Dr. James P. Kelly, a neurologist has been appointed Director of the new Department of Defense National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) scheduled to open in 2010. NICoE a component center of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), will conduct research, diagnosis, and treatment planning to help members of the military with psychological health problems and traumatic brain injury.
The Center will introduce therapeutic methods, referral and reintegration support for warriors, test new protocols, provide comprehensive training and education to patients, providers, and families while maintaining ongoing telehealth follow-up care. Top level experts from the VA, HHS, and other federal, state and local agencies as well as academic institutions will combine their expertise to assist in state-of-the-art healing techniques.
NICoE will be a 72,000 square foot, two story facility located on the Navy campus in Bethesda Maryland adjacent to what will be the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. It will have close access to the Uniformed Services University, and NIH.
The Center is being built and equipped through the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Fisher Foundation, and other individuals and groups. When construction is completed, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund will turn NICoE over to the Department of Defense to operate.
“We are bringing Dr. Kelly to NICoE to assemble a world class team and to plan landmark programs and research so that the new center can begin benefiting our warriors as soon as the doors open,” said Brig. General Loree K. Sutton, DCoE Director and the highest ranking psychiatrist in the Army.
