February 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C.---Augusta's efforts to help wounded warriors was front and center Wednesday in Washington.

US Senator Saxby Chambliss appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee to remind them to stay focused on the quality care, management, and transition of sick and wounded service members.

He mentioned the cooperation already in place between Eisenhower Army Medical Center, The Norwood VA Hospital, and MCG.

"These three institutions are already collaborating in the treatment of wounded warriors and the Charlie Norwood VA hosts the only active duty rehab facility for military personal in a VA Medical Center."

Part of the plan would establish a training program for wounded warrior "federal recovery coordinators" at the MCG Nursing school here in Augusta.

The department of defense has agreed to hire 80 of these coordinators and will likely hire many more.

The MCG Nursing School is proposing a six month certificate program for training these coordinators which would be an extension of their current program of training Clinical Nurse Leaders for which they have an existing degree program.