Military nurses have an unwavering commitment to advancing our health and wellness to ensure that every service member is fit to fight, that our medical teams are trained and ready, and that our families receive the care they deserve. This week, we honor the strength and dedication of the extraordinary professionals who serve both our country and warfighters with unwavering courage. Whether they are on the frontlines, in field hospitals or at military medical centers around the world, their commitment to care under the most challenging conditions inspires us all.

Do you live in the Atlanta, Georgia or Tampa, Florida metropolitan area? Your TRICARE health plan options are about to expand. Starting in January 2026, TRICARE Prime Atlanta and TRICARE Prime Tampa options, a Competitive Plans Demonstration, will bring more choices to eligible beneficiaries. These options are administered by CareSource Military & Veterans. Enrollees will get care from CSMV’s network of primary and specialty care providers.

Do you live in the West Region? Do you have TRICARE Prime? You should know that the Defense Health Agency has extended the West Region referral approval waiver through June 30. TRICARE-authorized specialty care providers don’t need to wait for TriWest Healthcare Alliance to approve referrals issued by your primary care manager before providing outpatient care.

Do you currently live in the TRICARE West Region? Do you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card? If you haven’t done so already, you must securely provide your payment information to the West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, by April 30. If you haven’t submitted payment to TriWest by April 30, you and your family members will be disenrolled from your TRICARE plan on May 1. This disenrollment is retroactive to your paid-through date.

FORT CAVAZSO, TEXAS –The Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Behavioral Health department hosted its annual Mental Health Month Information Fair on May 2 to help military families understand the resources available to them. Over 20 Fort Cavazos and surrounding community organizations, including Veterans Affairs, Military One Source, CRDAMC Behavioral Health, Suicide Prevention, the New Parent Support Program, and the Exceptional Family Member Program, just to name a few, provided information about the mental health services their organizations provide.

FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS - The Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center earned its third consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national organization, focused on health care quality, May 1. The new grade for spring 2025 is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas – Members of Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce visited the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center for a Healthcare Day tour 16 April to learn how community relationships contribute to the health and readiness of our warfighters. The Leadership Killeen Program provides participants with training and opportunities to learn about the integrated relationships that exist between healthcare services on Fort Cavazos and the local healthcare community.

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas – Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Medical Readiness Battalion, Medical Co. Charlie held a change of command ceremony in the hospital atrium April 18. The reins of leadership changed hands as Lt. Col. Jamie Culbreath received the unit guidon from outgoing commander, Capt. Alexander Deatherage and handed them to Capt. Reymoi R. Jno-Lewis.