Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

09/14/2026

Have you wondered about the benefits of Telehealth but don't know how to get started? Do you use any of the many helpful health care phone apps to refill prescriptions, message your provider team securely, get lab results and so much more? Is the thought of using technology for an appointment intimidating? Then today's annual Telehealth Fair at Lovell FHCC is for you!
Stop by our main hospital between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., in the main entrance area to Bldg. 133EF, the Ambulatory Care Clinic (where valet parking is), and find out everything there is to know about connected care.
Meet members of our Telehealth team, see demonstrations, get assistance with Telehealth questions, and much more!
Check out our Virtual Health Resource Center while you're here.
This is your chance to see how we continuously strive to provide convenient quality care closer to home, or wherever life takes you.
Parking is available in the main, four-story garage. Free valet parking is available as well at the Ambulatory Care Clinic entrance.
We hope to see you!
https://www.va.gov/lovell-federal-health-care-va/programs-va/telehealth/

09/13/2026

Congratulations to our 15 Navy lieutenant commander (LCDR) and commander (CDR) selectees - of which four are pictured here. These Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes officers will be promoted to the next rank Oct. 1 of this year. As indicated by the asterisks, three of the 15 officers earned merit-based promotions for outstanding achievement.
CONGRATULATIONS ALL!

COMMANDER (SEL):
LCDR Joshua Barclay
LCDR Fank Gentz
LCDR Matthew Turner
LCDR George Stegeman
LCDR Taylor Brocuglio
LCDR Andrea Tondre
LCDR John Koch*

LCDR (SEL):
Lieutenant (LT) Trisha Walton
LT Paul Gabby*
LT Amber Duncan
LT Anne McCarthy
LT Vanesha Mistry
LT Don Pham
LT Johnson, Theodore *
LT Cahillgarman, Shane

Pictured left to right: LT Amber Duncan, LT Trisha Walton, LCDR John Koch and LCDR Andrea Tondre.

09/11/2026

Lovell FHCC civilian staff and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes Sailors assigned to Lovell FHCC gathered today to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, in a solemn ceremony honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day and many more thousand since.

Guest speaker Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Barryon Starks queried the audience before he started speaking, asking how many of the dozens of active duty Navy personnel, and civilians, in the audience weren't born Sept. 11, 2001. A large number raised their hands.

Starks went on to urge those born after Sept. 11 to continue to honor and appreciate the significance of a day in history they've only heard about. He acknowledged that many others, like himself, were moved to join the military because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was a teenager and became increasingly angry as the events of the day unfolded. Sept. 12, he talked to a Navy recruiter, and a year later he donned the uniform.

Lovell FHCC Director Dr. Robert Buckley acknowledged the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who served in military campaigns stemming from 9/11, including the Global War on Terror.

NMRTC GL Sailors too young to remember Sept. 11 emceed and took turns speaking during the ceremony, noting the moments in time forever etched in many Americans' minds - when the four planes hit, and when the Twin Towers collapsed in the streets of NYC.

Speakers were Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Dana Connor, Yeoman Seaman Eryona TerrellJones, HM3 Alana Crone, HM2 Dinneshia Moten and HM1 Brandon Bridges.

NMRTC GL Command Master Chief Timothy Newell provided closing remarks, thanking first responders who ran towards the destruction to save lives at the risk and loss of their own.

The event ended with reflection and prayer from guest Naval Station Great Lakes Chaplain Commander Yonatan Warren, a moment of silence, and the bugle call “Taps” performed by a member of the NSGL Band.

HM3 Aeiron Salas was the bell ringer, and the NMRTC GL Color Guard posted the colors during the National Anthem, also performed by the Navy band.

Thank you to the color guard:
HM2 Meryann Foor
HM3 Alyssa Scott
HM3 Karla FernandezLara,
HN Karla Villarealvergara

09/11/2026

September 10 is World Su***de Prevention Day. Every Veteran deserves to know where to turn when things become difficult.

VA data shows that su***de risk and experiences with suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not the same across all Veteran populations. These differences reinforce the importance of reaching Veterans in ways that recognize their communities, experiences and needs.

For minority Veterans, VA is working to strengthen those connections. The STRONG Veterans Act of 2022 expanded mental health and su***de-prevention efforts, including culturally appropriate outreach and collaboration involving VA Minority Veteran Program Coordinators.

But awareness also means knowing what help is available when it is needed most.

💡 DID YOU KNOW?

Under the COMPACT Act, eligible Veterans experiencing an acute suicidal crisis can receive emergency su***de care at a VA or non-VA emergency department— even if they are not enrolled in VA health care.

Covered care may include transportation, up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residential care, and up to 90 days of related outpatient care.

You don’t have to wait until a crisis to reach out or check in on someone you care about.

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one:

📞 Call 988, then Press 1
📱 Text 838255
💬 Connect through the Veterans Crisis Line
🚑 In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

This World Su***de Prevention Day, help us make sure Veterans in every community know: support is available, and reaching out can save a life.

***dePreventionDay ***dePrevention

09/09/2026

08/31/2026

For our TRICARE beneficiaries, the Joint Outpatient Experience Survey (JOES) is a survey that is administered by the Office of the Surgeon General, asking you about your military health care.

This survey focuses on issues ranging on how the provider communicated with you during your visit to questions regarding access to care, cleanliness of our facility, and courtesy of the staff.

We randomly select patients to survey by mail. We ask you to complete a brief questionnaire regarding the care you received at our main hospital or our clinics.

If you receive one of these surveys, please fill it out. This feedback is valuable to us!

08/29/2026

TRICARE patients and parents of TRICARE patients, there is an alternative to going to the doctor - the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line. Visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com/home or dial 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.

08/28/2026

You served. You earned it. Discover the VA benefits and services available to Reserve and National Guard members through the Military Life Cycle Program. 🇺🇸

Visit https://discover.va.gov/transition-programs/transition-assistance-program/

08/27/2026

Lovell FHCC celebrated Women's Equality Day with two walks around campus today. The weather was perfect, spirits were high, and supporters joined in as the groups went past.

Women's Equality Day commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920. This historic milestone marked a significant step forward in expanding women's participation in American democracy and recognizing their voices in shaping the future of our nation.

Women's Equality Day was later officially designated by Congress and serves as an opportunity to reflect on progress, honor perseverance, and celebrate the achievements of women across generations.

For women Veterans, Women's Equality Day carries special meaning. Long before many opportunities were available to them, women answered the call to serve. They stepped forward during times of war and peace, often overcoming barriers and challenging expectations while demonstrating extraordinary courage, leadership, and commitment to our country. Women's service helped shape not only the United States military but also the communities, workplaces, and more.

Today's women Veterans represent the fastest-growing Veteran population in America. They are leaders in business, government, healthcare, education, public service, and their local communities. They continue a legacy built by generations of trailblazers who proved that service, sacrifice, and leadership know no bounds.

Happy Women's Equality Day!