Vets First Podcast - Department of Veterans Affairs

An introduction to the Vets First Podcast Mar 06, 2020

In this episode you are introduced to the hosts of the Vets First Podcast, Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea. They discuss the origins of the podcast and their goals surrounding it. You will get to know the hosts as they discuss their backgrounds and what brought them to this point in time. You will also hear about the research they work on and its relevance to Veterans.

Along the way in their work, Levi and Brandon noticed a disconnect between Veterans and research. Many Veterans did not know research was being done at the VA at all. Additionally, a major concern of Veterans was not being earnestly listened to. As researchers wanting to give back, they felt a need to convey research focus and findings to Veterans in an easily understood manner and well as provide a platform for Veterans to talk about their experiences. We’d like to thank the Iowa City VA research foundation for funding this endeavor and giving us a chance to build bridges in understanding.

Levi grew up in rural central Iowa near a town called Perry. He went to the University of Iowa where he graduated in 2012 with his PhD in molecular and cellular biology. In 2014 he joined the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss and Dr. Andrew Russo’s laboratory at The University of Iowa where he now studies traumatic brain injury induced headache and migraine. Levi’s work aims to identify brain regions that are important in the development of post-traumatic headache and photophobia (light sensitivity) in Veterans. A great profile of Dr. Sowers’ research interests can be found here.

Brandon Rea grew up in a small rural town called Bernard, Iowa. He went to the University of Iowa where he graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He is now a researcher in Dr. Russo and Levi’s lab where he works closely with Levi on multiple migraine-related projects. Brandon’s research expertise focuses on pain-related behaviors in migraine, particularly facial grimace. Brandon and Levi were recently co-first and senior authors, respectively, of a paper published on these findings in the publication PAIN.

A life turned upside down: One Veteran’s story of life after traumatic brain injury. Apr 22, 2020

This is part one of a two-part series on traumatic brain injury-induced headache (this episode and episode 4). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. Two of the most prevalent problems reported by military personnel following traumatic brain injury are headache and photosensitivity (light sensitivity), which commonly occur together in migraine-like headaches. Migraine is a type of headache that is more than just a bad headache. It is often accompanied by other neurological abnormalties including photosensitivity, sound sensitivity, widespread painful touch, and nausea and vomiting just to name a few. It represents a significant problem in the both the active military and Veteran populations. Of the military personnel with chronic daily headache, 66% have been diagnosed with migraine and an additional 28% experience multiple migraine features such as headache and light sensitivity. Notably, headaches are often comorbid with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, depression, and suicide. Finally, the Migraine Research Foundation estimates a direct economic burden of $13 billion in the United States per year with respect to the general population.

In this episode, we hear from our first Veteran, Doug Lanphier. Doug is originally from Oskaloosa, Iowa and made the trip today from Memphis, Missouri. He comes from a military family and joined the Air Force at age 18 in 1981. Doug served as an intelligence operations specialist supporting briefing and debriefing in sorties (maneuvers) during Operation Desert Storm. During his deployment, Doug suffered a traumatic brain injury from a scud missile fragment while on an air base and lost consciousness. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) reported more than 408,000 TBIs among U.S. service members worldwide between 2000 and early 2019. TBI can include a range of comorbidities, from headaches, irritability, and sleep disorders to memory problems, slower thinking, and depression. These symptoms often lead to long-term mental and physical health problems that impair Veterans' employment and family relationships, and their reintegration into their communities.

Doug shares his extensive experiences throughout his service, how his injury changed his life, and how he has suffered for more than 20 years with disabling headaches. He also explains his experience with the VA and how a phone call with a VA phone operator saved his life. Finally, he discusses why he thinks research is critical for the treatment of headache and how the VA has attempted to treat his headaches. If you served in the Gulf War in Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm and are concerned about related health risks, the VA has a comprehensive list of these risks and steps that can be taken.

An introduction to the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss and an interview with its director Dr. Randy Kardon Apr 22, 2020

As one of the three pillars of the VA, research plays a critical role in the treatment of Veterans. This episode starts with a description of research at the VA. Levi and Brandon discuss different achievements that have been accomplished through VA funded research.

We also hear from Dr. Randy Kardon, director of the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss(CPTVL). The CPTVL is one of 14 centers nationwide that are funded by the Rehabilitation, Research and Development service under the Office of Research and Development within the VA. Additionally, the CPTVL focuses on a multitude of visual disorders that affect Veterans ranging from glaucoma to light sensitivity after traumatic brain injury as well as migraine.

Dr. Kardon was born and raised in Iowa, spending his formative years in Des Moines. During summers he worked at his father’s auto parts store with aspirations to later attend college. After high school Dr. Kardon came to the University of Iowa on a full scholarship as a freshman with an interest in science. With the guidance of his mentors, he finished his undergraduate studies in three years and was part of the first sponsored Medical Scientist Training Program to pursue both a PhD and a medical degree. During medical school, Dr. Kardon experienced “love at first sight” with ophthalmology, and the eye as a window into the human body. His dedication to treating Veterans occurred during his medical school rotations.

Now with over 30 years of experience as an ophthalmologist at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, Dr. Kardon specializes in neuro-ophthalmology. Neuro-ophthalmology is a subspecialized part of eye care and ophthalmology dealing with vision problems of unknown cause. These ophthalmic problems are often connected to problems in different areas of the body like the brain. Dr. Kardon shares with us his expertise, health issues he focuses on, and how he provides specialized care. Finally, we discuss the goals of the center and how the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss hopes to aid Veterans through its research.

Out of the dark and into the light: Life after successful treatment of post-traumatic headache Apr 22, 2020

In this episode, we hear from an anonymous Veteran about her struggle with light sensitivity and headache after a traumatic brain injury during Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq. She describes how she suffered daily headaches from 2013 until her first dose of a new anti-migraine drug in December 2018 which changed her life. During that period from 2013-2018, she experienced such severe light sensitivity that she had to wear sunglasses even indoors. Additionally, she experienced constant debilitating pain that significantly impacted her life. She recounts that after her first dose of this new anti-migraine drug, she sat on her bed in amazement. This was her first headache free period of time in 6 years. She goes on to tell us how this treatment has impacted her life henceforth. A visual presentation of traumatic brain injury can be found here.

In this episode, we also hear from an expert in the field of migraine and post-traumatic headache, Dr. Andrew Russo, a professor of physiology at the University of Iowa and director of animal research at the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss.

In a roundabout way, Dr. Russo became interested in migraine by being interested in how plants grow. Early in life weeding his grandmother’s garden, he learned how plants respond to light and their environment and became curious how other organisms respond. Dr. Russo views migraine as our brain responding too much to a stimulus like light, sound, touch, etc. Primarily, his studies focusing on a peptide in migraine known as CGRP and its actions has helped Dr. Russo contribute to a new class of anti-migraine drugs that have shown success in treating migraine.

Dr. Russo’s father served in the Navy and received his primary care through the VA healthcare system. He was impressed with the VA’s commitment to treat Veterans not only in the hospital setting but in all walks of life. He branched into researching traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic headache because the similarities to migraine as well as a moral obligation to support Veterans.

