Navy Medicine Discusses Warrior Care During Navy Week Chicago

From U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

CHICAGO (NNS) -- The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and Navy Medicine met to discuss innovations in wounded warrior care as part of Chicago Navy Week June 29.

Rear Adm. Elaine Wagner, director, Navy Medical Resources Plans and Policy Division; and Dr. James Kelly, director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md., met with RIC leadership, staff and patients, and toured the facility during the visit.

RIC is widely recognized as the leading provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation, and is the largest private rehabilitation research center in the world with more than 250 projects underway from bionic limbs to rehabilitation outcomes.

"The U.S. military has the best trauma teams in the world who are saving more lives on the battlefield than ever before," said Joanne Smith, MD, president and chief executive officer of RIC. "It is an honor to partner with the Defense Department to bring novel treatments to benefit our wounded heroes and offer the greatest recovery possible."

The Navy health care executives discussed ongoing partnership programs designed to improve the quality of life for personnel who were severely wounded in combat and met with a wounded Marine who was part of a new pilot program in rehabilitation care with RIC.

"I was really lucky to come to RIC; as the care is individually based," said Lance Cpl. Ed McDonough.

McDonough was a gunner in a Humvee that was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) Aug. 5, 2009, in Afghanistan where he lost a leg and had complications associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

After spending time undergoing rehabilitation treatments at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for amputation and TBI care, he was referred to the NICoE for specialized treatment in TBI and PTSD treatment.

"Lance Cpl. McDonough was a good candidate for the Day Rehabilitation Program at RIC which is a chairman of the joint chiefs initiative to expand the level of care for our wounded warriors," said Kelly. "This is a pilot program designed to leverage highly specialized services available in the private sector that can be tailored to meet specific individual needs."

While at RIC, he received a new custom limb for running and high performance activities, and his PTSD symptoms have improved through many treatments, including innovative biofeedback strategies used at RIC.

"I hope by my being here, I can smooth out any bumps and pave the way for some of my buddies to also receive care at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in the future," said McDonough. "I'm running now which is pretty cool, and I am feeling much better."

During the tour Wagner emphasized the military's commitment to caring for wounded personnel.

"Our wounded warriors deserve nothing but the best care available to help them heal physically, psychologically and emotionally," said Wagner. "We must maintain our commitment to their long-term care as the wounded young men and women of today will still need our care for years to come."

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

Chicago Navy Week is one of 21 Navy weeks across the country this year. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they make in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.