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The conference will be broadcast simultaneously to providers in ninelocations including Billings, Culbertson, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls,Havre, Helena, Kalispell and Lewistown. It is intended to help ruralproviders identify deployment-related symptoms such as combat stress, anxiety,depression, PTSD and traumatic brain injury, as well as providing treatmentmethods.
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The Montana National Guard consists of more than 3,700 members who live innearly every corner of the state. Since 2001, more than 80 percent have beenmobilized for active duty.
"Family practitioners and community-based health care providers areintegral in helping Montana's returning National Guard troops cope with theemotional and mental health issues resulting from serving in combat,"explained David J. McIntyre, President and Chief Executive Officer of TriWestHealthcare Alliance. "This video conference is the first of its kind tocombine the resources of the VA and TriWest to reach rural providers caringfor these service members as they reintegrate into mainstream civilian life."
"The onset of emotional or mental health symptoms is unpredictable.Symptoms can manifest immediately or take months or years," said Rosa F.Merino, MD, Chief of Behavioral Health, VA Montana Healthcare. "Gettingclinical combat stress information into the hands of community-based providerswho are delivering ongoing health care is vital to addressing the mentalhealth needs of our troops and their families throughout the deploymentcycle."
Key conference presenters are Rosa F. Merino, M.D., Chief of BehavioralHealth, VA Montana Healthcare System, Fort Harrison, and Kurt Werner, M.D.,Lead Physician, Ambulatory Care Southwest, VA Montana Healthcare System.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance is sponsoring the seminar in conjunction withthe University of North Texas and the VA North Texas Healthcare System.
About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do"Whatever It Takes" to support the health care needs of 2.9 million members ofAmerica's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest providesaccess to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICAREWest Region, the 2007 TRICARE Region of the year. TriWest, is a proudCorporate Team Member of America Supports You. Visit http://www.triwest.comfor more information.
About VA Montana Healthcare System
The Department of Veterans Affairs is part of the executive branch of thefederal government. Our mission is legislated by Congress to provide medicalcare for all eligible veterans. VA Montana Healthcare System provides hospitalcare at Fort Harrison. Extensive Ambulatory Care Services are strategicallyplaced throughout the state including a medical center, nursing home and ninecommunity based clinics with two more planned in the very near future.
SOURCE TriWest Healthcare Alliance
