The document summarizes a Veteran-Centered Care Conference held at MCPHS University on November 25, 2013. The conference was organized to discuss issues related to healthcare for veterans, with a focus on mental health, women's health, disabilities from cognitive/traumatic brain injuries. It provided an overview of veteran demographics, VA benefits utilization rates, and the VA's mission. It also thanked panelists from the university and student body for sharing their stories and expertise to improve veteran healthcare and ensure their needs are met.

1. Veteran
Centered
Care
Conference
November 25, 2013
MCPHS University

2. Why this topic?
An article entitled Enhancing
Veteran-Centered Care: A Guide for
Nurses in Non-VA Settings1 was
sent out to the nursing faculty. The
information it contained was relevant
to all of MCPHS University so a
conference was planned!

3. Did you know…
There are currently about 22.5
million living U.S. military veterans,
including nearly 17 million wartime
veterans1

4. Living U.S. veterans include those
involved in1:
 World War II
 Korea
 Vietnam
 Grenada
 the Persian Gulf
 Operation Enduring Freedom
 Operation Iraqi Freedom
 Operation New Dawn

5. Only about 25% of veterans take
advantage of the U. S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
available to them1

6. “to care for him who shall have borne
the battle, and for his widow, and his
orphan”
The stated mission of the VA1

7. Today’s discussion centers on stories
about healthcare and veterans.
Topics include:
 Health Care
 Suicide and Mental Health
 Women’s Health
 Disabilities
 Cognitive and Traumatic Brain Injury

8. Our goal today is to better understand the
impact of military service on the health of
veterans, and explore better ways of…
…ensuring that no veteran is “left
behind” without adequate healthcare.

9. The Provost and the members of the Committee
would like to thank the members of our panel, their
stories will be central to our forum today…
The Members of Our Faculty Panel
Colin D. Halloran – Fairfield University / English
Cindy Heden – School of Nursing
Denise Koutrouba – Bedford Veterans Administration
Amanda Morrill– School of Pharmacy
Carrie Walker – School of Physician Assistant Studies

10. The Members of Our Student Panel
Joseph Cari – Physician Assistant Studies ‘14
Lauren Kay Halloran – Creative Writing (MFA) ‘14
Michael Lamb – School of Pharmacy ‘14
Michael McCarthy – School of Nursing ‘13
Stela Striligas – School of Pharmacy ‘15

11. The Provost and the members of the
Veteran-Centered Care Conference…
Tammy Gravel – School of Nursing
Cindy Heden – School of Nursing
Constance Inacio – School of Physical Therapy
Karen Lamson – Library & Learning Resources
Amanda Morrill – School of Pharmacy
Stephanie Rhymer – School of Medical Imaging & Therapeutics
Diane Russo – School of Optometry
Sheila Seed – School of Pharmacy
Janet Strassman-Perlmutter – Student Affairs
Carrie Walker – School of Physician Assistant Studies
would especially like to thank…

12. The many individuals at MCPHS who helped
with the Veteran-Centered Care Conference,
and
Each of You
For Your Willingness to Listen and Share

13. References
1. Johnson BS, Boudiab LD, Freundi M,
Anthony M, Gmerek GB, Carter J. Enhancing
veteran-centered care: a guide for nurses in
non-VA settings. Am J Nurs. 2013;113(7):24-39.