New program to treat traumatic brain injury in veterans and first responders

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee will soon be home to a new program designed to treat mild traumatic brain injury. This will be the first program of its kind in the Midwest.

This is all thanks to a $12.5 million donation and aims to help military veterans and first responders.

"Traumatic brain injury is a major public health problem here in the United States and around the world," said Michael McCrea, director of Neurotrauma Center at Medical College of Wisconsin.

Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Institute is launching the BRAVE (Building Resilience Through Action in Veterans and First Responders) program.

Avalon Action Alliance donated $12.5 million to make this happen. The program will be a three-week intensive outpatient structure.

James Kelly, national director for TBI programs at Avalon Action Alliance, says he's proud of what's been accomplished.

"They come into the program in such a way that allows us to do things in an intensive care model that doesn't exist in the private sector," said Kelly.

Each patient will receive customized treatment.

"Every individual treatment plan is different. It addresses just that individual's concerns," said Kelly.

The program will officially welcome its first patient this September.