When our blood filtration system goes bad: two Veteran viewpoints on kidney disease Apr 22, 2020

The kidneys are organs in the body that filter the blood, removing wastes and extra water are essential for life. They also maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals to keep the body functioning normally. Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should, causing a multitude of health problems. In this and the following two episodes, we hear from Veterans and their care givers about their experiences with chronic kidney disease and how they or their loved ones came to get kidney transplants through the VA. In episode 7, we will also hear from a nephrologist at the VA healthcare system.

Our first guest is Alysha Scott, care giver for a Veteran, Jan Scott. Alysha and Jan are from Kokomo, Indiana and have come to Iowa City to be a part of the collaborative kidney transplant program between the University of Iowa and the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. Jan served 4 years in Louisiana during the Vietnam War and was a firefighter for the city of Kokomo for 20 years. Experiencing renal failure, Jan was on dialysis 3 times a week for 4 years and on the transplant list for 2 years before receiving his kidney. Alysha discusses what it is like to have a significant other with end stage kidney disease and their experiences as a post-operation kidney transplant patient continuing to receive care through the Iowa City VA Healthcare System.

Our second guest is Rob Siwek, a high school baseball coach from Mansfield, Ohio. Rob is a post-operation kidney and pancreas transplant patient who received his kidney, pancreas, and continuing care through the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. He served in the Army from 1987 to 1989 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina and was diagnosed with diabetes during his service. His long battle with type 1 diabetes led to kidney disease and eventually the need for a kidney and pancreas transplant. He discusses his many first-hand experiences involving kidney disease, dialysis, his surgery, and how grateful he is for organ donation.

Extraordinary circumstances: Son donates kidney to father and Jack Jones receives the first Hepatitis C positive kidney Apr 22, 2020

In this episode we first hear from Vince and David, a father and son pair, two days before their kidney transplant surgery. David is donating his kidney to his father Vince, an Air Force Veteran of 8 years. Vince was born in Michigan, moved to California, New Mexico, and then Alaska in 1978. He joined the Air Force in 1955 and served until 1963. Roughly two years ago Vince’s bloodwork began to show his kidney functions were elevated. Shortly after, Vince was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and eventually would require a kidney transplant. David was more than ready to step up and help his father with a kidney of his own after compatibility tests had shown he could donate to Vince. Also, in this interview we hear from their two caregivers Darlene and Jennifer and get their perspective on the upcoming surgery and how important family and friends are. The group made the trip down from Alaska to Iowa City VA Healthcare System for this life-changing event.

In the second half of the episode, we hear from Veteran Jack Jones and his wife Martha from Asheville, North Carolina. Jack grew up in New Bern and followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the Navy after high school in 1975. He served as a boiler operator from 1975 to 1979 and shares some of his experiences on his ship. Being a diabetic and through normal checkups, Jack was informed that his kidneys had dropped to 20% functionality and got on the kidney transplant waiting list in 2015.

Previously being cured of Hepatitis C, Jack was presented with the unique opportunity to receive a kidney quickly. He received the first Hepatitis C positive kidney through a pioneering new program at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, where medical advances have made Hepatitis C positive kidneys viable for transplant into patients without developing the disease. Jack shares with us some of his military experiences, his developing need for a kidney transplant due to diabetes, what dialysis entails, his care at Iowa City VA Healthcare System, and how appreciative he is for his new kidney.

A leader in kidney disease and transplant: Dr. Christie Thomas. Apr 22, 2020

Dr. Christie Thomas, a nephrologist at the University of Iowa and the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, joins us on this episode to discuss his favorite organ, the kidney, and why Veterans come to need transplants. He discusses with us the functions of the kidney in the body, some of its surprising roles in human health, as well as how and why kidneys fail. Additionally, he shares with us some details about dialysis and the Hepatitis C positive kidney transplant program we highlighted in our previous episode.

In adults, the most common cause of kidney disease in the United States is diabetes and the second most common cause is presumed to be high blood pressure or hypertension. The most common hereditary cause of kidney disease in the United States is polycystic kidney disease which affects between 1 and 500 to 1 and 1,000 people. Overall, about 37 million adults in the United States are estimated to have chronic kidney disease with most being undiagnosed. Blood tests are the most common method for detecting kidney disease by looking at kidney function. Other health consequences of chronic kidney disease include increased occurrence of infections, low red blood cell count, loss of appetite, and depression. Dr. Thomas highlights all this in detail and more.

Dr. Thomas was born and raised in India, having come to the United States at the age of 2 and returning to India at the age of 4. He did his undergraduate studies in India and postgraduate studies in England. He returned to the United States in his early thirties and was drawn to Iowa City, which had the largest public hospital in terms of the number of beds in the country at the time, as well as Iowa City VA Healthcare System, which was known for the strength of its research. Since then, Dr. Thomas has come to love Iowa and working with Veterans who he describes as some of the best patients he’s ever had.

Season one in the books! Apr 22, 2020

In this short wrap up episode, Levi and Brandon look back on the season and discuss what surprised them about starting a podcast, some of the difficulties experienced as novice podcasters, and some of the striking takeaways from the interviews. Partway through our recording we were able to acquire higher quality microphones, put our clicking pens away, and Brandon even found his voice a bit more.

This podcast journey began with us introducing ourselves, where we come from, what we do, and how we got to this point in time. Early on, we weren’t certain how many people would be interested in talking to us. That uncertainty didn’t last very long. All our guests this season were great, and we feel privileged to be able to provide a platform for sharing their stories.

Though we are only scratching the surface, we feel like we gained a deeper understanding into the experiences of Veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury, post traumatic headache, migraine, and kidney disease. Even better, being able to give Veterans a platform to share these experiences as well as researchers and healthcare providers to convey their work to aid our Veterans has been a wonderful undertaking.

Next season, we will discuss topics such as drug addiction, glaucoma, chronic pain, and suicide. You can look forward to these episodes and more around June 2020.

We thank you all for listening and look forward to producing many more episodes.

Season 2 Episode 3 – Aiding vision-impaired Veterans through experience: Iowa City VA VIST Coordinator Keith Queen Sep 20, 2021

In this episode Levi and Brandon interview Keith Queen, Visual Impairments coordinator at the Iowa City VA. Listeners will hear how Keith navigated his life with his own visual impairment and his career with the VA, the blind rehabilitation services the VA offers, and expectations for Veterans beginning to lose their eye sight.

Keith Queen struggled with his vision, beginning in his youth, and was diagnosed with rare juvenile onset macular dystrophy, Stargardt disease. Keith did not receive services until he was connected with the Commission of the Blind, following his diagnoses which funded his college education. Keith has two undergraduate degrees, a master’s degree, and served in the Peace Corps. He has pursued a career in blind rehabilitation services and has worked with 5 different VA organizations across the Country. Keith now is a part of the Visual Impairments Services Team.

