For many people, the holiday season brings expectations of joy. But for some, the holidays may be a time of stress, sadness, or isolation. Life events like the deployment of a spouse, the loss of a loved one, and complex family dynamics can affect how we feel during the holiday season.

TRICARE Open Season is here. Now through Dec. 12, most people enrolled in or eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select can make enrollment changes for next year. Open season doesn’t apply to everyone who uses TRICARE.

No matter where you live or travel, it’s important to have the prescription drugs you need. To help make this possible, your TRICARE pharmacy benefit is available worldwide. But overseas, your pharmacy options may vary.

Some TRICARE beneficiaries may be eligible for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP. This program is managed by the Office of Personnel Management. If you're eligible, you can enroll in or change your dental and vision coverage during Federal Benefits Open Season.

The staff of Keesler Medical Center’s Family Birthing Center is employing an innovative tool for birthing people experiencing postpartum hemorrhage. The Jada® system, a new tool in their arsenal, will be used to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding.

The patient’s eyes blink and their chest softly lifts up and down. A doctor moves to their side to ask how they are feeling, and a computer prompts the patient to respond with a sudden erratic heartbeat. With an average of 3,500 student hours a month, the 81st Medical Group simulation lab is an essential tool used to train life-saving skills to medical personnel.

The Keesler Medical Center Laboratory passed the College of American Pathology (CAP) Inspection on Jan. 31 with an EXCELLENT grade of 99.9%, putting them in the top 10% of all accredited laboratories in the world. CAP equips accredited laboratories with the knowledge, skills and resources to remain up to date and relevant in an evolving healthcare landscape, while ensuring compliance with federal and state laboratory regulations.

Keesler will transition to the Military Health System’s new electronic health record system, MHS GENESIS, on Sept. 24.