CHARLESTOWN, Mass. — The inaugural Home Base Brain Health Summit — a live, interactive, hybrid, two-day conference — was hosted at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions in the Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston from September 11-12, 2024, in recognition of the September 11 attacks. The summit, co-chaired by Home Base Senior Director of Medical Services Dr. Sofia Matta and Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. Joe Bonvie, examined the latest research and treatment innovations in Special Operations Forces, Veterans and Military Families suffering from the invisible wounds of war.

The first day highlighted the evolution of military medicine since 9/11, with a focus on traumatic brain injury evaluation, brain health and cognitive performance in Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Veterans. Discussions emphasized the US Special Operation Command’s innovative brain health initiatives, the impact of invisible wounds on SOF personnel and emerging healthcare technologies like AI and digital health. The day concluded with insights into HealthSpan, resilience, early cancer detection and the connection between posttraumatic stress disorder, cardiovascular disease, toxic exposures and repeated blast brain injury in Service Members.

The second day was led by Mass General Brigham’s (MGB) Military and Veterans Initiatives at the interface of performance and community. Highlights included discussions on human performance optimization, mental health strategies for Special Operations Forces and Veterans, collaborations with the Boston Bruins Alumni Association and Warrior For Life Fund and updates from Home Base on our Intensive Clinical Programs, brain health and substance use disorders. The day concluded with a focus on family, featuring communal coping among Military Families and the vital role of benevolent organizations in advancing operator wellness.

Home Base sincerely thanks our friends at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Foundation for generously sponsoring the summit. We also extend special thanks to the APA Foundation’s Executive Director, Rawle Andrews, Jr., Esq., for his support and participation as one of our speakers.

Home Base also thanks our keynote speakers for their interactive and inspiring presentations and for setting the stage for impactful, future collaborations:

• Dr. Maurizio Fava, Chair of Psychiatry, MGH, who presented on the future of digital tools in mental health care.
• Mr. Frank Larkin, Chief Operating Officer, Troops First Foundation, who presented on his work as a national advocate for Veteran suicide prevention and traumatic brain injury research.
• Dr. Ross Zafonte, President, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, who presented on HealthSpan and exposures in Special Operations Forces and Veterans.
• Retired US Army Major General George F. Bowman, who presented on generations of service.
• Dr. Jordan Smoller, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Professor of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who presented on the role big data, coupled with AI, has on mental health and suicide prevention.
• Dr. Eric Goralnick, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, who presented on collaboration through MGB’s Military and Veterans Initiatives.

Click here to learn more about the summit.