Joining Forces with First Lady to Serve Veterans

First lady Michelle Obama announced a new initiative that will bring the School of Medicine and the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine and 128 other U.S. medical schools together to create a new generation of doctors, medical schools and research facilities that will ensure veterans and their families receive care worthy of their sacrifice.

Joining Forces was created by Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, along with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). The initiative focuses on key priority areas employment, education and wellness while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice and needs of America’s veterans and military families.

“I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families,” Obama said. “By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned.”

Steven L. Berk, M.D., TTUHSC executive vice president, provost and School of Medicine dean, said the School of Medicine will leverage its missions in education, research and clinical care to train physicians to meet the unique health care needs of the military and veterans.

“We are committed to reviewing our medical school curriculum, particularly with respect to the teaching of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries,” Berk said. “We will be working with other medical schools to determine best practices and perhaps participate in collaborative research that would benefit veterans. We want to continue and improve our strong relationships with our veterans hospitals and clinics.”

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