and endless task of caring for our wounded veterans, their families, and active duty military personnel.

I went to the Emergency Room at BAMCY for a 2nd and 3rd degree burn on my arm and side. I was admitted within minutes and the staff was working on me very quickly. The nurses were so helpful and made me feel comfortable even with such a horrible burn. Maria scrubbed the skin to remove the dead skin and was very patient with me and kept me calm. Irene was also helpful and followed up with me the next day and always returned my calls. I could not confirm that BAMCY/the burn clinic was in my insurance provider network so I changed my follow up visit to a hospital that could confirm my insurance coverage. Even after telling Irene this, she still said I could call her any time and would help me. I was extremely happy with Outpatient Burn Clinic at BAMCY and the ER team!

Very clean. I brought my friend into the ER for her back pain. Could have been anything. I have to say with as empty as it was the service should've or could've been faster. We get there at 830pm and we do not leave until 6am. All they did was the usual. Draw her blood, a quick questionnaire, and vitals. All they did was give her some morphine, and some anti-nausea meds. Let her sleep it off until there was no change, and no real answers. I stayed with her until she checked out. I slept at the foot of her bed like a school kid who fell asleep at his desk. So uncomfortable, you would think with all those rooms, they would have a small cot to bring in. The staff and nurses were very professional and nice. I would go back for sure...but the ER sucks!!

For hospital food it was satisfying and severed warm or cold as required. Was Not there for dining. The snacks were 0kay.

08/30/21- Monday Great Military and Civilan leaders/ personnel!!! We did our training here many years ago. I miss it!!!

Brought my husband in to be seen for pain and obvious discomfort. He was seen, quickly taken to a room and a work up initiated. The ER stuff was great, considering how many traumas came through while we were waiting for the results of his interventions. Excellent patient care, the staff was professional and delivered compassionate care. Thank you for all you do, your services were greatly appreciated

Interventional Radiologist Dr John Pavlus got hold of my Consult right quick, interviewed me via phone, & offered me an appointment on my day off within one week. Painless diagnostic procedure with skilled Support Staff done promptly, efficiently, & effectively, with result clearly communicated within the hour. Charming RN Chandra led the Support Staff & was throughout responsive & skilled, with Rachel, Dago, & Mary assisting. If you need this service & can get in, do it soon. You won't be disappointed.

Seen very quickly at the ER for extremely painful swollen foot, but once they found out it wasn't broken someone handed me paperwork and said I was discharged without even an explanation. I asked the lady what this paperwork meant because I never got to talk to anyone after X-rays and she said it's not broke, then she handed the paperwork back and said you can go pick up your prescription. I asked what I was being prescribed because I didn't see it anywhere and she said ibuprofen (for extreme foot pain lol) and also realized she's supposed to fit me for a stability boot. Huge waste of time from people that could care less. Before I left a lady was screaming in pain for 2 Straight minutes and the RN's were laughing outside her room.

I went into the ER today. When I was seen, Dr. Wells (MAJ) asked about my surgical history. I am female-to-male transgender and have been in transition for four years. I told him I had a hysterectomy done and he laughed and said "You haven't had a hysterectomy." I was completely baffled that someone tried to tell me what surgeries I haven't had. I also told him I had was experiencing a migraine for 12+ hours and explained to him that I was diagnosed with migraines as a child, but he pretty much said if I wasn't diagnosed with it in the military, then I didn't have it. Medical gaslighting at its finest. Thank you, Dr. Wells.

