News

DHA ushers in new era for the Ehrling Bergquist Medical Clinic

  • Published
  • By Kendra Williams
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

The Defense Health Agency will officially assume responsibility for administration and management of the Ehrling Bergquist Medical Clinic on Oct. 1, 2019.

The transition is part of the Military Health System’s ongoing transformation efforts called for by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Acts of Fiscal Years 2017 and 2019 to improve the readiness of the U.S. military and improve the care provided to patients. The ultimate goal of this transition is to create a more integrated, efficient, and effective system of readiness and health within the Defense Department.

“From a patient perspective, most of these changes should go unnoticed,” said Navy Vice Adm. Raquel C. “Rocky” Bono, DHA director. “Patients can expect the same high quality, trusted care they’ve come to know at our military hospitals and clinics. Providers can expect to focus on practicing medicine and maintaining their preparedness in the event of crisis.”

The transition of more than 430 Army, Navy and Air Force hospitals and clinics to DHA is taking place in phases. The process began Oct. 1, 2018, when the hospitals and clinics at Fort Bragg, Pope Field, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina; Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi; and Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina transitioned to DHA. These facilities joined Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Virginia, which are original elements of DHA.

On Oct. 1, 2019, DHA will assume management of all military hospitals and clinics in the continental U.S. Specifically, DHA will be responsible for all budgetary matters; information technology; health care administration and management; administrative policy and procedure; and military medical construction.

“This management restructuring will allow us to have a single focus on the readiness mission while the Defense Health Agency helps us improve healthcare delivery,” said Col. Sarah Cuciti.  “I welcome these changes as they will drive readiness, standardization, and efficiencies ultimately benefiting our beneficiaries and Air Force family!”

These reforms will drive better integration and standardization of care. Patients will receive consistent, high- quality health care no matter where they are stationed. Throughout the transition, DHA’s mission remains to support the warfighter, care for warfighter families, and care for the patient.