Visual Impairments Services Team (VIST) connects blind or visual impaired Veterans to multiple programs and services. VIST supports Veterans with learning basic life skills, financial management, technological support and training, counseling, etc. Veterans meet with the Visual Impairments Coordinator in their area to conduct an exam, learn more about their condition, discuss expectations, and refer to services. Click the link to learn more about VIST and connect with a coordinator near you. You can also check out the latest research being done at the Center For the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss.

Blind Veterans Association (BVA) strives to serve and support Veterans with vision loss. BVA advocates for visually impaired Veteran-focused issues and mentorships for Veterans and family. BVA offers four different programs: Veterans Service, Care Review, Operation Peer Support, and Scholarships. Click the link to learn more about BVA.

Also listen to episode two to hear from Dan Standage on his own journey with vision loss during his time in the military and life after.

Season 2 Episode 2 – Not broken, just doing things differently: Director of Disability in Education for the Student Veterans of America, Dan Standage Sep 20, 2021

In the opening of season two interviews of Vets First Podcast, Levi and Brandon welcome Marine Veteran, Dan Standage. In this podcast, listeners will hear from the Arizona native, starting with a brief overview of his childhood and career in the Marines, his emotional and physical journey after becoming legally blind during his station in Japan, and finally his contributions and career in blind rehabilitation services. Levi, Brandon, and Dan discuss the importance of mentorship in the development as individuals, and the importance of adaptability and perspective in the face of change.

Dan has overcome a tumultuous health journey in which he became legally blind during his service. He managed the emotional stress as he adapted to the changes on his life such as fatherhood, driving, basic skills, etc. Dan utilized the VA to formally learn how to manage the changes to his daily life.

With a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Blind Rehabilitation from University of Arizona, Dan worked at the time of this recording as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Student Veterans of America. His job focuses on connecting the fraternal order of the military to education and employment as Veterans become leaders.

Student Veterans of America (SVA) strives to support student Veterans to succeed after their services are completed. The organization provides on campus chapters, research, and advocacy for Veterans in higher education. Click the link to learn more about SVA.

Blind Veterans Association (BVA) strives to serve and support Veterans with vision loss. BVA advocates for visually impaired Veteran-focused issues and mentorships for Veterans and family. BVA offers four different programs: Veterans Service, Care Review, Operation Peer Support, and Scholarships. Click the link to learn more about BVA and how they can support you or your loved ones experiencing vision loss.

Listen to episode three with Keith Queen to learn more about blind and low vision rehabilitation services the VA and Visual Impairment Services Team offers Veterans.

Season 2 Episode 1 – Kicking off Season 2 of the Vets First Podcast Sep 20, 2021

In the first episode of the second season, podcast hosts, Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea overview the guests and topics featured in the seasons and offer some of their retrospective thoughts. The season will interview doctors, experts, private organizations, and Veterans covering topics regarding blind Veterans, PTSD, addiction, and mental health. Some guests include Veteran Trever Siver, Dr. Erik Won, Keith Queen, and Dr. Carolyn Turvey. These episodes can be downloaded now at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/va-podcast-network/vets-first/ and we encourage our listeners to listen to these stories and more as we move forward with the Vets First Podcast. If you have not had a chance to listen to any of the episodes from season one, you can also go to the above link to find those episodes as well.

Levi and Brandon discuss hosting a podcast during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the episodes were recorded via zoom in the hosts’ basements. Both Levi and Brandon’s research jobs were moved remotely, similarly to many other individuals during the pandemic.

Levi and Brandon give a glimpse into the future of the podcast which they plan to continue for many seasons. The hosts would like to thank the VA for their support, the guests joining to speak on their experiences and knowledge, and the listeners for downloading and taking the time to listen to the episodes. They would also like to give a special thanks to Olivia Gaul, a very talented undergraduate who aided in writing the blogs this season. She is going on to do bigger and better things in graduate school where she will be studying social work.

Finally, we want to thank everyone that has supported the podcast over the past year. This was an undertaking that has moved Levi and Brandon out of the comfort zone of the laboratory and into the lives of Veterans and their stories. We hope this season is even better than the first and we look forward to many great things to come! In season three, listeners can look forward to a season dedicated to Veterans with vision problems.

Season 2 Episode 4 – Two candid discussions about drug use disorders: Trever Siver and Henry Uken Sep 20, 2021

In this first part of the episode, podcast hosts, Levi and Brandon, interview army Veteran, Trever Siver. Trever candidly discusses trauma, mental health, and substance use. Trever recounts his childhood, time in the army as a cook, and his battle with addiction and journey to sobriety.

Trever was born and raised in Iowa. While in high school, Trever decided to join the army and served from 1999 to 2004, being stationed in Korea and Germany. Trever survived multiple traumatic injuries where he was introduced to opiates to manage the pain, eventually leading to a long-term battle with substance use. With the support of Dr. Miller at the VA, Trever worked to overcome addiction and continues to receive services from the VA.

In the second part of the episode, hosts interview Levi’s hometown friend and army Veteran, Henry Uken. Henry speaks openly about his experiences in the army, the traumatic brain injuries he sustained during deployment and the symptoms he still experiences today. He also details his recovery with substance use disorder and mental health treatment after being discharged.

Henry Uken grew up in Perry, Iowa with Levi Sowers. Henry served in army until May 2013, where he was deployed multiple times in both Iraq and Afghanistan. While serving, he sustained multiple blast injuries, resulting in traumatic brain injuries. After his discharge, Henry struggled with the change from military life into civilian life. Henry began using methamphetamine, which he identifies as a coping mechanism. He found a passion for disk golf, and his pursuit of the sport encouraged him to begin recovery. Henry is now in recovery and sober for two years.

More than 1 in 10 Veterans are diagnosed with substance use disorders. Veterans Affairs provides substance use treatments for Veterans battling substance use problems. VA offers medication options, counseling and therapy services, and treatment for related health conditions to substance use.

Substance abuse and suicide are significantly connected. Veterans managing substance use disorders are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than other Veterans. Individuals who struggle with substance use disorder are more likely to be depressed, engage in high-risk behaviors, and struggle with social and financial problems. Click the link to learn more about the connection between substance abuse and suicide.

The VA is dedicated to supporting Veterans. VA offers mental health services for Veterans managing PTSD, depression, anxiety, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), etc. Veterans can receive counseling, therapy, and or medication treatment either in person or via the telemental health program.

Season 2 Episode 5 – Learning about drug use disorders from origin to treatment: Dr. Anthony Miller and Dr. John Wemmie Sep 20, 2021

In the first half of episode five, Levi and Brandon interview Dr. Anthony Miller. The episode focuses on opiate use disorder. Levi, Brandon, and Dr. Miller discuss the risks of sustained opiate consumption, causes and treatment options for opiate use disorder, relapsing, and societal views on addiction.

Dr. Miller received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Goshen College and a Medical degree at the University of Iowa with a residency in Psychiatry. Dr. Miller is a practicing psychiatrist and the medical director for addictive disorder services at the VA. Dr. Miller is an expert on opiate use disorder and supports Veterans managing substance use disorders.

