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Tampa VA Unveils Addition To Center For Traumatic War Injuries

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By LINDSAY PETERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2008

TAMPA - Wounded troops and Veterans Administration officials gathered at Tampa's VA hospital today to see the latest addition to its unit for men and women with traumatic injuries from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new building contains apartments for injured troops who no longer need to be hospitalized but aren't ready to live on their own.

It's the first facility of its kind in the VA system, said Steven Scott, director of the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital.

"This is a great occasion, everybody. We should all be proud," said Scott, who doubles as Haley's chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation services.

Up to 10 people can live in the five transitional apartments at once, where they'll receive help learning how to cook, bathe and dress independently and take care of other personal needs.

The 33,000-square-foot building includes outpatient clinics and administrative space.

Its purpose is to help injured troops "move closer and closer to the day they return to their communities," said a guest speaker, retired Brig. Gen. Michael J. Kussman, the VA's undersecretary for health.

"We have even grander plans, … including a world class 'hero's' gym," said Haley's chief of staff, Edward Cutolo.

It's "one more humble installment in the debt of gratitude we owe these service members," Kussman said.

Haley's polytrauma center is one of five across the country built in the past three years to treat the most serious injuries from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Its doctors and therapists care for 20 to 25 patients at once and have treated about 400 since the center opened.

Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834 or lpeterson@tampatrib.com.

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