By Home Base

CHARLESTOWN, MA – On Thursday, July 14, in support of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Jill Biden visited the Home Base National Center of Excellence in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston to shine a light on the impact Home Base has made on healing the invisible wounds of war. During the hour-long tour, she received briefings on the services provided at Home Base and met with Service Members, Military Families, and Veteran alumni of the program.

The First Lady, also joined by Senator Ed Markey (D, MA) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), was greeted by Home Base Executive Director Brigadier General (retired) Jack Hammond and Chief Operating Officer Michael Allard as well as Massachusetts General Hospital President Dr. David F. M. Brown, Boston Red Sox Owner and The Boston Globe Chief Executive Officer Linda Henry, Mass General Brigham Chief Operating Officer Dr. Ron Walls and President of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Dr. Ross Zafonte, who also directs the Brain Injury and Warrior Health and Fitness programs at Home Base.

At the first stop on the tour, the First Lady received an overview of the Intensive Clinical Program from Laura Harward, LICSW and Dr. Kalo Tanev. She also heard from Dr. Louis Chow and Bill Davidson about expanding Home Base programs to additional communities.

At the second stop, the First Lady proceeded to the fitness center where she heard about the Special Operations and Traumatic Brain Injury Program from Dr. Zafonte and Dr. Alexis Iaccarino. She also received a briefing on the wellness programming offered to Service Members, Veterans and Military Families from Dr. Ron Hirschberg and Ryan Vanderweit.

At the third and final stop, the First Lady learned about Home Base’s Veteran, Service Member and Family-focused programming from Dr. Daria Mamon and Jacque Francona. She also spoke with two Veterans and one Military Family who shared their journeys and experiences while completing Home Base’s programs, including Julian and Kalah’ Kitching.

A special Helping Our Heroes Heal video of the Kitchings’ experience at Home Base can be viewed here.

A short video recap of the First Lady’s visit can be viewed here.

Home Base is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class, direct clinical care, wellness, education and research – all at no cost to them – regardless of era of service, discharge status or geographical location. The program was founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Boston Red Sox. Learn more at www.homebase.org.