The VA provides substance use treatments for Veterans. They accept both self-referrals and referrals by another specialty or primary care provider. Possible treatment options include medications, counseling, and therapy. For specifically opiate use disorder treatments, many Veterans begin treatment in outpatient with inpatient treatment opportunities available.

Following the opioid epidemic, the VA is dedicated to opioid safety and discovery of the safest options for long-term pain management. The VA conducts research, gathers resources, and explores treatment options to improve the safety of pain management treatment plans. Click the link to learn more about the VA’s opioid safety initiative.

In the second half of the episode, Levi and Brandon welcome Dr. John Wemmie to explore and break down the science behind addiction itself. Dr. Wemmie is a staff psychiatrist and director of research for behavior health at the Iowa City VA, and he is a Roy J. Carver Endowed Chair of Psychiatry and Neuroscience.

Dr. Wemmie is an Iowa native, growing up in West Burlington. His career in research began at Central College in Pella where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, and he went on to receive his MD, complete a residency in Psychiatry, and a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Wemmie’s current research focuses on the role of brain pH and acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) and behavior and brain function. The nucleus accumbens, found in the basal forebrain, is related to reward and reinforcement and has been found to relate to addiction. The abundancy of ASIC channels in the nucleus accumbens has driven research to explore the connection between the biological and genetic factors on substance use disorders. Click the link to learn more about Dr. Wemmie’s research.

The VA currently has its own independent research department, the Office of Research and Development, which funds researchers to explore Veteran specific related issues. The VA research program has and continues to make advancements in both Veteran healthcare and general healthcare, with some of the top researchers and physicians at the forefront of that research. Eligible participants can volunteer in clinical trials and studies to contribute to the advancements of the VA’s research.

Listeners should also listen to episode four, where they talk with Veteran Trever Siver and Henry Uken about their own experience with substance use disorders.

Season 2 Episode 6 – The ongoing battle: Josh Marino and Rob Otto share about PTSD, depression, and suicide Sep 20, 2021

In episode six, Levi and Brandon interview Army Veteran, Josh Marino to discuss the traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and internal injuries sustained during his service. Listeners will hear about Josh’s early life, his time in the army, sustaining a head injury, and his life experiences managing the injury. Josh discusses the mental health struggles following his injury, social stigma surrounding internal injuries, and his struggle for identity and purpose after being discharged.

Josh Marino served as a 25 Sierra, specifically in satellite communication where he performed both tactile and strategic tasks. Josh was deployed in Korea, and then was stationed in Kansas to set up the brigade. Josh was again deployed in Iraq, where he sustained a head injury from the shock wave of an indirect fire attack. He suffered from TBI, post-concussion syndrome and headaches, which he still experiences to this day. Josh identifies suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Josh made headlines in 2017 after he rescued a stray cat, Scout. Josh attributes Scout for saving his life. Click the link to watch the heartwarming film of the mutual rescue between Josh and Scout. Josh currently seeks support from the VA and counsels Veterans at the VA.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. The most common type of head trauma from recent conflicts are blast wave injuries. Two of the most prevalent problems reported by military personnel following traumatic brain injury are headache and photosensitivity (light sensitivity), which commonly occur together in migraine-like headaches.

The VA provides care and support for Veterans suffering from TBI. All Veterans who served in combat are screened for TBI. Treatment options for TBI include cognitive, speech, physical, and occupational therapy, coinciding with medication and assistive devices. Click the link to learn more about TBI treatment at the VA. VA also offers counseling services to Veterans to support treatments of related conditions.

In the second half of episode six, Levi and Brandon interview Rob Otto. Listeners will hear about Rob’s early life, career in the military, and life after service and his experience with mental health. Rob discusses PTSD among Veterans and suicide prevention at the VA.

Rob Otto is an Iowa native and Air Force Veteran. He began his military career in the Air Force ROTC and received his undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of Iowa. Rob served in active duty for six years as a Captain, where he was a personnel officer leading teams, project management and administrative work. He attended the police academy and worked as a police officer. Rob is now the Suicide Prevention Coordinator and a social worker at the Iowa City VA where he counsels Veterans.

The VA is dedicated to changing the stigma surrounding mental health. Approximately 20% of Veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans can receive treatment for PTSD at the VA through trauma-focused psychotherapies and antidepressant medication. The VA tailors treatment regiments specific to the Veteran’s key concerns and needs. PTSD often coincides with other mental health illnesses.

Season 2 Episode 7 – Perseverance through care and routine: Dr. Carolyn Turvey and Dr. Anne Sadler discuss research on depression and suicide risk with our Veterans Sep 20, 2021

In the beginning of episode seven, Levi and Brandon speak with Dr. Carolyn Turvey to discuss her studies on functional impairment and depression in Veterans. Dr. Turvey grew up in the suburbs of New York City. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut and received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Yale. From there, Dr. Turvey became a Professor at the University of Iowa, as well as the Director at the Veteran’s Rural Health and a member of the Center for Access and Delivery Research Evaluation at the Iowa City VA. Dr. Turvey goes into depth about her research observations and findings, tools for Veterans to overcome depression, and the value of establishing and maintaining routines.

The second half of the episode features Dr. Anne Sadler, a researcher with VA Health Services Research and Development and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa. Dr. Sadler grew up in Virginia. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Psychology, a Masters in Psychiatric Nursing, and PhD in Marital and Family Therapy. She has worked both in research and clinical environments where she focused on women’s health. In this discussion, Dr. Sadler shares her knowledge on suicide risk factors, facts regarding suicide in the Veteran population, and service-women’s risk factors for sexual assault.

The suicide rate for Veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population, with the rate among female Veterans to non-Veteran adult women being 2.5 times greater. More facts about suicide among women Veterans can be found at the link.

Suicide rates in rural Veterans compared to urban Veterans are reportedly higher. The Office of Rural Health is interested in addressing care needs and care disparities for Veterans in rural area and breaking down the barriers for Veterans to access quality care. The rate of suicide decreases among Veterans who receive VA care.

Season 2 Episode 8 – Exploring treatment of PTSD, headache, and depression through brain stimulation: Wave Neuro and TMS Sep 20, 2021

In this episode, podcast hosts Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea dive into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a treatment for depression, PTSD, and headache, with expert Dr. Erik Won.

Dr. Won, a Californian native, trained at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia and completed his General Medical Officer (GMO) tour as a flight surgeon in Pensacola, Florida at the Navy Aerospace Medicine Institute. After, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton and deployed from 2000-2001 with the 11th marine expeditionary unit primarily in the Middle East. He completed his residency at Harvard University in Occupation and Environmental Medicine, a subdivision of preventative medicine. Dr. Won is the President and Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuro, a company dedicated to developing non-invasive and non-pharmacological technology to advance the treatment of brain related injuries and illnesses.

Based on the principals of physics, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) utilizes magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS has been found to treat symptoms of depression. The typical protocol for TMS is a 30-minute session each day. Prior to treatment, an EEG is used to detect the frequency patterns of the individual’s brain and is analyzed for disparities. This analysis helps tailor the treatment to the individual’s specific brain frequency. An electromagnetic coil is placed over the head, near the scalp and forehead and delivers magnetic stimulation to the areas of the brain involved in mood and depression. The targeted neuron stimulation gradually trains the neurons to fire more synchronously. The benefit of this approach is that it is not dependent upon drugs and is also non-invasive.

