War Related Illness and Injury Study Center

The WOMEN CoE’s primary goals are to provide focused resources to healthcare providers (VA and non-VA) as well as Veterans and their families. Through our national webinars, subject matter expert talks, and conferences, we provide education for our healthcare providers to better understand women Veterans' health.

In the future, WOMEN CoE aspires to educate Veterans on the understanding of unique (potential) health effects from exposures and empower them to work with their healthcare providers in a partnership where both parties have the expertise of the individual condition(s) needed for the best care possible. 

WOMEN CoE/Polytrauma Conference:

WOMEN CoE partnered with the VA Polytrauma Systems of Care department to host an accredited, inaugural conference from September 26th - 27th. The conference took place both in-person for local attendees at VA Palo Alto, and virtually, encouraging VA employees from across the country to tune in. The two-day conference titled Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Nuances and Next Steps: Focus on Gender and Exposures highlighted both clinical and research opportunities ahead. WOMEN CoE and Polytrauma co-hosted this important conference because women Veterans are the fastest growing group across all Veteran branches and will represent 18% of the Veteran population by 2040. Despite this, there is an overall lack of studies focused on women’s reproductive, TBI, and exposure-related health. The Polytrauma System of Care, Headache Center of Excellence, and the new WOMEN CoE programs at VAPAHCS have clinical, research, and educational offerings to enhance the understanding and practice of TBI and women’s health as it relates to deployment-related exposures. 

This conference provided educational content related to the sex differences in brain injury symptoms, brain structure & function and treatment in rehabilitation; recognizing the various types of deployment-related exposures that impact Veteran women’s health; and discussing the strengths and weaknesses in current strategies being used to improve Veteran women’s health. Attendees were able to view poster presentations from multiple ongoing projects, and engage with top researchers in their fields from throughout the VA. 

The program evaluation results indicated a variety of VHA staff who attended the conference. 62 total participants attended the conference including dieticians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physicians, psychologists, social workers, and speech pathologists. 51% of attendees reported learning a “great deal” because of this conference, and 38% reported learning a “fair amount”. This conference was received well and considered a great success.  

Strategic Planning Meeting:

WOMEN CoE conducted an organization strategic planning meeting from January 24th - 25th to plan for the year. The meeting took place both in-person for local attendees at VA Palo Alto, and virtually, for colleagues who were unable to be local. The two-day meeting highlighted the organization's strengths, addressed clinical, research, and educational opportunities ahead, and outlined areas of improvement to ensure longevity and success of the organization. WOMEN CoE organized this important meeting because women Veterans are a priority, and it is important that the mission of the organization is central to the strategic planning.

WOMEN CoE in the VA Community: