Mission

We are dedicated to safe, quality care that improves patient outcomes and enhances the readiness of the force.

Vision

The Fort Meade MEDDAC is a premier team of well-trained, adaptive leaders of character, who deliver safe, quality, patient-centered health care that improves outcomes for all those entrusted to our care.

Our Priorities

• People - Taking care of people, our staff and our beneficiaries, defines our success. We will deliver safe, quality, patient centered health care that improves outcomes for all those entrusted to care.
   
• Readiness - We will promote and improve readiness to sustain the health of the force. Leaders at all levels will ensure the readiness and welfare of the Meade MEDDAC Team and our Service Members.
   
• Organize Our Systems - We must do routine things routinely. We will develop systems at all levels to ensure routine tasks are conducted to standard and tracked. A system consists of a task, a doer and a checker and has a function, a timeline, and assigns responsibility for execution and follow up. 
   
• Values-Driven - We will live the Army Values 24/7 and set and enforce high standards of competence, physical fitness and conduct. We will act with integrity in all professional, social, and online environments. We will model ethical conduct and produce leaders that hold each other accountable. 
   
• Inspire Trust - Leaders will build cohesive teams by establishing a safe, positive command climate where everyone is able to thrive while living honorably and achieving results. 
   
• Develop Leaders - The Army does not hire adaptive leaders of character... we grow them. Leader training, education, talent management, certification and counseling form the foundation for mission success.
   
• Enhance the Patient Experience - We will improve care processes to be responsive to the needs of our beneficiaries. We will leverage technology to optimize readiness, access, and patient experience, eliminate preventable harm, and integrate high-reliability clinical process improvements. 
   
• Resource the Mission - We will align resources against priorities that support the commander's intent and achieve mission readiness requirements. Everyone is responsible for the stewardship of unit resources and accomplishing the mission. 

About Us

Our History

From 1917-1940, the Station Hospital at Aberdeen Proving Ground occupied a variety of temporary and semi- permanent buildings. In 1919, the largest early medical facility with a capacity of 200 beds, was in use at Aberdeen Proving Ground. By 1939, needs were considerably reduced and the hospital was moved to a permanent location with a bed capacity of thirteen.

With a manpower buildup preceding the Nation’s entry into World War II, modernization came to the medical service at   Aberdeen proving Ground. With the influx of troops for training, the small facility could not serve the needs of the population. As part of the crash-building plan at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1941, a 500-bed cantonment hospital was erected in the 2100 block. This remained the MTF at Aberdeen Proving Ground until 1963.

In fiscal year 1960, the Army Medical Department made a move forward in its effort to assure the provision of adequate modern permanent buildings for the hospitalization of patients and the treatment of increasing outpatients loads at Army medical facilities an extensive study resulted in the creation of an entirely  new formula for measuring the space requirements of a major  Army medical facility. The formula, based on statistical analysis of workloads, staffing requirements, hours of operations, areas required for clinical elements, nursing units, and supportive activities made it possible to predetermine the size of a building required to meet medical needs at a given installation.

As a result of this study, the Army construction program for fiscal year 1961 included an experimental project called Health Activity at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The construction of a 75 bed hospital was begun in July 1961. Kirk Army Hospital, Aberdeen Proving Ground was completed in July 1964. The new facility fulfilled the new concept and design for hospitals in the Army hospital system and revolutionized the building procedure to follow.

Main Clinic

Phone: 

(410) 278-5475

Location: 

When Kirk is not open, where do I go for health care?

Kirk is opened from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
On holidays, weekends and evening hours, you may contact the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1 for medical advice, urgent care authorizations, or self-care education from a registered nurse. Should you have a true emergency, you should go directly to the Emergency Room of the nearest hospital.

How do I get an Appointment?

There are two great ways to schedule an appointment at Kirk Health Clinic. Appointments are made through the Kirk Call Center by calling (410) 278-KIRK (5475) or Toll Free (866) 756-5475; 0730-1630 Monday through Friday, closed weekends and federal holidays and the Internet web-based appointment system ... TRICARE On-Line (TOL) ... www.tricareonline.com

Kirk offers early morning access appointments beginning at 0630 for Active Duty Service Members, Monday through Friday.

How do I see a Specialist?

Referral to a specialist is done through your Primary Care Manager (PCM). If you need to see a specialist, please make an appointment with your PCM to discuss your concerns and consider your options.

I am TDY can I receive care here?

TDY & activated Reservists and their dependents require a copy of their military orders to be eligible for medical care at Kirk. There is no place in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to indicate that a service member has been activated, therefore both soldiers and their family members will need to show copies of the orders for every visit requiring care.

I have Tricare Standard or Tricare for Life can I receive my care here?

Tricare Standard patients may be seen at Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic on a space available basis.

The call center told me there are not any more appointments today, but I really would like to talk to someone about my problems, is there a nurse I can call.

Yes, the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1 for medical advice, urgent care authorizations, or self-care education from a registered nurse is a 24 hour/7 days a week.

Is it true as long as I have Tricare, I can go anywhere?

With only a few exceptions, a referral from your primary care provider (PCM) or from Kirk (Triage Nurse or Staff Duty personnel) is absolutely necessary. Without a referral, you will be responsible for Point of Service Charges and possibly the full charge of the bill. Emergency Rooms do not require a referral.

Where can I go for health care if I have Tricare Direct?

Active Duty service members can go to any MTF or the emergency room. Family members in our region can go to Walter Reed for all health care needs as well as any emergency room. At this time, Kirk is treating Tricare Prime beneficiaries only.

I just had a baby, what do I need to do?

First, register your child with DEERS, than go to Patient Administration and the TRICARE Office. If you want your child to have TRICARE Prime, they MUST be enrolled within 60 days from birth, otherise your child will be defaulted into TRICARE Standard.

I understand that it is customary to arrive at Kirk 15-20 minutes ahead, does that still apply after you are an established patient?

Yes, it is a requirement to arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early for your appointment to help with processing your vitals and necessary paperwork.

What is the best time to avoid long waiting times when picking up my medications?

Surveys have shown that picking up your medication prior to 10:00 am greatly shortens your wait time.

My referral states Occupational Therapy (OT). Is that the same thing as Physical Therapy (PT)?

No, OT is another specialty that deals mainly with the upper extremity focusing on the elbow, wrist, and hand joints. If the physician gives you a consult for OT, the physical therapist will generate a consult for you to be seen by a civilian occupational therapist

My prescription from the physician says for me to attend aquatic therapy. Do you offer that at Kirk?

No, due to our limited size and resources we do not have a pool for aquatic therapy. If your physician is requesting that you attend an aquatic physical therapy program the therapist will generate a consult for you to be seen by a civilian physical therapy clinic that offers aquatic therapy.