Returning Service Members - Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston, Texas
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Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston, Texas

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Returning Service Members

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is grateful to the men and women who risk their lives to fight terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other places around the world. The VA has developed special programs to serve the nation's newest Veterans - the men and women who served Post-9/11 by assisting them with a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life. VA’s goal is to ensure every seriously injured or ill serviceman and woman returning from combat receives easy access to world-class health and mental health programs and services. The Transition and Care Management (TCM) Program provides assistance to all Post-911 Veterans transitioning from DOD to VA Healthcare.

Veterans’ Environment of Recovery (ROVER) Program
Combat Veterans who served Post-9/11 War Era with a PTSD diagnosis are eligible to seek treatment in the Returning Post-9/11 Veterans’ Environment of Recovery (ROVER) Program. ROVER is an intensive treatment program designed specifically for combat Veterans with a primary diagnosis of PTSD and other co-occurring disorders. Programming is grounded in the highest level of trauma-focused evidence-based treatments, which are provided mostly in group therapy. ROVER is a 4-5 week program housed in an inpatient, psychiatric setting at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Find out more here.

Women's Inpatient Specialty Environment of Recovery (WISER)
WISER is a trauma-informed, intensive treatment approach tailored specifically for women Veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD, mood or anxiety disorder, and co-occurring substance abuse/dependence. WISER programming is grounded in the highest level of trauma-focused evidence-based treatments, which are provided mostly in group therapy. WISER is a 4-5 week program housed in an inpatient, psychiatric setting at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Find out more here.

Staff Contacts:

Sandra G. Posada, LCSW, ACSW, CCM
Program Manager,Transition and Care Management & Post Deployment Clinic
713-794-7075

David A. Lee, LCSW
Senior Social Work Case Manager/Program Coordinator
713-791-1414, extension 23788

Vickie L. Toliver
Transition Patient Advocate
713-794-8825

Doris Barnes
TCM Administrative Support Assistant
713-791-1414, extension 21689

Kirstie Gilmer, LCSW
Polytrauma Senior Social Work Case Manager
713-578-4757

Paul Hoisington, LCSW
Social Work Case Manager
713-791-1414, extension 25053

Amber L. Martin, LCSW
Social Work Case Manager
713-791-1414, extension 25053

Darrell Spates, LMSW
Social Work Case Manager
713-791-1414, extension 26640

K'Breaun Watkins, LMSW
Social Work Case Manager
713-791-1414, extension 26640

Ray Love, MD
Post Deployment Clinic OEF/OIF/OND Champion
713-791-1414, extension 22836

Sherritta Collier-Arthur, RN
Post Deployment Clinic
713-791-1414, extension 25390

Sharece M. Hamilton, NP 
Post Deployment Clinic
713-791-1414, extension 22836

Robin Hartley, LVN
Post Deployment Clinic
713-791-1414, extension 25488

Anthony M. Brown
Post Deployment Clinic Program Support Assistant
713-791-1414, extension 21491



Special Eligibility and Coordination of Care for Combat Veterans Serving in Combat Theater After 11/11/1998- Returning Servicemembers (OEF/OIF/OND)

The Post-9/11 Transition and Care Management Program offers transitional assistance, case management and outreach services to all Veterans who have served after September 11, 2001 in their transition to civilian life. For more information about the various programs available for recent returning service members, log on to the Returning Servicemembers web site.

Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations also have special eligibility for VA health care. Under the "Combat Veteran" authority VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6 or higher for 5 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.

Combat Veterans who enroll with VA under this enhanced Combat Veteran authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends, although they may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable copays. Additionally, for care not related to combat service, copays may be required depending on their financial assessment and other special eligibility factors.

NOTE: The 5-year enrollment period applicable to these Veterans begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.

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