CU Center for COMBAT Research’s mission in spotlight at joint event with El Pomar Foundation
The University of Colorado Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research and the El Pomar Foundation this week held a joint event to showcase the center’s research and mission to save and improve lives on the battlefield and at home.
CU Regent Ken Montera, vice chair, and Regent Emeritus Kyle Hybl co-hosted the Aug. 7 event at the Penrose House in Colorado Springs.
Air Force Col Vikhyat Bebarta, M.D., professor of emergency medicine, and founding director of the Center for COMBAT Research, shared the center’s original story, examples of the center’s latest clinical research related to military medicine, and focus on future implications for the health of Colorado communities.
Air Force Brig. Gen. (retired) Kathleen Flarity, Ph.D., D.N.P., associate clinical professor of emergency medicine, and deputy director of the Center for COMBAT Research, spoke about her purpose-driven work in resiliency and psychological health, and Army COL (retired) Sean Keenan, M.D., associate clinical professor of emergency medicine, and assistant director of the center, discussed implementing research into training and guidelines quickly for first responders, combat medics and local military bases.
Army CPT Matt Paulson, M.D., senior research scholar in the Center for COMBAT Research, reflected on how his experience as an infantry officer motivated his research as a scholar and former CU medical student. He is a current CU emergency medicine resident.
Many university, business and community leaders were in attendance, as well as CU leaders including Chancellor Donald Elliman, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, and Danielle Radovich Piper, senior vice president for external relations and strategy, CU system.