DoD Establishes Center of Excellence to Address Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health

The Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) began initial operations today. The DCoE will be fully functional by October 2009. It is currently operating in temporary office spaces in Rosslyn, Va., as part of its initial phase.

The Department of Defense (DoD), with support from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is leading a national collaborative network to advance and disseminate PH/TBI knowledge, enhance clinical and management approaches, and facilitate other vital services to best serve the urgent and enduring needs of warrior families with PH and/or TBI.

"The center will integrate quality programs and advanced medical technology to give us unprecedented expertise in dealing with psychological health and traumatic brain injuries," said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. S. Ward Casscells. "In developing the national collaborative network, the DCoE will coordinate existing medical, academic, research, and advocacy assets within the services, with those of the VA and Health and Human Services, other federal, state and local agencies, as well as academic institutions."

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is now integrated into the center. DVBIC has DoD's primary subject matter expertise on TBI and many of its functions are transitioning to the DCoE. The DoD Center for Deployment Psychology, currently at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, is also integrated into the training and education functions of the DCoE.