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The Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible Wounds

Event

May 8, 2016

Resources


We have a duty to understand and serve the more than 2.7 million servicemen and women who have volunteered to defend our Nation since 9-11.
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President George W. Bush and the Bush Institute conducted an international symposium at the Invictus Games 2016 to discuss solutions to help returning servicemen and women overcome their invisible wounds and improve outcomes for their transition back to civilian life.  Prince Harry joined President Bush for a conversation about the importance of reducing the barriers to care and the role of sport in recovery.  President Bush also served as the Honorary Chairman for Invictus Games Orlando 2016.

“I have dedicated the rest of my life to honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women with whom I served as Commander-in-Chief,” said President Bush. “Those who wear their Nation’s uniform, some of whom have overcome both visible and invisible injuries, deserve our support. I’m proud to serve as honorary chairman of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, and to shine a spotlight on the ‘unconquerable souls’  of these men and women, not just from the American team but from 14 Coalition nations.” 

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans.  The symposium focused on understanding the multiple facets of invisible wounds and how the warriors, caregivers, general public, providers, and influencers each play an important role in helping servicemen and women succeed.

About the Invictus Games

Symposium Schedule











1:00 p.m. EDT Welcome Remarks

Moderator: Jeremy Schaap, ESPN – video

Mrs. Laura Bush – video

Understanding the Impact of Invisible Wounds – video
President Bush and Invictus Games competitors discuss the impact of invisible wounds and the role of sport and active lifestyle in recovery.

Featuring:
President George W. Bush
His Royal Highness Prince Harry
LCpl John-James Chalmers, United Kingdom
MSgt Israel Del Toro Jr., United States Air Force (Ret.)

Hearing from the Experts: Recognizing the Need for Help – video
Medical and policy experts provide an overview of the scale and scope of invisible wounds.

Featuring:
General Peter Chiarelli, United States Army (Ret.), CEO, One Mind – video
Dr. James Kelly, Senior Fellow, Bush Institute, MA, MD, FAAN and Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at University of Colorado School of Medicine
Terri Tanielian, Senior Fellow, Bush Institute, Social Research Analyst, RAND Corporation
Neil Greenberg, Royal College of Psychiatrists Lead for Military and Veterans’ Health  and King’s College London

Overcoming the Barriers to Seeking Care – video
A conversation with athletes and caregivers regarding barriers to seeking care, including stigmas and stereotypes.

Featuring:
Roxana E. Delgado, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow UT Health Sciences Center San Antonio, Military Health Institute and U.S. Caregiver
Paul Warren, Liaison officer, Mates 4 Mates and Australian Team Captain

Navigating and Improving the Systems of Care – video
Interactive discussion on systems of care and pathway for recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration featuring international representatives.

Featuring:
Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson

Addressing Invisible Wounds – video
Defining the important roles that the general public, caregivers, warriors, providers and influencers each play in helping servicemen and women succeed.

Featuring:
Secretary Robert A. McDonald, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Rachel O’Hern, MSW, Executive Director, Quality of Life Foundation
Paata Patiashvili, Head of Wounded and Injured Warrior Support Department, Ministry of Defense, Georgia
Bronwen Evans, Founding Director and CEO of True Patriot Love Foundation
David McIntyre, President and CEO, TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Additional Symposium Participants Include:

Arnold Fisher, Honorary Chairman, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund – video
Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President, Give an Hour and The Campaign to Change Direction – video
Randi Gavell, Invictus Competitor – video
Holly Kuzmich, Interim President and Senior Vice President, George W. Bush Presidential Center – video
Colonel Miguel Howe, United States Army (Ret.), Director, the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative – video

4:30 p.m. EDT Symposium Concludes

Learn more about the Bush Institute’s work in Veteran Transition and our Team 43 Sports programs.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]