Fort Leonard Wood officials cut ribbon for new Warrior Transition Unit

By Mr. John Brooks (Army Medicine)May 8, 2013

Fort Leonard Wood officials cut ribbon for new Warrior Transition Unit
Pictured from left to right, Capt. Carl Bisckei, Warrior Transition Unit commander; Brig. Gen. Mark Inch, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general; Sgt. Jeremy Turner; Staff Sgt. Jill Franco; and Col. Marie Domin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (May 3, 2013) -- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital and Fort Leonard Wood officially commemorated the opening of a new Warrior Transition Unit during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at the WTU campus.

The new campus, which has been operational since December 2012, includes a Soldier Family Assistance Center for financial management and educational resources, an administrative building, and 24 two-bedroom suites with kitchen units.

Col. Marie Dominguez, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital commander, talked about the WTU mission to heal wounded, ill, or injured Soldiers and return them back to duty, or assist them with their transition to civilian life.

"The key to successful, holistic healing is the comprehensive transition plan approach that focuses on the six core attributes of spiritual, career, emotional, family, physical, and social healing," Dominguez said.

"We focus on the abilities of the Soldier, not the disabilities," she said. "I maintain that all of our Soldiers have raised their right hand to serve our nation, and we have a solemn duty to promote healing of those Soldiers. We owe our Soldiers the best possible chance for recovery."

A team of specialists, including a primary care manager, a nurse case manager, and a squad leader, work together to coordinate the care and transition of each Soldier who is assigned to the WTU.

On average, the WTU has more than 100 Soldiers assigned to the unit, including Soldiers who reside off post. Each Soldier is assigned to the WTU for about one year, depending on the Soldier's injury and necessary transition period.

The WTU campus, which is located adjacent to the main hospital is managed by 40 civilian and military service members.

The Fort Leonard Wood WTU campus is one of 29 specialized units throughout the U.S. and Europe.

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General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital