VETERAN Lab

VETERAN Lab: Veteran Education, Transition Empowerment Research, and Advocacy Network (VETERAN) Lab

MISSION AND CORE VALUES

At the VETERAN Lab, our commitment is to empower and enhance the lives of our nation’s veterans. With a sense of duty and gratitude, our lab’s mission includes research, implementation of evidence-based programs, and advocacy for policies that address critical aspects of military-to-civilian transition, education, social determinants of health, and health behaviors.

The following are issues that we care deeply about.

Military-to-Civilian Transition Empowerment: We seek to understand, navigate, and improve the journey from military service to civilian life. We develop and implement evidence-based programs and support systems that empower veterans to seamlessly integrate into civilian society.

Education and Support: Acknowledging the transformative power of education, we research and advocate for solutions to the unique educational challenges faced by veterans. Our goal is to champion initiatives that facilitate access to quality education, promote academic success, and equip veterans with the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in diverse post-military careers.

Social Determinants of Health: We also investigate and address the social determinants that impact veterans’ health outcomes. By understanding and mitigating the challenges related to education, housing, employment, and community support, we are attempting to create an community that is conducive to optimal physical, mental, and social health for our local veterans.

Health Behavior Research: We explore health behaviors common to veterans. Using epidemiological research methods, we identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities for positive behavior change. Our research informs targeted interventions and initiatives that empower veterans to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, leading to improved overall well-being.

Policy Advocacy and Reform: We engage with policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels in order to advocate for issues that matter to veterans. Our research informs evidence-based policy recommendations that recognize and address the unique challenges faced by veterans during their transition and beyond. A critical policy advocacy initiative in which the VETERAN Lab is currently engaged concerns the recognition in health care settings of an emerging concept known as “moral injury.”

Thank you for considering a gift to support our efforts of empowering and enhancing the lives of our nation's veterans.