William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Encyclopedia
William Beaumont Army Medical Center is a Department of Defense
medical facility located in El Paso, Texas
. It provides comprehensive care to all beneficiaries including active duty military, their family members, and retirees. The hospital is located in the Central/Northeastern part of El Paso
, and at present is the closest hospital to the Northeast.
The hospital itself is very large, and contains a rather sizable Veterans Affairs
Office for former military members who are in need of medical treatment.
The William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) is one of the many health care institutions affiliated with the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
which is also located in El Paso, Texas
.
WBAMC is named for Army surgeon William Beaumont
(1785-1853), the "Father of Gastric Physiology".
The current commander of WBAMC is Colonel (Promotable) Dennis D. Doyle.
’ main cantonment area, between Fred Wilson Road and Hayes Avenue. The hospital has its beginnings in Fort Bliss
during the 1850s. After several earlier moves, Fort Bliss
moved to its permanent location at Lanoria Mesa in 1893 and Building 8 (now the Fort Bliss Inspector General's Office
) became the hospital. In 1916, the hospital moved to Building 1 (presently the Fort Bliss
Directorate of Resource Management).
The construction of William Beumont General Hospital’s (WBGH) 48 buildings in 1920-21 signaled the beginning of Fort Bliss’s
role as a major military medical center. Over the next two decades WBGH served as both Fort Bliss’s
station hospital and as a general hospital for the western portion of the Army’s 8th Service Command. The hospital made of tile and stucco opened July 2, 1921, with a bed capacity for 403 patients.On staff were six medical officers, two nurses and 30 medical corpsmen.
During World War II
, WBGH expanded to include 174 buildings and a crowded 4,064 beds. This included the 1,000 beds at Building 1 and another 750 beds at Biggs Air Force Base, now Biggs Army Air Field. Its capabilities also expanded as the hospital began providing specialized medical care to wounded Soldiers returning from all theaters of the war. In December 1943, the plastic surgery clinic was opened.
During early 1945, approximately 6,000 inpatients were treated. In addition, a military school for medical technicians offered specialized training in surgical, dental, laboratory, X-ray, pharmacy and veterinary procedures. The hospital had a fully equipped physical therapy and occupational therapy center. Also, the artificial eye clinic was opened. Later, the hospital expanded into a neuro-psychiatric treatment and orthopedic surgery center. Following the war, WBGH continued to serve the medical needs of Fort Bliss
and surrounding military installations until the Army’s needs outgrew the capacity of the hospital.
Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Charles C. Pixley
, the hospital commander from September 1975 through December 1976, was promoted to lieutenant general
in 1977 and became the Surgeon General of the Army.
In 1969, the Army began construction of a new, 12-story hospital to the west of the WBGH area. Completed in 1972, the new facility became known as the William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Although designed for 611 beds, by the early 1980s the hospital had a capacity of 463. The Omar N. Bradley building, an addition to the west-side of the main hospital, was opened in 1982. This facility provides an additional 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) of clinical and administrative space. Today, the hospital has a bed capacity for more than 150 patients. However, during contingencies, the hospital can expand for 373 patients. As the Southwest’s major regional Army medical center, this modern facility now provides medical care to active and retired military personnel and their dependents in the three-state region of Texas
, New Mexico
, and Arizona
.
November 1995, WBAMC became one of the largest buildings in El Paso
with another 254000 square feet (23,597.4 m²) of floor space for the Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Care Center. Now, the WBAMC complex has more than one million square feet of floor space for patient care and administrative duties.
This article contains information that originally came from US Government publications and websites and is in the public domain.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
medical facility located in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. It provides comprehensive care to all beneficiaries including active duty military, their family members, and retirees. The hospital is located in the Central/Northeastern part of El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
, and at present is the closest hospital to the Northeast.
The hospital itself is very large, and contains a rather sizable Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs is a term of the business that deals with the relation between a government and its veteran communities, usually administered by the designated government agency. It might refer to:*Department of Veterans' Affairs...
Office for former military members who are in need of medical treatment.
The William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) is one of the many health care institutions affiliated with the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso has the following mission: "to provide exceptional opportunities for students, trainees, and physicians; to advance knowledge through innovative scholarship and research in medicine with a focus on...
which is also located in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
.
WBAMC is named for Army surgeon William Beaumont
William Beaumont
William Beaumont was a surgeon in the U.S. Army who became known as the "Father of Gastric Physiology" following his research on human digestion.-Early life:...
(1785-1853), the "Father of Gastric Physiology".
The current commander of WBAMC is Colonel (Promotable) Dennis D. Doyle.
History
The William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC), formerly the William Beaumont General Hospital, is situated northwest of Fort BlissFort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
’ main cantonment area, between Fred Wilson Road and Hayes Avenue. The hospital has its beginnings in Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
during the 1850s. After several earlier moves, Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
moved to its permanent location at Lanoria Mesa in 1893 and Building 8 (now the Fort Bliss Inspector General's Office
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
) became the hospital. In 1916, the hospital moved to Building 1 (presently the Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
Directorate of Resource Management).
The construction of William Beumont General Hospital’s (WBGH) 48 buildings in 1920-21 signaled the beginning of Fort Bliss’s
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
role as a major military medical center. Over the next two decades WBGH served as both Fort Bliss’s
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
station hospital and as a general hospital for the western portion of the Army’s 8th Service Command. The hospital made of tile and stucco opened July 2, 1921, with a bed capacity for 403 patients.On staff were six medical officers, two nurses and 30 medical corpsmen.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, WBGH expanded to include 174 buildings and a crowded 4,064 beds. This included the 1,000 beds at Building 1 and another 750 beds at Biggs Air Force Base, now Biggs Army Air Field. Its capabilities also expanded as the hospital began providing specialized medical care to wounded Soldiers returning from all theaters of the war. In December 1943, the plastic surgery clinic was opened.
