SAN ANTONIO \u2013 While leaders at Methodist Healthcare pitch a Level II trauma center, city officials say it could hurt the mission at Brooke Army Medical Center.<\/p>\n
The issue is on the docket at the Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting on Tuesday. The committee is considering a resolution<\/a> reaffirming the city\u2019s support for BAMC\u2019s Level I trauma center and military medical readiness mission.<\/p>\n The draft resolution states Methodist Healthcare has announced plans to develop or seek designation as a Level II trauma facility on Oct. 1, 2026. It says without safeguards, the additional trauma capacity could reduce the civilian trauma volume needed for BAMC\u2019s training mission.<\/p>\n The resolution also asks the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, or STRAC, to weigh in. STRAC coordinates the trauma and emergency health care system for 22 counties in its region. STRAC does not designate trauma centers \u2014 that authority belongs to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).<\/p>\n BAMC is the Department of Defense\u2019s only Level I trauma center. It also serves as a training and research center for military physicians, nurses, medics and other health care professionals preparing to treat combat injuries.<\/p>\n University Hospital also has a Level I trauma center.<\/p>\n Level I vs. Level II trauma centers<\/p>\n