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18 Robert WoodJohnson
I
MEDICINE
n a packed auditorium on Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School's Piscataway campus, the audience
grows hushed as Carol A. Terregino, MD '86, senior
associate dean for education, associate dean for admis-
sions, and associate professor of medicine, is about to
introduce a daylong training session focused on health care
for warriors. She asks all those individuals who have served in
the military to stand, and thanks the group for their service.
Then, in turn, anyone with a spouse, family member, or friend
who has served is requested to stand. Eventually, almost all
attendees are on their feet.
It is a dramatic and powerful visual showing the far-reaching
impact of military service on the community. It is also a per-
fect example of the reason the medical school has become
increasingly involved in providing the type of training
designed to help health care professionals--and the physicians
of tomorrow--learn how to better care for veterans and indi-
viduals actively serving in the military.
Three years ago, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
became one of the first in the nation to answer the Association
of American Medical Colleges' call for assistance with the fed-
eral Joining Forces initiative supporting military personnel
and their families. Since that time, the medical school has col-
laborated with the Steptoe Group, LLC, to develop an inter-
professional education program blending the concepts of the
medical school's Patient-Centered Medicine curriculum with
the Steptoe Group's Warrior-Centric Healthcare Training.
®
Nearly 1,000 individuals have already received specialized
training through this groundbreaking program, which
addresses the significant need for integrated physical and
behavioral health care and support services for veterans and
their families. During the initial planning stages, Dr.
Terregino, who also serves as codirector of the medical
school's longitudinal Patient-Centered Medicine curriculum,
collaborated with colleague Robert C. Like, MD, MS, profes-
sor of family medicine and community health and director,
Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity. Dr. Like--
nationally known for his work in the areas of cultural compe-
tence and health professions education--helped make the con-
nection with the Steptoe Group and its services.
"
I
still get goosebumps hearing the veterans
speak of their terrifying times in theater
and at home," Dr. Terregino says. "I was most
touched by the sheer and utter terror they went
through--and then we expect them to come back
as if nothing has changed. How could we
not
give them all the support they need? We all need
to be engaged in this issue.
"