Braverman talks progress Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 27 2009 03:20 PM By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Fort Hood Herald

Though Col. Steven Braverman won't be in command when Fort Hood's new hospital is completed, he is excited to have a hand in Fort Hood's future medical care.

The colonel talked about the new facility with members of the Central Texas media last week at Club Hood.

Braverman took command of Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center from Col. Casper Jones III July 17. Jones went on to serve as director of plans and policy at the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical in Bethesda, Md.

Leading Darnall is typically a two-year command, and that means Braverman won't be at Fort Hood in 2015 when the medical center is up and running.

It was announced in March that $621 million in stimulus funds came through for one phase of new construction set to start in 2010 and end in 2013. A second phase, that in March wasn't funded, was set to begin in 2016 and end in 2019.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and U.S. Reps. John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Chet Edwards, D-Waco, all announced in late-September that $306 million from the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill was earmarked to fund the second phase and the phases would be combined for an estimated completion date of 2013.

Braverman said last week that the contract for the massive project would be awarded in August with a late fall or early winter groundbreaking. He also said that the expected completion date is 2015 with occupancy soon thereafter.

Carter and Edwards recommended to Defense Department officials July 22 that the phases be combined "after being told by Army officials" that the facility could be built sooner and save millions, according to information from Carter's office released in September.

The updated project will substantially cut construction costs, avoid a long period of split activity at Darnall and more rapidly upgrade services for those who use the facilities, according to information from Carter's office.

"We would save on construction costs, and improve health services more quickly," he said. "With the majority of funds remaining unspent and unclaimed, we could put those funds to use right now on this project for the benefit of all."

Aside from updates to technology and facilities, the new Darnall will have the style and amenities that show it is moving from a 1960s Army community hospital to an Army medical center that focuses on making patients feel at home. That includes single rooms for inpatient care and open spaces, Braverman said last week.

One of the challenges at Darnall is space, he went on to say. Semi-permanent and temporary buildings were constructed to house behavioral health care programs because there wasn't space in the medical center. The new facility will consolidate a lot of that, he added.

Another issue at Darnall is parking. It has 1,000 spaces and the new configuration calls for 2,900, according to early-September information from the medical center. A parking garage has been discussed.

Braverman said issues like parking, communication and access and amenities contribute significantly to patients' satisfaction. While quality of care might rate high, lack of parking or access to care can cause ire.

Darnall has an 87 percent satisfaction rate now, Braverman said.

"We want to get that higher," he added.

Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.