Symposium Tackles Key Issues in Military Health

The UNC Charlotte Academy for Veteran and Military Health this fall led a symposium and research roundtable that brought together scholars and practitioners focused on addressing major questions in military health.

The event was held as the College of Health and Human Services prepares for its fourth annual veterans’ health conference, set for February 28, 2017.

More than 40 people attended the symposium, which featured researchers from a variety of backgrounds.

• Cristóbal S. Berry-Cabán, an epidemiologist with the Womack Army Medical Center, discussed sexual behaviors among women soldiers
• Dr. Lindsay Orchowski, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, discussed military sexual trauma and sexual revictimization among women in the military.
• Colonel Paul Lewis, Senior Nursing Scientist at Womack Army Medical Center delivered a talk outlining connections between spirituality and concepts on wellness

The roundtable included 17 researchers and scholars from Fort Bragg and Brown University, Appalachian State University, UNC Charlotte and investigators and fellows from WG Hefner VA Medical Center. Among the participants were two VA fellows and three UNC Charlotte doctoral students. Investigators represented multiple disciplines, including neurobiology, psychology, research compliance, health psychology, nursing, systems engineering, counseling, military medicine, nursing science, epidemiology and health services research.

Included were discussions of traumatic injury, mental health and wellness, and organizations and administration.

Researchers and scholars from the WG Hefner VA Medical Center described a current initiative to open up recruiting for veteran research outside VA. The VA has an interest in studies that would engage both UNC Charlotte and the US Army Fort Bragg investigators. Veterans Affairs is interested in comparing post deployment health of outpatient veterans who use VA services against those who do not, including veteran students. Investigators are also interested in exploring the chronic effects of neurotrauma on active duty military and veterans.

Click here for details on the upcoming veterans health conference

The fall symposium was sponsored by the Academy for Veteran and Military Health, along with College of Health and Human Services and School of Nursing.