A $4 million gift is establishing a state-of-the-art telehealth suite at the UCLA Health System program called Operation Mend made possible by Lockheed Martin headquartered in Bethesda Maryland.
Established in 2007, Operation Mend a unique partnership between UCLA Health System, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is helping U.S. military personnel severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lockheed Martin’s funding for the advanced telehealth suite includes three 65 inch screens able to deliver three high definition video streams simultaneously and one high definition full motion content sharing stream. The system allows UCLA personnel to edit, manipulate, and add to shared content through the use of a high tech touch panel for optimal collaboration with colleagues and patients. The funds will be used to renovate the surgical waiting room and pre-and post-operative recovery areas.
The majority of Operation Mend patients have suffered severely deforming burns and wounds on their face usually the result of blasts from explosive devices. After initial surgeries and rehabilitation at military hospitals, the wounded soldiers will now be able to continue their recovery at UCLA and undergo specialized reconstructive surgical techniques with Operation Mend’s plastic and reconstructive surgery teams.
The Operation Men program is expanding and offers treatment for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Support is also available from UCLA clinical services including radiation oncology, dermatology, neurology, anesthesia and pain management, ophthalmology, orthopedics, maxillofacial/dentistry, medical tattooing, urology, and psychiatric and social services.
“Lockheed Martin is honored to partner with UCLA and Operation Mend to make sure that our wounded warriors receive the best medical care possible,” said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin’s Executive Chairman. “The Lockheed Martin Outpatient Recovery Suites and Telehealth Suite will strengthen the capabilities of Operation Mend for the benefit of our military heroes and families.
For more information on Operation Mend, go to www.operationmend.ucla.edu.