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Veteran Care ECHO

Preparing Health Professionals for the Unique Needs of Veterans

Two veterans supporting each other

Veterans face unique challenges that are often overlooked in the health care environment. Understanding the needs of Veterans and their military culture and experiences provides valuable insight into care planning and encourages Veteran’s to seek health care more often.

 

The Veteran Care ECHO curriculum is designed for health professionals who want to learn how to support and better care for Veterans. Through the Project ECHO virtual platform, participants learn about military experiences and the impact on a Veteran’s physical and mental health. Sessions are held the first and third Thursday of each month from 12 to 1 p.m. CT.

 

Register Now 

 

Earn CMEs

Veteran Care sessions are approved for the following CME credit types:

  1. AOA Category 1-A
  2. AAFP Elective Credit
  3. Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers (OSBLSW)
  4. State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (BBHL)
  5. Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (BLADC)

View upcoming sessions here: https://osu.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=513. 

 

What Does Veteran Care ECHO Offer?

  • Up-to-date best practices in Veteran-care for non-VA providers in rural communities
  • Guidance on integrating Veteran-care into non-VA practice
  • Increase provider understanding of the value of cultural awareness when treating Veterans
  • Address a wide range of Veteran-specific healthcare issues such as environmental exposures, military sexual trauma, mental health, women’s health, and so on
  • Real-time clinical review of cases submitted by participants

 

Why Veteran Care ECHO?

  • In 2014, Oklahoma had the highest suicide rate among Veterans aged 18-34 years old.
  • The suicide rate for Veterans was 1.5 times higher than the rate of non-Veteran adults.
  • In Oklahoma alone there are roughly 300,000 Veterans, making up around 10% of the total population. Of those Oklahoma Veterans, nearly 40% live in rural areas.
  • Over one million Veterans are currently living with substance use disorder.
  • 80% struggle with alcohol abuse
  • 25% struggle with illicit drugs
  • 7% struggle with both alcohol and drugs
  • An estimated 15-35% of Veterans with chronic pain have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Since 2000, more than 370,000 US service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

 

Topics

Sessions are held on the first and third Thursday of each month from 12 to 1 p.m.
Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Military Culture
  • Moral Injury
  • Ask the Question
  • Tribal Healthcare
  • Transitioning to Civil Life
  • Treating Chronic Pain
  • Understanding Health Claims & Benefits
  • Effects of Sustained Increases of Adrenaline and Cortisol
  • PTSD
  • Physical Effects of Homelessness
  • Military Sexual Trauma
  • Employment
  • Wellness for the SMVF Population
  • Health Benefits of Social Connection
  • Treating SUDs
  • SMVF Education Benefits and Why It’s Important to Health
  • Amputation Treatment
  • Working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Overcoming Stress and Anxiety for Veterans
  • Reacclimating from Deployments / Extended Absences
  • Overcoming Stress
  • Healthy Living, Benefits of a Health Diet and Exercise
  • Depression and Suicide Prevention
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Women Veteran Issues
  • Anger, Violence, and Abuse
  • Hazardous Exposures
  • Long-term Healthcare
  • Memory Care
  • End of Life Rights and Rituals

 

Team

Christi Sherrill, MPH
Program Manager

Oklahoma Flex Rural Veterans Health Access Program
National Center for Wellness & Recovery
Oklahoma State University

 

Amista Chambers, MS, LPCClinic DirectorSteven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic


Bethany Burkhart, MHA
Project ECHO Clinical Coordinator II
Oklahoma State University

 

Dr. Phong Luu, PharmDMuskogee VA

 

Jennifer Tran, PharmD

Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner - PCMHI/geropsychiatry

Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System

Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

Bruce Pierce, MSHAN OSU Manager

 

Heidi T. Pham, LCSW

Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator

Suicide Prevention Team 

Eastern OK VA Health Care System

 

Felicia D. Cummings, MSW, LCSW 

Veteran Affairs Health Care System

Senior Social Worker Suicide Prevention

 

COL/Ms. Lindy I. White, LPC

Division Chief, Health and Wellness

Oklahoma National Guard

 

Matthew Condley, MS

Prevention Specialist

Tulsa Health Department

 

Elise Berryhill Taylor, Ph.D.

Substance Use Disorder/Veterans Treatment Court

Psychologist Program Manager/Tribal Coordinator

Native American Special Emphasis Program Manager

Ernest Childers VA Behavioral Medicine Service

 

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