Federal research seeks alternatives to addictive opioids for veterans in pain
The Washington PostSeptember 25, 2014
A STRONG STAR-affiliated study is part of a group of federally funded grants to explore nondrug approaches to managing pain and related health conditions among military personnel, veterans, and their families. The Washington Post reports on these grants, which include $2.78 million to Dr. Donald McGeary at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. His STRONG STAR-affiliated study will evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated program to improve physical function and decrease rates of opioid use among combat veterans with multiple injuries.
San Antonio PTSD study is first of its kind: Offers therapy delivered in patients’ homes
KSAT-TV, San AntonioSeptember 25, 2014
San Antonio’s ABC affiliate KSAT-12 reports on a STRONG STAR-affiliated study evaluating novel methods of delivering PTSD therapy to service members and veterans. The study compares traditional in-office treatment with therapy delivered in the home, either in person or via video teleconference similar to Skype. The goal is to maintain or even improve the quality of treatment while increasing access to care. (Link to story no longer available.)
The DoD partners with the VA to advance research on TBI and PTSD
Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research ProgramsSeptember 23, 2014
This Web highlight posted by the Department of Defense (DoD) features the purpose and progress of two research consortia jointly funded in 2013 by the DoD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address the two most prominent health concerns affecting service members and veterans today: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These consortia include the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC), which is focused on TBI, and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD, which builds upon the infrastructure and programs already in place through STRONG STAR to create the largest PTSD research consortium in history.
UTSA, UT Health Science Center Present Inaugural SALSI Lecture Sept. 23
University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio joint news releaseSeptember 17, 2014
Alan Peterson, Ph.D, director of the STRONG STAR Consortium and director of the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD., will speak on the topic “It’s All About the Blast: PTSD and TBI after Combat Blast Explosions” at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the John Peace Library on the University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus for the first lecture of the UTSA and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s joint lecture series supported by the San Antonio Life Science Institute.
Making help for PTSD more accessible: New study to look at providing therapy in the home
News 4, San AntonioSeptember 12, 2014
Although therapies are available that could help many people with posttraumatic stress disorder, access to help can be complicated for active military and veterans. Alan Peterson, Ph.D, Director of the STRONG STAR PTSD Consortium at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, discusses with News 4 San Antonio anchor Randy Beamer a new research study evaluating the potential of delivering PTSD therapy in the home, with the goal of increasing access to care.
STRONG STAR Responds to Families of Fort Hood Shooting Victims
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Web HighlightMay 6, 2014
Working on post to implement research programs to help our psychologically wounded warriors, STRONG STAR staff at Fort Hood feel a special connection to troops stationed at “the Great Place” In fact, for Jamie Anderson, a STRONG STAR employee who also is a military spouse and a volunteer with 85th Medical Detachment’s Family Readiness Group, Fort Hood Soldiers are literally family. So when tragic shootings occurred on post on April 2, 2014, Anderson eagerly responded to the call to organize activities in support of the shooting victims’ families, and her STRONG STAR colleagues wanted to do anything they could to assist. STRONG STAR’s funding agency within the Department of Defense, the Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, shares the story in this program highlight.
Curing Invisible Wounds: Psychologist’s military experience leads to national PTSD research networks
Mission, a magazine of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioMay 4, 2014
As an Air Force psychologist trying to help service members in Iraq with symptoms of posttraumatic stress, Dr. Alan Peterson began adapting the leading civilian treatments for PTSD for use in a deployed military setting. Little did he know he was laying the groundwork for two major research networks that would become the center for clinical trials to inform national guidelines on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of combat-related PTSD and related conditions among our service members and veterans.
White House Blog by Stacey Young-McCaughan, RN, PhD, on Being Honored as a “Champion of Change”
The White HouseApril 1, 2014
STRONG STAR’s Stacey Young-McCaughan, RN, PhD, wrote this piece for the White House blog reflecting on her career and her work with STRONG STAR, following her recognition by the White House as a “Champion of Change.”
White House honors STRONG STAR’s Stacey Young-McCaughan as a Champion of Change
San Antonio Express-NewsMarch 25, 2014
On Tuesday, March 25, Stacey Young-McCaughan, RN, PhD, was among 10 women veterans honored by the White House as “Champions of Change, ” an award created to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. Several San Antonio media outlets honored their hometown hero with stories featuring her work with the STRONG STAR Consortium as it strives to improve understanding, preventions, and treatments for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and related conditions. Here is the story by the San Antonio Express-News.
San Antonio researcher honored by White House for PTSD work with military
Texas Public RadioMarch 25, 2014
On Tuesday, March 25, Stacey Young-McCaughan, RN, PhD, was among 10 women veterans honored by the White House as “Champions of Change, ” an award created to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. Several San Antonio media outlets honored their hometown hero with stories featuring her work with the STRONG STAR Consortium as it strives to improve understanding, preventions, and treatments for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and related conditions. Here is the story by Texas Public Radio.