Breakthrough Military/Civilian Program to
Catapult Wounded Warriors Restorative Effort
Foundation's role embodies President's national priority to accelerate delivery of ‘ the absolute best care available'
SAN DIEGO, Ca., — Unified Comprehensive Aesthetic Restorative Effort (Unified C.A.R.E.) is a collaborative program introduced by Project C.A.R.E., the United States Navy public-private effort to improve the physical appearance and psychological health of wounded Active Duty Service members (ADSM), advance research and provide continuity of care to wounded warriors and their families. Founded and led by Navy Surgeon Captain Craig J. Salt M.D., F.A.C.S., it is analogous to The Gene Vance Jr Foundation for Catastrophically Injured Veterans War Injuries Initiative and dovetails with goals that increase the quality of care, improve access and provide the greatest opportunity to dramatically increase the quality of life for injured service members.
“We've learned to seek innovative solutions, to partner with the patients and get their feedback.” said Hunter before leaving NMCSD. She hopes she encouraged the staff to “push out the boundaries and realize that the only thing that limits them is their imagination”. NMCSD embraces a rich history and tradition as one of the nation's premier Military Medical Centers. Presently, it operates under the command of Rear Admiral C. Forrest Faison III with a team of over 6,200 military and civilian professionals. A leader in the medical field, the hospital is also a major teaching and research center.
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“Service members no longer have to live with the untreated scars of combat through surgical and wound care treatments, we can improve the appearance of our injured Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, helping to restore their self-esteem and erase the emotional scars of disfigurement.” Captain Craig J. Salt M.D., F.A.C.S., Medical Corps , United States Navy
Staff Plastic Surgeon and Department Head of Plastic Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA
Founder and Leader of The Unified C.A.R.E. Initiative
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The Gene Vance Jr Foundation's War Injuries Initiative was successfully introduced to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland in 2009/2010. The Foundation presently provides services to military medicine and leads a nationwide volunteer effort that marshals the forces of military and civilian specialists to help advance care for the war wounded.
The Foundation is participating in Project C.A.R.E. and will present at the Naval Medical Center San Diego's Unified C.A.R.E. Initiative Annual Symposium to be held on Friday, July 8 th , 2011 . It will address solutions, current critical topics and breakthrough procedures of benefit to both military and civilian medicine through its distinguished volunteer member speakers:
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Bohdan Pomahac M.D.
Staff Plastic Surgeon and Assistant Professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA
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Dr. Pomahac is the Harvard facial plastic surgeon who achieved a breakthrough in medical science utilizing a grant from the DoD when he led the surgical team that performed the first and second full face transplants in the United States in March and April of 2011 respectively.
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Julian J. Pribaz M.D.
Staff Plastic Surgeon and Professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA
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Dr. Pribaz is a Harvard leading edge facial reconstruction plastic surgeon and former Director of the Combined Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, which is the largest training program in the United States.
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Alexander Y. Shin M.D. Staff Hand and Orthopedic Surgeon, Professor and Consultant at Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN |
Dr. Shin is from the Mayo Clinic, a former Navy surgeon, and nationally renowned orthopedic surgeon in skeletal reconstruction and a national and international leader in hand surgery education and research.
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“The Unified C.A.R.E. Initiative has the potential to accelerate treatment while
advancing the care available to the soldier.”
Michael M.J. Minc Founder and Chairman of The Gene Vance Jr. Foundation for Catastrophically Injured Veterans |
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Minc also believes that the program is a timely and critical solution reflecting the military's commitment to integrating high quality programs that help the injured regain their ability in every way possible and as soon as possible.
“It will further define the role civilian/volunteer organizations play in helping to provide care, increase the understanding of the collaborative DoD effort and accelerate development, critical objectives of our Military Initiative,” says Minc. Since its inception, the Foundation has symbolized a grateful nation and has been committed to the transfer of information capable of accelerating the development of new technologies and therapies embodying of a national priority best articulated by the President last year-
“ … the best minds in America can help us develop the best technologies to serve our vets, including those of you with multiple traumatic injuries. And we're going to keep at this until we meet our commitment to cut those backlogs, slash those wait times, and deliver your benefits sooner. This is a priority, and we're going to get it done”.
“For those coming home injured, we're continuing to direct unprecedented support to our wounded warriors in uniform—more treatment centers, more case managers and delivering the absolute best care available. For those who can, we want to help them get back to where they want to be—with their units. And that includes service members with a disability, who still have so much to offer our military”.
Extracted from President Barack Obama's address to the Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization - August, 2010
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