The long-term goal of this research to is better treat individuals who may have any number of psychiatric and/or neurological disorders. As there are more advances in TMS technology are developed, the ability to treat more disorders will expand. The future is bright for the use of this non-invasive technique in Veterans.

Season 2 Episode 9 – Supporting our active-duty military, Veterans, and first responders: Jim Ravella and the Gary Sinise Foundation Sep 20, 2021

In this episode, hosts Levi and Brandon welcome Jim Ravella, Vice President of Programs at the Gary Sinise Foundation. They discuss the mission, programs and initiatives offered at the Gary Sinise Foundation to support our nation’s defenders and their families.

Jim Ravella grew up in a family that served in the military – his father served as a pilot during WW2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Jim graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering, and was inspired to become a pilot. He served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force for over 26 years.

Jim joined the Gary Sinise Foundation in May 2019 as Vice President of Outreach prior to his subsequent promotion to VP of Programs. Jim’s position involves overseeing the day-to-day running of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s programmatic services and the implementation of the Foundation’s four pillar programs. Jim is married to Ginger Gilbert Ravella, a Gold Star widow and Ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation, who speaks nationally raising awareness for Veterans and the families of our fallen. Jim and Ginger have seven children and have co-authored a book “Hope Found” about their experiences overcoming devastating loss and tragedy.

The Gary Sinise Foundation was established under the philanthropic direction of award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, who has been an advocate for Veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families for 40 years. The Foundation’s four programmatic pillars include the R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) Program, which builds 100% mortgage-free, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded Veterans and first responders, and their families. These “forever homes” are tailored to the specific needs of each wounded hero and are specially designed to ease the daily challenges faced by disabled Veterans and first responders, and their families, who sacrifice so much alongside them. The R.I.S.E. program also provides home modifications, mobility devices, and adapted vehicles to Veterans and first responders with injuries and medical conditions.

The Gary Sinise Foundation’s Community and Education Program bridges the gap between defender and civilian communities through initiatives that honor America’s heroes, both past and present, and inspire the next generation to do the same, such as the Foundation’s Soaring Valor initiative. Soaring Valor sends WWII Veterans to New Orleans to tour the National WWII Museum built in their honor while recording their oral histories for future generations. Through this initiative, high school students accompany WWII Veterans to learn history first-hand and carry on their stories with a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation.

The Foundation’s First Responders Outreach Program, its third key program, provides funding to first responder departments across the country for essential equipment, PPE, emergency relief, and training to ensure first responders are able to perform to the best of their abilities. Gary Sinise and the foundation’s long history supporting first responders began in the aftermath of 9/11 with Gary’s support of the FDNY and NYPD and pivotal role in creating the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance, and continues to this day: in 2020 alone, the Foundation’s First Responders Outreach program provided thousands of pieces of critical PPE and essential equipment needed for first responders to fight COVID-19, serving a total population of 8.5 million.

The Foundation’s last key program, the Relief and Resiliency Program, supports Veterans, first responders, and their families through any hardships they face, offering complete support before, during, and after the battle through flagship initiatives like Snowball Express, which provides year-round support to the families of fallen military heroes. The Foundation’s Mental Wellness initiatives are under the Relief and Resilience Program umbrella, and address the mental wellness needs of service members, first responders, and Veterans through many varying partnerships. One of the latest mental health initiatives, which is discussed on this podcast, is the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network which focuses on providing transformative care to Veterans and first responders suffering from TBI, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse, as well as supporting their families throughout the care process. The Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network is the first comprehensive traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress network available free-of-charge to Veterans and first responders nationwide and will establish 20 sites nationwide to serve thousands of Veterans and first responders.

Learn more about the Gary Sinise Foundation hereand in our latest episode of the Vets First Podcast.

Season 2 Bonus Episode – First-hand experience in the trenches of Covid-19: Dr. Alejandro Pezzulo Mar 08, 2022

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, Levi and Brandon interview Dr. Alejandro Pezzulo, a pulmonologist, and Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa. This episode was recording back in August of 2021 during the height of the Delta wave. We think this is an interesting look into COVID-19 with a critical care provider.

Dr. Pezzulo was born in Caracas, Venezuela where he grew and eventually went to medical school. He became interested in biomedical research, particularly pulmonology, and established connections at the University of Iowa. Dr. Pezzulo wanted to include research with being a clinician and began work with the VA during his internal medicine residency. He enjoyed talking and working with Veterans while providing clinical care and continues to do so to this day. He notes that some of his favorite patients are Veterans.
In our discussion, Dr. Pezzulo shares with Levi and Brandon his insight into SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. He breaks down how COVID-19 affects the body, why the body’s response to this virus is so severe, and how current treatments work to combat this disease. Particularly, Dr. Pezzulo illustrates the difference between how the body responds to a new virus never experienced before and how the immune response plays a role. He also comments on why COVID-19 is more harmful to some patients than others and what factors play a role. Additionally, Dr. Pezzulo comments on how the COVID-19 vaccines are made, getting the COVID-19 vaccine even if a person has already contracted the virus, the potentials of long COVID, and a brief history on vaccination efforts with other diseases like polio and measles. Finally, he discusses what it has been like for a critical care pulmonologist during the pandemic.

For the latest science and research on COVID-19, we highly encourage our listeners to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-and-research.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fmore%2Fscience-and-research.html

Season 3 Episode 1: Introduction to season 3 May 25, 2023

We are finally back! It has been almost 2 years since we last published a season. A lot has changed over that time. Dr. Sowers started a faculty position at the University of Iowa in the Department of Pediatrics where he is studying migraine pathophysiology in preclinical models. This is an exciting season! In total, we have 11 new interviews for your from across the spectrum. The Blinded Veterans Association was integral in the topic this season which is all about Vision and Vision related issues in Veterans. We interviewed many awesome Veterans who told amazing stories. One that stuck out to me was Tim Hornick. His interview was one of the most difficult interviews Brandon and I have ever done (in a good way). It is a captivating listen! Several wonderful practitioners join us this season who all have VA funded awards to study vision. We cover glaucoma, diabetic neuropathy, traumatic brain injury induced vision problems and much more! We also interview the former president of the Blinded Veterans Association.

Moving forward, the podcast will take a little bit of a different shape. We are going to stop doing seasons and attempt to release an episode every month or so. We are going to start bringing guest hosts on in future episodes and we may do join interviews with a Veteran and Researcher/practitioner at the same time.

Finally, thank you all for listening and we apologize for the long wait! The Vets First Podcast would not be possible without the people that listen. This project has been one of the most rewarding projects that Brandon and I have ever worked on. We would like to thank the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual loss and the Iowa City VA Research foundation for aiding in the production of this season. We also want to give a shout out to Jayme Waite, Thomas Duong, and Michael Huebner who are wonderful undergraduates or VA employees that volunteered their time to edit blogs this season. Once again, thank you all for listening and we hope you enjoy and learn something along the way!

