Dot Mil Docs

Dr. Robert Ciulla, program manager for afterdeploment.org, will discuss how the program started from a congressional mandate to focus on the concerns that servicemembers, veterans, and their families might have the first months after a servicemember returns home from deployment. Dr. Ciulla will share information regarding the program, their Web site, and the next phase of afterdeployment. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Col. (Dr.) Francisco J. Rentas, Director of Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) will discuss the organization and its efforts surrounding National Blood Donor Month. The ASBP plays a key role in providing quality blood products for Service members and their families in both peace and war. As a joint operation among the military services (Army, Navy, Air Force), the ASBP has many components working together to collect, process, store, distribute, and transfuse blood worldwide. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Dr. Shad Deering, an Army physician from Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington and MAJ Amber Pocrnich, an Army nurse from Fort Riley, Kansas are currently deployed in Baghdad, Iraq. They have continued the implementation of team work tools and communication principles to improve patient care at the Combat Support Hospital. Dr. Deering and Ms. Pocrnich will provide an update on the TeamSTEPPS(tm) training underway in theater and discuss the impact it has had on patient safety in a combat environment. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

SGM Wanda Rich-Morrison will represent the Post Deployment Health Reassessment Program (PDHRA), mandated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in March 2005 and designed to identify and address health concerns, with specific emphasis on mental health, that have emerged over time since deployment. The PDHRA provides for a second health assessment using DD Form 2900 during the three- to six-month time period after return from deployment, ideally at the three- to four-month mark. The reassessment is scheduled for completion before the end of 180 days after return so that Reserve Component members have the option of treatment using their TRICARE health benefit. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Dr. Roger Tsien, University California, San Diego, researcher and 2008 Nobel Prize Winner for Chemistry received the award for his development of the green fluorescent protein, which serves as a fluorescent tag that can track movement through cells. Dr. Tsien will talk about his work which is funded by the Army’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Africa Command Surgeon Col. Schuyler Geller discusses the Military Health System’s (MHS) humanitarian efforts to increase health care capacity in African nations. The discussion with Col. Geller is being held leading up to the Jan. 8 & 9, 2009, MHS’s “U.S. Africa Command Health Symposium: Health as a Bridge to Peace and Stability"in Washington, D.C. In this program, Col. Geller also discusses topics including groundbreaking public-private partnerships in Africa, the role of research in developing nation capabilities and best practice sharing for building strong partnerships. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Dr. Brendan M. Patterson is Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at MetroHealth Medical Center. He is an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and leads the Adult Reconstruction/Trauma Service at MetroHealth. Dr. Patterson is board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and specializes in Orthopaedic Traumatology, the care of multiply-injured patients, complex fractures, and total joint reconstruction. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and has been with MetroHealth since 1992. Dr. Patterson is widely published and lectures regionally and nationally. He will address the surgical advances being brought to injured military personnel to speed recovery, improve quality of life and better prepare them for rehabilitation and reintegration. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Dr. Anne Thomas, director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at DoD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP), headquarted in Point Loma, San Diego, engages in international military cooperation of HIV/AIDS prevention, education, care and treatment. DHAPP supports HIV/AIDS strategic information, human capacity development, program and policy development in host militaries and civilian communities in 73 countries around the world. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Army Col. Peter Napolitano, a physician champion for patient safety working at Madigan Army Medical Center, will provide a view on a pre-training effort prior to 'boots on the ground' deployment. Col. Napolitano will specifically describe the importance of "Huddle", a TeamSTEPPS(tm) tool needed in daily practice while providing patient care. This podcast is part of a series that follows military doctors from training to deployment. Stay tuned for Part 2 in January. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

SGM Brent Jurgersen will discuss the Army Wounded Warrior Program as a follow up to the Nov. 13 episode with Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the Army Surgeon General. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Terry Handley is the Director, Active Duty and Warrior Navigation & Assistance Program for Humana Military Healthcare Services, the managed care contractor for TRICARE's South region. He details some of their efforts to support warrior care, including their Warrior Navigation Assistance Program, created to help guide warriors and their families through the maze of health care systems, connect them with the resources to return them to productive lives, and help them over the hurdles they encounter. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

John Beckett, the Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care Program Manager will detail how the Air Force provides personalized care in meeting the needs of Airmen separated as result of severe illness or injuries with community readiness consultants, benefits counseling, enhanced transitional services, centralized case management and more. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Thomas Carrato is the Program Officer for Health Net Federal Services, the managed care contractor for TRICARE's North region. He'll talk about their efforts to support warrior care, including their Warrior Care Support Program, and collaborations with both the Fisher House Foundation and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, the Army Surgeon General/Commanding General of the Army Medical Command discusses Army initiatives to care for our wounded, ill and injured warriors as well as their family members, and what Soldiers need to know to get the care they need and deserve. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Cmdr. William Tanner, Regimental Surgeon with the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR), headquartered in Quantico, Va., will discuss this program. With Wounded Warrior Battalions on both the East and West Coast, the WWR provides and facilitates assistance to wounded, injured and ill Marines and Sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members throughout the phases of recovery. Call (877) 487-6299 to reach the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Call Center. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD, of the products or services advertised on this site.