Officials dedicate TBI treatment center

Military leaders, in partnership with Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, officially dedicated a new $11 million facility dedicated to the treatment of wounded warriors who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress.

Named Intrepid Spirit, the building is the first of nine National Intrepid Center of Excellence satellite centers aimed at standardizing a single concept of care to enhance discovery, refine care delivery methods and influence the culture of leadership advocacy and shared responsibility for patients dealing with TBI, PTS and other psychological health conditions.

The NICoE System is an essential element of the Military Health Systems holistic approach to the recovery and transition of wounded, ill and injured servicemembers, said Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Director, TRICARE Management Activity.

The Fort Belvoir Community Hospital NICoE satellite is the first expansion of services from the main NICoE facility at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The Belvoir satellite has treated 80 patients since its opening two months ago.

As other NICoE satellites stand up, they will all maintain a strong, collaborative relationship with NICoE Bethesda for clinical referrals, incorporation of the NICoE interdisciplinary team model, programmatic coordination of clinical assessments, application of treatment approaches as well as the selection of outcome metrics.

The opening of the Intrepid Spirit One at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital reminds us in the Military Health Service that we exist for no other reason than to take care of warriors and their Families, no matter what it takes, said Col. Charles Callahan, FBCH commander.

Funded and conceived by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, the Belvoir hospital NICoE satellite is 25,000 square feet and will serve about 600 servicemembers each year and about 150 appointments per day.

At the new facility, wounded, ill and injured warriors develop a personalized comprehensive transition plan that includes individual goals in six dimensions of life: physical, career, social, spiritual, emotional, and Family.

The NICoE satellite revolutionizes the care model for TBI and Post-Traumatic Stress through an innovative, inter-disciplinary care model for both the warrior and Family, said Heechin Chae, Intrepid Spirit director. Combined with our advanced research programs, this care model is fully integrated with our clinical programs to maximize the warriors functional ability and allows a productive return to military service or community.

In coordination with their physical therapists and medical providers, wounded warriors partner as a team and actively evaluate and develop new ways to incorporate life elements into their treatment and recovery plans.

See more here:
Officials dedicate TBI treatment center