Season 3 Episode 8: Understanding diabetes and vision loss: A walkthrough with Dr. Randy Kardon May 26, 2023

In this episode Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview returning guest Dr. Randy Kardon. Dr. Kardon is a neuro ophthalmologist at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System and the University of Iowa in Iowa City who has had federal funding for over 30 years. This episode focuses on diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes affects many different types of body tissues, including the eye. With minimal invasiveness, the eye can be studied and provide information about how diabetes damages other tissues. Additionally, the eye can allow doctors to detect diabetes far earlier than other tissues with high resolution scans on the cells in the eyes. Early detection and management of diabetes can help minimize health effects of the disease and can prevent blindness. Control of blood sugar is the most important aspect to help prevent blindness with diabetes. Dr. Kardon explains how diabetes affects the eye and can lead to vision loss, as well as other effects on the body and available treatments. He explains that there are tiny blood vessels in the eye that are lined with endothelial cells. In diabetes these endothelial cells are damaged by the byproducts of high blood sugar and cause the tiny blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissue. When fluid gets into the tissue layers it disrupts the tissues' ability to function. This, however, can be managed with treatment. After the vessels begin leaking, the eye releases growth factors to allow new blood vessels to grow. Unfortunately, these vessels are weaker and begin to leak even more, and this is what leads to severe blindness in patients. Though there are treatments for the second stage of blood vessel leaks, when the leakage is too severe there is little that can be done. Dr. Kardon also talks about the different types of diabetes and how each type affects vision in patients.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 Episode 11: Advocating for Veterans and families with sight loss: Dr. Thomas Zampieri and the Blinded Veterans Association May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Thomas Zampieri. Dr. Zampieri currently serves on multiple Department of Defense grant review panels and has been appointed to the VA National Research Advisory Council, which is a Congressional mandated council to advise research at the VA. He is also the past president of the Blinded Veterans Association and he’s a former Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam era as an Army medic. In this episode, Dr. Zampieri talks about his career as a physician assistant and as a Veteran suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic degenerative disease that breaks down cells in the retina over time.

Dr. Zampieri started his career early on as an emergency medical technician in rural New Hampshire and Vermont, which led him directly to the Army as a field medic and as a physician assistant. He talks about how the gradual visual loss affected his work and how it ultimately forced him to stop medical practice and leave the VA. He then discusses his perseverance with loss of vision and how he found the motivation to obtain a PhD in Political Science at the age of 47.

Later in the episode, Dr. Zampieri narrates his journey back to the VA through the Blinded Veterans Association as the Director of Government Relations to represent blind Veterans. From there, he obtained many other VA positions and discussed his appreciation for helping Veterans. He elaborates about his efforts towards advocating for more funding in research to assist degenerative eye conditions, particularly vision dysfunction from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Then, Dr. Zampieri communicates about the struggles many Veterans go through with TBI. Finally, he talks about one of his unique meetings with a recently blinded Veteran and demonstrated how you can still live your life well with vision loss.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 Episode 12: Building bridges in international veteran vision research: Dr. Renata Gomes and Bravo Victor May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Renata Gomes. Dr. Gomes is a medical and forensic specialist with a sub-specialized in regenerative biomedicine who works with blinded Veterans in the United Kingdom. She was born in Portugal into a family with 5 generations of Army officers and moved to England at a young age. She earned her degree in Forensic Medicine and a Masters in Cardiovascular Medicine and Biology from University College London. Dr. Gomes then earned her international PhD in Regenerative Medicine and Biochemistry with the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), University of Coimbra (Portugal), and the University of Eastern Finland (Finland). After gaining her doctorate, Dr. Gomes became a researcher in regenerative medicine and joined the Royal Naval Reserves.

Dr. Gomes established Blind Veterans UK’s research and innovation department in 2017 and was central to the establishment of Bravo Victor in 2021. Blind Veterans UK is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1915 that provides rehabilitation and services for blinded UK Veterans and their families. Bravo Victor was established to invest in the combination of medical research, social welfare research, and innovations to prepare Veterans living with sight loss for the future, as Veterans in the UK stay with Blind Veterans UK for their lifetime.

Dr. Gomes shares about the focus on traumatic brain injury that can cause significant issues in sensory loss, family relationships, and innovations that ensure that Veterans can live independent and fulfilling lives. She also highlights their international collaborations many countries including the United States to better serve Veterans and help stop significant loss of vision through promotion of eye health. Bravo Victor has and continues to work with the Blinded Veterans Association, the only congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization created for, consisting of, and led by visually impaired Veterans.

For more information about Bravo Victor, viewers can visit https://www.bravovictor.org/. If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 episode 4: Resilience and growth through traumatic vision loss: Tim Hornick May 26, 2023

Warning before the podcast, this episode contains graphic content of an Iraqi Veteran’s experiences and may be difficult to hear for some listeners.
In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Veteran Tim Hornick. Tim Hornick is a post 9/11 Army Captain who served from 2002 to 2011 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned his Master's in Social Work and began working for the Western Blind Rehab Center. Tim grew up in the south side of Chicago and joined the military while applying for colleges to study nursing through the ROTC. However, he decided to not go the nursing route, enlisted at 22, and was stationed in South Korea. In this episode Tim tells his story of when he was deployed to Iraq in 2004. On November 11, 2004, while supporting the Iraqi national guard Tim was shot through the left temple, narrowly missing his helmet, and the bullet exited the right eye where he ultimately lost his sight. The bullet missed the brain but tore through nerves causing him to lose his sight. Tim talks about his journey after the accident and speaks on the mental process that allowed him, years later, to be able to laugh about the trauma and grow. Tim shares that over the years he has become happier and learned from his condition. While he still misses parts of his old life, he does not dwell on the past and has turned his experience into a way to help others grow from similar situations, highlighted by his term “transilience”. The VA has started to move forward with Ocular Trauma and Blind Disability Excellence Centers that allow Veterans with vision loss to find others with similar conditions. At the time of this recording, Tim Hornick was working within the VA’s Western Blind Rehab Center as the admissions coordinator. Now Tim has moved into a new position with the Blinded Veterans Association as their Director of Special Initiatives. He oversees the development of the Vet Tech program which focuses on assistive technology through support groups and podcasts and CARE review.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 episode 5: Providing support and community with sight loss: Dr. Laura Peters May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Laura Peters. Dr. Peters currently works as a licensed counselling psychologist at the VA Blind Rehabilitation Center in Palo Alto, California. Originally from California, Dr. Peters completed her graduate degree in counseling psychology at University of Utah. She began working with the VA during a practicum in which she focused on geriatric psychology, the psychology of aging, and worked at an outpatient mental health program in Salt Lake City, Utah. Eventually, she found her way to Palo Alto, California where she currently lives.

