The New Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Ronald R. Blanck

doi:10.7556/jaoa.2011.111.10.566

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The New Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Ronald R. Blanck

Published/Copyright: October 1, 2011

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From the journal Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Volume 111 Issue 10

To the Editor:

On July 27, 2011, I attended the casing of the colors of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, and on August 27, the last patient was transferred from that closing facility to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The new, integrated facility became known as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on September 15.¹

As one who spent about one-third of his military career at Walter Reed—advancing from resident to commander—I was saddened by the move and closure of the historic, 102-year-old institution. At the same time, however, I was heartened that the name and legacy of Walter Reed will continue—though in a different place and, because the new medical center is a tricare facility (caring for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services and their families), in a different way.² The name Walter Reed not only honors the man, but it also represents excellence in clinical care, education, and research.

The new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center will continue the tradition of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in caring for the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, who have given so much to us through their service to the United States.

References

1 New beginning in Bethesda as military hospitals merge. Washington Post Web site; August 26, 2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/new-beginning-in-bethesda-as-military-hospitals-merge/2011/08/26/gIQArCd0gJ_gallery.html. Accessed September 12, 2011.Search in Google Scholar

2 Tricare. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Web site. http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/Patient/TRICARE/index.aspx. Accessed September 12, 2011.Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2011-10-01

Published in Print: 2011-10-01

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