Michelle Obama Touts New Effort on Military PTSD, Brain Injuries
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The White House/Chuck Kennedy(WASHINGTON) — First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on Wednesday touted a new commitment by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) to improve the health care delivered to military veterans and their families.
Their goal, they said in a statement, is to create a new generation of doctors, medical schools and research facilities capable of providing a quality of care “worthy of their sacrifice.”
Some 130 U.S. medical schools associated with the AAMC and AACOM had pledged their support.
“I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families,” said Mrs. Obama in a statement. “By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned.”
The two medical education groups say they will focus on developing new research and clinical trials for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries so that they can better understand and treat those conditions. The group also plans to share the information and best practices they develop through a collaborative web forum.
“Medical schools have long recognized the sacrifice and commitment of our military, veterans, and their families,” said Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges. ”Because of our integrated missions in education, clinical care, and research, America’s medical schools are uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in this important effort.”
The project is part of the first lady’s Joining Forces initiative to support veterans and military families.
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