Dr. Peters goes on to discuss her path to her current career at the Blind Rehabilitation Center and her role in helping visually impaired Veterans as a licensed counselling psychologist. She further discusses the diverse causes and symptoms of vision loss that impact Veterans, and the general population. Dr. Peters talks more in-depth on the prevalence of age-related vision loss and how Veterans learn to adapt with sudden or progressive blindness. Levi, Brandon, and Dr. Peters examine the impact of both physical and mental aspects of vision loss on Veterans’ daily activities, and several tools that assist individuals with varied spectrums of visual impairment.

Dr. Peters discusses the benefits of using a whole-person approach in treatment of vision impaired Veterans. She further highlights the inter-professional collaboration between counsellors, social workers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals when a Veteran seeks care within the Blind Rehabilitation Center. Lastly, Brandon, Levi, and Dr. Peters briefly discuss recent research around visual loss and Veterans, as well as Veteran testimonials regarding Blind Rehabilitation Centers. As Dr. Peters mentions in this episode, there are a total of thirteen VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers as well as several non-VA facilities throughout the United States that a Veteran can access if experiencing vision loss.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here.

Season 3 Episode 6: Connecting sight loss, TBI, the importance of building a care network: Dr. Eric Singman May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Eric Singman, a neuro-ophthalmologist working at the Department of Defense Vision Center of Excellence in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been working with Veterans and active-duty military for 20 years. Prior to his position at the VA, Dr. Singman spent most of his academic career in the greater New York City area, obtaining his MD and PhD with a focus on vision problems associated with optic nerve damage from brain injury.

During this episode, Dr. Singman discusses his clinical role at the VA and explains how he directly works with patients suffering from brain injury induced vision problems. He touches on topics like using stem cells to regenerate affected areas of the nervous system and utilizing different colored NoIR sunglasses to allow visually impaired patients to be more comfortable. He then explains at length about the importance of choosing the right color and how it relates to the optic nerve and its circuitries in the brain.

Later in the episode, Dr. Singman elaborates on injury induced by impacts and talks about what happens physiologically, particularly with the optic nerve. He differentiates the effects on the nerve among blunt, ballistic, and blast injury, and discusses how protection may play a role in vision health depending on the injury. Then, Dr. Singman talks about the potential for brain tissue to have regenerative properties like other organs in the body such as the kidneys and the liver. Lastly, he talks about the social and economic impact of brain injury in Veterans, how he builds a network of physicians and caretakers for his patients to ensure correct treatment, and how traumatic brain injury is likely the key player for many other diseases and disorders outside of the brain injury itself.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 Episode 7: Life and independence after diabetic vision loss: Loretta Phillips May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Loretta Phillips, an Army Veteran from Lancaster, South Carolina. Loretta suffers from visual impairment due to complications from diabetes that progressed due to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. During this conversation, Loretta talks about the patient perspective of dealing with visual loss as a Veteran and shares her journey in getting treatment for her developing issues.

Loretta joined the Army in 1989, where she spent most of her time in Germany amid the Cold War conflict. She obtained the rank of Sergeant in less than three years and served seven in total. After she came back to the United States, she had a daughter. However, four months later, she experienced vision loss during work. Throughout the episode, Loretta describes her diagnosis and the troubles she overcame to get treatment, having to resort to civilian doctors over government health workers at the time. Then, she describes an instance where she almost lost sight completely and how treatment for it damaged her eyes and consequently her eyesight.

Later in the episode, Loretta talks about what life is like with loss of sight and, more specifically, how the Blind Rehabilitation Center with the VA, helped her learn the skills to survive and live with vision loss. Then, she talks about joining the Blind Veterans Association and gives advice to Veterans experiencing visual loss. She encourages Veterans to reach out to the visual programs and discusses how it can be difficult accepting loss of vision. Finally, she talks about both the mental and physical sides of vision impairment and the importance of research for vision loss.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 episode 9: Navigating life with glaucoma related vision loss: Liz Holmes May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Elizabeth Holmes. Elizabeth “Liz” Holmes is the Blinded Veterans Association National Secretary and is part of the Georgia regional group. She is an Army Veteran and during her career she attended both basic and advanced ordinance courses and airborne school. Liz was born and raised in the south side of Chicago about 15 minutes from Indiana. She went to DePaul University and didn’t initially have plans to join the military. However, seeing that the ROTC program there did not have any women and knowing she could do anything a man could, Liz decided to join the ROTC program in 1975 and received her training at Fort Riley, Kansas. Following college, she joined the service as a reserve officer and then went on active duty for 11 years where she traveled all over the states, Korea, and Germany. Liz served from 1976 to 1987, where in 1976 she was commissioned to be a Second Lieutenant in the ordinant specialty. Following her military service, Liz worked in the United States Postal Service serving in a variety of different ways until retirement in 2014 due to vision loss because of glaucoma. She had never noticed a change in her vision until she went to an eye exam where her glaucoma was diagnosed. Liz had surgery on her left eye but continued to experience issues. She began seeing a specialist that worked to save her right eye’s vision. Liz was referred to the VA for further care and joined other programs to help navigate life with vision loss. While in blind rehabilitation in Birmingham, Alabama, Liz joined the Blinded Veterans Association and became an active member. She shares about her experiences in the military, vision loss with glaucoma, and her involvement in the Blinded Veterans Association.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 episode 10: A look into the optic nerve and vision loss: Dr. Oliver Gramlich May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Oliver Gramlich, a research health science specialist at the Iowa City VA Health Care System. He is also a research assistant professor in the Neuroscience and Pharmacology Program at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Gramlich was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and went to graduate school at the University of Mines, where he was interested in biology and ophthalmology. After he obtained his PhD, he was recruited to the University of Iowa to work on glaucoma-related vision loss at the Department of Ophthalmology. This led him to become interested in many other vision-related diseases surrounding the optic nerve, such as multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Throughout the beginning of the episode, Dr. Gramlich narrates his journey to neuro-ophthalmology research at the University of Iowa and his preclinical research at the VA. He discusses the importance of using animal models to translate physiological knowledge from experiments to human subjects. He later talks about the importance of the optic nerve in visual information transmission and elaborates about the physiological mechanisms and effects of various diseases such as glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

In the second half of the episode, Dr. Gramlich discusses potential treatments for vision-related diseases. He then talks about his work regarding biomarkers of the visual system that relate to humans and describes potential ways to enhance recovery in patients dealing with optic neuritis. Dr. Gramlich shares his work with utilizing a combination of different diets and drugs to manipulate metabolic pathways in order to promote neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects to remedy optic nerve inflammation. Lastly, he describes his use of three-dimensional imaging to observe disease progression and resolution based on multiple variables and how this can directly apply to the clinical side of vision.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

Season 3 Episode 2: Guiding the way to meaningful research for Veterans: Dr. Lina Kubli May 26, 2023

In this episode Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Lina Kubli. Dr. Kubli is the RR&D Scientific Program Manager for Sensory Systems/Communication Disorders. Dr. Kubli was born in India and lived there until age 7 before moving the United States and settling in Maryland. She attended college at the University of Maryland initially majoring in Biochemistry, then switching to Hearing and Speech. In this time, Dr Kubli learned that she wanted to not only participate in clinical work but also interact with people while staying within research. She continued her education with earning her Master's in Audiology from the University of Maryland and worked with Veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) as a Research Scientist and served as a Subject Matter Expert on Central Auditory Processing disorders and Traumatic Brain Injury. Initially reluctant to leave such an engaging research project, the director of the clinic encouraged Dr. Kubli to find a PhD program that could accommodate her schedule. She was able to find this balance at Gallaudet University, where she earned her PhD in Audiology. Dr. Kubli served on the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff as Chair for the Patient and Family Centered Care Steering Committee at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Together with Levi and Brandon, Dr. Kubli explains what it means to be a Scientific Program Manager and how she oversees the program within the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. She evaluates a broad range of funding applications for research that include vision, hearing, balance, communication, and more. Additionally, she recruits individuals with expertise to best evaluate the funding applications. Many of the panel members are from outside of the VA to ensure that the most knowledgeable reviewers help navigate a project being implemented in the VA. Dr. Kubli shares about all the work that goes into supporting important research for the benefit of Veterans.

