Womack Army Medical Center

Womack Army Medical Center is a premier military medical facility located within Fort Liberty in North Carolina. As a cornerstone of the Military Health System, it provides comprehensive healthcare to active-duty service members, their families, and military retirees. The center serves as a critical training site for medical personnel and operates as a Level III Trauma Center, supporting the readiness of the United States Army and the surrounding community.

History

The origins of the medical center trace back to earlier hospital facilities serving Fort Bragg, which was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023. The current facility was constructed to replace the aging Womack Army Hospital and was officially opened in 1993. It was named in honor of Captain Bryant H. Womack, a United States Army medic posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War. Over the decades, the center has expanded its capabilities in response to conflicts including the Global War on Terrorism, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan, continuously adapting to meet the evolving medical needs of the XVIII Airborne Corps and other stationed units.

Facilities and services

The medical center encompasses a modern campus featuring a main hospital with approximately 120 inpatient beds, extensive outpatient clinics, and specialized diagnostic centers. Key clinical services include emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral health, obstetrics, pediatrics, and a robust Department of Defense pharmacy. It houses advanced facilities such as the Weinstein Health and Wellness Center and the Joel Health Clinic, supporting physical rehabilitation and primary care. The center maintains a strong partnership with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for graduate medical education, training residents in fields like family medicine and psychiatry, and is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Military and community role

Womack Army Medical Center is integral to the medical readiness of the United States Armed Forces, particularly for the rapid-deployment forces of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the United States Army Special Operations Command. It provides essential pre-deployment health assessments, trauma care training, and sustainment of the Soldier Readiness Processing system. Beyond the military population, it serves as a vital healthcare asset for the Fayetteville metropolitan area and Cumberland County, participating in regional emergency response networks and offering civilian trauma care under its Memorandum of Understanding with local authorities, thereby strengthening the overall public health infrastructure.

Leadership and organization

The center is commanded by a senior officer in the United States Army Medical Corps, typically holding the rank of colonel, who reports through the U.S. Army Medical Command to the Defense Health Agency. The organizational structure includes deputy commanders for clinical services, nursing, and administration, overseeing a staff comprising active-duty personnel, Department of the Army civilians, and contractors. This multidisciplinary team works in concert with other major military treatment facilities like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center to standardize care across the Military Health System.

Notable incidents and recognitions

The medical center has been recognized for clinical excellence, including repeated accolades from the American College of Surgeons for its trauma program. It played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating testing sites and vaccination centers for the Fort Liberty community. In 2018, it underwent a major renovation to modernize its surgical and emergency departments. The center's staff have frequently been decorated for service, contributing to its reputation as a high-reliability organization within the Department of Defense.

Category:Hospitals in North Carolina Category:United States Army hospitals Category:Buildings and structures in Cumberland County, North Carolina