Support for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Alexian Brothers joins forces with State Senator Dan Kotowski and Local, State and Federal Veterans Programs aid returning veterans and their families
Elk Grove Village
(January 25) -- Alexian Brothers Medical Center has teamed with State Senator Dan Kotowski (33rd District), his Northwest Suburban Veterans Advisory Council, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Administration to develop a community-based Military Support System to aid returning veterans and their families deal with service-related neurological and psychiatric problems.
Since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, the coalition led by the United States has lost more than four thousand service men and women, with four local residents of Elk Grove Village having died honorably in service to our country. Tragically, even those soldiers that do make it home alive often do so with lingering injuries or mental health problems. A recent Rand Corporation study estimates that at least 20% of returning GIs show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], but only half seek treatment. Many of these individuals also show additional cognitive problems suggestive of some degree of traumatic brain injury, but in many cases, there is lack of follow-up care. Given that more than 1.5 million soldiers have been deployed, it is clear that community-based programs need to play a bigger role in the support of returning veterans.
To provide support to returning soldiers in the Northwest Suburbs, Alexian Brothers Medical Center created the "Veterans Center ” on the Alexian Brothers Medical Center campus in 2007. Funded in part by donations from Alexian Brothers Medical Center employees, this unique partnership with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the V.A. Vet Center brings multiple levels of support to veterans and their families and is in alignment with the overall mission of the Alexian Brothers.
Senator Dan Kotowski serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee in the State Senate. Dan has sponsored a law providing funds for PTSD screening and care, and he has worked on numerous veterans issues. “I applaud Alexian Brothers for the commitment of its staff to assisting our Vets who are disabled by PTSD,” said Kotowski. “My veteran's advisory group in the Northwest Suburbs has pointed out the need for such a service in our community. Alexian Brothers is filling that need, and I am deeply committed to honoring our Vets by working to ensure future funding for such a model service.”
Kotowski also pointed out that Alexian Brothers can additionally meet the needs of veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury, through its on-campus provision of care by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, with which it is affiliated.
Alexian Brothers Medical Center is also establishing the Veterans Imaging Program [VIP], a novel research program which uses advanced non-invasive brain imaging methods to detect and evaluate the neurobiological correlates of PTSD and mild traumatic brain injury. According to Dr. Jeffrey David Lewine, the Director of the Alexian Brothers Center for Brain Research, 'this program takes advantage of an integrated array of state-of-the-art technologies that is not available anywhere else in Illinois. By better understanding the biology of these conditions, we can develop better and more effective rehabilitation strategies."
A single point of contact will allow local vets and family members to access the Alexian Brothers Medical Center resources and programs. The intake phone number for families or veterans to call is 847-593-8350
“I am very proud that our community is pulling together to support our veterans who have sacrificed much to serve our nation and their hometowns,” said Kotowski. “That is why I will continue to work to implement legislative support for them. They deserve the best from us, because that is what they have given for us.”
Attendees at the June 25th news conference, included:
- Dr. Jeffrey David Lewine, Ph.D. Director of the Alexian Brothers Center for Brain Research -- Discussed the use of advanced technology to evaluate PTSD and TBI.
- State Senator Dan Kotowski (33rd District, Northwest Suburbs and member of the Illinois Senate Veterans Affairs Committee) – Discussed his passed legislation to help Vets with PTSD and other Vet support laws
- Brother Daniel McCormick, C.F.A. of Alexian Brothers Medical Center – Discussed the importance of treating PTSD to the Alexian Brothers Mission. His son also serves in Iraq.
- A local veteran who discussed the problems faced by his fellow returning GIs with PTSD
Also in attendance were members of local area veteran's organizations, including: the Northwest Suburban Veterans Advisory Council, SALUTE, Support for Veterans and VFW and American Legion Posts.
Read coverage of the event by clicking any of the following: Daily Herald, Pioneer Press, Journal and Topics
