Patient Advocate

A Patient Advocate helps patients and beneficiaries address questions or concerns about services received at a military hospital or clinic.

Patient Advocates listen to concerns, explain hospital policies, assist with complaints, and help communicate concerns between patients, staff, and healthcare providers.

How a Patient Advocate Can Help

Patient Advocates help patients understand available options and work toward appropriate resolution of healthcare concerns.

  • Listen to your questions or concerns.
  • Address complaints about healthcare services you received.
  • Explain military hospital or clinic policies and procedures.
  • Help mediate concerns between you and your healthcare provider or clinic.
  • Connect you with the appropriate department or leadership when additional review is needed.

Whenever possible, begin by discussing the concern with the clinic or department involved. Patient Advocates and Patient Ambassadors are available when additional assistance is needed.

Current Patient Advocacy Support

Effective June 1, 2026: Contingency support operations are active for the WACH Patient Advocacy Program to maintain uninterrupted beneficiary support and continuity of service while an assigned Patient Advocate resource is unavailable.

Interim Patient Advocacy case intake and management support is provided by the CRDAMC Response Support Team.

WACH Patient Advocacy Case Intake and Management

Support Team:
CRDAMC Response Support Team

Point of Contact:
Ms. Christine Mingo
Chief, Patient Experience Division

Email:
dha.hood.Darnall-AMC.mbx.crdamc-response-support-team@health.mil

Telephone:
760-383-5099

Patient Ambassadors

Patient Ambassadors help patients and authorized beneficiaries obtain appropriate responses to questions, concerns, and complaints related to services provided at WACH.

Start with the Patient Ambassador for the clinic or service involved. If the issue cannot be resolved at that level, contact the Patient Advocacy support team at 760-383-5099
.

Administration and Primary Care

Administration

Primary:
Mr. Vince Pryce
760-383-5488

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Primary Care

Primary:
MAJ Melissa Tracht
760-383-5213

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Javier Villanueva Troop Medical Clinic

Primary:
MAJ Melissa Tracht
760-383-5213

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic 1

Location:
WACH, Third Floor

Primary:
Dr. John Kelley
760-383-5448

Secondary:
Mr. Michael Lombard
760-282-5440

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic 2

Location:
Mary Walker Center, 11th ACR

Primary:
MAJ Crystal Parker
760-380-7195

Secondary:
Ms. Juliana Dumayas
760-380-9638

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Clinical and Support Services

Specialty Clinics

Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, Optometry, and Women's Health

Primary:
MAJ Naikeya Coston
760-383-5370

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Laboratory and Radiology

Primary:
1LT Jazmyne Brown
760-383-5093

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Pharmacy

Primary:
CPT Oyemayowa Sanwo
760-383-5150

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Public Health and Armed Forces Wellness Center

Primary:
Dr. Emmanuel Easterling
760-383-5810

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Inpatient, Emergency, and Yuma Proving Ground

Inpatient / Labor & Delivery

Primary:
MAJ Ashley Draughon
760-383-5102

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Emergency Department

Primary:
MAJ Kyle Walter
760-383-5562

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

Yuma Proving Ground Health Clinic

Primary:
CPT Emily Carmody
928-328-2666

Alternate:
Ms. Sonja Baca
760-383-5286

If you are unsure which Patient Ambassador is most appropriate for your concern, contact the Patient Advocacy support team and they will help connect you with the appropriate clinic representative.

Patient Feedback Surveys

Weed Army Community Hospital uses several patient experience surveys to better understand beneficiary healthcare experiences and identify opportunities for improvement.

Joint Outpatient Experience Survey (JOES)

JOES is a Department of Defense survey that gathers feedback about outpatient visits and patient interactions with healthcare teams.

The survey standardizes patient experience measurement across military treatment facilities and helps leaders understand how care is being delivered from the patient's perspective.

TRICARE Inpatient Satisfaction Survey (TRISS)

TRISS gathers feedback from patients following an inpatient hospital stay.

Responses help identify strengths, opportunities for improvement, and ways to enhance the overall inpatient experience.

Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE)

ICE provides patients with an opportunity to submit comments, compliments, concerns, and suggestions regarding services received at WACH.

Feedback submitted through ICE is reviewed by leadership and service representatives to improve customer service and patient satisfaction.

Submit feedback through ICE

Your Feedback Matters

Survey responses help WACH evaluate healthcare services, recognize exceptional staff, and improve processes that affect patient care and access.

Honest feedback—both positive and constructive—helps ensure the best possible experience for patients and families.

Completing a survey gives you an opportunity to have your voice heard. WACH leadership reviews patient feedback and uses survey results to guide service improvements across the organization.

Helpful Tips When Providing Feedback

  • Be specific about the clinic, service, or visit.
  • Include the approximate date of your appointment or stay.
  • Recognize staff members who provided exceptional care.
  • Describe concerns clearly so the appropriate team can review them.
  • Provide suggestions whenever possible.

Patient Advocate Reminders

  • Address concerns as early as possible so they can be reviewed promptly.
  • Start with the clinic or service involved whenever appropriate.
  • Contact a Patient Ambassador for clinic-specific assistance.
  • Use Patient Advocacy support when additional assistance is needed.
  • Participate in JOES, TRISS, and ICE surveys when invited.
  • Recognize exceptional service and share suggestions for improvement.

Patient Ambassador assignments, phone numbers, and organizational responsibilities may change based on staffing and operational requirements.

Contact Us

Phone

760-383-5099

Location

BLDG 390 N Loop Rd
Fort Irwin, CA 92310

Don't forget to keep your family's information up to date in DEERS!