Wellness Wednesday: The AAMC Sponsors a Joining Forces Wellness Week

Ed. note: This is part of a series of blogs about wellness issues for Military Families, Veterans, and Service members. Check back for Wellness Wednesday blogs, where we will cover topics relevant to the holistic health of the military and veteran communities.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) will sponsor their second annual Joining Forces Wellness Week from November 11 through November 15. During this time, AAMC will host a free, public webinar series with national experts, school-sponsored patient simulation days, and other local educational activities to increase awareness and elevate the role that medical schools and teaching hospitals play in serving our nation’s service members, veterans and their families. With the tens of thousands of men and women returning from war, it’s imperative that our physicians are aware of the unique clinical challenges and best practices associated with caring for these individuals and military connected families.

As part of the Joining Forces initiative, more than 100 medical schools have pledged to train the nation’s future physicians to better understand, diagnose, and treat the health care needs of our military communities.

“I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families,” explained First Lady Michelle Obama. “By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned.”

The AAMC and Joining Forces would like to thank those have signed a pledge to support of our military communities and encourage others to do the same.

By working together, we can make significant strides in supporting the health and wellness of our military service members, veterans, and their families. Our military communities have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms, now it’s our turn to be there for them. 

Rory Brosius is the Deputy Director of Joining Forces