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Education

KU School of Medicine student


The University of Kansas Medical Center has joined the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in committing to train physicians to meet the unique health care needs of veterans and their families, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Joining Forces initiative lays the groundwork for medical schools and their associations to enrich medical education to ensure that physicians are aware of the unique clinical challenges and best practices associated with caring for military service members, veterans and their families. The goal is to develop new research and clinical trials on PTSD and traumatic brain injury so they can be better understood and treated; share information and best practices with other institutions through a collaborative Web forum created by the Association of American Medical Colleges; and expand the body of knowledge leading to improvements in health care and wellness for military service members, veterans and their families.

The KU School of Medicine offers a curriculum that covers PTSD, TBI, and cultural competence as they pertain to the civilian and military populations. 

The KU School of Medicine developed a strong affiliation with the Veteran's Affairs hospitals in the region. As a result, the education for students and residents of many disciplines involves significant time rotating through the VA hospital. Residents are exposed to the issues of PTSD and depression/substance abuse. During these experiences they are able to work with veterans on both and inpatient and outpatient basis who may suffer from PTSD and TBI.

The KU School of Medicine also sponsors a continuing medical education program in partnership with the American Academy of Family Physicians. The program includes the production and distribution of a continuing education podcast on the health care issues facing many of our returning veterans. It focuses on TBI, blast injury syndromes, PTSD, suicide risk and reintegration of returning veterans and families.

The KU Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions all make special efforts to accomodate applicants with military backgrounds. All three schools have students who are active or retired military veterans.

Last modified: Mar 18, 2013
Sammy Ornelas
photo

Second-year School of Medicine student and military veteran Samuel Ornelas may not have followed the typical path to medical school, but he says that doesn't make him feel "nontraditional."

"I don't feel any different than them," Ornelas says. "We're all just trying to become the best doctors we can be."

Ornelas, who is a native of tiny Sublette, in southwest Kansas, joined the Marines right out of high school and served for four years. After his stint in the Marines, he enrolled at Garden City Community College and earned his master's in public health from Kansas State University. In 2010, at age 30, Ornelas enrolled at the KU School of Medicine. He believes his experience as a Marine will help him as he makes his way through medical school, his residency and as a physican.

"Being a Marine taught me discipline and focus," Ornelas says. "I think those are qualities that are critical for any medical student and for any doctor."