Intensive Treatment Programs
As a top-ranked, world-renowned academic medical center and home to the most advanced medical facilities in the United States, UCLA Health offers innovative care and the latest in medical technology. Since 2007, UCLA Health's Operation Mend has been providing advanced surgical and medical treatment for post-9/11 era service members and veterans injured during combat operations or while training for service. The original focus of Operation Mend was to engage UCLA’s world-class experts in plastic and reconstructive surgery to rebuild the faces of service members who had suffered highly complex facial trauma. The program expanded to provide subspecialty surgical and medical specialty treatment in a variety of clinical areas, as well as comprehensive psychological health care for eligible post-9/11-era service members, veterans and their families. All care, care coordination, travel and lodging are provided at no absolutely no cost to the veterans or service members and their caregivers.
Along with advanced surgical care, Operation Mend is distinguished by its focus on including the warriors’ family in care and providing comprehensive case management, coordination and social support that helps eliminate barriers to treatment.
In 2015, UCLA Operation Mend joined the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and three partner medical centers as founding members of WWP's Warrior Care Network. In January 2016, as part of this partnership, UCLA Health and Operation Mend launched an intensive, structured treatment program for service members/veterans who have suffered service-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The six-week program begins with three weeks on the UCLA campus and is designed for patients who require more than regular outpatient care as part of their treatment plan.
Prior to referral into the program, potential participants will spend two-to-five days at UCLA consulting with a multidisciplinary team of TBI and PTSD specialists to ensure the intensive program is the most appropriate treatment option.
Participants in the program will receive the personalized care for which UCLA Health Operation Mend is known. For those participating in the on-site program, all care, travel and accommodations are arranged for and provided at no cost to service members/ veterans and their caregivers, including pick-up from the airport upon arrival and transportation to and from the hotel and to all activities and appointments. Following the onsite three-week program, participants will take part in an additional three weeks of provider-facilitated peer-to-peer support via telehealth to continue refining skills and building community. For those participating in the three-week Virtual Intensive Treatment Program, all necessary materials will be sent directly to the participants' homes.
Our three-week intensive treatment program is designed to promote healing and wellness through:
- Comprehensive virtual evaluation
- Individualized treatment planning
- Evidence-based trauma treatment
- Cognitive skills training
- 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
UCLA Operation Mend Intensive Treatment Program Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible?
We welcome post-9/11 era military service members and veterans with symptoms related to trauma exposure or who have been diagnosed with PTSD with or without a history of TBI. After an initial comprehensive evaluation, our team determines whether the program meets the veteran's needs. - Are caregivers included?
We are the only Intensive Treatment Program in the country that includes caregivers as fully integrated participants. There are two treatment groups: one with veterans only, and one with veterans and their caregivers. - How much does it cost?
There is no cost to veterans, service members, and caregivers. - What will be the plan for care?
Each participant in the intensive treatment program will receive a customized treatment plan. - What happens after treatment?
Participants receive three weeks of provider-facilitated check-ins to continue refining skills, building community and transitioning to local care. Regularly scheduled virtual appointments with family care managers continue for one year following program completion. . - How do I start?
Please email [email protected] or call 424-319-6726. - Does Operation Mend still provide reconstructive surgery and other subspecialty medical care?
Absolutely! We continue to provide reconstructive surgery and other subspecialty medical care along with social and psychological support at no cost to the patient. Call 424-319-6726.
About Warrior Care Network™ (WCN)
Warrior Care Network™ is a groundbreaking collaboration between Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) and its academic medical center partners, Emory Healthcare, Massachusetts General Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, and UCLA Health, to create a nationwide, comprehensive care network that will enhance access and provide clinical and familycentered treatment to warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other related conditions. WCN will offer specialized clinical services through either a regionalized Outpatient Program (OP) and/or an innovative Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Through this cutting-edge initiative, WWP and its partners plan to serve thousands of wounded veterans and family members over the next three years.