Oct. 21, 2026 | By Reese Brown, Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center
FORT BELVOIR, Va. — During National Healthcare Quality Week, Oct. 18–24, the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center is highlighting the year-round work of its Quality Management team and staff to ensure beneficiaries receive safe, effective and compassionate care.
Quality Management is integrated into the daily operations of ATAMMC. Through continuous monitoring, data analysis, staff education, process improvement and collaboration across clinical and administrative departments, the medical center identifies opportunities to strengthen care and reduce risk.
These efforts directly affect patients and families. Quality initiatives help ensure care is delivered in a safe environment, information is communicated effectively, processes are reliable and concerns are addressed before they become barriers to quality care. They also help build confidence among beneficiaries who rely on ATAMMC during some of life’s most important and vulnerable moments. “Quality is not a single department or an annual inspection,” said Lt. Col. Lamertis Ihenetu, Chief of Clinical Quality Management. “It is a shared responsibility demonstrated every day by our staff. Every safety check, performance review, training opportunity and process improvement contributes to the trust our beneficiaries place in us.”
ATAMMC’s commitment to quality is reflected in national recognition. The medical center received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in spring 2026, marking its fourth consecutive “A” rating. The grade evaluates patient-safety measures involving medical errors, injuries, infections and other preventable risks.
In July 2026, ATAMMC also earned Leapfrog’s Full Transparency Badge after completing, affirming and publicly reporting all sections of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Together, these accomplishments demonstrate the medical center’s commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.
Quality Management also supports readiness for external evaluations, including accreditation surveys and national performance assessments. While these benchmarks provide important validation, the ultimate measure of success is the experience of each patient and family member who receives care at ATAMMC. “National recognition is meaningful because it reflects the daily dedication of our teams,” said Capt. Michael Paul, Chief Medical Officer. “Our goal is to create an environment where patients feel safe, informed and confident in the care they receive.”
Throughout the year, ATAMMC staff members apply evidence-based practices, review performance data, identify potential hazards, improve communication and seek feedback from patients and colleagues. These actions support safer care, strengthen faith in the organization and reinforce confidence in the military health system.
National Healthcare Quality Week provides an opportunity to recognize the professionals who lead and support these efforts, and every ATAMMC employee whose daily actions help improve care for service members, families, retirees and other beneficiaries.
For ATAMMC, quality is more than a benchmark. It is a commitment to earning the trust of every patient, every day.
