MORE

In the News

New beginning in Bethesda as military hospitals merge

In August, the last patients were transferred from the closing Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the Bethesda National Military Medical Center.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Lance Cpl. Matias Ferreira, left, and Lance Cpl. Josh Misienicz, go through exercises at the Military Amputee Treatment Center within the newly added America Building at the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. The complex will be renamed the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center closes and many of the services and patients are moved to the Bethesda facility.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Louise Hassinger works on an above-the-knee prosthesis for cycling within the America Building at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. The prosthetic lab has double the capacity for making artificial limbs as the former lab at Walter Reed.

Louise Hassinger works on an above-the-knee prosthesis for cycling within the America Building at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. The prosthetic lab has double the capacity for making artificial limbs as the former lab at Walter Reed.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A newly added portion of the Arrowhead Building at the Bethesda site, the U.S. military’s largest medical center.

A newly added portion of the Arrowhead Building at the Bethesda site, the U.S. military’s largest medical center.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

This center became the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as part of a larger consolidation of military medicine in the Washington area stemming from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision to shutter Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District.

This center became the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as part of a larger consolidation of military medicine in the Washington area stemming from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision to shutter Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Sgt. Maj. Ray Mackey, after going through exercises at the amputee treatment center. Mackey, who lost two legs in Afghanistan, said some of the troops who have been at Walter Reed are “a little apprehensive” about the move. But he said concerns have been allayed since their arrival at Bethesda. “Everybody’s really impressed with the facility,” he said.

Sgt. Maj. Ray Mackey, after going through exercises at the amputee treatment center. Mackey, who lost two legs in Afghanistan, said some of the troops who have been at Walter Reed are “a little apprehensive” about the move. But he said concerns have been allayed since their arrival at Bethesda. “Everybody’s really impressed with the facility,” he said.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Cpl. Matt Bowman, left, Gunnery Sgt. John Hayes, center, and Cpl. Tyler Southern work out at the amputee treatment center.

Cpl. Matt Bowman, left, Gunnery Sgt. John Hayes, center, and Cpl. Tyler Southern work out at the amputee treatment center.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Men walk down the hallway of a newly added portion of the Arrowhead Building. The number of patient visits at Bethesda is expected to jump from 600,000 per year to around 1 million.

Men walk down the hallway of a newly added portion of the Arrowhead Building. The number of patient visits at Bethesda is expected to jump from 600,000 per year to around 1 million.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Doug Craig, left, eats lunch with his son, Maj. Jon Craig, at the Warrior Cafe in the newly added Tranquility Hall at the Bethesda facility. Tranquility Hall, a new wounded-warrior barracks, has 153 two-bedroom suites, equipped with kitchenettes, laundry machines, computers and flat-screen televisions.

Doug Craig, left, eats lunch with his son, Maj. Jon Craig, at the Warrior Cafe in the newly added Tranquility Hall at the Bethesda facility. Tranquility Hall, a new wounded-warrior barracks, has 153 two-bedroom suites, equipped with kitchenettes, laundry machines, computers and flat-screen televisions.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Lance Cpl. Josh Misienicz, left, takes a break as Lance Cpl. Matias Ferreira undergoes physical therapy at the amputee center.

Lance Cpl. Josh Misienicz, left, takes a break as Lance Cpl. Matias Ferreira undergoes physical therapy at the amputee center.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Ferreira and Misienicz take a short break from physical therapy. Merging two hospitals with storied histories and deep institutional cultures has not been easy. “This is a historic transformation, given that these are two icons of military medicine,” said Rear Adm. Matthew Nathan, the commander at Bethesda.“You can imagine the brand loyalty at Walter Reed and Bethesda.”

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Lance Cpl. James Boucher traverses the America Building. The 515,000-square-foot building, constructed on a parking lot north of the Bethesda facility’s iconic tower, is the largest out-patient medical facility. Its corridors are already crowded with doctors and patients

Lance Cpl. James Boucher traverses the America Building. The 515,000-square-foot building, constructed on a parking lot north of the Bethesda facility’s iconic tower, is the largest out-patient medical facility. Its corridors are already crowded with doctors and patients

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.