Posted by Navy Capt. Paul S. Hammer, DCoE director on May 16, 2013
Capt. Paul Hammer in Afghanistan, 2011, with members of the Gray Team, a hand-selected group of experts representing the service chiefs, combatant commands, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters regarding the "invisible wounds of war." (Courtesy photo)
Tomorrow, I hand over the reins of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) to Capt. Richard F. Stoltz, MSC, USN. When I came to DCoE two and a half years ago, I laid out my vision for the way ahead, how we would get there and what the end state would look like.
First, we would need to develop a comprehensive base of knowledge to evaluate, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate service members with psychological health concerns and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Second, we would continue to provide timely, accurate, comprehensive and focused information on psychological health and traumatic brain injury to the military services and Defense Department colleagues.
Third, we would develop a comprehensive analysis of gaps in research and aggressively advocate how to fill those gaps.
Fourth, we would leverage our knowledge and clinical expertise to improve the system of care.