Feds close veterans brain injury center in Charlottesville

Charlottesville brain injury center closes

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The federal government has closed a center in Charlottesville that provided treatment for military members and veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center says on its website that the Charlottesville facility had a low patient volume and high costs compared to other facilities. A similar facility in Johnson, Pa., also has been closed.

Kathleen Taylor, a spokeswoman for the national organization, told The Daily Progress that the Charlottesville center needed more than $4 million in technology upgrades to ensure compliance with Department of Defense standards.

"This program focused on community reintegration activities and targeted skills necessary for return to duty/military service and community reintegration," Taylor told the newspaper in an email. "It offered interactive therapy programs designed to address the individual needs and goals of each patient."

She said these services are provided elsewhere in the military health system.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said the center's closing is an example of why Congress needs to find a budget resolution that preserves such facilities and programs.

"I know a Virginian who received superb treatment for their brain injury at this facility," he said in a statement. "I have serious concerns about its closure particularly the burden it may place on area veterans who need care immediately or are unable to travel great distances each time they have an appointment," Kaine said in a statement.

The Charlottesville center closed in May and most of its staff left in June. Taylor said there were 26 contracted staff members who filled about 18 full-time equivalent positions.

"Our job at was to help to normalize these folks . to introduce them (back) to daily activities," said Dr. Jeffrey Barth with the University of Virginia Health System, who was the center's primary neuropsychology consultant.

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Feds close veterans brain injury center in Charlottesville