Leader of Military’s Program to Treat Brain Injuries Steps Down Abruptly

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.propublica.org/feature/leader-of-militarys-program-to-treat-brain-injuries-steps-down-abruptly


WASHINGTON, D.C.--The leader of the Pentagon's premiere program for treatment and research into brain injury and post traumatic stress disorders has unexpectedly stepped down from her post, according to senior medical and congressional officials.

Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton told staff members at the Defense Centers of Excellence <1>, or DCOE, on Monday that she was giving up her position as director. Sutton, who launched the center in November 2007, had been expected to retire next year, officials with knowledge of the situation said. The center has not publicly announced her leaving.

Sutton's departure follows criticism in Congress <3> over the performace of the center and in recent reports <4> by NPR and ProPublica that the military is failing to diagnose and treat soldiers suffering from so-called mild traumatic brain injuries, also called concussions.

It comes just as the Pentagon prepares to open a new, multimillion-dollar showcase treatment facility outside Washington, D.C., for troops with brain injuries <5> and post traumatic stress disorder, often referred to as the signature wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More at the link ---