By Lori Newman
Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – On Nov. 5, a mass shooting occurred at a church in Sutherland Springs, about 30 miles southeast of San Antonio. As part of the San Antonio trauma system, Brooke Army Medical Center received eight patients -- six adults and two minors.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," said Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, BAMC Commanding General during a press conference today. "Although we are deeply saddened by the circumstances, BAMC is honored to serve our community in our role as a Level I Trauma Center.”
The general personally met with family members of the shooting victims to assure them their loved ones would be given the best care possible and their privacy will be protected while they are recovering from their injuries.
“The patients we received have significant injuries, which will change their lives,” Johnson said. “They will require significant healing and rehabilitation. We have already started addressing their physical, mental and spiritual needs, which we will continue to do during their treatment here at BAMC.”
As a Level I Trauma Center, BAMC provides 24/7 care to the San Antonio community. BAMC works closely with the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council and University Health System, San Antonio's other Level I trauma center, to provide trauma care to citizens throughout 22 counties in Southwest Texas.
“There is no better place for a trauma patient to come then to Brooke Army Medical Center,” Johnson said. “We benchmark ourselves against national standards for success, and this organization I’m proud to say, beats those national standards.
“We train every day to be ready at a moment's notice, whether it's for a natural disaster, mass casualty or to care for our combat wounded. Our staff stands ready to meet the needs of our community,” the general said. “We are proud to serve our community and our nation."