ATLANTA, GA - On Tuesday, June 15th the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA) and Emory Healthcare Veterans Program signed a partnership to provide mental healthcare and services to support post-9/11 Veterans and servicemembers in the Palmetto State.

More than 2.7 million Americans have been deployed since 9/11. It is estimated that one in three return from service with mental healthcare needs such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST) or other related conditions. These conditions create everyday challenges and ruin valued relationships.

Emory Healthcare Veterans Program is an international center of excellence dedicated to the treatment of PTSD, TBI, MST, anxiety, depression and other invisible wounds of military service. The program takes a collaborative approach to healing, providing treatment at no cost to eligible post-9/11 Veterans and service members from top specialists in the fields of psychiatry, neurology, neuropsychology and social work. It is one of four academic medical centers in the United States supported by Wounded Warrior Project’s Warrior Care Network, a national network of academic medical center partners committed to connecting wounded veterans and their families with quality mental healthcare.

With the signing of this new partnership, the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs will help inform and refer eligible South Carolina Veterans and servicemembers to the Emory program. Participants can choose from traditional outpatient treatment as well as a two-week Intensive Outpatient Program. Both formats are offered in-person and via telehealth. Travel, lodging, and meals are also included at no cost for participants.

“This opportunity is beyond amazing,” says SCDVA Secretary Will Grimsley. “Emory is a world-class provider and South Carolina is privileged to provide our Nation with world-class military service. This partnership recognizes both, and fills a necessary and important gap in the needs of our Veterans and Service Members with the skills, dedication and passion offered by Emory. Thanks to Emory and Wounded Warrior Project for making this a reality.”

“We are thrilled to enter this partnership and increase our ability to heal and empower South Carolina's Veterans to live their best lives. There is no greater privilege than caring for the warriors who have bravely served our country,” says Emory Healthcare Veterans Program director Barbara O. Rothbaum, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine.

Why the partnership in South Carolina? A personal and valued connection….

William “Burke” Garrett is an Executive Advisor with EHVP, and is a retired Lieutenant General with 35 years of distinguished military service, including duties in key command and staff positions worldwide. Garrett is on a mission to help EVHP grow into a national center of excellence dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of those who served in the military. Garrett also served in the U.S. Army with SCDVA Secretary Will Grimsley who is a retired Major General.

When Garrett contacted Secretary Grimsley to become a partner with EHVP, Grimsley, without hesitation accepted Garrett’s request to become part of the mission. Secretary Grimsley recognizes the need to connect South Carolina Veterans and those beyond the Palmetto State with support resources to manage post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and trauma.

South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Will Grimsley and Emory Healthcare Veterans Program Director, Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, co-signed the partnership agreement in the Emory Brain Health Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

WATCH THE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED LIVE STREAM of the signing ceremony.