Director of Veterans Affairs Tours Alexian Brothers MEG Center

Dr. Jefferey Lewine explains PTSD research utilizing
brain-mapping technology to IDVA Director Daniel Grant
at the MEG Center at Alexian Brothers Medical Center

Daniel W. Grant, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs toured the Neurosciences Institute at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in May. The tour was one of Director Grant’s first since being appointed by Governor Pat Quinn to take over for his predecessor, Tammy Duckworth, who was nominated by President Obama in February to serve at the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. During his visit, Director Grant commended Alexian Brothers for its multidisciplinary program for researching, diagnosing, and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and depression among veterans.

A Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a serving member of the Illinois National Guard, Director Grant has long been a strong advocate for Veterans' issues - advocating for legislation to support Veterans and their families and promoting programs that expand Veterans' access to healthcare.

During his tour, Director Grant visited the Illinois Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Center at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, where PTSD research is currently being conducted utilizing the MEG’s non-invasive brain image mapping technology to detect and evaluate if a veteran is suffering from PTSD in order to customize treatment strategies. Director Grant also received a demonstration of “Virtual Iraq”, a 3-D virtual reality war simulator at Alexian Brothers that re-creates battle conditions utilizing the most advanced Virtual Reality technology available to date. The technology is a new form of immersion therapy which allows patients to face their fears in a safe monitored environment.

In February 2009, the IDVA presented the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network with a $97,500 Veteran’s Cash Grant to support these new diagnostic and treatment services for Veterans with PTSD.