Season 3 Episode 3: Investigating visual disfunction in blast traumatic brain injury: Dr. Steven Fliesler May 26, 2023

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, hosts Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea interview Dr. Steven Fliesler, a SUNY Distinguished Professor at the University of Buffalo and a career scientist at the VA in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Fliesler holds positions as an endowed Chair of Ophthalmology and Director of Research in the Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Fliesler was born and raised in New York and moved to California at the age of 15. He attended the College of San Mateo, the University of California in San Diego, and the University of California Berkeley during his undergraduate education and later obtained his PhD in Biochemistry at Rice University. During his time at Rice, his professor in neurobiology needed someone, particularly a chemist, to give a lecture about the chemistry of vision. This led Dr. Fliesler to an opportunity at the Baylor College of Medicine, where he did a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Ophthalmology. From there, he has distinguished himself in research and teaching within the vision field and has since been interested in research towards helping Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Throughout this episode, Dr. Fliesler discusses how he started researching TBI and why it interests him. First, he talks about what inspired him to enter blast injury research and highlights his collaboration with one of his colleagues. He then talks about utilizing animal models to better understand visual abnormalities found in trauma patients at the VA and converses about the methodology he used to quantify the visual effects of TBI, both behaviorally and physiologically.

Later, Dr. Fliesler further describes his exploration into blast research with a professor at the University of Buffalo. He comments on the effects of auditory blasts that cause trauma in mice and how that affects visual function. Then, he discusses the various mechanisms that causes visual deficits and how it is important to understand in the context of TBI in order to rescue visual impairments. Finally, he hypothesizes on how the human body reacts to TBI.

If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran needing help with visual loss, contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or contact the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program by phone which can be found here. There are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers around the country, which can help with things like mobility, communication, and living with vision loss.

A Discussion with Neil Andrews From the Migraine Science Collaborative Jan 12, 2024

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, Dr. Levi Sowers and Brandon Rea are joined by Neil Andrews for a collaborative interview.

Niel Andrews is the executive editor and science journalist for the Migraine Science Collaborative, which serves as an online platform dedicated to a wide array of migraine-related research in pursuit of their mission statement, “To accelerate research advances in migraine and headache diseases.” Andrews explains how they aim to bridge the gap between complex scientific findings and a wider audience, ensuring that their content is accessible and informative for both experts and non-experts alike.

With a twist on our usual format, Neil Andrews conducts the first half of the interview and questions our hosts on the origins of the Vets First Podcast, which was created with a similar goal in communicating complex scientific issues to veterans and to better understand the issues they face. Levi and Brandon reflect on their interactions with veterans and the strength and resiliency of dealing with unseen diseases like migraines. Our hosts explain how, in contrast to other areas of pain research, migraine research has seen continued innovations. Despite this, they emphasize the need for more scientists dedicated to the field.

In the second half of the interview, Brandon and Levi question Neil Andrews about his life as a science journalist and the challenges faced by the Migraine Science Collaborative. Having shared similar experiences in their pursuits of communicating research, the trio discusses the difficulties in conveying intricate scientific methodologies and techniques to non-specialists but emphasizes the importance of making these studies more accessible and understandable.

Overall, the episode offers a look into the complexities of migraine research, the challenges of communicating basic science, and the collaborative efforts aimed at advancing understanding and treatment for individuals affected by migraines.

Louis Kolling: From the Army to Science, How an Army Veteran found a career in science Apr 09, 2024

Content warning: This episode contains conversations on addiction and self-harm.
In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, our host Levi Sowers tackles his first solo interview as Brandon takes time away to focus on his education. Join us as Levi speaks with our guest, Louis Kolling.
Louis Kolling has a PhD in molecular biophysics and is also a US Army veteran, having served from 2006 to 2012 as a sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Kolling currently conducts research as a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Iowa department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology. Recreationally, he is also powerlifter with four national and eleven state records.

Kolling’s unique perspective is the highlight of this episode. As both a veteran in need of the VA’s services and a researcher working to tackle problems those like him could face, Kolling is uniquely poised to be a perfect guest for the Vets First Podcast.

This interview centers around Louis’s personal history with enlisting in the military at a young age and searching for a purpose within its ranks and within the world of higher education. Kolling explains how his experiences led to struggles with alcohol dependency and depression and how, like many veterans, he was hesitant to seek help from the VA at a time when its services were undergoing major changes. Kolling explains the stigma that veterans face when confronting mental health issues and how his experiences have taught him how to help other veterans face their own hesitations.

Season 4 episode 3: How to talk about suicide in Veterans. An interview with Jennifer Van Tiem and Nicole Johnson Nov 14, 2024

Content warning: This episode contains conversations on self-harm.

In this episode of the Vets First Podcast, Levi Sowers is joined by guest-turned-cohost, Louis Kolling. If you’re interested in learning more about Louis Kolling’s story, listen to Season 4: Episode 2 to hear about his journey from army veteran to molecular biophysicist. Now join the two as they speak with Jennifer Van Tiem and Nicole Johnson who dive into their qualitative research on how to discuss suicide with veterans. Nicole is a senior quantitative research specialist at the VA with the Office of Rural Health with a PhD in health communication from Indiana University. Jen Van Tiem is a PhD in applied anthropology from Columbia University and a principal investigator on a project aimed at providing practitioners with better tools for communicating with veterans.

Together, the pair explain how tools like theirs are designed to bridge the gap in communicating with veterans and specifically in regards to approaching the conversation of suicide. While no one tool can have all of the answers or say the perfect thing, their “conversation tool” guides practitioners towards desirable outcomes during difficult conversations.

There is also a focus on the rise of qualitative research and how it is used in a research setting to add context to the statistics of quantitative research. Despite the differences in their research practices, every one agrees that each form of research can be used to provide background, inform, and further the other.

Finally Louis speaks to his experiences speaking with other veterans about mental health and the difficulty in broaching that subject with health care providers out of fear. Louis focuses on a veteran’s fear of being labeled and forced into an unknown processes that may further strip them of their rights. The focus shifts to how dispelling the myths and stigma around mental health hospitalization could improve outcomes in these conversations.

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