DOD Appoints New Director of the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury

The Department of Defense announced today the appointment of  Navy Capt. Paul S. Hammer, as the director of the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) in Arlington, Va.   He will take office in January 2011. 

"Capt. Hammer's proven performance demonstrates he will advance the quality and level of care we provide members of the armed forces who have suffered from TBI or psychological illness," said Dr. George Peach Taylor, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. 

The DCoE was created in November 2007 to assess, validate, oversee and facilitate prevention, resilience, identification, treatment, outreach, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for psychological health (PH) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to ensure the Department of Defense meets the needs of the nation's military communities, warriors and families. 

DCoE partners with the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and a national network of military and civilian agencies, community leaders, advocacy groups, clinical experts and academic institutions to establish best practices and quality standards for the treatment of PH and TBI.  Their work is carried out across these major areas: clinical care; education and training; prevention; research and patient, family and community outreach. 

Information about the DCoE can be found at http:www.dcoe.health.mil.