Alison Wiesenthal, Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine & Chief of Palliative Care, Center for the Intrepid – Brooke Army Medical Center
Alison Wiesenthal is the chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and chief of palliative care for Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), spoke to Invest: about BAMC’s unparalleled role in delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care, from diagnosis through survivorship or end-of-life support.
How would you describe BAMC?
BAMC stands alone as the only Department of Defense (DoD) hospital with a fully integrative palliative care program, offering both inpatient and outpatient services to beneficiaries across the globe. This distinction is critical—while many medical centers lack dedicated outpatient palliative care, BAMC ensures service members, retirees, and their families can access this support at any point in their illness, whether during active treatment, survivorship, or transition to hospice.
Outpatient palliative care is a lifeline for patients who need symptom management, advanced care planning, or emotional support without hospitalization. Through our telehealth platform, we’ve eliminated geographic barriers. A soldier in Germany, a retiree in Hawaii, or a family in rural Texas can connect with our team from home, conserving their most valuable resources— time and energy.
Palliative care isn’t about giving up—it’s about living better, longer. Whether through telehealth or in-person, our goal remains the same: to ensure every DoD beneficiary, anywhere in the world, receives the compassionate, expert care they deserve.
What is unique about the Center for the Intrepid?
What sets the Center for the Intrepid (CFI) apart isn’t just its mission—it’s how it revolutionizes rehabilitation through world-first technologies and holistic care. There are some key things that make CFI extraordinary. 1) Virtual Reality Meets Real-World Recovery: CFI’s CAREN (Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Environment) is a marvel of military medicine: a 21-foot dome with a 300-degree screen that immerses patients in virtual terrains while sensors analyze their movements in real time. This isn’t just therapy—it’s a sci-fi-worthy tool that rebuilds balance, coordination, and confidence for amputees and burn victims. 2) The Only Military Facility with a FlowRider® Pool: At the CFI, we don’t just make therapy fun—we make fun therapeutic. CFI’s standing wave pool isn’t for leisure—it’s a dynamic rehabilitation tool. Patients use it to rebuild core strength and balance through simulated surfing, blending high-tech hydrotherapy with adrenaline-pumping fun. 3) A Gait Lab Straight from the Future: With 24 infrared cameras tracking motion on an automated truss, CFI’s Gait Lab offers precision biomechanical analysis optimized for prosthetic performance. 4) Built by Heroes, for Heroes: Funded entirely by private donations and constructed in just 14 months, CFI stands as a testament to national gratitude. Its rapid deployment (from concept to completion in 18 months) set a new standard for military-medical collaboration.
CFI isn’t just a facility—it’s a beacon of hope. By merging innovation with humanity, it ensures wounded warriors don’t just survive but thrive. From virtual reality to community-built funding, every detail reflects a singular truth: No one does rehab like the CFI.
How is technology changing care and rehab practices?
Technology is transforming rehabilitation and palliative care at BAMC. Telehealth has been a game-changer, particularly for seriously ill patients who struggle with in-person visits. Our global telehealth platform ensures no patient is beyond our reach.
What is your outlook and your top priorities for the next two to three years?
By integrating palliative care early, leveraging technology, and preserving our deep expertise, we’re not just treating patients—we’re transforming their journeys.
Looking ahead, the priorities are clear: readiness, retention, and proactive care. We must always be prepared for large-scale conflict and ensure that any patient who reaches us receives unparalleled care.