I had a miscarriage in California in June. My OB did a sonohysterogram and found that I had many polyps and diagnosed me with PCOS. She suggested a polypectomy (polyp removal) with MyoSure (tissue removal). She said that due to my thickened endometrium and the polyps making my uterus look like a puzzle piece - I was able to get pregnant, but not able to have the baby implant or grow. (Basically you can get pregnant, but not stay pregnant). She said once the polyp removal and any bad tissue removal was completed, I would be able to have a baby. I was happy to hear this because I am 36 already and trying to have my first baby. My OB said "Do not try to conceive before the procedure because it will most likely result in another miscarriage due to the uterine polyps." We had to move to Texas before I was able to set a date for a procedure (they were pretty booked). Once I got to Texas, I went to my military doctor and informed them of the procedure I needed. I had my paperwork sent over. The military OB intern said, "I don't think you have PCOS. You haven't had trouble getting pregnant. And polyps wouldn't cause a miscarriage. I don't think you have thyroid problems either. I don't think it's necessary to run any tests. Miscarriages are common and we don't usually do any testing until you have 2-3 miscarriages. You can try again after you have a month of prenatals in you." So we did. **NOTE: she wasn't rude, but they were packed and an hour behind, so I could tell she was in a hurry.** Using ovulation tests, we were able to get pregnant in March. I was super excited (baby was due on my late mothers birthday). By April 12th I was miscarrying yet again. I felt like I wasn't listened to and all my concerns were kind of dismissed. I am seeking a second opinion from a civilian doctor with my work insurance, but I am upset that I wasted 3 months because they didn't want to run any tests or utilize any of my previous tests or information from my prior OB.

I came here last week to the covid testing site. I had almost all symptoms. I was impressed by how organized and smooth it ran. We did wait two hours. We were bummed husband didn't get to test last week as he was asymptomatic. This week we went back and he got tested. They did not retest me as I still had symptoms. I thank my husband for his 21 years of service and to all the frontline workers in this testing site. This week ran smoother.

Dr. Burgess in Plastic Surgery sincerely saved my life. When I thought everything was lost she gave me hope to keep pushing through. Just an amazing professional and her knowledge on breast reconstruction has surpassed all my expectations. I sincerely can say her team from the front desk to RN and PA are the most attentive professionals I have encountered. Thank you to all. I would post before and after pictures but my husband would be mad. #mastectomiessuck #burgessareconstructiongenius

The burn center icu is wonderful, Zero problems whatsoever with them. Burn rehab is also wonderful but could use very very minor tweaking but wonderful people. Everybody else SUCKS and let me explain. After icu they moved me to 4 east and that's where the fun began. New nurses showering me completely unsupervised decided to forcibly rip off my artificial scabs on my back from my donor skin. I begged and cried and tried to move away but they forced it and left me alone crying in the bathroom. Luckily my wife came in and I called her into the bathroom and the shocking look on her face terrified me. Note I have multiple donor sites with zero issues. Well my wife looked at my back and told me I was dripping in blood because they ripped off the majority of my skin. Sadly it's been almost 3 weeks from that incident and it's still not fully healed and became infected. I cannot sit back on chairs, sleep on my side or back, cannot wear a shirt for the majority of the day. There is multiple other issues from the nurses making my back worse and causing it extreme further pain but I would have to write a book. Today I had to go to burn clinic and they 1. Forced me to lay on my back after I begged and nobody cared to listen they had to tear the padding off my back causing further bleeding and we ended up having me lay on my stomach anyways. After they ripped off the scabs from my grafting arms, legs, and hands causing that the bleed to extreme amounts (the scabs just grew back bigger and thicker) they decided to only wrap up my wounds half way and left my hands (which had tons of open wounds) exposed to being infected. After asking if they where going to cover my hands they just looked puzzled and said "we don't know how to do that". So my wife has been covering my wounds everyday so I asked for the materials so she could do it and they responded "well we don't like to use that stuff" (even though that's what the doctors at the hospital told us to use) so I asked could you at least cover my hands so that burn rehab could dress my hands and they just ignored me and made me leave the room with exposed bloody skin grafts and sadly I had to go find Vicky they burn rehab lady so she could clean up the clinics mess and cover my hands. After all that they sent us to the pharmacy on the first floor and we waited over and hour and a half and still never got my meds. Not even close to everything that happened but it's just a scary nightmare be very careful.