UCLA Health Operation Mend was established in 2007 as a partnership between UCLA Health and the United States military. We provide advanced surgical and medical treatment, comprehensive psychological evaluation and support, and an intensive treatment program for symptoms related to post-traumatic stess and traumatic brain injury for post-9/11 era service members, veterans and their families. The program is available at absolutely no cost to the veterans or service members, and is available to eligible warriors injured during combat operations or training.
If you are interested in participating in Operation Mend or are inquiring about the program on behalf of a wounded warrior, please contact us at (310) 267-2110 or email us at operationmend@mednet.ucla.edu.
Eligibility requirements
The following requirements are necessary to be considered for the Operation Mend program:
- The patient sustained his/ her injury during post-9/11 era active military service such as combat or combat training
- The patient's injuries require specialty treatment and local options for care are unavailable, inadequate or previous treatments were not comprehensive or satisfactory
- The patient is physically and psychologically stable and able to travel
- The patient has a nonmedical attendant (a stable friend or family member) who can travel with him/ her
- The patient currently has a case manager or primary care physician that can assist in the Operation Mend intake process and follow-up care (e.g. obtaining referrals, medical records, consents, etc.)
- Additionally, to be eligible for the Intensive Treatment Program, the military service members/veterans must have symptoms related to or have received a diagnosis of TBI and/or PTSD and must undergo initial evaluations at UCLA to determine if the Intensive Treatment Program meets the individual’s needs
Our three-week onsite and virtual intensive treatment programs are designed to provide support, education, healing and wellness, through:
- Comprehensive virtual evaluations
- Individualized treatment planning
- Evidence-based trauma treatment
- Cognitive skills training
- Skills-focused groups
- Peer-to-peer connections
- Caregiver psychotherapy groups
- Art therapy
- Mindful movement practice
- Social support from buddy programs
- Referrals and connection to local care
- Post-treatment support
Specialty services for physical injury include (but are not limited to):
- Advanced Imaging and Diagnostics
- Dermatology
- Maxillofacial Dentistry
- Medical Tattooing
- Mental Health Services specializing in PTSD and mTBI
- Neurology and mTBI Diagnostics
- Neurosurgery
- Opthalmology & Oculoplastics
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Otolaryngology/ ENT
- Pain Management Evaluations
- Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
- Urology
