Top nursing leaders to discuss health needs of veterans at national annual conference

Veterans who faced challenges transitioning to civilian life among speakers

Top nursing leaders and scientists from around the country will meet to discuss health needs for veterans, service members and their families Monday, Oct. 21, at a daylong conference hosted by the University of South Florida College of Nursing. A pre-conference will be held from Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20.

The 2nd Annual JOINING FORCES TO RESTORE LIVES: Nursing Education and Research in Veterans Health conference will be held at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa.

Keynote speaker, Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele, retired from the U.S Marine Corps, is associate vice president for USF Veterans Research and executive director for USF World Military Partnerships. As a combat veteran with more than 34 years of service, Lt. Gen. Steele is a nationally recognized expert on the integration of national power, cutting-edge policies and programs for veterans.

Additional conference guest speakers include Brian Anderson, a former Green Beret, 10-year Army veteran and director of the Pasco County Veteran Services and Stand Down program, and Peter Burch, a USF nurse practitioner student and retired major with 34 years of military service with the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Army Reserve. Both speakers will discuss their deployment experiences, and the challenges often faced by returning veterans in transitioning to civilian life.

The 2nd annual conference focuses on nursing education and research designed to meet the needs of veterans, service members and their families. It is part of USF's commitment to support the Joining Forces campaign, a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to support and honor America's service members and their families. Attendees will include global nursing executives, scientists, faculty, researchers, educators, advanced practice nurses and registered nurses interested in supporting veterans' health education and research.

"The USF College of Nursing is a national leader in educational preparation and nursing research that addresses health care issues unique to service members, veterans and their families," said Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, senior associate vice president of USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing.

The pre-conference course on Oct. 20 will focus on Transforming Tragedy: Finding Growth Following Life's Traumas. Internationally-known psychologist, author, and lecturer Edward J. Hickling, PsyD, will speak about causes and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder - information applicable to the clinical care of veterans and civilians who have experienced traumatic events, community disasters, physical assaults, and other tragic events.