During early 1945, approximately 6,000 inpatients were treated. In addition, a military school for medical technicians offered specialized training in surgical, dental, laboratory, X-ray, pharmacy and veterinary procedures. The hospital had a fully equipped physical therapy and occupational therapy center. Also, the artificial eye clinic was opened. Later, the hospital expanded into a neuro-psychiatric treatment and orthopedic surgery center. Following the war, WBGH continued to serve the medical needs of Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
and surrounding military installations until the Army’s needs outgrew the capacity of the hospital.
Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Charles C. Pixley
Charles C. Pixley
Charles Calvin Pixley , was the 34th Surgeon General of the United States Army, serving in that capacity from October 1, 1977 to September 20, 1981.-Early life:...
, the hospital commander from September 1975 through December 1976, was promoted to lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in 1977 and became the Surgeon General of the Army.
In 1969, the Army began construction of a new, 12-story hospital to the west of the WBGH area. Completed in 1972, the new facility became known as the William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Although designed for 611 beds, by the early 1980s the hospital had a capacity of 463. The Omar N. Bradley building, an addition to the west-side of the main hospital, was opened in 1982. This facility provides an additional 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) of clinical and administrative space. Today, the hospital has a bed capacity for more than 150 patients. However, during contingencies, the hospital can expand for 373 patients. As the Southwest’s major regional Army medical center, this modern facility now provides medical care to active and retired military personnel and their dependents in the three-state region of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
November 1995, WBAMC became one of the largest buildings in El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
with another 254000 square feet (23,597.4 m²) of floor space for the Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs may refer to:*Department of Veterans' Affairs, Australia*United States Department of Veterans Affairs*Veterans Affairs Canada*Ministry of Patriots' and Veterans' Affairs...
Health Care Center. Now, the WBAMC complex has more than one million square feet of floor space for patient care and administrative duties.
Commanding Officers
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| Jul 1921 – Sep 1922 | COL William R. Eastman |
| Sep 1922 – May 1927 | COL M. A. W. Shockley |
| May 1927 – Apr 1928 | COL Reuben Miller |
| Apr 1928 – Jul 1931 | COL William H. Moncrief |
| Jul 1931 – May 1937 | COL Henry F. Pipes |
| May 1937 – Sep 1945 | COL George M. Edwards |
| Oct 1945 – Nov 1948 | COL George W. Reyer |
| Nov 1948 – Sep 1951 | COL James E. Yarbrough |
| Sep 1951 – Nov 1952 | COL Walter C. Royals |
| Jan 1953 – Apr 1957 | COL Abner Zehm |
| May 1957 – Sep 1958 | BG L. Holmes Ginn Jr. |
| Sep 1958 – Dec 1960 | BG Clinton S. Lyter |
| Dec 1960 – Mar 1965 | BG James B. Stapleton |
| Mar 1965 – Mar 1966 | MG Robert E. Blount |
| Mar 1966 – Aug 1967 | BG Frederick J. Hughes Jr. |
| Aug 1967 – Jul 1968 | BG James A. Wier |
| Jul 1968 – Jul 1970 | MG Kenneth D. Orr |
| Jul 1970 – Aug 1975 | BG Robert M. Hardaway III |
| Sep 1975 – Dec 1976 | MG Charles C. Pixley Charles C. Pixley Charles Calvin Pixley , was the 34th Surgeon General of the United States Army, serving in that capacity from October 1, 1977 to September 20, 1981.-Early life:... , Later became Surgeon General of the Army |
| Dec 1976 – Jun 1979 | MG Raymond H. Bishop Jr. |
| Jul 1979 – Jul 1980 | BG Kenneth A. Cass |
| Aug 1980 – Nov 1982 | BG Chester L. Ward |
| Jan 1983 – Jul 1986 | BG John E. Major |
| Jul 1986 – Sep 1988 | BG Richard D. Cameron |
| Sep 1988 – Jul 1991 | BG Richard Proctor |
| Jul 1991 – Jan 1992 | COL Preston B. Cannady |
| Jan 1992 – Dec 1994 | BG James J. James |
| Dec 1994 – Jul 1995 | COL Thomas J. Scully |
| Jul 1995 – Mar 1997 | BG Ogden Dewitt |
| Mar 1997 – Mar 1998 | BG Nancy R. Adams |
| Mar 1998 – Jul 2000 | COL David B. Crandall |
| Jul 2000 – Jul 2002 | COL Carla G. Hawley – Bowland |
| Jul 2002 – Jul 2004 | COL Glenn W. Mitchell |
| Jul 2004 – Jul 2006 | COL James J. Leech |
| Jul 2006 – May 2008 | COL John Powell |
See Also
- MEDCOM
- Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesUniformed Services University of the Health SciencesThe Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a health science university run by the U.S. federal government. The primary mission of the school is to prepare graduates for service to the U.S. at home and abroad in the medical corps....
- Paul L. Foster School of MedicinePaul L. Foster School of MedicineThe Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso has the following mission: "to provide exceptional opportunities for students, trainees, and physicians; to advance knowledge through innovative scholarship and research in medicine with a focus on...
External links
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center, official website
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
This article contains information that originally came from US Government publications and websites and is in the public domain.