Representatives from MO National Guard, VA Medical Center and others to discuss mental health services for veterans on Nov 7.

Nov. 5, 2007 --
WHAT: Veterans Services Summit: Research and Resources for Veterans

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Brown Lounge in Brown Hall, Danforth Campus, near the intersection of Forsyth Boulevard and Chaplin Drive.

WHO (Schedule and presenters available for interviews):

Research and Resources for Veterans (8:30-10:00 a.m.)

• Monica Matthieu, Ph.D., LCSW, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Social Work
• Major General King Sidwell, The Adjutant General, Missouri National Guard
• Stephen Gaioni, Associate Chief of Staff, Mental Health Services, St. Louis VA Medical Center

Research Perspectives: Addressing Substance Abuse, Trauma and Suicide (10:15-12:00 p.m.)

• Steve Giddings, Associate Chief of Staff , Research Service, St. Louis VAMC
• Rumi Kato Price, Ph.D., MPE, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine
• Albert Rizzo, Ph.D., University of Southern California — Institute for Creative Technologies
• Monica Matthieu, Ph.D., LCSW, Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School

Health Care Policy: Recommendations from the President's Commission On Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors (12:15-1:15 p.m.)

• Lt. Col. Rhonda Ozanian, Ph.D., LCSW-ABE, ACSW, Health Policy Analyst, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs TRICARE Management Activity, United States Air Force

Demonstration of Virtual Iraq - technology used to assist returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. (1:30 - 3:00 p.m.)
Virtual Iraq is a virtual reality system that aids in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder with returning veterans.

• Albert Rizzo, Ph.D., University of Southern California — Institute for Creative Technologies

MEDIA INFORMATION: Presenters will be available for brief interviews after each session. Please contact Jessica Martin at (314) 935-5251 if you are interested in covering the event.

For general information contact Monica Matthieu at (314) 935-7516.