About Us
Our priority at Rodriguez Army Health Clinic is to provide safe, quality and compassionate care to our nation’s heroes – for whom this state-of-the-art hospital was built. From our warfighters, to our spouses and children back home, to our retirees, we are one team dedicated to ensuring all our nation’s heroes receive world-class medical care in a Culture of Excellence. Please feel free to explore this section of our website to learn more about us.
Last Updated 07/08/2020
Our History
On 18 October 1898, the US took formal possession of San Juan and the hospital at El Morro. The American Flag was raised. The first American patients were members of the 11th Infantry, who were admitted on Oct. 20, 1898, before much progress had been made in the renovation. Major Charles F. Mason, Surgeon, of the Brigade of volunteers, was formally assigned as temporary commander on Oct. 22, 1898. The hospital was gradually developed as a general hospital and named the U.S. General Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
During 1947, the U.S. General Hospital changed its name to the Rodriguez General Hospital in honor of Major Fernando E. Rodriguez, Dental Corps, U.S. Army. Rodriguez was an outstanding pioneer in oral bacteriology research and was one of the first to discover the organism causing tooth decay. Rodriguez was a native Puerto Rican and served as Dental Officer, Station Hospital, Post of San Juan, at Fort Brooke.
On 15 January 1947, the 161st General Hospital was inactivated and was reactivated as the Rodriguez General Hospital. The status of Puerto Rico was also changing and by the Jones Act of 1917, Puerto Rico had become an incorporated territory of the United States. The territory received partial self government in 1947 and the American military decided it no longer needed all of Fort Brooke.
On February 14, 1949, the Rodriguez General Hospital was closed as a part of the closing of Fort Brooke. The Outpatient Clinic which was located on Fort Buchanan was renamed; the Rodriguez Army Health Clinic and remains in part to this day.
Rodriguez Army Health Clinic’s Commanders:
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1974 - 1977
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CPT Jacob Lozada
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2002 - 2003
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COL Bradley N. Harper
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1977 - 1981
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MAJ Jessie Valdez
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2003 - 2007
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COL Margarita Aponte
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1981 - 1982
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CPT Francisco Maldonado
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2007 - 2009
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COL Manuel Valentin
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1982 - 1984
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MAJ Rosa Smith
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2009 - 2009
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LTC John E. Glorioso
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1984 - 1989
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COL Gilberto Varela
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2009 - 2011
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COL Virginia D. Yates
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1989 - 1992
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COL Ignacio Hernandez
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2011 - 2012
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COL Danny B.N. Jaghab
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1992 - 1999
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COL Rodolfo E. Bautista
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2012 - 2014
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COL Angelene Hemingway
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1999 - 2002
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COL Bobbilynn H. Lee
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2014 - 2016
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COL David L Sloniker
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2016 - 2018
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LTC Eliasib Lozano
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2018 - 2020
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LTC Rachel Wienke
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2020 - 2022
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LTC Joseph Walker
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2020 - Present
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LTC Alex Montgomery
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Rodriguez Army Health Clinic
Mission:
Provide ready and sustained health service support and force health protection in support of Multi-COMPO forces and Fort Buchanan to enable readiness and to conserve the fighting strength while caring for our People and their Families.
Vision:
Maximized readiness, enduring 5-star healthcare.