Michelle Obama lauds USF in new PTSD initiative

As part of an initiative launched Wednesday to create doctors to treat returning veterans, first lady Michelle Obama pointed to USF as one of three universities already on that path.

"In a time of war, when our troops and their families are sacrificing so much, we all should be doing everything we can to serve them as well as they're serving this country," she said at a press conference. "By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they're ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned."

 Obama lauded USF for its partnerships with the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs in creating an innovative Center for Veteran Reintegration, which will be the first of its kind. She also noted the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University.

"I'm inspired to see our nation's medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families," she said.

According to a White House press release, USF, along with 130 other medical schools affiliated with the Association of American Medical Colleges or the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, pledged to train doctors to meet the growing needs of the returning veteran population with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries.

Stephen Klasko, CEO for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, was present at Obama's press conference.

"We are honored to participate in the White House Joining Forces initiative to address the health care needs of

military service members and veterans and their families," he said, according to a USF Health press release. "Our goal is to show these heroes that their country is there for them, no matter what they're going through."

— Staff report