General Petraeus and Ron Katz
"Operation Mend," a unique partnership between Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the V.A.-Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System has been established to help treat several U.S. military personnel wounded during service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The project was launched with the help of philanthropist Ronald A. Katz, a well-known inventor and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center board member, who recognized that providing excellent care to injured soldiers need not be limited to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Armed Services. The project aims to serve as a model for other medical institutions interested in helping additional wounded service members.
"'Operation Mend' represents an extraordinary collaboration between the surgeons and staff of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center," said Katz, whose Katz Family Foundation will fund all uncovered costs associated with the project, including lodging patients and family members at UCLA's Tiverton House, a hotel on the hospital campus designed to meet the needs of patients receiving treatment at UCLA.
"We believe this is a great opportunity to partner with the specialists at UCLA Medical Center as we strive to always provide the best outcome for each of our wounded servicemen and women," said Brig. Gen. James Gilman, commander of Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC).
The surgeries will be led by Timothy A. Miller, Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCLA, who is also a military veteran.
"It is a privilege for UCLA Medical Center to assist our country's men and women in the military," said Dr. David T. Feinberg, Chief Executive Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor of the UCLA Health System. "We are honored to partner with Brooke Army Medical Center to help heal several of America's wounded warriors."
UCLA has been proud to work cooperatively with Brooke Army Medical Center to treat wounded US military personnel. As the lead surgeon, this has been the most satisfying endeavor of my professional career and I am grateful for your support that will allow us to continue this extraordinary mission.
Although very gratifying, I also realize that what I am giving these young men and women falls short in comparison to what they have done for me and our country.
Sincerely,
Timothy A. Miller, M.D.
Professor and Chief, UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery