Medical school joining forces to improve care for millitary

JABSOM will add curriculum, enhance research to meet needs of nation's heroes

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Tina M. Shelton, (808) 692-0897
Director of Communications, Office of Dean of Medicine
Posted: Jan 12, 2012

UH Manoa medical students in surgical gowns
UH Manoa medical students in surgical gowns
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) is taking part in Joining Forces to improve health care for the country’s active duty military, veterans and their families.
 
JABSOM, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) intend to create a new generation of doctors, medical schools, and research facilities that will make sure our military heroes receive care worthy of their service.
 
JABSOM will mobilize its uniquely integrated missions in education, research, and clinical care to train the nation’s physicians to meet veterans and their families’ unique health care needs.
 
“We are honored to participate in the White House Joining Forces initiative to address the health care needs of military service members and veterans and their families,” said Dr. Jerris Hedges, JABSOM Dean. “We are working to develop additional curriculum for our medical students and researchers to better serve those who have served our country for so long.”
 
Hedges said Retired U.S. Army Colonel Larry Burgess, MD, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Telehealth Research Institute, will coordinate JABSOM’s response.
 
In an announcement in Richmond, Virginia, First Lady Michelle Obama said, “I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families. By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned.”
 
The medical school will work to ensure that physicians are aware of the unique clinical challenges and best practices associated with caring for our war fighters. Specific emphasis will include new research and clinical trials involving Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), to better understand and treat these conditions. The Defense Department estimates nearly 213,000 military personnel have suffered traumatic brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2000.
 
Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden created Joining Forces to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support veterans and military families as they serve our country and throughout their lives. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned. The initiative focuses on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of America’s veterans and military families.
 
More information is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces.
 

For more information, visit: http://jabsom.hawaii.edu