About this Unit
Wilford Hall Medical Center, located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, has a distinguished history as one of the United States Air Force's premier medical facilities. Established during World War II, it was named in honor of Major General Wilford F. Hall, a noted pioneer in Air Force medicine. Over the decades, Wilford Hall served as the Air Force's largest medical center, providing advanced healthcare to service members, their families, and veterans, as well as supporting global military operations with specialized medical teams. In 2011, its inpatient services transitioned to the newly established San Antonio Military Medical Center, but Wilford Hall continues its legacy as an outpatient ambulatory care center, remaining a key pillar in military medicine.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) traces its beginnings to 1942, when a 1,000-bed hospital was opened at Lackland Air Force Base to serve the influx of recruits during World War II.
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Named After a Pioneer: The center was named in 1957 after Major General Wilford F. Hall, a key figure in Air Force medicine, who died in a 1953 plane crash while serving as the Air Force’s Deputy Surgeon General.
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Once the Largest U.S. Air Force Hospital: For decades, WHMC was the largest Air Force medical facility, at its peak boasting over 1,000 beds and a staff of more than 2,600.
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Air Evacuation Hub: WHMC has long been a major hub for aeromedical evacuation, receiving and treating wounded personnel evacuated from overseas combat zones, particularly during the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars.
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Pioneers in Burn Treatment: The center earned a reputation for excellence in burn treatment and research, especially for treating military personnel injured in combat.
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First Heart Transplant in the Air Force: In 1984, WHMC performed the first successful heart transplant in an Air Force facility, marking a milestone in military medicine.
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Site of the First Air Force Neonatal ICU: WHMC established the Air Force’s first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), providing advanced care for premature and critically ill newborns.
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A Center for Training: The medical center served as a primary teaching hospital for military and civilian medical professionals, training thousands of doctors, nurses, and technicians each year.
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Transition to Ambulatory Care: In 2011, as part of the San Antonio Military Health System, inpatient services moved to Brooke Army Medical Center, and WHMC transitioned to the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, focusing on outpatient care.
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Medical Humanitarian Missions: WHMC staff have participated in numerous humanitarian and disaster relief missions, including support for Hurricane Katrina relief and international medical outreach.
