Team Dover program cares for Wounded Warriors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  November is recognized as Warrior Care Month to honor the services and sacrifices made by all service members of the U.S. military, their families, caregivers and professionals who support them.

In November 2008 under the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD P&R) within the U.S. Department of Defense, the DoD Office of Warrior Care Policy was created. Their mission is to ensure wounded, ill, injured and transitioning service members receive high quality care and seamless transition support through proactive leadership, responsive policy, effective oversight and interagency collaboration.

Active duty, Guard and Reserve wounded warriors from Delaware and the eastern state of Pennsylvania can turn to the Wound, Ill or Injured Warrior Program, or WII, at the 436th Medical Group clinic, here, for assistance when separating from the military.

Donald Tresler, 436th Medical Group recovery care coordinator, is an advocate for service members who are wounded or injured in combat and will not be returning to active duty status within 180 days. Tresler is responsible for coordinating health care, filing documents for benefits and financial assistance and any other work that will be required for the service member to transition over as a civilian.

"It's not only great that the medical and non-medical personnel are so dedicated to the care of these wounded warriors, but it's great that the wing leadership as a whole is take a huge interest in the ongoing care for these troops," said Tresler. "Not only are there several members of the recovery team available to assist, but the entire military and civilian community stands behind every wounded warrior."

Clinical case managers will meet with the service member and will do an assessment of the member's situation, design and implement a plan to meet the member's needs and then continue to monitor and evaluate the member to gauge if their goals are being met effectively.

"The word I would use to describe the wounded warrior is 'sacrifice'," said Joann Richardson, 436th MDG WII clinical case manager. "To me it means they have worn or wear the uniform proudly to defend our country, flag and freedom without any reservation. They place themselves last."

The WII at Team Dover offers a lifelong system of care and recovery support and cares for an average of 20 new wounded warriors a year.

"Because of their sacrifice on behalf of their country, we owe our wounded warriors and their families a great debt of gratitude," said Chief Master Sgt. Stanley Cadell, 436th Airlift Wing command chief.

For more information on the WII program visit www.warriorcare.mil.