Dr. Brian Lein, Defense Health Agency assistant director; Army Col. Daniel Moore, Central Texas Market Director and Commander Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center; Army Command Sgt. Maj. Elvin Medina, CRDAMC senior enlisted leader; and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gragg, DHA senior enlisted leader cut the celebration cake at the DHA’s formal establishment ceremony of the Central Texas Market, at the markets main health facility the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center 29 Sept. (Rodney Jackson, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center)
The MHS is transitioning administration and management of all military hospitals and clinics from the military departments to the DHA. To do so effectively, the DHA chose a "market approach," based on the six enhanced Multi-Service Markets already in place. Markets are groups of hospitals and clinics in one geographic area working together with their TRICARE partners, Veterans Affairs hospitals, other federal health care organizations, private sector teaching hospitals and medical universities, and other health care partners. They operate as a system, sharing patients, staff, budget, and other functions to improve readiness and the delivery and coordination of health services.
These changes are designed to increase overall access to care for beneficiaries; improve coordination, standardization, and best practices across the Military Health System; and provide more opportunities for military medical providers to get the training they need to meet readiness goals.
"Take a look at the news today, you all have service members deployed abroad and at home in support of our Afghan allies, treatment of patients with COVID, vaccinations for COVID, support to FEMA, the Defense Support of Civil Authorities, and you're providing medical support to families here at your home Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Troop Medical Clinics, the Robertson Blood Center...your community based homes in Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Harker Heights and all of your dental centers that support the population here," said Dr. Brian Lein, DHA assistant director for Healthcare Administration.
"The establishment of this market is an acknowledgement of your accomplishments. The medical leaders, the line (unit) leaders, our community and VA partners working together to ensure the best quality and outcomes for our patients," he added.