Eglin's regional IWC opens

EGLIN AFB, Fla. - The 96th Medical Group has opened the Air Force’s first Invisible Wounds Center (IWC) at Eglin Air Force Base. More than 120 people attended the Aug. 30 opening, including Air Force Surgeon General (SG) Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg. The IWC will serve as a regional treatment center for post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, associated pain conditions and psychological injuries. “The center is ready to treat retirees, Guard, Reserve, and active duty members from our sister services who carry the weight of invisible wounds,” said Hogg. “Our goal is to eliminate barriers to care,” she said. It’s modeled after the best practices of the Intrepid Spirit Centers, and will assemble a team of 18 specialties to provide treatment in an individually tailored, holistic and integrated fashion, using a combination of conventional and complimentary therapies. Art and music therapy, yoga, acupuncture, physical and occupational therapy and mental health services will also be included in treatment at the IWC. The Defense Department has recently accepted a proffer from Arnold Fisher, honorary chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, to also build an Intrepid Spirit Center at Eglin, making it the 10th of its kind, and first on an Air Force base. Plans for ground breaking are underway, and officials expect the facility to be completed in 2020. (Source: Eglin AFB 09/05/18)